LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees (LAFACE) commemorated the Filipino-American Heritage Month last October 11 at the Los Angeles City Hall.
The event began with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the art displays held by Council Member Mitch O’Farrell of Council District 13 and Philippine Consul General Maria Hellen Barber-De La Vega. The art exhibits were done by the Filipino artists Alex Gantioqui, Bobby Romero and Cesar De Vera.
After the art display, the celebration continued in the John Ferraro Council Chamber for the council presentation. The council proclamation began by Council Member O’Farrell, followed by Consul General De La Vega and LAFACE President Linda Granados to recognize October as Filipino-American History Month, as well as the art works honored to the Filipino artists. After the event, reception began in the rotunda.
LAFACE President Linda Granados gave a brief detail on recognizing the Filipino-American History Month.
“All over America, there’s a state ordinance that October is celebrated as Filipino-American Heritage Month to acknowledge the Filipino immigrants and descents, so this is our chance to honor the culture and tradition,” Granados said.
Also known as Filipino-American History Month, the Filipino-American Heritage Month was first recognized in the state of California in 2006 by the California Department of Education
Former LAFACE President Cora Soriano told the Asian Journal on how LAFACE began to organize for Filipino-American History Month celebration.
“We started the big celebration last year and want to continue [the tradition] every year to recognize the LA City Hall,” Soriano said.
Meanwhile, Filipino artist Bobby Romero felt appreciated on his artworks being displayed in the city hall.
“As Filipino artist, I feel proud to contribute my art works here in Los Angeles to be represented, so that other ethnicities [living in Los Angeles] would be appreciated,” Romero said.
“Since I finished my school in the 1977, I’ve never stopped doing my art works. That’s my passion,” the Filipino artist added.
Criselda Dolano, LAFACE Public Relations Officer, told the Asian Journal on how Filipinos in Los Angeles can have awareness on celebrating the Filipino-American Heritage Month in October yearly.
“We convince the LAFACE members to promote the Filipino-American History Month through emails,” Dolano said.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend October 12-15, 2013 Sec A pg.10)
