PIDCI 2023 Diwa and Ginoo ng Kalayaan Carrienna Chen and Joselito Paz, Jr. | Photo by Joros Razon
NEW YORK – Sixteen-year-old Carrienna Chen of New York City and Joselito Paz, Jr., 22, of Garfield, New Jersey, are the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI)’s 2023 Diwa and Ginoo ng Kalayaan. Chen won over four candidates who vied for the title, and Paz prevailed over two candidates on April 15 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in Newark, New Jersey.
Chen succeeds statuesque Tara Marie Nucum and Paz, the talented Jazshua Andes, both from New Jersey. Paz, a second-generation Filipino American born in Queens, New York but raised in Garfield, New Jersey, also won the Spirit of Congeniality and Mr. Photogenic.
Chen, a professionally trained dancer for 12 years, performed a contemporary dance, I Ran, composed by the Hidden Citizens, a group of creators that crafts top-tier content, during the talent competition. Her dance blended with elements of multiple dance styles, having been trained by several nationwide choreographers in different dance genres. Her movements flowed with rhythm and cadence effortlessly as she portrayed a story and character during her presentation.
“Winning the Diwa allows me to embrace my culture and use this opportunity to stand up for the Filipino-American youth,” Chen told the Philippine Daily Mirror. “I am far beyond blessed and honored to have been given this opportunity to represent my culture.”
In the formal wear segment, Chen wore a gown handcrafted by local NYC designer Vivica Jimenez. She said their idea was to create an eye-catching modern Filipianiana that parallels Chen’s personality. “We wanted the gown to be subtle yet vibrant and take a twist on the traditional Filipiniana terno,” said Chen.
Chen’s challenging moment
Chen found the Q&A segment the most challenging she faced. “Choosing an answer that gets a certain message across while having to be concise and straightforward was challenging,” she recalled. She was asked: “If you were a superhero, what would be your superpower and why?”
Paz also rendered a dance mixed with a skit that portrayed himself in a story as its subject. He also danced in different dance genres, which he immersed himself in growing up. He is also into fashion, photography, and filmmaking. Sporting a boyish smile in the three segments of the competition – talent, swimwear, and formal wear, he showed his willingness to do things outside his comfort zone and his desire to meet other people.
He said he developed the talent based on a conversation with his mother. “She encouraged me to participate in the pageant, but I was hesitant,” he told the Philippine Daily Mirror. “Partly because I didn’t know if I had the energy or willpower to commit to do something like this. I drew music from hip-hop and dembow because I love dancing to those genres.”
Paz said he wanted to convey a message to persevere and never give up in his skit. “You never know where your path will take you,” he said.
Paz’s unrealistic expectations
He admitted that the Q&A was his biggest challenge in the competition. In response to a question asked by a judge on what he thought is the biggest problem facing the youth today and why, he said: “Unrealistic expectations which stems from social media. The youth scrolls endlessly on social media, seeing vloggers, celebrities, and influencers showcasing their expensive lifestyle and positions of which they have acquired at a younger age.”
“With this,” Paz said, “brings a sense of doubt and insecurity within us. We ask ourselves “am I not doing enough in life?’ …am I doing something wrong that I don’t share the same lifestyle they have?” Paz suggested limiting social media usage and engaging oneself in whatever hobby and craft you would like to pursue to remedy this feeling. “Live for yourself. Perfection doesn’t exist, but what is perfect is living in the moment.”
In her remarks, PIDCI President Nora Galleros-Tinio said the Diwa and Ginoo ng Kalayaan is a platform for the youth to express their ideas and talents to have them know our culture and the beautiful heritage of our people.
“They have a significant role in our community as the voice of the youth that must be heard,” said Galleros-Tinio.
She also mentioned that during the independence day celebration on June 4, mainstream media would cover the event to maximize our presence in New York City and show that we are a force to reckon with.
DCG Cruz offers advice to everyone
Meanwhile, Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz of the Philippine Consulate General in New York assured PIDCI of the consulate’s collaboration. “We want to make the commemoration of Philippine independence more meaningful to Filipino Americans. even as we at the consulate extend extra effort to learn more the history, the struggles, and the triumphs of Filipino Americans.”
