Heart, Tom headline NYC’s Philippine Independence Day revelry

When Heart Evangelista marched at last year’s Philippine Independence Day parade in New York City, she caused quite a stir among her legions of fans after she walked several blocks under the sun in a Christian Louboutin stiletto, alongside her then new boyfriend, Sen. Chiz Escudero.

At that time, Heart and Chiz were the hottest item in Philippine showbiz as the media overindulged on their you-and-me-against-the-world love affair that, interestingly, managed to thrive against all odds.

This year, Heart is again joining this Sunday’s (June 1) Philippine Independence Day parade and festival in New York City, the largest freedom day celebration in the US and outside the Philippines.

And whether or not she will again wear a pricey pair of pumps and be escorted by the distinguished senator are something fans from as far as Canada, California and Florida can look forward to.

“Heart remains one of the biggest Kapuso artists among US Pinoys who follow her hit teleseryes via GMA Pinoy TV, along with the Philippines’ longest-running showbiz-oriented talk show Startalk which she co-hosts,” said Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre who filed this report. “Heart’s alternate escort, in case Sen. Chiz wouldn’t make it, is hot Kapuso hunk Tom Rodriguez who will surely spice up the revelry.”

According to Edmund, Tom became an overnight sensation not only in the Philippines but also among GMA Pinoy TV followers with the massive success of last year’s award-winning drama series My Husband’s Lover. Added Edmund, “His recent romantic-comedy flick So It’s You opposite Carla Abellana, is now anticipated by his Pinoy fans overseas.”

The whole-day NYC event will also feature apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, Ogie Alcasid and reigning Miss World Megan Young who has forged a partnership with the parade organizers (Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. or PIDCI) to raise funds for the victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda.

The celebration — highlighted by a two-hour grand parade of colorful floats and marching bands (starting at 11:45 a.m. from 38th Street down to 23rd Street on Madison Avenue, known as America’s famous advertising district), all-day street fair of Pinoy cuisine and delicacies (from 10 a.m.) and cultural concert (from 2 p.m.) — will also feature David Pomeranz, Broadway actress and former Disney teen star Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, OPM composer Cecile Azarcon, R&B/soul singer Edlyn Peregrina, and former model-actress Bessie Badilla (the first Pinay Carnival Queen in Brazil).

Also in the list of VIP guests are Retired U.S. Army Major General Antonio Taguba, who will march on behalf of the AARP for Asian Americans; boxing and mixed martial arts champion Ana Julaton, and Pinay racing driver Michelle Bumgarner.

The dignitaries will be led by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., Consul General Mario de Leon Jr., Permanent Representative to the UN Libran Cabactulan, PIDCI president Fe Martinez, Mrs. Kalayaan Josephine Vilar Rafael, Diwa ng Kalayaan Mikaela Alexa Rada and the 2014 Grand Marshals Drs. Emilio and Felicisima Quines, both well-respected philanthropists and long-time medial mission volunteers.

“What started as a small Independence Day Parade that passed by a few blocks near the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue in the early ‘90s has grown into a huge annual celebration along Madison Avenue where 100,000 of our own kin walk the city’s main streets,” Fe Martinez was quoted as saying. “We owe it to the Filipinos’ strong family ties and genuine concern for one another, especially in times of hardships and natural disasters such as Supertyphoon Yolanda last year.”

Also expected to attend are US District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lorna Schofield, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro and New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation Gov. Ram Raju, MD.

Edmund: “Close to 200 Filipino-American organizations representing all sectors, from war veterans and police to students and professionals, will gather to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day’s 116th anniversary with the theme Triumphs of the Filipino: Pride of the Philippines. CBS New York’s popular Fil-Am journalist Hazel Sanchez and comedian Jojo Mabolo will emcee.”

Incidentally, last May 27, Megan shared her thoughts and advice to young women during a very intimate talk with several young women (and men as well) at the Beauty With A Purpose Career Empowerment Panel for Young Women, held at the Bnai Zion Foundation in Manhattan organized by the JCI-Philippine New York.

According to Funfare’s NYC-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, four other accomplished women also spoke at the event, namely Rebecca Garcia, the co-founder of CoderDojo NYC, a non-profit teaching the young to code; Cokee Hu, an investment banker; Nikki Stevens, a programmer and active source contributor; and Lucy Ondraschkova, an incoming investment banking analyst.

Patricia back soon with family

Patricia Javier (a.k.a. Genesis/DJ Love) went back to the US the other day after a month-long visit during which she guested on The Ryzza Mae Show, did pictorials, wrapped her scenes in the indie film 6parados (with Ricky Davao et. al, intended for the CineMalaya this August), signed a three-year contract with Viva Films (the same company which launched her to stardom in Ang Kabit ni Mrs. Montero) and checked prospects for resettling in the Philippines with husband Robert Walcher, a chiropractor, and their children Robert Douglas Walcher IV (seven years old) and Ryan James (thee years old).

“We will be back in July,” said Patricia whose family has been living for nine years in a beautiful bungalow (with a swimming pool) in San Diego, California. “I’m trying to convince my husband to try living in the Philippines where he can relax a bit while pursuing his career. Alam mo naman kung gaano ka-hectic ang buhay sa States.” 

Robert can put up a clinic or work at a spa (maybe at The Belo Medical Clinic which now offers acupuncture service).

It’s a good thing that Patricia has retained her condo unit at a building on Timog Avenue, Q.C., and her 1,000-hectare resort in Rizal Province.

“I also want our children to grow up on Filipino values,” added Patricia who works part-time at a beauty spa in California and moonlights as a deejay. “Mas maganda pa rin na dito sila sa Pilipinas lumaki.”

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com.)