JFAV UPDATES
May 31, 2014

JFAV CALLS  ON FILAM YOUTH ORGS TO JOIN HFT KALAYAAN 2014 PARADE 

Los Angeles—”Lumahok sa Araw ng Kalayaan, Ipagbunyi ang Araw ng Kalayaan! 

More and more organizations have joined as the preparations for the 2nd Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan 2014 Parade on June 07, 2014 revs up. with 2 weeks to go on its D-Day.

On the other hand, JFAV National Coordinator and also 2nd HFT Parade Coordinator Arturo Garcia called on the different Filipino American youth  and student organizations in California to participate in the 2nd HFT Philippine Independence Day Parade.

A Call for Fil-Am Youth and Student Organizations

Garcia said, “ We call on all Filipino American youth and student groups to participate in the parade on June 07.This is the good opportunity for patriotic and progressive FilAm youths to get out of their cozy academe and enclosed communities and from the ritual of their socials and PCN’s and be with the real community in Historic Filipinotown. of Los Angeles

Let us celebrate the declaration of Asia’s first republic and its independence against a European colonial power –Spain in June 12, 1898. Let us all celebrate our freedom from colonialism.” Garcia exclaimed.

PTI Mayor Jerry Esguerra also said, “ we call on all Filipino-American organization and our allied organizations among the Asian Pacific Islander Community to participate in our celebration and commitment for freedom at the parade on June 07 in Historic Filipinotown.

The 2nd HFT Independence Day Parade starts and end at Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown of Los Angeles. The assembly time will be at 7;00 AM and the parade will start promptly at 9;00 AM.

Participating Organizations

The groups who will participate are; The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles Inc. (FACLA), Philippinetown Inc (PTI), the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles, Historic FiIipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) , The Justice for the Filipino American Veterans (JFAV),People’s CORE, FILAMTV/TRIBUNE USA,The Insider Productions/Binibining Pilipinas-USA, Seniors 4 Pilipino American Community Empowerment (S4PACE), LA Pilipino Women’s Club, Knights of Rizal – HFT, , Pilipino Ministry -United Methodist Church (UMC) of Wilshire, Lord of Harvest,Silverlake CBAS, Knights of Columbus (KOR), HIFI California Expo (HIFICALI), BANTAY PILIPINAS-USA, Philippine’s Best, MS FILAM INTERNATIONAL LLC, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce-Orange County (FACCOC).

Other groups are LACFAS, Golden Agers of Los Angeles (GALA),Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA), GEPENC, Echo Park Community Council (EPCC), Rampart Village Neighborhood Council (RVNC), Phil.American Association of Professionals Inc, Los Angeles Seniors of California Inc.,Pilipino Institute of Language Arts and Culture (PILAC), Samoan Affairs, Temple-Westlake Development Corporation (TWDC), SMR Productions-USA, MOTHER  Movement and other regional and provincial associations of Southern California like the United Bicolandia of Los Angeles (UBLA) and Cebu Brotherhood.

Second Time

This is the second time that the HFT PH Independence Day Parade will be held in Historic Filpinotown where Filipinos lived since 1945.” Garcia added.

We call on all organizations and individuals who are interested to join or volunteer to help the parade can ask and get the participation forms and can donate monetary or any donations to:

FACLA
c/o Bernie Ganon
1740 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026F
Phone/fax (213)484-1527

For more information about the 2nd HFT Independence Day Parade 2014 please call or fax at (213) 4841527 or email at [email protected] or visit our website at www. newfacla.org

***

Komunidad
May 27,2014

“Erap Estrada’s Defense”

By Arturo P. Garcia

The Napoles List is out. I mean the signed affidavit of Janet Napoles, the suspected mastermind of the scams in the current BS Aquino III administration.

The so called Napoles list, meaning the final signed affidavit that included this time new names of both old and new lawmakers who supposed to have received payment or acted as agents fo Napoles in her systematic and elaborate scam have raised a howl on all quarters, everywhere for every other reasons.

But I will discuss today the Napoles defense that is akin or the defense of former President Joseph Estrada when he underwent a a 6-year trial for plunder during the GMA administration. And then just to be pardoned by the same president who persecuted him.

Estrada’s defense is simple. That the “hweteng” or the lottery number games money he gave to himself and his ilk is not public funds but private funds therefore it is not plunder. It did not come from government coffers but were funds that came from private sources chiefly bets from the common people.

If you are a simpleton and ignorant of the law, you will swallow this defense hook like and sinker. Estrada says, he never stole people’s money because the money is not stolen anyways from the people. Those are bets. Even before that he proposed to legalize hweteng so the government can tax it. And when it was not approved as a law, he proceeded to take it fro himself.

It is the same as Janet Napoles defense that “she followed the rules and formed NGO because it was DBM Secretary Butch Abad who told her to do that so she can get funding fromPDAF and the Malamapaya fund.”

Therefore she only followed the rules, right. But how about the faking of things non-existing non-government organizations mostly farmers organizations. Does she means to say DBM’s bad also taught her to fake such NGO’s?

She defended herself saying that she is “only a simple woman.” But how about her extravagance and her children and family’s ostentatious living and flaunting such riches abroad and in the Philippines? Is that being simple?

Erap Estrada, (now Mayor of Manila ), has also crooked thinking like Janet Napoles up to now says “He was not convicted.” And the other hand, he admits “ he was jailed and is “ a martyr for a cause like Nelson Mandela.” A direct contradiction of what he was saying he was never convicted.

His son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada also parrot the same line. And is flaunting he is not afraid to go to jail “ because he has been in jail once.” He is now one of the trio who is facing new charges of plunder at the Sandiganbayan.

Janet Napoles parrots the Erap Estrada’s defense. But she forget one essential rule of law. That “ignorance of the law excuses no one.”

I do not fault Erap Estrada because once former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr ( now being implicated by Janet Napoles as a beneficiary of PDAF) said:

“ I was struck by the reasoning of Erap. But I do not fault him. He is a simple man and that’s explains it.What is wrong is that we elected a president who do not have an understanding of the law.”

But on the case of Napoles, I fault the lawyers who advised her to say that under oath in a signed affidavit.

Well, in any revolution, the first to be eliminated are the lawyers who find any convenient reasons to get their client s off the hook and earn their pay. Even some wags says, if we get rid of lawyers, this world would be a better place to live in.

But it boil down to Erap and Napoles who reason with the law, who think they are a above the law and when confronted with the majesty of the law are can be found wanting.

They forget the lady justice is blindfolded and they will be weighed according to their words, deeds and can be punished by what they have done.

*****

New FACLA News
May 27,2014

FACLA Supports The 8th HIFI 5K RUN June 14, 2014

By Arturo P. Garcia

Los Angeles–”Takbo para sa Kalusugan, Takbo Para sa Kalayaan.”

The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles Inc or FACLA, the 69 years , the  oldest and still existing non Filipino-profit agency supports the 8th Historic Filipinotown 5K RUN on June 14, 2014.

Alliance News
May 24, 2014

Coup in Thailand, “Miracle” in PH In A Troubled ASEAN

Los Angeles—“ Ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay sakit ng buong katawan.” ( A pain in a part of the body affects the whole body.)

The Alliance Philippines based in the Filipino-American community in the United States expressed concern on the military coup in Thailand and the messianic posture being justified by the Thai coup inclined military.

At first the military justified the military takeover to “preserve peace and order” but days later and announced elections but later like in Egypt, the military declared that it is a coup and the army chief declared himself as the prime minister.

Coup Threats Real in the PH

It is not far fetched that a coup can be possibly mounted by Anti Aquino groups to extricate itself from the threats of political extinction. The former RAM leaders like Enrile and Honasan still has influence in the AFP and can try to destabilize the regime.

On the other hand a coup can be tried by pro-Aquino group if the cannot push through its scheme of charter change. It is or to possibly give Aquino III a longer tem to avoid regime change which is coming within the next three years.

The Alliance is deeply concerned that the count down to the decision of Sandiganbayan to hear the PDAF cases and order the arrest of lawmakers who were implicated is coming. The 60 day period is ending for the Sandiganbayan to decide to hear the case.

Trouble in the ASEAN

As if rubbing salt into the wound, the Aquino III regime in Manila hosted the World Economic Forum and banded the much-vaunted “economic miracle” of the country. This at the time, while its neighbor Thailand’s military declared martial law by conducting a coup in the deeply politically troubled ASEAN nation.

It is also the time that, following the dictates of its imperialist master, the United States, the Philippines stood with Vietnam in denouncing China on its aggressive posture in the South China Seas and promised to stand with Vietnam against China.

The Alliance is carefully watching the turn of events in the Philippines and Thailand as the territorial dispute with China escalates and the political situation boils up. The political situation in Thailand and the Philippines is essentially the same. A time fuse is ticking for the bomb to blow.

Armed Revolution, The Difference

Thailand and the Philippines both client states of US imperialism both shared the common problem of semi-colonial puppet states- deep seated and ingrained corruption in its government.

The only difference is that Thailand’s armed revolutionary movement faded away along time ago because of its dependency on China that turned capitalist away from international solidarity .

On the other while the Philippines there is still the longest running and still potent armed revolution and a strong mass movement in the urban areas like Thailand.

Both Thailand and The Philippines have Muslim population who are waging armed struggle against their government. In the Philippines, the Aquino III regime has concluded peace talks with the MILF while in Thailand, the problem is still raging.

Thus, the Alliance called on all to be vigilant and watch for the developments in Thailand and the Philippines. As they say,“Eternal vigilance is always the price of freedom.”

For more information please call (213)241-0995 or email us at [email protected]

****

THE PUBLIC IS CORDIALLY INVITED:

The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles, Inc. (FACLA) and the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles with Ugnayan Sining Tomasino of UST Manila Presents;

KALAYAAN ART EXHIBIT (FREEDOM 2014 Art Exhibit)

-A 3 day Exhibit in Honor of Philippine Freedom Day, June 12, 1898, the 116th Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines

Friday, June 13,  Saturday , June 14 and Monday, June 16, 2014
at the FACLA Social Hall
Every 9;00 AM to 9;00 PM

New FACLA News
May 21,2014

FACLA Supports The 8th Historic Filipinotown 5K RUN June 14, 2014, New Route, New Challenge

By Arturo P. Garcia

Los Angeles–The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles Inc or FACLA supports the  8th Historic Filipinotown 5K RUN on June 14, 2014.

This was stated by FACLA President Jun Baul  who further said, “The June 14 5K Run, an annual event led by the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC)  will take a different route after taking the Temple-Hoover Route for eight years, this year 2014.

The event started by the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) in 2006 as a part of the Historic Filipino Town Festival in honor of the designation of Historic Filipinotown district by the Los Angeles City Council in 2002, will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2014.” Baul declared.

Different Route, Different Challenge

According to Baul, “This time, the 8th Historic Filipinotown 5K RUN will take the Bonnie Brae, Beverly to Robinson route and back.

It’s a different route but a new challenge Temple-Hoover did not have. It’s the forward slope ( Uphill)  and the reverse slope ( Downhill) back that will  surely test the 5K runner’s stamina and speed.”

People will remember the same route was taken during the First 5K Run in 2006, The route was from Court Street to Roselake St to 3rd and Commonwealth St. and back. And then in 2007, it was changed to Temple and Hoover until 2013.

5K Run, A Filipino Independence Day Run

Cecille Ramos, President of HFNC said, “ This is the first time that the HFT 5K Run will be held separately from the annual Historic Filipinotown Festival usually held every August or summer of the year. This time, the 5K run will be held in honor of the 116th Philippine Independence Day celebrated every June 12 every year.” Ramos explained.

On June 12, 1898, the Philippine revolutionary government declared the Independence of the Philippines from colonizer Spain. That was the time before the American forces intervened and occupied Manila and started the occupation of the Philippines on August 13, 1898.

It took the Filipinos to initiate more than 300 revolts to finally raised a national revolution from August 23, 1896 to June 1898 to finally be free from colonialism. The Philippines became the first Asian nation to declare its independence and be free from a European colonizer.

