Fifth Annual Tribute to the Philippines Set for This Weekend

Ocean City’s fifth annual Tribute to the Philippines is coming this weekend.

The tribute is set for Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, July 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. It includes free entertainment on the boardwalk and crafts, as well as many other exhibits in the loggia of the Music Pier. 

On Sunday, an additional event, a free Longevity Health Exposition, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Senior Center of the Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. It will feature Philippine physicians, nurses and therapists plus the serving of vegetarian foods.

Opening ceremonies are set for 10 a.m. Saturday in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Philippine Consul General Mario de Leon and Mayor Jay Gillian will speak and cut a ribbon to officially open the weekend.

Entertainment follows, featuring the Meglalatik-Mutya Dancers, Rowan University’s Tinikling Entertainers, Instrumentalists and Songs by the St. Augustine’s Filipino Choir.

There will be Yo Yo demonstrations by Air Circus of Ocean City. The Yo Yo was invented by Filipinos and the words translate into “Return! Return!” 

The entertainment program will be repeated at 2 p.m. on the Boardwalk on Saturday.

The Exhibition will include an array of Filipino products and services such as Batik Patchworks, Casa Victoria Crafts, Sabika Crafts, Ligaya Design, packaged foods, tour and resort information, displays by Delaware Valley Filipino Organizations, an exhibit by the Consul General Offices of New York and more.

Filipino nurses will offer free blood pressure and blood sugar testing. GMA Pinoy TV, a major sponsor, and the largest network in the Philippines, will film the event. The TV station has already featured information about the tribute throughout the Philippines and on its network affiliates in the United States.

On Sunday, residents and visitors can benefit from the free “Vim, Vigor and Longevity Expo” set for the Senior Center of the Ocean City Library from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will feature Shoulder and Back Massages, Harvard Step Test, Body Mass Index, Lung Capacity, Blood Pressure, Glucose and Blood Cholesterol Testing, Exercise Advice and Vegan treats.

There will be seminars on how to avoid food-borne diseases, How to Overcome Cancer, Disarm Diabetes and Reverse Cardiovascular Disease, as well as 8 Lifestyle Practices for Healing.

All this is free, conducted by professional doctors and nurses. There will be a Vegan Lunch served for just $5. RSVP for lunches at 212-470-7729.

The event is presented by the Adventist University of the Philippines Alumni Assn. in collaboration with the NJ Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.

--Press release from Ocean City Director of Public Relations Mark Soifer