Take advantage of this Preventive Health Seminar. It will help in your health challenges.  You can also invite your friends. Dr. Chi has FREE Seminar from 12-2:00 pm.  Please see attached flyer.

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Press Release
Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)
January 28, 2014

FACLA’S Launched Its First Winter Neighborhood Clean-Up in HFT.

Los Angeles—The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) successfully held its first winter neighborhood clean-up in Historic Filipinotown last Saturday, January 25, 2014

FACLA in cooperation with Council District 13 regularly launched neighborhood clean -up several times a year since the new FACLA Board of Director assumed office in 2011. The neighborhood clean-up was the first for the year 2014.

Volunteers from FACLA Cultural Group and the some members of the Board also trimmed the trees inside and outside FACLA compound. The group started the clean-up from 9:30 in the morning and ended their clean-up at 12;00 noon.

Collaboration with DC13 Councilman Mitch O’Farrel

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr. thanked CD 13 Angelo Yenko and Councilman Mitch O’Farrel for facilitating the cleaning materials from the Bureau of City Services.

On the other hand, Angelo Yenko, Field Rep for CD 13 congratulated FACLA for its beautification and clean-up drive for the neighborhhod of the Historic Filipinotown district.

Baul also said, “ the second winter clean-up might be scheduled nest February 9 and March 2 according to the availability of volunteers youth and student volunteers from Fil-Am organizations such as JFAV, the FILAMTV and other groups.

For more information please call FACLA c/o Clarita Julian at (213)484-1527 or visit our email at [email protected] or our website at newfacla.org.

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Press Release
FACLA
January 16, 2014
Contact; Arturo P. Garcia
Phone; (213)484-1527

FIL-AM LEADERS CONDEMNS “CULTURE OF CORRUPTION” IN THE PHILIPPINEs

Los Angeles—Most Filipino-American leaders condemned the culture of corruption that is rampant and ingrained in the political system of the Philippines and agree with the surveys in the country that corruption is still prevalent despite the slogan of the President Aquino II, “Walang mahirap Kung walang korup.’

In the public forum format discussion meeting and weekly media event dubbed as “TALAKAYAN SA FACLA” last Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA).. 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026, most Fil-Am leaders voiced their concern on the problem of corruption in the Philippines

Twin Problems of Calamities and Corruption in PH.

The discussions focused on the results of the latest survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) of top executives of some 1,000 private companies in the country. Fifty-six percent of the executives in Metro Manila and other urban centers polled last year said there was “a lot” of corruption in the government in 2013, a 13-point or 30-percent increase from the level in 2012.

On the other hand , forum moderator Dr. Marc Caratao, expressed that “ corruption stems from the poverty and the political conditions that pervades the Philippines. Whenever calamities strikes, corrupt practices follows.”

Another participant businessman Freddie Castaneda of FAME Inc. explained; In the Philippines, corruption is the rule rather the exception while here in the United States, it is the exception rather than the rule.

Like in business, they will process your paper here in the US without any “lagay or padulas” Un like in the Philippines, kaya maraming paring mahirap, dahil marami pa ring korup.”

AlliancePhilippines leader Arturo Garcia pointed out that “ the survey noted that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was the only government agency with a “very bad” net sincerity rating. From -46 in 2012, the Department of Finance-attached agency scored a -63 in the SWS survey.”

Another guest, Dr. Patricia Adelekan from Nigeria said “ I agree with the FACLA president that corruption stems from the weakness in character. It is not just a Philippine phenomenon but common worldwide.”

She even cited the political contributions of big corporations in the elections in the United States. ” Do you think they will not ask the politicians ro work for their benefit to recoup their contributions?”

The Hot Issues on Immigration

On the issue of immigration, moderator Larry Pelayo pointed out that the law should takes its course and agree with the proposed bill of Rep. Darrel Issa of San Diego that will give six years visa to immigrant “high skilled professional workers.”

He explained, “It’s unfair for a law abiding immigrant to wait for a long time while somebody will just jump over the border and will be here and be legalized in one day.”

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr remarked in regards with the heated debate on immigration “ that the law must be tempered with justice and must be fairly implemented for all.”