A Multi-Ethnc Community Sports Event

According to the New FACLA News sources, the HFNC said, ” more than 6,000 runners have participated in the eight years of the 5K run from 2006.At least more than 800 runners participate annually at the 5K RUN.”

HFNC President Cecille Ramos also said, ” The 5K RUN became the prime feature of the Historic Filipinotown Festival every year and as a multi-ethic sports activity every summer in Central LA.

FACLA has been supporting this event since Baul assumed FACLA leadership since 2011. the 5K RUN has been a successful event that added to the popularization of Historic Filipinotown as a cultural mecca and sports event for the Filipino-American Community.

*****

FACLA Director,  Arturo P. Garcia, representing JFAV as national coordinator, together with Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti at the Veterans Business Summit at City Hall, May 19, 2014. The Summit was attended by hundreds of Veterans, corporate sponsors , City Agencies, non profits and the CalVEt/DVA. The Veterans Business Summit was  sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Golman Sachs.

NEW FACLA NEWS
May 20, 2014

PREPS FOR THE 2HFT PARADE REVS UP, MORE ORGS JOIN IN

Los Angeles—The preparations for the 2nd Historic Filipinotown Parade on June 07, 2014 revs up as more organizations joined in the parade slated on June 07, 2014

During the Organizing Committee ( 2HFTPOC) and the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) meeting last May 13 in FACLA attended by Consul Cezar Angeles of the Philippine Consulate of Los Angeles , the 2HFTPOC have confirmed that 20 groups and organizations have committed to participate in the said event as of the press time.

The 2nd HFT Independence Day Parade starts and end at Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown of Los Angeles. The assembly time will be at 7;00 AM and the parade will start promptly at 9;00 AM.

Participating Organizations

Philippinetown Inc. Mayor Jerry Esguerra said that the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) inc., the Philippine Town Inc (PTI) , and the Consulate General of the Philippines-Los Angeles will lead the parade.

The groups who will participate are; Historic FiIiipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) , The Justice for the Filipino American Veterans (JFAV),People’s CORE, FILAMTV/TRIBUNE USA,The Insider Productions/Binibining Pilipinas-USA, Seniors 4 Pilipino American Community Empowerment (S4PACE), Knights of Rizal – Historic Filipinotown, Pilipino Ministry  United Methodist Church (UMC)  of Wilshire, Silverlake CBAS, Knights of Columbus (KOR), The Rotary Club of HFT, HIFI California Expo (HIFICALI ),Philippine’s Best, MS FILAM INTERNATIONAL LLC, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce-Orange County (FACCOC). Golden Agers of Los Angeles (GALA),Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA), GEPENC_District 5, Echo Park Community Council (EPCC), Rampart Village Neighborhood Counci (RVNC), Lord of Harvest, LACFAS, Phil.American Association of Professionals Inc, Los Angeles Seniors of California Inc.,Pilipino Institute of Language Arts and Culture (PILAC), Samoan Affairs, Temple-Westlake Development Corporation (TWDC), and other regional and provincial associations of Southern California like the United Bicolandia of Los Angeles (UBLA).

Next 2IDPOC Meeting, May 23.

FACLA Director Arturo P. Garcia, the designated Parade Coordinator of the 2HFTIDP said, ” the preparations and working meeting will have started last May 13 and the next organizing and planning meeting will be on May 23, 2013 at 6;00PM at FACLA .

PTI Mayor Jerry Esguerra said, “ we call on all Filipino-American organization and our allied organizations among the Asian Pacific Islander Community to participate in our planning meetings and our celebration and commitment for freedom at the parade on June 07..

This is the second time that the HFT PH Independence Day Parade will be held in Historic Filpinotown where Filipinos lived since 1945.”. Garcia added. Organizations and individuals who are interested to join or volunteer to help the parade can ask and get the participation forms and can donate monetary or any donations to:

FACLA
c/o Bernie Ganon
1740 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026F
Phone/fax (213)484-1527

For more information about the 2nd HFT Independence Day Parade 2014 please call or fax at (213) 4841527 or email at [email protected] or visit our website at newfacla.org

***