DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                             2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                        Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-506-07                                                                                                                                                       28 June 2007

Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles Commemorates
 109th Anniversary of Declaration of Philippine INDEPENDENCE  

28 June 2007 — Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, USA reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Consulate celebrated the 109th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence with a series of activities in partnership with the Filipino community in Southern California.

A Philippine Food Festival at the Azalea Restaurant in Hotel New Otani in downtown Los Angeles from 4 to 8 June 2007 kicked-off the Independence Week celebration.  Now on its fourth successful year, the annual Food Festival at Hotel New Otani attracted hundreds of diners in the City of Los Angeles , providing glimpses not only of Philippine cuisine, but also of its culture and tourism.

On 9 June, Consul General Aragon together with Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and the Most Rev. Oscar Solis, the first Filipino American Bishop in the United States, led the Filipino Community and Filipino American officials in a gala night to celebrate Philippine Independence organized by the Kalayaan of Southern California, Inc. (KOSCI), spearheaded by its Chairman and President, Ms. Lydia Soriano.  

On 12 June, Consul General Aragon led the officers and staff members of the Philippine Consulate General at a flag-raising ceremony at the residence of the Consul General, followed by a simple breakfast.

The officers and staff of the Consulate General proceeded to join the Filipino American Community in Los Angeles (FACLA), the oldest organization in Southern California founded in 1945, in their celebration of Philippine Independence.

From the FACLA event, they proceeded to Los Angeles City Hall to join the Los Angeles Filipino American Employees Association (LACFAEA) for their Filipino heritage and independence celebration. The Association prides itself of more than 2,000 Filipino American employee members.  

The Filipino community in Los Angeles was pleased and delighted with the unprecedented presence of the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in their events on 12 June 2007.  END

/jay

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