He urged the community leaders to work with them to ” promote a sense of appreciation of Filipino art, culture, and language, and in upcoming community events to make “your presence felt as we prepare for numerous activities.” Cruz mentioned the April Filipino Food Month and the August Buwan ng Wika.
As a public servant for nearly three decades, he offered the audience his advice. One is to learn something new from each person you meet to hone your listening skills. “Every new conversation, every new relationship,” he said, “brings new challenges and opportunities for honest expression.” Two, “when in disagareement, acknowledge common ground.” He quoted author and psychologist Adam Grant, who said: “A debate is like a dance, not a war. Admitting points of convergence doesn’t make you weaker – it shows that you’re willing to negotiate about what’s true, and it motivates the other side to consider your point of view.”
Judges and runner-ups
The judges, composed of beauty queen and human rights advocate Chelle Lhuillier, engineer and quality management specialist Danny Pagsambugan, artist and philanthropist Christine Morales, a nursing graduate and NYC runway model Tochi Cantalejo Estrella, and police captain Anthony Lewis. The results of their score sheets were verified and tallied by Galleros and Robinson Auditors and showed the following winners:
Diwa ng Kalayaan – Carrienna Chen
Bb. Hiyas ng Pilipinas – Alyzza Ocampo (Miss Photogenic)
Bb. Luzon ng Pilipinas – Juliete Petion
Bb. Visayas ng Pilipinas – Jacinta Tero
Bb. Mindanao ng Pilipinas – Camilla Pena
Ginoo ng Kalayaan – Joselito Paz, Jr. (Spirit of Congeniality and Mr. Photogenic)
Ginoong Phil-Am – Dylan Jace Dixon
Ginoong Hiyas ng Pilipinas – Kendrick Robles
Early on, as candidates were introduced to showcase Philippine regional costumes, an informal poll conducted by the Philippine Daily Mirror had Jacinta Tero and Alyzza Ocampo, the tallest at 5’9″ and 5’8″, respectively, competing in the top spot for the Diwa with Juliette Petion placing third. On the Ginoo side, Joselito Paz, Jr. and Dylan Jace Dixon placed first and second.
Petion, an aspiring model and actress with a passion for fashion, delivered her talent in declamation with a story of a “bad girl” lacking the love and attention of her parents. The audience listened intently to her message as she spoke about a reality happening to young people today when they are left to tend, mend and care for themselves.
“I thought her talent sent a strong message to both the youth and their parents,” said an observer when asked about her reaction to the subject of Petion’s presentation. “Truth hurts and some people are perhaps in denial,” she said.
Jingle/Songwriting winner
The PIDCI Board also held a Jingle/Songwriting competition. Archie Dairocas, or Archie D as he is popularly known, won the competition. He has consistently composed jingles, World Peace songs, original songs for other artists, and world-renowned resort theme songs, including Boracay, since 1987. His hits include Pakita Mo and Kasayaw under Vicor Music and the classic hit song Mahal na Mahal under Octo-Arts record labels in the Philippines.
The runner-up in the Jingle/Songwriting competition was MJ Bernabe, also known as Rich Figga, an aspiring artist born and raised in Tondo, Manila. When he arrived in the U.S., he started serving the country as a soldier (U.S. Army) and the community as a police officer at the NYPD. He continues pursuing his passion, composing and representing his roots and culture.
Unprecedented record attendance
According to Arman David, PIDCI director and chairperson of the annual project, this year’s Diwa had a record attendance of over 200 guests – surpassing previous Diwa events. David attributed this to having eight candidates – five for Diwa and three for Ginoo. “This was the most energenic group of candidates and the loudest,” remarked David.
David’s committee members in running the Diwa and Ginoo ng Kalayaan were Antero Martinez, Jay Layug, Margie Wisotsky, Aida Tagle (co-chairperson), Sofie Abad (Executive Director), Betty Corrales, Joyce Andes-David, Marissa De Guzman and Czar Lopez Jocelyn Bernal and Ner Martinez hosted the program.
