JFAV Communique 6301
June 30, 2015

JFAV Delegation with FilVets and Advocates Met with DVA Secretary MacDonald

Los Angeles—“ I Don’t Know How to Answer Your Questions.”

This was the poker-faced answer of the Department Of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Secretary Robert Macdonald when confronted by a delegation of Filipino World War II Veterans and advocates at his office in Washington DC last June 29, 2015.

The delegation was led by Arturo P. Garcia, Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) National Coordinator, Ms.Bernie-Targa-Ganon of Filipino American Service Group INC (FASGI); Eric Lachica of the ACFV, Veterans Celestino Almeda, Rudy Panglima, Ms. Marzan, Rey Ganon from JFAV and Ret. General Delfin Lorenzana of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

The Meeting

The business meeting with the Secretary and Under Secretary lasted for 30 minutes and was very cordial. The meeting was held at the 9th Floor office of the Secretary of the DVA in 810 Vermont St. Washington DC.

ACFV’s Eric Lachica and Art Garcia of People’s CORE brought to the Secretary’s attention the more than 4,o00 Appeals yet to be decided by the DVA Veterans Appeals Court

DVA Usec Brad Flohr denied at first they have 4,000 current appeals said “they have only 66 appeals on hand.” But later was enlightened by the group that the data ( 4,000 appeals on the lump sum claims) came from DVA itself.

Secretary Macdonald promised to form a working group to look upon the matters that was brought up with the Justice For Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans (ACFV)

END

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NEW FACLA NEWS
June 19, 2015

FACLA’s Statement on the Shooting at the AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina, June 18, 2015

Los Angeles-- The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) the oldest Filipino-American non profit organization in the United States based in Southern California extends its profound sadness, solidarity and sympathy with the African American community and all the victims families in Charleston racist shooting in South Carolina.

We are still groping for words to express for the tragedy that befell the AME Church that took away nine African American lives in a rampage by a White Supremacist racist person.

One of those killed was a 41 old Pastor and a South Carolina’s State Legislator. Rev. Clementa Pickney who was cut down at the prime of his life.

FACLA condemned this racist hate crime against the African Americans in South Carolina as a vestige of the Confederate ideals that uphold racism and slavery.

As long as the deep south flies the Confederate flags and the rest of the country holds this ideals of inhumanity and bigotry, there will be no justice and peace in our land.

FACLA was founded in 1945 and our founders on the basis of equality and we experienced the same racism. But we are with you in your the struggle against racism and inequality. We are proud say, we in FACLA are at the forefront of the struggle against national oppression with you.

We are one with you in this struggle .We marched with you during the civil rights struggle in the 1960′s. You stood with us against the war in Vietnam and during the darkest days of the US-Marcos Dictatorship in our homeland and in our struggle for Filipino World War II Veterans recognition and benefits.

Black or brown, yellow or white we are all are equal. As Abraham Lincoln said. “A house divide by itself cannot stand.”

Brick by brick, wall by wall, we will demolish racism once and for all!

Solidarity Forever!

Sincerely yours,

Austin Baul Jr.
FACLA President

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ALLIANCE NEWS
Hunyo 16, 2015

PROTESTA LABAN SA PANGANGKAM NG SOSYAL-IMPERYALISTANG TSINA SA WEST PHILIPPINE SEAS, HUNYO 12 , 2015 SA WALMART –CHINATOWN LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles—IPAGLABAN ANG SOBERANYA AT DANGAL NG PILIPINAS!

Magrali at piket ng mga Filipino-Americans laban sa pangangamkam ng mga Soyal-Imperyalistang Tsino sa West Philippine Seas may Walmart Neighborhood Market kahapon araw ng ika-117 taon ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas,Hunyo 12, 2015

Nanawagan din ng boykot ng gawang produktong Tsina ang mga ito sa harap ng Walmart, ang pinakamalawak na distributor ng mga produktong Tsino sa America.

