IN PHOTOS: Philippine Independence Day celebration in NYC

NEW YORK, USA – New York City hosted the biggest Philippine Independence Day celebration in the United States on Monday, June 8.

The day started with a grand parade occupying the whole block of the famous Madison Avenue. US and Philippine politicians, celebrities, beauty queens and activists joined more than 100,000 participants in the celebration.

New York City is home to at least 55,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans – with 300,000 more living in the New York Tri-State Area.

Filipino Americans have been celebrating Independence Day in New York City for almost 30 years, and every year it only gets grander.

Notable participants included: Philippine Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, actress Sylvia La Torre, Cherie Gil, actors Gab Valenciano and Xian Lim, and various representatives from the Philippine embassy, among others.

The program included a colorful parade, cultural showcase, and performances from Philippine and US artists.

Check out photos from the lively NYC Philippine Independence Day festivities below:

UNITY. US Senator Chuck Schumer (3rd from left) with Filipino public officials led by DFA Sec. Albert Del Rosario (center).

FIRE DEPT. New York City Fire Department joins the parade in support of the Filipino community.

BANDILA. A Mexican hawker sells US and PH flags during the festivity.

BAND. A Filipino-American-Chinese band performs.

SINULOG. Jessa May Briones, 21, migrates to the US in 2012 and is one of the Sinulog dancers in the parade.

COMMUNITY. Filipinos paraded a huge Flag during the parade.

BEAUTY QUEEN. Filipina beauty queens from Canada and other states join the March.

FATHER AND SON. The heat doesn't stop this dad and his son from joining in the celebration.

EMCEE. Actress Cherie Gil hosts the program.

SUCCESSFUL EVENT. Enrico Dunga, a New York based photographer. Dungca is one of the organizers of the event.

PINOY PRIDE. Filipino ice skater Michael Christian Martinez is proud to have participated the Independence Day parade.

FILIPINIANA. Elvira Reyes has been helping organize the event since 1980

ACTIVIST. Chrissi Fabro says she doesn't think the day should be a celebration of independence, but a day to remind us of the continuing struggle for national liberation and democracy against US Imperialism.