NEW JERSEY—The Summer weather was unusually cool in Jersey City on Sunday as a grand parade and festival hosted by PAFCOM (Philippine-American Friendship Committee, Inc.) for its 19th anniversary.
Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, together with local government officials, Consul General Cecilia Rebong from the Philippine Consulate, and PAFCOM officers led by Hector Magno attended the activity.
The parade featured marching bands, floats with beautiful ladies and their escorts, open-top cars and other private corporations lending their time and energy to support the parade. Among them, the New York Tian Guo Marching Band, composed of around 60 Falun Gong practitioners, donning traditional Chinese outfits and playing soaring melodies.
The band won best contingent in the parade for having the most members, the most beautiful uniforms and the most touching pieces of music. The group was honored with a large trophy.
Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that teaches meditative exercises and self-cultivation based on the principles truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.
Ms. Corazon T. Rovera, one of the judges for the parade said, “Thank you so much for your participation. I am so happy you enjoy the Philippine community in Jersey City. I love this kind mind and body cultivation, I will definitely do this and practice it by myself."
When he was interviewed, Mr. Liang, the leader of the marching band, said that it’s common to see a marching band playing in the street. But a band with so many members that is composed of Falun Gong practitioners is very unique. It is welcomed everywhere and in many communities.
“When they watch our performance, they want to invite us for their activities. Since the band is getting more and more popular and more invitations have come to us, we have to decide which activities we can make,” said Liang.
Jersey City is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the United States. The city includes substantial numbers of Jewish, Italian, Cuban, Filipino, Polish, Indian, Irish, Puerto Rican, Dominican, African, Arab, and Chinese. They share the beauty and kindness of the city and also contribute their own culture and wisdom.