Pinangunahan ng Overseas Pinoys For Good Governance o OPGG at ng Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) ang nasabing aksyong masa na tumagal ng isang oras.

Ang pambansang aksyon ay ginanap hindi lamang sa Los Angeles kundi sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng U.S. tulad ng San Francisco, Washington DC, New York, Florida, Guam, Saipan atbpng bahagi ng Amerika.

BOYKOTT LABAN SA MGA PRODUKTONG TSINO

Sinabi ni Al P. Garcia ng JFAV,” Kakatuwang nagboykot noong bago sumiklab laban sa Japan ang mga Pilipino para suportahan ang Tsinan a noong ay sinasakop ng Pasistang Hapon samatalang ngayon nananawagan ang boykot ang mga FilAm sa Amerika laban sa Tsina.”

Ayon naman kay Macky Fortu,ng RVNC, “ Mahalagang maninidigan at ipagpatuloy ng bagong Presidente ng Pilipinas na labanan ang pananakop ng Tsina sa West Philippines Sea at sa mga isla natin doon.”

Idiin naman ni Royco Nuyda ng OPGG,” Mahalagang iboykot ang mga produkto para maipakita ang galit ng ating komunidad laban sa pangangamkam ng Tsina sa ating teritoryo.”

Para sa dagdag na impormasyon sa Alliance tumawag lamang sa (213)241-0995 or
bisitahin ang aming websites sa www.newfacla,or at www.peoplescore.net

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NEW FACLA NEWS
June 13, 2015

117th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE SPEECH BY FACLA PRESIDENT AUSTIN BAUL JR

(Delivered on 117th Independence Day, June 12 Celebrations at FACLA)

Happy Independence Day everybody!

In the 12 years that spanned 1945 to 1957, seven of our great Southeast Asian neighbors, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Burma, Laos, and Malaysia, either have won their independence from their foreign oppressors or have been granted independence by their colonial masters.

In the Philippines, on June 12, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed to the Filipino Revolutionary Forces and a huge crowd the sovereignty and independence of our country from the colonial rule of Spain. Thus ensued a long drawn armed struggle against Spain and subsequently against the United States which finally ended when the overwhelming American forces defeated the Filipinos.

However, the diplomatic and political resistance and agitation of our patriots continued until the United States acknowledged our independence on July 4, 1946.

My friends, this particular timeline of 1898 to 1957 in Southeast Asian history clearly shows that among the countries of Southeast Asia, the Philippines was the first to take up arms against its foreign oppressors and for this, I’m proud I’m a Filipino.

This timeline clearly shows that among the peoples of Southeast Asia, the Filipinos were the first to declare independence from their colonial masters and thus broke their painful shackles of oppression and lifted from their shoulders the heavy burden of the colonial yoke and for this, I’m proud I’m a Filipino. I neither denigrate our Southeast Asian neighbors nor underestimate their courage and valor but the fact remains that we were the first.

Now, the Philippines is a free country and the Filipinos are enjoying the fruits of freedom.
But what about us expatriate Filipinos? True, we are living in the greatest, most powerful, freest country in the world and we could consider that as a blessing to us Filipinos here in the United States.

But America is a different country, my friends. It is peopled by hundreds of nationalities since the United States opened its doors to all nations in this greatest experiment in democracy in human history. And we are but one of those nationalities.

And in this mélange of races and cultures, one could not be faulted and if one would venture to say that the Filipinos here are found wanting in unity and street. While we have more than three hundred fifty thousand Filipino Americans residing in Los Angeles County or even more than a million across the United States for that matter, these numbers mean nothing in terms of the impact that we could make on the big social issues of our time.

Why? Because we lack cohesiveness and a united front. And this is proven by the existence of hundreds of Filipino ethnic and social groups each pursuing an agenda of its own. I do not denigrate these groups. They are important especially to their members who find them as their comfort zones where they could speak their dialect, eat native foods, and practice their particular custom and tradition. But the reality is no one among these groups could ever lay claim to be the face and front of the Filipino Americans here. It is only FACLA, by its very name, by its very structure, by its mission and goals, who could lay claim to such representation.

