Essential services for essential workers in the pandemic
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services In a time of COVID-necessitated lockdowns, if you’re working, you’re essential. In Los Angeles County, no one should allow an employer to rob them…
Category: Southern California
Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories impacting the lives of the Filipino-American community in Southern California.
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Letty Lopez-Viado ascends to West Covina, CA mayorship, becoming first Filipina-Mexican American in top role
WEST Covina, long considered home to one of the largest Filipino American concentrations in Southern California, now has its first Filipina-Mexican American mayor. Leticia “Letty” Lopez-Viado, who previously served as…
‘Spirit of hope’: Fil-Am health care workers among first to receive COVID-19 vaccine in LA County
FOR the first time since the pandemic hit Los Angeles County, Anna Medrano walked into work hopeful. With a quick jab to her left arm, the Filipina American nurse practitioner…
LA residents urged to skip holiday gatherings as virus cases spike
WITH the Christmas holiday nearing, Los Angeles County officials are pleading with the public to stay home and limit gatherings as the capacity of Southern California’s intensive care units hit…
12-year-old Filipino Costa Mesa boy killed by drunk driver
Driver held without bail and convicted of second-degree murder EARLIER this month, a young Filipino boy was killed while riding a bicycle with his father by a suspected drunk driver…
LA announces ‘GIVEN’ initiative to help 10,000 vulnerable households get food, other needs for holiday season
THE City of Los Angeles has launched the Grocery Intervention for Vital Emergency Needs (GIVEN) initiative to provide thousands of low-income Angelenos in need with $300 in cash assistance to…
Kayamanan Ng Lahi shares Filipino dance traditions during 61st annual LA County holiday celebration
Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts is putting Filipino cultural traditions on display during Los Angeles County’s 61st annual holiday celebration on Christmas Eve. The beloved holiday tradition, presented in conjunction…
COVID-19 vaccines arrive in LA County
LOS Angeles County, which has been the epicenter of the coronavirus spread in California, received a glimmer of hope this week as vaccines against COVID-19 arrived. Five health care workers…
Melissa Ramoso appointed mayor pro tem of Artesia, CA
A Filipina American community leader will serve as the mayor pro tem of Artesia, California for the coming year. The Artesia City Council appointed Councilmember Melissa Ramoso as the city’s…
Archdiocese of Los Angeles kicks off virtual Simbang Gabi on Dec. 15
The 18th Archdiocesan Simbang Gabi kicks off this week! Join and celebrate the start of Simbang Gabi 2020 at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles via livestream thru Facebook at Cathedral…
LA County passes 500K COVID-19 cases amid regional lockdown
SOME 320 days have passed since the first reported case of the COVID-19 in California was confirmed on Jan. 26. Most people rebuffed the acuteness of the news, believing it…
Rachelle Arizmendi to serve as Sierra Madre, CA mayor anew
A FILIPINA American was sworn in at the beginning of December as the mayor of Sierra Madre, California. Rachelle Arizmendi, who has served on the City Council since 2014, is…
Help for small businesses in a worsening pandemic
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services Calling this “the most dangerous time for LA county” since the pandemic began, county officials and a leader of a nonprofit law firm outlined…
Todd Gloria sworn in as San Diego’s 37th mayor
THIRTY-TWO years ago, a young Todd Gloria was a finalist in the Mayor For A Day essay contest in his hometown of San Diego. On Thursday morning, December 10, the…
Southern California now under regional stay-at-home order
AS coronavirus cases continue to climb and ICU capacities reach critical lows, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday, Dec. 7 that Southern California — along with the San Joaquin Valley…
LA County helps people stay housed during pandemic
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services Los Angeles County offers an array of programs to help renters stay in place and help homeowners avoid foreclosure despite the economic hardships caused…
LA County launches holiday COVID-19 home test collection pilot
LOS ANGELES County launched a new COVID-19 home test collection program this week, which allows certain county residents to do free testing from the comfort of their own homes. The…
Bond fire scorches 6,400 acres in OC as 25K evacuate homes
Multiple homes destroyed as some evacuation orders are lifted despite red flag warnings for several neighborhoods AS of Friday, Dec. 4, firefighters continue to battle a wind-caused wildfire in Silverado…
LA County digs in to battle COVID
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services With one out of 200 LA County residents infected by COVID 19, county officials are mobilizing to provide an array of services and resources…
Los Angeles County launches ‘United Against Hate Week’
AMID rising hate crimes and other forms of discrimination experienced by communities like Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Los Angeles County has marked this week as the inaugural ‘United Against…
Fil-Ams react to new safer-at-home order as LA County beats single-day COVID-19 record
December begins with 7K new cases, officials prepare for a forthcoming surge from Thanksgiving travel, large gatherings IN an effort to curb the spike in coronavirus cases and deaths, Los Angeles…
LA County officials prepare for holiday COVID-19 cases spike, introduce more safety measures
More than 5,000 cases reported on Thanksgiving as more residents ignore government recommendations to stay home for the holidays DESPITE the persistent urging of lawmakers to stay at home for…
Los Angeles County shuts down outdoor dining as COVID-19 surges
Fil-Am restaurants forced to again shift under new measures FAMILIES in Los Angeles County looking to eat out on Thanksgiving will have to make new plans. Starting Wednesday, November 25…
Holiday Schedule for City of San Diego Offices and Services
Administrative Offices Will Be Closed On Thanksgiving Day SAN DIEGO – All City of San Diego administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, for Thanksgiving Day. The Development…
Travelers coming into LA required to sign COVID-19 quarantine form
STARTING Wednesday, November 25, all travelers entering Los Angeles from another state or country will be required to fill out an online form to acknowledge and spread awareness of California’s…
New testing site opens in San Fernando Park
A new walk-up COVID-19 testing super site opened on Tuesday, November 24 at a park in the Northeast Valley. The San Fernando Park COVID-19 testing site is the tenth city…
New COVID-19 restrictions like business curfews take effect Friday, Nov. 20
AS Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, officials are introducing new restrictions this week. Certain requirements, such as business curfews and limited capacity for indoor operations,…
Milady Sy Quito, a Devoted Educator, Dies at 47
Milady S. Quito was an educator, a community organizer, an activist, an aunt, a sister, a daughter, a confidante and a friend to many. At work and among her friends…
2 Fil-Ams win re-election in Claremont, Anaheim
TWO Filipino Americans came out victorious during the 2020 general election as they won re-election for their respective positions in Southern California. Corey Calaycay was re-elected to his fifth term…
In historic ‘firsts,’ Todd Gloria is set to be San Diego’s next mayor
IN an election cycle with many historic firsts across the country, San Diego has its own barrier-breaking moment with the first openly gay and first person of color to lead…