By RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

The superstars of the PBA Legends USA Foundation who participated as special guests of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations were a big hit.

The celebrations kicked-off in the heart of New York City last June 1.

Chairman Abe King as well as Francis Arnaiz and several Filipinos living in the US emailed Viva Sports indicating how wonderful the reception for the players was and how great it was that so many players and their wives flew in from all over the US at their own expense.

Arnaiz said that all the players who do not reside in the New York area were hosted by local Filipino families who "went out of their way to make us feel at home."

Arnaiz made special mention of Jorge Rubin, an acquaintance of Legends Foundation secretary-general Ruffy Ignacio at whose home King, Rino Salazar, Ignacio and Armaiz and their wives stayed. He said Rubin’s hospitality was "overflowing."

Arnaiz reported that the parade reminded him so much of a Filipino Fiesta with the route "lined with cheering Filipinos all dressed in their barongs and native Filipino attire.

The players wore their playing jackets with the colors of the Philippine flag. Abet Guidaben, the great Crispa center and MVP and his wife carried the Philippine flag while King who was known as "King of the Boards" for his rebounding strength and his wife Ligaya held the US flag at the head of the parading players and their families.

Arnaiz said that whenever they were recognized "a crescendo of cheering would erupt from the crowd. A lot of times some players would dash out of the line to have their pictures taken with the onlookers."

The parade down Madison Avenue from 51st to 23rd street smack in the center of New York lasted almost one-and-a-half hours and ended in front of a park lined with stalls "selling all varieties of Filipino delicacies and food. It was packed with thousands of our kababayans."

Among some of the others who participated in the parade along with their wives and some of their children were Guidaben, Tim Coloso, Ricky Relosa, Yoyoy Villamin, Estoy Estrada, Louie Brill, Anthony Dasalla, Marte Saldana, Etok Lobo, Federico auchengco, Rey Lazaro, Eddie Boy Pendoza (now a Pastor), Danny Manalastas, Toby Poblador, Eric Leano and Dennis Abbatuan and his wife who flew in from London for the celebration.

Arnaiz said the participation of the former PBA greats and the tremendous response of the fans for all the activities and undertakings of the PBA Legends Foundation "tells everyone that the vision and purpose of the foundation is slowly and surely being felt and acknowledged by the players themselves". It is probably the most important facet of a truly noble undertaking for which King and Ignacio who work so hard deserve thanks and praise.