By Cristina DC Pastor
Mariano “Nongsky” Aquino Jr. was elected president of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) for 2027, promising to make the annual Madison Avenue parade a more inclusive celebration of Filipino heritage.
PIDCI, the organizer of New York City’s annual Philippine Independence Day parade, announced Aquino’s election along with the selection of seven members to its newly elected Board of Directors.
A longtime community leader, civic advocate and nonprofit organizer, Aquino has held leadership positions in several organizations, including PIDCI, Triskelion Synergy Inc., the American Association of Pangasinenses in America Foundation (APAFI), and the Knights of Rizal New York Chapter. In his private capacity, he has worked at Macy’s Northeast for 42 years.
He said his leadership platform centers on three priorities: celebrating Filipino culture, encouraging broader participation among organizations, and building on PIDCI’s legacy for future generations.
“The parade should not belong to a select few. It should belong to all of us,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Aquino’s journey to PIDCI started back in 2006 when he joined as a volunteer. Eventually, longtime member Ner Martinez encouraged him to take on a bigger role and convinced him to run for a seat on the Board of Directors (BOD).
“Looking back, I’m grateful that I took that leap because PIDCI has become such a meaningful part of my life,” he told The FilAm in an interview.
Aquino said he envisions a parade that reflects the diversity of the Filipino experience, bringing together regional cultural groups, performers, artists, community leaders and organizations from across the United States.
In previous parades, PIDCI has welcomed cultural delegations representing festivals and traditions from different parts of the Philippines, including the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, Manggahan Festival of Guimaras, Kaliga Festival of Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental, the El Gobernador Band of Cavite, and representatives from San Juan, Batangas.
The parade has also featured Filipino entertainers and public figures, including BINI, Martin Nievera, and Sofronio Vasquez.
“We’re still in the planning stages with our new board, so we haven’t finalized anything yet for the 2027 parade,” he said. “We’re taking things one step at a time.”
Beyond the parade itself, Aquino wants PIDCI to establish stronger connections with organizations throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and beyond.
These groups include professional associations, civic organizations, cultural and religious groups, youth organizations, business networks and regional associations.
He also underscored the importance of involving young people in community activities and preparing the next generation of Filipino American leaders.
“The future of PIDCI is not about one person. It is about all of us,” he said, calling for a collaborative approach to leadership.
Aquino said serving the community has truly been a rewarding experience.
“I will always be thankful for the friendships, memories, and lessons that came with it,” he said.
For Aquino, the parade is an expression of the Filipino American community’s shared history, identity and aspirations.
“Every flag represents a family. Every organization represents a community. Every performer represents a tradition. Every young person marching represents our future,” he said in his speech. “Let us honor those who came before us by building something even stronger for those who will come after us.”
The members of the board include:
-Mercedes Arellano, representing the Tagoloan Heritage International Society, brings more than a decade of auditing and financial management experience.
-Janeth Blake, a certified public accountant licensed in New York and New Jersey.
-Elizabeth Cueva, Esq., representing Ladies for Rizal New York Inc., is an attorney licensed in both the United States and the Philippines, with expertise in immigration, civil rights, labor relations and employment law.
-Eddie “Bong” Echavez of RGI Alakdan New York Inc. is an entrepreneur and community advocate who leads EMB Cargo Services Inc. and Apex Global Enterprises.
-Donato Gerry Gamaro, representing the Filipino American Association of Engineers, has more than 20 years of engineering experience.
-Felina Velez-Hassan, representing KAPWA, is a humanitarian advocate whose work includes medical outreach, educational assistance and projects supporting underserved communities.
-Czarmel Lopez, representing the Association of Filipino American Accountants New Jersey, is a certified public accountant.