Dr. Prospero Lim, president of the New York City-based Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), confirmed, in an exclusive May 28 phone interview, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo “backed out” from the Philippine Independence Day Parade, set to take place on June 4.
Lim said, “I do not exactly know what happened, but there was an official invitation given to the secretary, which was officially received [by the DOT].”
“She is always welcome to attend on June 4,” Lim added. “What I can assure you is that Cesar Montano and the three beauty queens – Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa – are coming.”
Montano is the chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board, an agency under the DOT.

Subordinate
“If Montano, who is only Teo’s subordinate, is coming, how come the secretary, who heads the DOT, is not?” asked a parade organizer who refused to be named because she was not authorized to talk about the parade’s details.
Teo, who had earlier reportedly expressed “excitement” in attending the biggest parade of Filipino Americans in the United States, held the first week of June every year, could not be reached for comment.
Lim, who is on his second term as PIDCI president, said he was “not aware” if DOT had made any financial commitment to support the parade along Madison Street in Manhattan, organized jointly by PIDCI and the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
He admitted, however, “Money has always been difficult no matter what we do, but the consulate has been very supportive and helpful and they have been with us.”

On Leave
Lim said PIDCI treasurer, Nora Galeros, is “on leave.”
He confirmed there was an ongoing auditing of PIDCI, saying, “it’s natural.”
PIDCI officer Joecelyn Aligarbes earlier disclosed auditing is “ongoing.”
Lim denied they are having financial problems.
PIDCI is an umbrella organization for Filipino-American associations based on the east coast.
“It is principally dedicated to promoting history, the cultural heritage and traditions of the Filipino people through the celebration of Philippine Independence Day, hence, the name,” its website declared.
Lim said: “We are hoping for the best (parade) and I hope it will not rain. Somebody up there has been good to us.”/WDJ