Photos by Jacob Tundagui, Michael Barles, Choy Arnaldo

It was a very hot sun beating down on Paris Sunday July 5 when we held the annual Kalayaan festivities at the Stade de la Muette in Paris. The Knights of Rizal, bearing the Philippine flags, led off a special parade starting from Place Trocadero in the 16th district of Paris, and marched down Avenue Georges Mandel towards the Stade de la Muette which fronts the Bois de Boulogne.


Our beautiful muses in their long gowns and the Knights and others in barong were sweating profusely! The young ladies were strongly supported by their sponsoring associations which also created their ‘trellis de beauté’, provided flowers and tiaras. It would really be hard to choose a winner from all these beauties!
 


 

In addition to the twenty muses, representing their sponsoring community association, the basketball and volleyball teams, cyclists ‘ association, and others also joined the parade extending it to a one hour halt of traffic in this area !

 
Lady Nanette Brosas, President of the Damas de Rizal (Kababaihang maka-Rizal) began her marathon of hosting the Kalayaan programme. One visitor said she ‘deserves a medal for great emcee-ing and bravery under the heat!’ She kicked off the afternoon with greetings from the Filcom Core Group who organized the fête, the community association leaders, and Her Excellency Ambassador Rora Navarro Tolentino, Philippine Ambassador to France.

Madame Ambassador has always supported community activities and when available comes personally to the events, often with her senior staff. ‘She is always present, and a mother to us,’ said one Filipina of the community!

The programme continued with songs, music, dance both techno and traditional. One Muslim dance, Pakiring, of a couple from the Filipino Muslim Community in France, particularly drew the audience’s attention. It was skillfully and gracefully executed and won applause several times ! The Powerdance group led by Douglas Nierras rendered traditional Filipino songs in a modern style and accompanied by interpretative dance. The association Samapil presented Mardicas, a series of techno dances performed by the younger generation. Many liked the dance Bulaklak presented by Kasandiwa and the Pot Dance by Visamin. Ilokandia presented Gayong-Gayong, a beautiful acrobatic dance, and Fantastic Kids, also well applauded. Towards the end, Dennis Astorga’s Pinoy Jam Group gave several songs. Closing the programme was the joint choral group of the Knights of Rizal and las Damas de Rizal singing Bayan Ko. Unexpectedly, many in the audience joined the singing and added harmonic voices ; some wiped tears at the end !

The Kalayaan programme thus contributed to renew our cultural ties and traditional arts. This was aptly summarised in the theme of this year’s Kalayaan, ‘Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan tungo sa tunay na Kalayaan.’

Some 3,000 to 4,000 people attended the Kalayaan festival, there being no entrance fee this year. A word of gratitude to the principal sponsors for their generosity is in order: Banque d’Ecompte, Cathay Pacific, Filinvest, The Filipino Channel, Philippine National Bank, and Umali Decor. Thanks also to the 37 community associations and several business companies that also contributed, financially and in kind. Nor should we forget those behind the scenes, especially the sound crew led by Sir Bong Agustinez, KCR, and Sir Richard Villanueva, KCR, in charge of stage and art works.

This year’s Kalayaan was a happy event, a moment when the world financial crisis took a back seat to songs and music, and great food—over 90 national dishes! 16 varieties of halo-halo and mais con hielo, special linaing from Bikol (salamat sa Penafrancia!) and a special mango shake created by a group of youngsters hoping to earn funds to make a trip to a conference in the US.

All in all, as Maya Jezewski said, ‘I had the feeling that it was a people's fiesta, a wonderful family gathering.’

* * * *


Hint: Click at any image above to display it in its full size. Hover your mouse pointer over the full-size image and then click at any side arrow that appears or rotate your mousewheel to scroll to the next full-size image.

 

 

 

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine