- June 29, 2024
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The Philippine American Association of Palm Coast celebrated the 126th anniversary of the Philippine's Independence Day with a cultural celebration.
The PAAPC, a nonprofit that has been active in Palm Coast for since 1992, hosts the celebration every year. The Philippines won its independence from Spain in 1898 and, since 1978, has celebrated the national holiday on June 12.
PAAPC President Raymond Wheeler said the celebration was well attended, with many members dress in cultural clothes and participating in Filipino folklore dances, called the Tiboli and Jovencita dances.
"We have a different [dance] almost every year that's a Filipino culture one," he said.
The celebration was also used as a way to introduce the PAAPC's new board members.
The PAAPC works as a nonprofit, contributing charitable donations to local charities and hosting community events throughout the year, Wheeler said.
Much of the members at the PAAPC are older now, Wheeler said, and he would love to see the younger generation of Filipinos in Palm Coast and Flagler County join the organization to celebrate their roots and ties to both Filipino and American cultures.
But its not just Filipinos who can join in, Wheeler said. The PAAPC is happy to welcome anyone to join the organization and celebrate at its events, whether they are Filipinos or not, he said.
It is even part of the nonprofit's mission statement: together with the Filipino and non-Filipino communities "...we hope to keep our culture strong and vibrant as well as share it with our neighbors in our adoptive beautiful city of Palm Coast."
"My mission is to preserve our rich culture and traditions while embracing our adopted American ones, all while ensuring we have fun in the process," Wheeler said. "We Filipinos are known for our joyous spirit, a trait that runs deeply in our Pinoy blood."
