Philippine Festival 2003 to conclude with a community picnic and sports festival – June 29th
For immediate release
06/28/03 8:30 pm EDT

Philippine Festival 2003 to conclude with a community picnic and sports festival - June 29^th
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Philippine Festival 2003 Overall Chairman, Marie Remy Cabrera 301-654-4522
Press Relations Officer, Augustus Alzona 301-530-8883, e-mail: augustus@alzona.com

Media Advisory

WHAT:

This year's Philippine Festival month ends with a large community picnic and sports festival at Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg, Maryland this Sunday. This is one of the major, free admission, community outreach events that the Philippine Festival Committee 2003 (PFC) of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC) scheduled for the month of June 2003.

WHO:

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Albert del Rosario, other distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, top Filipino American business and community leaders, as well as local elected officials, will attend this Sunday's events.

“We are pleased to continue our outreach efforts to mainstream Americans and also raise more funds for charity” said Marie Remy Cabrera, Overall Chairman of this year's Philippine Festival Committee 2003 (PFC), “rain or shine, the show must go on.” The PFC is a group of dedicated volunteers from the various Filipino, Filipino-American and mainstream communities throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.

“As Governor of Maryland, I am proud that you have chosen the Mid-Atlantic area as the site of this wonderful month-long celebration” said Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., “Your continuing impact on our communities' cultural and economic growth will undoubtedly see you through to celebrating many anniversaries to come.” The Maryland Governor is an invited guest.

WHY:

This festival coincides with the annual June 12th celebration of the independence of the Republic of the Philippines. The current global "war on terrorism", joint mutual defense treaties, and the Philippine's unconditional support of American interests abroad has further reinforced the longstanding close ties and empathy between the two countries. Filipino-Americans continue to be the fastest growing Asian Pacific American group of naturalized citizens in the America. Their growing power and influence in America was recently acknowledged at the warm reception that Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo received from U.S. President George W. Bush, during her recent official State visit here.

WHEN/WHERE:

Community Picnic and Sports Festival: 9:00 am. - 5:00 pm, Sunday, June 29^th, Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, 506 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland (note: some sports events will be held at other venues). You may view more of the latest event information via the Philippine Festival 2003 link at www.pafc-inc.org

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