Press Release

Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)

September 02, 2013

FACLA DONATES SHARES TO “HABAGAT” FLOOD VICTIMS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Los Angeles—The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) generously donated its $ 1, 800.00 shares during the First Historic Filipinotown Philippine Independence Day Grand Parade last June8 to the flood victims of the “Habagat” storm in the Philippines during the “Buwan ng Wika” affair at the PH Consulate General in Los Angeles last August 30, 2013

FACLA’s donation to the flood victims worth $ 1, 800 was announced by the Consul General Hellen Dela Vega on an awarding ceremonies at the Consulate during the “Balagtasan” program. Three historic Filipinotown organizations were awarded their shares from the Parade and Kalayaan Fair held last June 8, 2013 at Historic Filipinotown.

FACLA’s Donation to Habagat Victims

FACLA Board Secretary Arturo P. Garcia personally delivered FACLA’s President Austin Baul Jr.’s letter dated August 29, 2013to the Consul General, The August 29 letter said in part:

“On behalf of FACLA, I extend our profound thanks for the help you are giving by means of donation to the proposed Centro Rizal to be constructed in the FACLA Building.

Due to the present building development project in FACLA that we are undertaking , we saw it fit that your donation to the proposed Centro Rizal be channeled to solve a more pressing problem- to the victims of the present calamities in the Philippines.”

With FACLA’s the donated shares, the donations to the flood victims was doubled to $ 3,600. The Philippines was hit by floods caused by the Southwesterly Winds (Habagat) rain storms that caused dislocations to more than 600,000 people last August.

FACLA’s President Baul also said: “ We feel the construction of Centro Rizal can wait but rest assured it will be built as it is included in the overall design of the future community center which the development is being undertaken.”

FACLA’s Project TAWID-BAHA

Since 2009, FACLA is the Consulate partner in its disaster and calamities mitigation relief efforts .FACLA established a disaster relief fund during the Baldonado administration and was coursed to the Ph Consulate during the Thypoon Ondoy.

At present, the new FACLA administration has established its disaster relief fund for the calamities and flood victims in the Philippines called PROJECT TAWID-BAHA. The project coordinator for FACLA is DirectorJerry Esguerra.

FACLA is conducting fundraiser events for PROJECT TAWID-BAHA this September 21, 1013 at FACLA and a benefit dance on November 22. Watch out for new announcements.

Organizations and individuals who are interested to donate to this FACLA’s project can call (213) 484-1527 or contact Director Jerry Esguerra, TAWID –BAHA PROJECT at (818)749-0292 You can also email us at [email protected] or visit our website at newfacla.org.