Therefore, on this 117th Independence Day Celebration, I call on all leaders and members of these groups. Let us emulate what General Emilio Aguinaldo did. As he proclaimed independence from foreign oppression, let us now declare our independence from the painful shackles of regionalism and factionalism! Let us rid ourselves from decades of apathy and inertia! Let us rid ourselves from destructive dissension and suspicion in the Filipino American community!

Come and join FACLA and help make it the most powerful Filipino American organization.

It is important that we unite and are strong, because once we reach that high level of identity, we could make a big impact on the critical issues of our time like education, employment, health care, etc. that could make us respectable in the eyes of city, state, and federal officials, and even in the eyes of our powerful minority neighbors.

It is important that we are strong, because once we reach that high level of strength, whenever we negotiate with city, state, and federal officials or with whomever, we will never negotiate with a hat in hand like a mendicant, we will never negotiate with a cup in hand like a beggar, but we will negotiate on a position of strength. And when we negotiate from a position of strength, we will be successful!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

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WIKA KO
Hunyo 10, 2015

CHACHA: MANIOBRA NG MGA BENTADOR

Ni Rogelio Ordonez

Kapag namaniobra ng mga bentador ng pambansang soberanya sa diumano’y “marangal” na Kongreso ng Republikang Mamon ang iginigilgil na CHA-CHA o mga susog o pagbabago sa umiiral na 1987 Konstitusyon, ganap na nilang ipalalamon sa maluwang na bunganga ng dayuhang imperyalistang mga interes ang pambansang kapakanan at maging ang kinabukasan ng susunod na mga henerasyon ng laging inaaliping Indio.

Sa pendehong dahilang dadagsa sa bansa ang dayuhang pamumuhunan (foreign investment) at makatutulong diumano ito sa kaunlaran ng Pilipinas, lalamutakin ng mga kinauukulan ang mga probisyong pang-ekonomiya ng kasalukuyang Konstitusyon upang maiakma sa ganid na panlasa ng kanilang mga panginoong dayuhang lagi nilang sinasamba at masugid na hinihimod ang mga pundilyo.

Ipahihintulot na sa sasalamangkahing Konstitusyon ang 100% kontrol o sosyo ng dayuhang mga negosyante (ngayo’y 60% sa Pilipino at 40% lamang sa dayuhan). Ipahihintulot na rin sa dayuhang mga kapitalista na makapagmay-ari ng mga lupain at gusali rito gayong, sa kabilang banda, nananatiling libag lamang sa singit at leeg ang sariling lupa ng maraming miserableng Pilipino at wala ni isang dangkal na lupang mapaglilibingan ang maraming magsasaka dahil sa kainutilan ng gobyernong ipatupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa,.

Lalo na nga sa Hacienda Luisita na lumilitaw na matibay na kuta ng mapagsamantalang uri. Ipahihintulot din na pasukin din ng dayuhang mga kapitalistang ito maging ang pambayang mga utilidades (public utilities), gaya ng transportasyon at telekomunikasyon, serbisyo sa tubig at kuryente, mga ospital at paaralan, at maging ang mga daluyan ng pangmadlang komunikasyon (mass media) na, kung tutuusin, ay dapat na hawak lamang at kontrolado ng mga Pilipino alang-alang sa pambansang seguridad.

Kung mangyayari ang mga nabanggit, na malamang na mangyari dahil sagad-buto ang paghahangad ng mga hunyango’t impakto sa Kongreso na mapaligaya ang dayuhan nilang mga panginoon, waring isa tuloy na kaibig-ibig at nakabibighaning babae lamang ang Pilipinas, ganap nilang huhubaran at puwersahang ibubukaka upang walang habas at paulit-ulit na gahasain ng mga diyus-diyosang higit nilang pinaglilingkuran kaysa tunay na pambansang kapakanan.