Journalist Larry Pelayo, Dr .Marc Caratao and Dr. Veronico Agatep took turns in moderating the weekly event. TALAKAYAN Public Forum ill invite guests to be resource persons in the interesting topics to be discussed every week.

The Public Forum TALAKAYAN SA FACLA is hosted and sponsored by FACLA every Thursday 10; 00 AM- 1;00 PM. There will be FREE COFFEE AND PANDESAL. Guests can also bring potluck food for everybody if they like to.

For more information please call Clarita at (213)484-1527 or visit our website at newfacla.org and email us at [email protected]

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NEWS
Jan. 13, 2014

US Pinoys Skeptical About PDAF

LOS ANGELES – At the Filipino Community’s “Talakayan”, a newly launched weekly forum discussing Philippine and US issues, “pork barrel” is once again a hot topic as several lawmakers have realigned their pork funds.

“Corruption brought about by PDAF will never go away because it’s deeply engrained in the Philippine government. ,” Art Garcia of US Action Against Pork ( USAP Coalitino) said.

The moves come as the Supreme Court ruled the pork barrel system, which had been allegedly misused by lawmakers, as unconstitutional.

However the Priority Development Assistance Funds for 2014 were already approved.

While they agree with Malacanang’s clearance that the move by nine senators to realign the funds is legal, anti-pork activists are wary of some of the motives of the P1.8 billion move.

“I think the moment a lawmaker realigns his budget allocation it is always for personal interest, and we don’t trust them to do that,” Dr. Marc Caratao, Talakayan moderator, said.

Senators Miriam Defensor, Ralph Recto, JV Ejercito and siblings Peter and Pia Cayetano realigned their funds to the calamity funds.

Senators Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, and Antonio Trillanes gave theirs to various, military, education, social welfare, and other various government-run bodies.

However the transaction Filipinos are questioning the most is Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s move to give P100 million in pork funds to Manila, where his father, former president Joseph Estrada, is mayor.

Both the father and son have defended the realignment saying the money is not going to the former president but rather to the city and various programs to serve its residents.

In the meantime, activists say they will remain vigilant especially as they fight to have the presidential pork scrapped as well.

“The anti-PDAF movement is not finished yet because the Supreme Court has not yet decided on the DAP,” Garcia said.

You can contact Steve Angeles at [email protected] for more information.
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Press Release
Public Forum “Talakayan sa FACLA”
January 12, 2014
Contact; Dr. Marc Caratao
Phone; (213)484-1527/ (213) 280-1041

PUBLIC FORUM “TALAKAYAN SA FACLA” ON JANUARY 16.

Los Angeles—The public forum discussion meeting and weekly media event for our friends in the media: dubbed as PUBLIC FORUM“TALAKAYAN SA FACLA” invites the members of the media and the public to its discussion meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA).. 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026

Arturo P. Garcia, one of the forum moderators called it “ a no-holds barred discussion of the hot issues of the day in both the US and the Philippine news and current affairs.” His co-moderators who were at the launch of the forum will be Dr. Veronico Agatep and Dr. Marc Caratao.

They will take turns in moderating the weekly event and will invite guests to be resource persons in the interesting topics to be discussed every week.

Immigration and Relief and Rehab in the PH.

The topic for discussion during the forum was the prospect for the comprehensive immigration reform law in the US Congress before the 2014 elections. The guest speaker will be Mike Prysner of ANWER-Los Angeles and March Forward Veterans Organization.

Another discussion will focus on the relief and rehabilitation efforts after the YOLANDA Thypoon last November 8, 2013.

The Public Forum “Talakayan sa FACLA” seeks to promote civic
consciousness and community empowerment thru dialogue and discussions on the burning issues of the day. TALAKAYN has set simple rules are set to be followed like respect, express not to impress and unite to disagree and seek unities not division.

The event is sponsored by the Public Forum “TALAKAYAN SA FACLA” every Thursday from 10; 00 AM- 1;00 PM.

There will be FREE COFFEE AND PANDESAL. Guests are enjoined can also bring potluck food for everybody if they like to.

For more information please call Clarita at (213)484-1527 or visit our website at newfacla.org and email us at [email protected]

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Press Release
Public Forum/Talakayan sa FACLA
January 09, 2014
Contact; Arturo P. Garcia
Phone; (213)484-1527

PUBLIC FORUM “TALAKAYAN SA FACLA” LAUNCHED IN FACLA, JANUARY 09.

