Mariano Aquino Jr. has been elected president of the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. for 2027, pledging to broaden participation in the organization behind New York City’s annual Philippine Independence Day Parade.
PIDCI announced Aquino’s election and seven newly elected board members in an Oct. 3 statement. The incoming directors bring experience in accounting, law, engineering, business and community service.
Aquino’s message focused on making the parade and the organization’s work more accessible to Filipino American groups.
“The parade should not belong to a select few. It should belong to all of us,” he said in remarks included in the announcement.
Aquino has held leadership roles with PIDCI, Triskelion Synergy Inc., the American Association of Pangasinenses in America Foundation and the Knights of Rizal’s New York chapter, according to the organization. His community work has included civic engagement, cultural preservation and volunteer service.
He described cooperation among organizations as central to his plans for the coming term.
“I firmly believe that the future of PIDCI is not about one person. It is about all of us,” Aquino said. “When we work separately, we are individual organizations. But when we work together, we become something greater: one Filipino American community united by our heritage, strengthened by our diversity, and inspired by a shared vision for the future.”
The newly elected directors are:
- Mercedes Arellano, of Tagoloan Heritage International Society, whose background includes auditing and financial management for nonprofits, educational institutions, churches and other organizations.
- Janeth Blake, whose experience includes volunteerism, community engagement and organizational development.
- Elizabeth Cueva, representing Ladies for Rizal New York Inc., an attorney licensed in New York and the Philippines with experience in immigration, civil rights, labor relations and employment law.
- Eddie Echavez, of RGI Alakdan New York Inc., an entrepreneur who leads EMB Cargo Services Inc. and Apex Global Enterprises.
- Donato Gerry Gamaro, representing the Filipino American Association of Engineers, a former association president with more than 20 years of engineering experience.
- Felina Velez-Hassan, president of KAPWA, whose community work includes medical missions, humanitarian projects and educational assistance.
- Czarmel Lopez, representing the Association of Filipino American Accountants New Jersey, a certified public accountant with more than two decades of public accounting experience.
The seven newly elected directors will join Aquino in leading PIDCI’s work for the coming year.
PIDCI is a nonprofit umbrella organization that promotes Filipino heritage, culture and civic engagement. Its annual parade brings Filipino American organizations together in New York to celebrate Philippine independence, while its other programs seek to strengthen community connections.
Aquino closed his remarks by linking that work to the next generation.
“Let us honor those who came before us by building something even stronger for those who will come after us,” he said.