Batay nga sa mga pag-aaral tungkol sa dayuhang kapital, lumilitaw na sa bawat isang dolyar nilang pinuhunan sa ating bansa, tatlong dolyar naman ang kanilang naiuuwing tubo na hindi naman muling pinupuhunan dito upang makalikha nga ng trabaho’t oportunidad para sa nakararaming mamamayang dayukdok at titiguk-tigok ang lalamunan.

Huwag kang hangal, Indio… huwag kang maniwalang magtutungo rito ang dayuhang mga kapitalista upang pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng pinakamamahal mong bayan. Natural, ang gahaman nilang mga interes ang kanilang pangangalagaan, at iyon ay ang nakalululang mga tubo (profit), alipin ka mang lubusan, sipsipin ang iyong dugo, at ngasabin ang iyong laman! IIto ang tinatawag noon ng yumaong makabayang Sen. Claro M. Recto na BAGONG PANG-AALIPIN.

Tuloy ang pakikibaka laban sa mga bentador ng pambansang soberanya!

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JFAV UPDATES
June 10,2015

US PROTEST ACTIONS VS CHINA SLATED ON JUNE 12,2015

Los Angeles–IPAGTANGGOL ANG PILIPINAS!

Filipino American organizations all over the United States will hold coordinated against China’s aggression and to uphold the sovereignty of the Philippines on June 12, 2015.
The Southern California chapter of USPGG chaired by Rocio Nuyda is organizing a picket of the Wal-Mart store in Los Angeles at 701 Cesar Chavez Avenue,Los Angeles on June 12 at 12 noon.

The L.A. picketing will be led by Arturo Garcia who will be joined by members of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) and the Knights of Rizal.

San Francisco

In San Francisco, the Filipino community will officially celebrate Independence Day on June 12 at a $100 per person gala at the City Hall hosted by Mayor Ed Lee. But members of the Northern California chapter of USPGG are urging the Filipino community to celebrate Independence Day “meaningfully” by converging at the Union Square at 11:30 AM on June 12 to then march to the Apple store a block away to picket and call for a boycott of China products.

“The traditional way of celebrating Philippine Independence by holding galas is not appropriate for the crisis that is happening now. China has illegally invaded and occupied seven Philippine shoals which it has converted into artificial islands by pouring sand and concrete over Philippine coral reef destroying our marine ecology.

We have to stand up to this major threat to the national security of the Philippines,” Ted Laguatan, USPGG spokesman said.

New York/Washington

In New York City, Loida Nicolas-Lewis will personally lead the picket of the Apple store at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street on June 12 at 11:30 AM.

The Washington DC June 12 protest will be held at 11:30 AM at the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at 99 H Street NW Washington at the corner of H and 1st Street in Chinatown.

In Chicago, the USPGG chapter will picket the Apple Store located at 679 North Michigan Avenue at 12 noon on June 12.

Guam/Saipan

In Guam, the protest rally will be held on June 12 , from 11:00 to 1:30 pm at the Tamuning Mayor’s Community Park, across ITC Building corner North Marine Corps Drive and San Antonio Road, Tamuning, adjacent to signature factory outlets and a shopping center that sells Made in China products.

In Saipan, the June 12 protest will take place from 10AM to 1:OO PM at the Kilili Pavillion on Beach Road in Susupe where made in China products are sold.

Filipinos in other US cities are also planning to celebrate June 12 Independence Day by picketing Apple and Wal-Mart stores and by boycotting made in China products to express their opposition to China’s invasion of Philippine territories.

As the Martsa para sa Kalayaan Network (MKN) organizers suggested, supporters who cannot attend any of the scheduled rallies can take a selfie of themselves with a protest China sign and send it to the USPGG.org or post

in on Facebook at Stand Up for Scarborough Shoal or Twitter at ‪#‎StandUp4WestPHSea‬.
(Send comments to [email protected] or mail them to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or call 41.334.7800).

