State Yo-Yo Championships at Tribute to Philippines in Ocean City Saturday

There will be a new feature during Ocean City’s sixth annual Tribute to the Philippines, set for this Saturday, July 18.

The New Jersey State Yo-Yo Championships that will be held inside the Music Pier during the day and conclude with the final Free Style Championships starting 8 p.m.

Admission is free to the event. The yo-yo was invented in the Philippines and means “Return! Return!”

Air Circus Kite Shop hosts the State Championships. Shop owner Doug Jewell, is a world renowned yo-yo performer. He and his team will be entertaining on the Boardwalk and in the Pavilion area during the day. Jewell was responsible for bringing the State Championships to Ocean City.

The tribute begins with the Opening Ceremonies at 9 a.m. in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace.

Michele Gillian, Executive Director of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, and Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr. of the Philippines will discuss ongoing cooperation and mutual projects.

Following Opening Ceremonies, the Rowan University Filipino dancers, the Mutya Philippine Dance Company and the PCS Youth Company groups will provide entertainment on the Boardwalk in front of the Pier.

Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame member Dick Richards and his Ready Rockers will represent the City and American music.

Richards was the original drummer of Bill Haley’s Comets and was also a featured actor on Broadway and in TV and movie productions.

He will present a rousing program of Rock favorites. International vocalist, Rene P. Sese, will perform with the band.

There will be an exhibition of Filipino Crafts, Foods, Goods and Services will be featured from

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the pavilion area of the Music Pier.

Filipino nurses will offer blood pressure and blood sugar testing. Admission is free.

“This will be a fun day of free entertainment that will be highlighted by the informative exhibition” said Sese, a native of the Philippines and resident of Ocean City.

Sese was instrumental in the formation of a Sister City relationship between his home town, San Jose Occidental Mindoro and Ocean City. Thousands of Filipinos now live in the Northeast Corridor of the United States and represent a new visitors market for Ocean City.