Photo courtesy of Edith Fuentes
GLENDALE, CA — The Filipino American community of Glendale made history as the city council approved a resolution to enter into a sister city agreement with Santa Rosa, Laguna.
At a special city council meeting of October 10, Edith M. Fuentes, past president of the Filipino American Business Association of Glendale (FABAG-GLAC) made a presentation regarding recommendations for a sister city in the Philippines.
The presentation included a video greeting from Santa Rosa Mayor Arleen Arcillas, while Fuentes shared the destination’s tourist attractions.
The city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution by the staff and committee’s recommendation to enter into an agreement with Santa Rosa to become Glendale’s first sister city in the Philippines.
The Sister City Recommendations Committee was headed by representatives of FABAG-GLAC and the United Architects of the Philippines UAP (SoCal Chapter), namely Arch. Edith M. Fuentes together with Arch. Lucille Floresta, Arch. Leilanie Panyawai, Arch. Lowynn Herrera, Arch. Delster Davide and internationally known Philippine Architects Felino Jr Palafox and Arthur Lising. City staff Stephanie Mkhlian coordinated the item for council hearing.
On the same day, the FABAG-GLAC group received a proclamation from the city declaring the month of October as “Filipino American History Month” in Glendale. Present at the meeting were FABAG President Marnie Lacsamana, IPP Jo Solomonson, Cora Aragon Soriano, Arleen Lapid Penaflor, Renee Rasper, Lucille Floresta, Leilanie Panyawai, Tess Domingo and Fuentes.
FABAG-GLAC announced and invited the community to their upcoming “Making a Difference Day” on Monday, October 23 to celebrate Fil-Am history with a meet-mix-mingle reception to say thank you to members, friends of FABAG and honor first responders. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Glendale’s Adult Recreation Center. n