Bayanihan Spirit Takes Center Stage at
36th PAFCOM Friendship Day Parade in Jersey City
NEW YORK CITY, 29 June 2026 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York, led by Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, joined the Filipino-American community in celebrating the 36th Philippine-American Friendship Day Grand Parade and Festival. Organized by the Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc. (PAFCOM), the annual event took place on 28 June 2026 in Jersey City, New Jersey, a cultural stronghold home to over 16,000 Filipino-Americans.
The festivities commenced with an opening program at the intersection of West Side and Claremont Avenues. Inspirational messages were delivered by PAFCOM officials, Grand Marshalls Dr. Rod and Elma Castillo, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, Hudson County officials and Consul General Senen Mangalile. Following the speeches, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony officially launched the parade, with participants marching down West Side Avenue toward Lincoln Park.
Consul General Mangalile personally led the Consulate Team alongside Mayor Solomon and Hudson County officials, demonstrating civic solidarity and celebrating the enduring alliance between the Philippines and the United States. Civic, regional, and community organizations from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania joined the march.
The parade highlight included the official announcement of the 2026 organizational winners – Best Performance: CEBU, Inc., Best Costume: SOCKSARGEN, Inc., Most Symbolic: GIUSA, Most Number of Attendees: Plaridel Lodge No. 302 of the Free and Accepted Masons.
The celebration culminated at Lincoln Park with a lively afternoon program filled with cultural performances. The festival grounds featured numerous vendor booths offering authentic Filipino food and heritage products, showcasing the vibrant Bayanihan spirit of the Northeast diaspora.END