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LAKAMBINI NEWS
June 09, 2015

LAKAMBINI NG FASGI ROSE MEJIA WINS THE FIRST LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN

Los Angeles—Mabuhay ang Unang itinanghal na LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2015— Ms. Rosemarie Mejia.

Ms, Rose Mejia, representing the Filipino American Service Group Inc.(FASGI) based in Historic Filipinotown Los Angeles, won the first LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2015 title last Friday, June 05, 2015 at the Castaway Restaurant at 1250 Harvard Road, Burbank, CA 91501

There were twelve candidates from different community organizations in Southern California who vied for the title of LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2015.
Winners All

The First Runner up was LAKAMBINI NG PILAC, Ms. Antoniette Ceniza; the second Runner up was Ms. Ludy Gilkison of PICC.

Winners of the the 3rd Runner Up was Cherry Patricio of the Pinoy Ministry of the WUMC and the 4th Runner was Josephine Atienza of the Temple-Westlake Neighborhood Development Corp.(TWNDC) or the Manila Terrace Apartments.

They were honored and presented at the 3rd Historic Filipinotown Parade and the after parade program held at the FACLA Social Hall last June 96, 2015.

Winners All

The 14 Binibining Pilipinas 2015 candidates did a fashion show in their honor at the after the parade program at FACLA last June 06, 2015. They were also honored by a fashion show on the night of June 05 by 6 Queen of
Asia and the Pacific (QAP) candidates .

The other LAKAMBINIS that comprised her immediate court were Eppi Adriatico of the Golden Ages of Los Angeles(GALA); Ms. Sally Jomarambon of Ilocandia Express Cargo; Ms. Leah Ubas Awni of the KOR- Historic FIlipinotown Chapter.

Others were Ms. Emette Underwood of the Lucena Association of Southern California:Ms. Regine Alexandria Osorio of the Parish Generation Choir of St.Columban Parish; Ms. Susan Adorable of the Silver Lake ADHCb and Ms.Susan Lange of the Valley Nurses Assn

The Coronation Night ,June 05.

The emcees for the Coronation Night were Balitang America’s Steve Angeles and Ivy Guevarra-Tadeo who did a good job of emceeing the program.

There were 10 members of the Board of Judges who chose the winner for the Coronation Night. The tabulations were made by the staff of the MS. FILAM INTERNATIONAL-USA and the SMR LLC .

All the candidates were given certificates of recognition for their community service from the District Council 13 Member Mitch O’Farrell. The LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN winner got the first prize plum of a free ticket from the Philippine Air Lines (PAL).

Parts of the proceeds of the LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN Coronation and Dance Party will go the Filipino World War II Veterans Equity Fund c/o Justice for the Filipino American Veteran (JFAV).

For more information about the next LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2016 please contact or email us at [email protected] or visit our facebook account at Lakambini/FACEBOOK.

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3HFTPIDOC REPORT
June 07, 2015

THE THIRD HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN PARADE JUNE 6, 2015: A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS

Los Angeles– MABUHAY ANG 3rd Historic FIiipinotown Parade!

The 3rd PH Independence Day Parade Organizing Committee (3rd HFTPIDOC) Arturo P. Garcia today said “ that the Third (117th) PH Independence Day Historic Filipinotown Parade last Saturday morning, June 06, 2015 was a resounding success!

The Parade around the Beverly –Temple Corridor was a smashing success even without big name stars from the Philippines and the Philippine Consulates’ participation.

But this time, two US government officials, District 13 Council Member Mitch O’Farrell and Rep Adam Schiff led the parade as marshals in their shining convertibles and more than 35 floats and vehicles of all types.
.
United Cordillera Dancers

The United Cordillerrans tribal dancers was in full force leading the van of the parade. The Pinoy Ministry provided the loud Filipino mixed music with their big speakers to the delight of the multi-ethnic people who lined up the streets as they passed by.

