Art exhibit kicks off Philippine Festival 2003
For immediate release
6/2/03 2:00 p.m. EDT

Philippine Festival 2003 opens with art exhibit
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Philippine Festival 2003 Chairman, Marie Remy Cabrera 301-654-4522;
Press Relations Officer, Augustus Alzona 301-530-8883, e-mail: augustus@alzona.com

Press Release

WHAT:

Beginning with yesterday's opening of the art exhibit "Brown Strokes on a White Canvas" at George Mason University's Arlington campus in northern Virginia. The Philippine Festival Committee 2003 (PFC) of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC), launched a major series of community events for the month of June 2003. Net proceeds from many of these events will be contributed to worthy charitable causes.

WHO:

The Philippine Festival Committee 2003 (PFC) is a group of dedicated volunteers from the various Filipino, Filipino-American and mainstream communities throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. This year's festival committee is chaired by the Montgomery County Philippine American Association (MCPAA) of Maryland. The PAFC is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization that undertakes charitable, educational and cultural projects.

WHY:

The local Filipino and American community leaders who are contributing their time, labor and other valuable resources for these events are continuing the tradition of charitable work that Filipinos are well known for. This festival also 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 closeness 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 epitomized during the warm reception President George W. Bush gave to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at her recent official State Visit to the U.S.

WHEN:

Various events, mainly free and open to the public are scheduled throughout the month of June. You may view the latest calendar at www.PhilippineFestival.org

WHERE:

Various venues throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan and suburban areas. More information is available at www.PhilippineFestival.org

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