Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)
December 29, 2013

FACLA/KOR “ A NIGHT WITH RIZAL”, DECEMBER 28: A SUCCESS

Los Angeles—The FACLA and KOR “A Night of Rizal” was a resounding success.

Scores of participants and guests actively joined the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) and its President Austin Baul Jr and the Knights of Rizal-Historic Filipinotown Chapter with Chapter Chairman Dr. Veronico Agatep as they led the brief program at the dinner and dance party called “ A Night with Rizal” last Saturday at 6: 00 PM at the FACLA Social Hall to commemorate the 117th Rizal Day in the United States.

Pastor Benny Aranas of the Lord Of Harvest (LOH) gave the invocation and blessed the food. He was introduced by the emcee FACLA Director Bernie Targa-Ganon.

FACLA Honors Outstanding Fil-Am Leader on Rizal Day

On his speech, FACLA President exhorted the crowd at FACLA social Hall, “ On December 30, 1896, 117th years ago, the Spanish colonial government executed Dr. Jose Rizal by a firing squad after a mock trial in Luneta, Manila. We will continue to honor him as a true Filipino, a genius , a polymath and will constantly remember his greatness.”

As a part of the program, FACLA President Austin Baul gave a plaque of recognition to MAKIBAHAGI President Fernando Capinpin from the City of Corona for his outstanding service to the Filipino American Community in the United States.

Dr. Veronico Agatep, the outgoing Chair of the Knight of Rizal Historic Filipinotown Chapter also admonished the crowd , “to follow Dr. Rizal’s example of love of country, patriotism by being good citizens.”

Dr. Agatep also introduced the next Chair of the Knights of Rizal, HFT Chapter Fender Santos and his deputy Marc Caratao and the new Mayor of the Pilipinotown Inc, Jerry Esguerra during the affair.

Rizal Day, December 30.

The FACLA Cultural Group led by Director Ganon also showed a tableau about the life and struggle of Dr. Jose Rizal. The tableau showed the different phases of Rizal’s life from his early childhood, as a doctor treating his own mother and his martyrdom on December 30, 1896..

The tableau re-enacted the execution of Dr, Rizal by the Spanish soldiers. The re-enactors complete with Spanish period unifroms were led by Teddy Ortega from Panorama City.

Meanwhile, Filipina poetess Jovy Alejandrino recited the poem”Sisa” in Tagalog. The poem about Sisa, a character in Rizal’s novel, “Noli Me Tangere” portrays the abuses of Spanish friars and authorities during the hundreds of Spanish rule in the Philippines. The last number the “Tinikling” was performed by the FACLA Youth Group.

On the morning of Monday, at 9;00 AM December 30, 2013, the actual Rizal Day commemoration will be held in FACLA. There will also be a wreath laying ceremonies at the foot of the Rizal monument at FACLA

This is a part of the traditional annual celebration of Rizal Day jointly celebrated by the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Historic Filipinotown and the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA).

For more information please call FACLA at (213)484-1527 or check our website atwww.newfacla.org or our facebook at newfacla.

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