Beauties of all ages , the LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2015 winners and FACLA 70th Anniversary beauties in their splendid gowns and 14 Binibining Pilipinas 2015 candidates in their walking shorts were featured in the parade.

Also at the parade was the 1946 jeep of the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) from the Larry Itliong Village in Glendale, HFT. The Knights of Rizal -Historic FIlipinotown Chapter rode in the Filipino jeep.

The FACLA bus with the Filipino WWII Veterans and widows and the float the FASGI with the LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN Ms. Rosemarie Mejia, the winner of the 2015 tilt brought up the rear.

At the end of the parade. The Cordillera dancers made their final dance at the intersection of Alvarado and Temple and in front of FACLA as the parade disabanded and parked their floats and vehicles at Temple St.

After the Parade Program

At the FACLA Social Hall, a brief program was held and Ms. Bernie Ganon, LAKAMBINI and Ms.FILAM INTERNATIONAL-USA President and PWC’s Executive Director Aquilina Soriano emceed the program.

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr. gave the opening remarks explaining the significance of June 12, 1898.Again, the LAKAMBINI and FACLA beauties as well as the Candidates for the binibining Pilipinas-USA for 2015 were presented to the crowd.

Ms. Sally Jomarambon gave the invocation that opened the program. And then,the Angelus Deus Choir sung the regale the crowd with the pastoral songs.

After that the 14 Binibining Pilipinas 2015 candidates gave a fashion show for the LAKAMBINI winners . They were introduced by Ms. Mildred Deang of the Insider
Productions.

Pastor Rudy Somaling gave the closing benediction and then Atty.Roman Mosqueda closed the program by leaning the patriotic song “AKO AY FILIPINO”

Endless Kodakan

After the program the almost endless picture taking took place at the FACLA Social Hall with the candidates.

Food was provided by the Dollar Hits Food truck, the HIFI CALI EXPO LLC and the
Pinoy Ministry of the WUMC. There were also booths and displays from different non-profits organizations and business entities.

In the end, the 3rd Historic Filipinotown was bigger, better, largerrand was again was another resounding success!

For more information about the 3rdHFTPIDOC please call us at (323)253-1818 or (213)399-5042 or visit our FB page at LAKAMBINI or our website at www.new facla.org and at www.peoplescore.net

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LAKAMBINI NEWS
June 05, 2015

THE LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN CORONATION TONIGHT, JUNE 05 AT CASTAWAY BURBANK

Los Angeles—Mabuhay ang mga LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN!

The LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN, a beauty and a cultural pageant of Filipino-American organizations will be held tonight, Friday, June 05, 2015 at the Castaway Restaurant at 1250 Harvard Road, Burbank, CA 91501

There are twelve candidates from different community organizations in Southern California. They will vie for the title of LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2015.The winner will be crowned the Queen of the 3rd Historic FIlipinotown Parade to be held on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.

Parts of the proceeds of the LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN Coronation and Dance Party will go the Filipino World War II Veterans c/Justice for the Filipino American Veteran (JFAV).

The Candidates

The 12 candidates from 12 Filipino-American organizations will vie for the prestigious title of the very first LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN on June 05, 2015 were:

Ms. Rosemarie Mejia of the Filipino American Service Group Inc (FASGI);Ms. Eppi Adriatico of the Golden Ages of Los Angeles(GALA); Ms. Sally Jomarambon of Ilocandia Express Cargo; Ms. Leah Ubas Awni of the KOR- Historic FIlipinotown Chapter; Ms. Emette Underwood of the Lucena Association of Southern California: Ms.Ludy Gilkison of the PICC.

Ms. Regine Alexandria Osorio of the Parish Generation Choir of St.Columban Parish; Ms. Cherry Patricio of the Pinoy Ministry of the Wilshire United Methodist Church; Ms. Mary Antoinette Cineza of the Pilipino Institute of Language, Arts and Culture (PILAC); Ms. Susan Adorable of the Silver Lake ADHC; Ms. Josephine Atienza of the TWNDC and Ms.Susan Lange of the Valley Nurses Assn.