Los Angeles—A public forum format discussion meeting and weekly media event for our friends in the media: dubbed as “TALAKAYAN SA FACLA” was successfully launched last Thursday, January 09, 2014 that was held at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA).

Free lance writer Arturo P. Garcia, one of the forum moderators called it “ a no-holds barred discussion of the hot issues of the day in both the US and the Philippine news and current affairs.”

His co-moderators who were at the launch of the forum were Dr. Veronico Agatep and Dr. Marc Caratao. They will take turns in moderating the weekly event and will invite guests to be resource persons in the interesting topics to be discussed every week.

Immigration and Relief and Rehab in the PH.

The first topics for discussion during the forum was the prospect for the comprehensive immigration reform law in the US Congress before the 2014 elections and the relief and rehabilitation efforts after the YOLANDA Thypoon last November 8, 2013.

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr. reported on the FACLA TAWID BAHA Relief Drive from November 12, 2013 up to January 6, 2014.

He also said, “ we welcome this discussion and forum in FACLA because it will produce more unities in the community. When community leaders discuss, argue and unite about the burning issues of the day, they produce an informed and well meaning citizen and heighten civi consciousness.”

The Public Forum TALAKAYAN SA FACLA is hosted and sponsored by FACLA every Thursday 10; 00 AM- 12;00 PM. There will be FREE COFFEE AND PANDESAL. Guests can also bring potluck food for everybody if they like to for the brunch.

For more information please call Clarita at (213)484-1527 or visit our website at newfacla.org and email us at [email protected]

****

Press Release
Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)
January 08, 2014

Los Angeles—The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) TAWID BAHA RELIEF DRIVE FOR YOLANDA VICTIMS wrapped up its donation drive last January 6, 2014.

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr. reported that FACLA received a total of $ 2,300.00 monetary donations. The last donation that was received was from Sierra and Hopey Balatan of San Fernando High School at the FACLA Board of Directors Meeting last January 6, 2014.

The Balatan sisters sold chocolates and solicit donation from their school and donated their earnings to FACLA. Earlier FACLA donated $ 1,800.00 for the victims of Thypoon PABLO in Mindanao to the Philippine Consulate of Los Angeles last August 2013.

FACLA TAWID BAHA RELIEF DRIVE

FACLA at once put into motion the TAWID-BAHA Relief Drive after assessing the fact that the Philippines suffered severe losses after the aftermath of the Thypoon YOLANDA that devastated the Central Philippines on November 12, 2013 four days after the super storm hit the Leyte.

FACLA also received material donations and turned it over to People’s CORE STP 2013 Relief Drive. These material donations will be sent to Leyte and Capiz.

TAWID BAHA Project Coordinator and FACLA Disaster Relief Committee Chair Director Jerry Esguerra said that the TAWID BAHA Project will hold a benefit dance dinner in March 2014 dor its scholarship program to the Philippines.

We are still accepting monetary donations and you can also the sent donations to:

FACLA TAWID BAHA RELIEF PROJECT
FACLA 1740 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

( All donations more than $ 50.00 is tax deductible for FACLA is a private-non profit 501 (c3) organization )

TAWID- BAHA Relief Project is also open for volunteers and are accepting interns and those who want to donate or join the committee is welcomed to join. Just call Jerry Esguerra at (818) 749-0272 or Mrs. Clarita Julian at FACLA at (213)484-1527.

For more information about FACLA please call at (213)484-1527 or email us at [email protected] or visit our website at newfacla.org.

NEWS ADVISORY
January 07, 2014

TALAKAYAN SA FACLA

A weekly media event of FACLA for our friends in the media:

A no-holds barred discussion of the hot issues of the day in both the US and the Philippine news and current affairs.

FACLA SOCIAL HALL,
1740 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Hosted by FACLA every Thuusday 10; 00 Am- 1;00 PM
FREE COFFEE AND PANDESAL

Hosted by FACLA News and Media Missing Persons
A Project of FACLA

For more information please call Clarita at (213)484-1527 or visit our website at newfacla.org and email us at [email protected]

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Press Release