Even if she did not attend the annual Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City over the weekend, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo decided to retain the $100,000 pledged for the event.
Philippine Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano, the source of Teo’s alleged “displeasure,” represented the DOT.
Montano joined Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.
Sources claim Teo “felt bad” after parade organizers sent the invitation to Montano, instead of the cabinet member.
“Secretary Wanda, a good friend of mine, felt she was bypassed, thus, she was contemplating withdrawing the amount the DOT had earlier pledged for the event,” said a source who refused to be named, but was “sacked” two days before the parade when the Teo story, which was leaked exclusively to me, was traced from her.

Confirmed
Dr. Prospero Lim, president of the New York-based Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), confirmed, on May 28, Teo “decided to withdraw” from the parade but did not specify why.
“Just give us a good write up,” Lim appealed.
The parade was held along Madison Avenue (between 38th and 27th Streets) – it used to be held on Fifth Avenue.
Singers Martin Nievera, Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha, American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez, Shane Ericks, along with Miss World-Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigman and comedian Mikey Bustos joined the biggest parade of Filipino community in the United States.
PIDCI’s 2017 Parade Grand Marshals, Drs. Rod and Ellen Castillo, spearheaded the parade with Mrs. Kalayaan, Diwa ng Kalayaan, and their court; Dr. Lim and the PIDCI Board of Directors; and the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

Participate
Hundreds of Fil-Am Organizations, local beauty queens and kings from all over the US, and government officials also participated in the parade.
This year’s PIDCI officers are Prospero A. Lim, MD (president); Raul Estrellado (vice president); Joycelyn Aligarbes (secretary); Nora Galleros (treasurer); Annie Ortiz (internal auditor); Manny B. Quintal, Esq. (general counsel); Antero Martinez (executive director; Gheng Pingol (special assistant to the president), and Ma. Theresa D. De Vega (honorary adviser consul general).
Meanwhile, the board of directors consists of Anthony Bautista, Olivia David, Dora Koltsidis, Rely Manacay, Beth Manalo, Ronie Mataquel, Bert Olimpo, Nonoy Rafael, Levi Tejada, and Shiran Ybanez.
Others who joined the parade were Mrs. Kalayaan 2017 Lourdes Romero Saleh, Mrs. Kalayaan Fil-Am 2017 Jodi Michelle Orencia, Mrs. Kalayaan Philippines 2017 Rosalie Rabeje, Mrs. Kalayaan Luzon 2017 Ann Constantino Beck, Diwa ng Kalayaan 2017 Ramona Munsayac, Bituin ng Luzon Jasmine Sta Cruz, Bituin ng Visayas Pearl Reyes, and Bituin ng Mindanao Leah Elizabeth Wong./WDJ