The Coronation Night Program

The emcee for the Coronation Night will be Balitang America’s Steve Angeles and Ivy Guevarra-Tadeo.

The LAKAMBINIS will be featured in the 3rd Historic Filipinotown Parade on the 117th PHilippine Independence Day on Saturday, June 06, 2015 and the after the parade program at FACLA Social Hall.

For more information about the LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2015 please call Sid at (213)3994052 or Bernie at (323)-603-6477 or email us at [email protected] or visit our facebook account at Lakambini/FB

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Komunidad
June 05, 2015

MABUHAY ANG Ika-117 NA TAONG ARAW NG KALAYAAN NG PILIPINAS!

By Arturo P.Garcia

It’s ironic that days before the 117th Philippine Independence Day , President Aquino III is on a State Visit to Japan.

That’s the problem when your former friend became your enemy and is now a current friend. It seems people in authority conveniently forget that Japan caused the Philippines unforgettable woes during World War II.

More than one million Filipinos died during the three years occupation of Japan and two years of great battles when they invaded the Philippines on December 10, 1941.

The City of Manila, once the “Pearl of the Orient” was destroyed during the battle for liberation in 1945 and 300,000 Manilans died during the pitched battle between the FilAm forces and the Japanese marines who defended Manila.

Decades after the Emperor of Japan will receive a Filipino President for the first time. Now Japan is the Philippine and they have now have a common adversary-China who is grabbing our islands and atolls and parts of the West Philippine Sea.

It’s seems your enemy then is now your friend and your friend is now your enemy. How times really change.

But what is to forget when the also the Americans occupied the Philippines, killed more than a million Filipinos and snatched our hard won independence we won from Spain in a three year struggle called the Philippine Revolution of 1896?

That is why the Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 1898, is the proper day for the Filipinos to celebrate as its Independence Day, not the token Independence Day of July 4, 1946 when America gave us our nominal or fake independence.

We should be proud of June 12, 1898 because it was the day when we became the First Asian Republic in this part of the world. We were the first nation to kick out a European colonial power who ruled over us for 333 years.

But sometimes, in the merry making of the parade, the glory of June 12, 1898 is lost. Yes, because the short lived First Philippine Republic was crushed under the American might . But we fought them and put up a good fight.

“We will crush these Filipinos in six weeks” one American general said during the start of the Filipino American War. But the 6 weeks became 16 years, that’s how our forefather fought for June 12 during the Filipino American War.

We lost the war but we never post our pride. the Americans never won. They even banned our anthem, our flag and everything about the revolution and the war. They event aught in schools that our heroes are “bandits and outlaws” and hanged them as such but we never forgot.

We fought for Independence and our forefathers gave up their lives, fortunes and everything for our flag, anthem and our souls to be free. That’s how we endured as a free people of the orient.

In Los Angeles and different cities of the United States where the Filipinos are present, we will celebrate the 117th Philippine Independence Day for the whole month of June.

The 3rd PH Independence Day Parade Organizing Committee (3rd HFTPIDOC) announced today that everything is all set for the 117th PH Independence Day Historic Filipinotown Parade on June 06, 2015 .

JFAV National Coordinator Al P,Garcia , also the Coordinator of the 3HFTPIDOC also confirmed the attendance of two City Council Members, CD 13 Council Member Mitch O’Farrell and one Congressman, Rep. Adam Schiff in the parade.

Garcia said, ”3HFTPIDOC have finalized the route of the parade, outreach for other youth and student groups to join and other preparations for the event. We invite the public to join this multi-ethnic celebrations of Philippines 117th Independence Day.”

Garcia also announced that just like last year, more than 35 organizations will join the 2015 Parade
So Happy Independence Day to All!

Mabuhay ang at Ipagalaban ang Tunay na Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas!

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