An all Asian American Cerritos City Council

The newly-organized Cerritos City Council in their first session on the stage of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Photo shows (from left) Jennifer Hong, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Provido Johnson, Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama, Mark Pulido and Sophia Tse. Photo by Dan E. Niño

Cerritos – Unanimity and expressions of solidarity became the hallmarks of the proceedings during the installation of the newly-constituted members of the Cerritos City Council at the cavernous, well-appointed Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, graced by about 700 jubilant attendees from across California.

The demeanors of the three incoming members and two incumbents were in stark contrast to previous mayoral transitions when there were palpable tensions brewing due to partisan politics. This time everything went on smoothly like silk.

The top three vote-getters out of 10 candidates to the Cerritos City Council in the March 4 municipal election are all-Asian American candidates including comebacking two-time Fil-Am mayor Mark Pulido who amassed 3,901 votes, businesswoman Jennifer Hong who garnered 3,583 votes and Sophia Tse, a registered nurse and former board president of the ABC Unified School District with 3,388 votes. Hong and Tse are both Taiwanese Americans.

This historic milestone in the closely-knit and diverse Cerritos community  of about 50,000 residents were unanimous in framing this new set of City Council members as an All-Asian American council members, and women majority, led by three Filipino Americans.

After the three new council members were seated, Frank Aurelio Yokoyama was unanimously selected by his peers as mayor while Lynda Johnson was also unanimously appointed as Mayor Pro Tem at the CCPA dais dubbed as the jewel landmark of the city about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Except for financial consultant Rocky Pavone who is an Italian American, the other council hopefuls were all Asian Americans like businessman Riaz Surti, Pat Ashok Patnaik, Esther Huang, Hao Ricky Huynh and Jignesh “JC” Chokshi who withdrew his candidacy early in the race.

What made this star-studded swearing-in ceremony was the presence of Filipino American Attorney General of California Rob Bonta who administered Mark Pulido’s swearing-in.

Sophia Tse was inducted by lawyer Ernie Nishi, president of the ABC Unified School Board District, while Hong’s was administered by San Gabriel Mayor John Wu.

Glowing tributes and comments were heaped by many supporters, friends, elected officials from nearby cities on the new City Council members in the ceremony that stretched for two hours during the public comments portion. Most were congratulatory messages. The motley audience commented that Cerritos is now in good hands.

One commenter was a former classmate of Yokoyama way back in his days at Harvard Law School who is now a board member of the board of trustees of Santa Monica College. He observed that during their law school years, Frank had already exhibited his leadership skills.

Recognition of the outgoing three council members – Naresh Solanki, Chuong Vo and Bruce Barrows –  was held earlier on March 19 in a four-hour proceedings. I’m glad it took place separately ahead. Otherwise, the combined event would have lasted six hours and a half. The three former council members who were also former mayors were conspicuously absent.

Another former classmate of Yokoyama at Whitney High caused a little ripple when he inquired  that after eating at a Middle Eastern restaurant in the City of Cerritos, he wondered in his bill if there was a special tax in the city aside from sales tax. Newly-appointed Mayor Yokoyama responded that it’s not the proper forum to discuss that issue and has to be tabled.

A show of force of various elected officials across California representing charter and League of California cities showed up. Various community organizations like the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos and Gateway Cities, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and Los Angeles Downtown Chinese Association delivered messages of hope, unity,  solidarity and collaboration. They chorused in unison, “Take Cerritos to a new level and Cerritos is in good hands.”

Artesia former Mayor and current Mayor Pro Tem Rene Treviño with his Artesia Council colleagues Melissa Ramoso and Monica Manalo in tow, reminisced his great relationship with the City of Cerritos especially his BFF Lynda Johnson. He told the audience, “the elevation of Lynda Johnson and Frank Aurelio Yokoyama is long-overdue.”

Former Assemblywoman Sally Havice reminded the crowd in her brief comments that the City Council “should revert back to rotational system of selecting our mayors.”

Carson City Mayor Jim Dear quipped, “The unity of this new City Council is evident.”

Rocky Pavone who was the only White candidate remarked, “We had a great run and good campaign. We look forward to reducing crime in the city and make it safer.”

Another community leader tersely commented, “We have a great beautiful city and a great Senior Community Center.”

Holy Family Catholic church Rev. Fr. John Cordero delivered an inspiring invocation.

Pledge of allegiance and singing of the U.S. national anthem were rendered by the children of Frank Aurelio Yokoyama whose mom is originally from Subic Bay, Zambales while his dad is an Army veteran of Japanese descent.

While the proceedings were in high gear, somebody from the audience yelled, The ‘Unholy Alliance of Three’ thwarted the elevation of Frank Yokoyama as mayor in previous mayoral transitions.

Al Barlevy, a member of the “Let Freedom Committee” said it succinctly in his remarks, the selection of the top two leaders of Cerritos is, “better late than never.”

Neil Estrada, past president of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA who grew up in Cerritos and now an Orange County transplant commented, “I am inspired, so proud and honored to witness this new transition. This is your night,” referring to the new composition of the City Council.

A supporter of Sophia Tse remarked, “You will bring a lot of knowledge. This new Council will be the rock.”

Among the luminaries aside from California Attorney General Rob Bonta were former Congressman Alan Lowenthal with whom former Mark Pulido had worked for, former Cerritos Mayors Don Knabe, Sherman and Gloria Kappe, Grace Hu and former City Manager Art Gallucci and several elected officials from Southern California.

The following were brief excerpts of the new Cerritos City Council members in the order it was delivered. For the sake of brevity and space, it is condensed:

Jennifer Hong: “I’m happy, excited and humbled. Cerritos is a business-friendly city and a better city to live in. Thank you for voting for me. I’d like to thank the past and current council members for their service to our city.”

Sophia Tse: “I’m deeply honored and grateful. It’s not about me but it’s about us. I’m committed and dedicated to transparency in governance. I have been serving the ABC School Board District. I pledge to work tirelessly and reflect the dream of our city.”

Mark Pulido: “I’m honored and humbled by the presence of our Attorney General Rob Bonta whom I have known for many years since I was elected to public office in 2001. I love you my brother. I thank my wife Gloria who is my best friend, the love of my life and mother of my two children. We’ll get the job done. The voters have spoken.”

Lynda Johnson: “I’d like to acknowledge my family. Congratulations Frank. I’m confident that we will work together. We are proud and honored serving the City of Cerritos.”

Frank Aurelio Yokoyama: “Cerritos is my home since 1976. I’m honored to serve as mayor. This is my 9th year serving since I was elected in 2017. Thank you for unanimously selecting me as your mayor. We’re optimistic for our role as public servants. My heart is full with my dad and mom present especially my wife Wendy and my children. Wendy’s dad had passed away one year ago today.” At this point, Frank recalled when his Number One sidekick, his daughter Makenna was waiting for him by the door. Makenna asked him inquisitively, “Are you okay dad?” Perhaps in denial and to maintain a positive outlook after he was denied as the next mayor pro tem in 2024. Frank replied, “I’m okay, I’m great!”

Recognizing the significance of this milestone, Los Angeles Philippine Consul General Adelio Soriano Cruz issued his congratulatory messages to the three Fil-Am elected officials.

After the proceedings, the newly-elected mayor invited the audience to a reception at the adjacent Sierra Room of CCPA where succulent meals were served like pasta, pizza, lechon (roasted pig), sotanghon noodles, lumpia (egg rolls), and slices of fruits and vegetables.

When everything was said and done, March 26, 2025 was a historic milestone in the storied chapter of our beloved City of Cerritos where I also serve as member of the “Let Freedom Committee.” – [email protected]