NEW FACLA NEWS
April 28, 2014

FACLA CELEBRATES 69th YEAR ANNIVERSARY, CROWNS MS. AND MS TEEN FACLA

Los Angeles—FACLA’s 69th Anniversary celebration was a smashing success!

Hundreds of Filipino-American community leaders, residents, dignitaries and guests celebrated the sixty ninth anniversary of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) last Saturday, April 26, 2014 in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles with a dinner and dance party.

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr. said, “ who will think that 69 years ago, the organization that was formed by three farm worker men and a woman Petra Hernandez will grow like what is today, a resilient, growing and steadfast community organization representing the Filipino-American interests.”

Media observers and guests that the crowd in the 69th year dinner and dance party was the biggest attendance so far for FACLA’s anniversary celebrations.

Guests Lauds FACLA Achievements

Pastor Benny Aranas of the Lord of Harvest gave the invocation that opened the program.

Council District member for CD 13 Mitch O’Farrell who made a surprise visit at FACLA paid tribute to FACLA. He said, “ FACLA remained firm and grew despite all its problems and maintained its integrity and dignity as the oldest Filipino-American organization. I wish you all the success.”

He presented a certificate of recogntion signed by himself and Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti. He read the certificate and gave it to FACLA president Austin Baul Jr.

The newly arrived Philippine Consul General to LA, Leo Herrera Lim, the former Consul General in Chicago, Illinois for six years, on his first foray into the Historic Filipinotown community was introduced by FACLA director Dr. Marc Caratao.

Consul General Lim said, “Your consulate is your partner in the community Please do not look at us as a patron but your servants.

He also said, “Be rest assured your are welcome to talk to us, come to the consulate and consult us and make us as your partner in building our community’

Ms.FACLA and Ms. Teen FACLA 2014 Crowned.

The night of celebration as capped with the last canvassing of the Search for Ms. FACLA and Ms. Teen FACLA . After the last cnavasing, the winner were announced by the Search Committee.

The winners for Ms. FACLA was Ms. Monet A. Marual while the Ms. Teen FACLA was Ms. Jasmine Morada.

The other winners for Ms. FACLA were Ms Emette underwood as Ms. Luzon, Ms.Cora Miller as Ms. Visayas, Ms. Priscilla Montero as Ms. Mindanao and Ms. Donna Canarez as Ms. Manila.

Winners for Ms. Teen FACLA were Ms.Mary Banawa as Ms. Justice and Ms. Caroline Jimenez as Ms. Charity.

Ms. Jovy Alejandrino, the Tagalog poetess of Historic Filipinotown recited a poem in honor of the winners while press photographers feasted on the newly crowned beauties of FACLA. Atty Roman Mosqueda danced with his equally vivacious partner in an exciting dance number that brought the house down.

The former Ms. Teen FACLA 2013, Ms..Stephanie Uy and Charlie Pura and former Mrs. FACLA 2013 winners; Lilia Guapa Lao ,Marilyn Ranchez and Terry Abdon crowned the winners of Ms. FACLA and Ms. Teen FACLA 2014.

Maestro Buddy Reyes and his band played the music and the sumptuous dinner and the dancing went on through the night.

For more information about cultural events at FACLA, please contact Clarita Julian of FACLA or Bernie-Targa Ganon at (213)484-1527. Or please email us at [email protected]