By: Mic Diaz
VARIOUS legacy Filipino-American organizations and several local groups joined together to say au revoir to outgoing Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos in a well-attended despedida party at the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles headquarters in Historic Filipinotown last Friday, January 12.
Consul General Edgar Badajos completes his three-year tenure as the leader of the consular section of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Southern California this February. Prior to his assignment in Los Angeles, Consul General Badajos served as consul general in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His other assignments include stints in the Philippine Consulate General offices in Toronto and New York.
Local public officials including City of Carson Councilmembers Jim Dear and Arlene Rojas, City of Los Angeles Commissioner of Public Works Susana Reyes, Eric Moon and Moises Jun Aglipay who are District Field Representatives for Assemblymembers Miguel Santiago and Mike Gipson respectively, Johnny Itliong who is the son of labor organizer and Filipino champion of the Delano grape strike of 1965 Larry Itliong, members of the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) led by its president Trinity Foliente, Filipino-American Press Club of California led by co-founders Andy Edralin and Thelma Calabio and its president Lissa Pacheco Chow, Los Angeles County Filipino-American Employee Association (LACFAEA) led by its advisory chair Margie Ordiales, Philippine Women’s Club of Los Angeles (PWCLA) led by its president Cora Aragon Soriano, Kalayaan Inc. led by Lydia Soriano and Catherine Rubio, Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) led by its president Lois Klavir, Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce South Bay Los Angeles Area (FACCSLAA) led by its outgoing president Moises Jun Aglipay, U.P. Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles led by its president Evelyn Andamo, Lions Chivalry led by its secretary Emma Landicho-Sy and its membership director Ethel Mendoza Provido, and the Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California (PNASC) led by its president Catherine Rubio among other organizations were present.
Business and community leaders such as Cora Oriel of Asian Journal, Fred Docdocil of Mabuhay Credit Union, Lou Razon of Miss Philippines USA, Ron Ramores of the Metro Manila International Film Festival, Geoffrey Jimenez of Miss Filipina International, Ben Crisologo of Merrill Lynch, Cris Hero III of Equity California Real Estate, and Leo Abelita of Leo Abelita Dentistry along with the deputy consul and vice consuls of the Philippine Consulate Office were also present.
The Fil-Am Prince of Pop Garth Garcia sang an OPM medley, Henry Chen and Monica Chen brought their baritone and soprano voices to an outstanding rendition of The Prayer and the FACLA dancers danced for a packed house. Consul General Badajos obliged to everyone’s request, thrilling the expectant crowd and performing his favorite songs much to everyone’s delight.
Representatives from several organizations expressed their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the services that the consul general and his office have provided for Filipinos and Filipino Americans in Southern California.
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