6 July 2010 - The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles reported the series of activities it organized together with the Filipino communities in Southern California to celebrate the 112th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence.
The celebrations began on May 29 with the holding of the Philippine Faire 2010 and the Festivals of Festival Parade in National City, California with Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon participating as Grand Marshall during the event.
Philippine Faire 2010 was organized by the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego, Inc. (COPAO).
Consul General Aragon was the guest speaker during the 2nd Annual Kayamanan ng Bayan held at the CBS Studio in Studio City, California on June 5.
The event was sponsored by Boy Lizaso, the Fil-Am Association of Antelope Valley, the Fil-Am Community of Los Angeles, the Fil-Am Lions Club, the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Skyline Lions Club.
On June 10, the Los Angeles County Filipino-American Employees Association (LACFAEA) organized its annual celebration of Philippine Independence Day at the LA County Civic Center.
Consul General Aragon also hosted a Reception at the Philippine Consulate General for the members of the Consular Corps, U.S. government officials and selected Filipino-American community leaders and members on June 11.
Earlier that day, a Resolution proclaiming the month of June as Philippine Independence Month was presented to the Filipino-American Community by the Los Angeles City Council.
The Filipino community in Carson, California also held their own Independence Day celebrations at the Veteran's Park Center on June 12 with Consul General Aragon in attendance.
Later in the evening, the Filipino-American community in Southern California organized a dinner dance ball at the Hilton Hotel International located near Los Angeles Airport.
This year's Grand Ball was chaired by Mr. Gil Mislang with Claremont Councilmember and Filipino-American Corey Calaycay, as this year's guest speaker.
A Filipino Heritage Day, held under the "Freedom Cry", was also held in Walnut, California on June 13. The event was organized by the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley (FACCSGV).
The Filipino community in San Diego held the Fiesta Filipiniana 2010 on June 13.
This annual event was sponsored by the San Diego Filipino American Humanitarian Foundation, and was held to commemorate the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 149th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Special Guest Speakers at the event were Deputy Consul General Daniel R. Espiritu, Supervisor Ron Roberts, and 2009 Indie Film Festival Best Actress Melissa Tan.
Among the activities at the Fiesta Filipiniana 2010 were the Coronation of the Fiesta Mayora Edna Concepcion and Miss & Mrs. Fiesta Filipiniana 2010, offering of carnation leis to the statues of the Philippine Heroes, release of 112 balloons along the streets of Gaslamp Quarter, special displays exhibits, and Cinderella Carriage Parade of the Fiesta Mayora and Muses.
There were also performances by local talents such as the UCSD Nomad Theatre Company, Samahan Rondalla, Ilang-Ilang Chorale Ensemble and the Sampaguita Dance Troupe during the Fiesta.
The Independence Day celebrations culminated with the Filipino-American Veterans Celebration of the 112th Philippine Independence on June 14.
The Filipino-American Veterans Association and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) commemorated the 65th Year of the Battle of Bessang Pass at the Nazarene Church in Los Angeles. END