Inquirer – May 23, 2015

Gala, flag-raising at City Hall to kick off PH freedom events in San Francisco

02:27 AM May 23rd, 2015

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Consul General Henry S. Bensurto and Mayor Ed Lee at last year’s June 12 flag-raising in City Hall.                INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Consul General Henry S. Bensurto and Mayor Ed Lee at last year’s June 12 flag-raising in City Hall. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

SAN FRANCISCO – A gala dinner coinciding with Mayor Ed Lee’s raising of the Philippine Flag at City Hall will kick off a series of Filipino community events and other cultural activities during the month of June in celebration of the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

The KalayaanSF committee, in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, will host the KalayaanSF Philippine Independence Day Gala on Friday, June 12 starting 7:00 p.m. at the San Francisco City Hall, at 1 Doctor Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco.

The formal event is aimed at inspiring members and friends of the Filipino American community to help advance this year’s theme: “Empowerment * Continuity * Connectivity.”

Highlights of this year’s gala include distinguished speakers and performances by top Filipino artists including Broadway star Joan Almedilla, classical phenom Matthew John Ignacio, the traditional Rigodon de Honor to be presented by community leaders and dignitaries, and after-dinner dancing at the City Hall Rotunda.