ALLIANCE NEWS
February 26, 2015

KNIGHTS OF RIZAL (KOR) -HFT/FACLA CELEBRATES 29th FREEDOM DAY AT
EDSA.FEBRUARY 25, 2015

Los Angeles – TAMA NA, SOBRA NA, PALITAN! MAKIBAKA,HUWAG MATAKOT!

With this familiar chants,scores of Knights of Rizal-Historic Filipinotown Chapter , solidarity comrades and friends, guests and the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) militantly celebrated the 29th Anniversary of the EDSA People’s Power Revolution, lastWednesday, February 25, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the FACLA Social Hall.

The celebration dinner and dance party was held at the FACLA capped with fiery speeches, songs and spoken words.

Anti Martial Law Activist Speaks

The program started with a tribute to the Fallen SAF44, 15 MILF fighters and 5 Moro Civilians who died in the misencounter between the MILF-BIFF and the PNP SAF at Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015 by Fr. Eric Veloso.

Filipinos and US anti-martial law stalwarts like FACLA President Jun Baul of FACLA, former PDP-LABAN leader from Paranaque, Jerry Esguerra of the US based Movement for a Free Philippines (MFP) and Dr.Felix Lapuz of the Ninoy Aquino Movement (NAM)-Los Angeles spoke during the commemoration

FACLA President Jun Baul cited the significance of the people’s victory against martial law,the corruption of the Marcos regime and its human rights abuses against the people.

He said, “its a people’s victory not of single heroes and individuals but the Filipino people. EDSA revolution is a people’s revolution.”

Lessons of The 1986 EDSA People’s Uprising,

Jerry Esguerra of BANTAY Pilipinas said,”we are still in struggle and will continue to struggle to realize the unfinished dreams and the revolutionary promises of EDSA 1 of 1986 and EDSA 2 of 2001.”

Esguerra cited,”the PDAF scandal, the battle of the Mamasapano and teh clamor for Aquino II to regin as the sign of the troublesome times in the Philippines.”

Meanwhile Dr.Felix Lapuz recalled how they formed the NAM.He said. ” We were an underground organization in 1981 in Los Angeles and other cities. And then later in 1986 has to go above ground to support the People’s Uprising during the final days of Marcos in 1986 even up in Washington DC.”

Dr Lapuz lamented the fact that 29 years later, ” we still have to fully realize the promises of EDSA. But he said,” we are ready to do it again and will continue our struggle.”

Solidarity Messages and Performances

ANSWER-LA Doug Kaufman gave the solidarity statement on the EDSA People’s Uprising of 1986 hailing the downfall of the 14 year brutal US-Marcos Dictatorship

On four days of February 22-25,1986 millions of Filipinos converged on EDSA and held the People’s Uprising that ended the corrupt and brutal 14 years rule of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Kabataang maka-BAYAN (KmB )ProPeople Youth leaders Eddy Gana Jr and Stephanie Sajor gave a Spoken Word Number to the delight of the crowd. Ms.

Lui Bautista gave a song which was wildly applauded by the crowd.

FACLA Ist Vice President Fender Santos thanked the attendees and FACLA friends and gave the closing remarks. KOR acting Knights Commander Al Garcia acted as the emcee,

Music, and entertainment was provided by Maestro Buddy Reyes and Letty Reyes and their BAND. The crowd stayed for the dinner and dance party after the brief program.

For more information please call KOR at (323)253-1818 or at facla at (213)4841527 or visit our website at newfacla.org

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