A FACLA-led Coalition Holds the 15th Philippine-American Remembrance Day on Nov. 1st , the Veterans' Day on Nov. 10th and Health-Screening Day on Nov. 14th

A coalition of community associations will hold for the 15th year a "Philippine-American Remembrance Day" (PARD) on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The venue is the Social Hall of the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), 1740 West Temple St., Los Angeles 90026.

The Media Breakfast Club of Los Angeles (MBCLA) started the practice on Nov. 1, 1993, as a collective manner of remembering the Filipino community leaders, World War II veterans, members of the Filipino-American Fourth Estate and Filipino diplomats who have served with distinction the public in Southern California during their lifetimes.

Aside from the FACLA and the MBCLA, the Knights of Rizal (KoR), the Ladies of Rizal, the Philippine-American National Association, Inc. (PANA), the Philippine Town, Inc. (PTI), the Cebu Brotherhood, Inc., and several Fil-Am senior-citizen associations are participating in the Day of Remembrance.

The AGS Adult Day Center, which is located just a stone’s throw from the FACLA, is also joining the community event. The San Gabriel Community Prayer Group of the St. Christopher’s Church of West Covina will provide the religious hymns and prayers for the dead. The "Marriage Encounter in Filipino Perspective" spearheads the SGC Prayer Group. Romy P. Borje, the dean of Fil-Am columnists, will sing his versions of "How Great Thou Art" and "God Bless America."

The names of the community leaders, diplomats and media practitioners who have passed away are read and/or displayed during the ceremony. The function marks also the 900th event of the MBCLA, which holds a weekly community forum at the FACLA. A light breakfast will be served, courtesy of the MBCLA and its corporate sponsor, Ms. Elizabeth C. Watermeier of the New York Life. The AGS Adult Day Center will serve lunch to those who will join its Halloween Party after the PARD rites are over.

Dr. Jose Baldonado, the FACLA president, will deliver the Welcome Address. The MBCLA founder, Bobby Reyes, and FACLA Treasurer Sally Jamorabon will act as the emcees. The other members of the committee handling the event are Larry Caballero (First Vice President of the Cebu Brotherhood), Tony Berango (West Area commander of the Knights of Rizal), Al Aquino of the PTI/KoR and Sid Galace, the FACLA’s office manager. Former Cebu Brotherhood president, Carlos Alpuerto, will give the Closing Remarks. He is also the AGS Adult Day Center prime mover.

The FACLA and the participating associations will also promote during the PARD the coming Filipino-American Veterans’ Day on Nov. 10, 2007, Saturday, and a Health Screening Day on Nov. 14, 2007. Both events will begin at 10:00 a.m. and can be a whole-day affair, depending on the crowd turnout.

The annual Filipino-American Veterans’ Day at the FACLA is chaired by WWII veteran, Flor Cadiente, who is also a FACLA Board member. Assisting Mr. Cadiente are his co-chairs Ms. Sally Jamorabon and Bobby M. Reyes. Mr. Cadiente participated in the historic Battle of Bessang Pass in Ilocos Sur Province in June 1945. Providing support for the Veterans’ Day Committee are the CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Ms. Watermeier of the New York Life and other sponsors, the identities of which will be announced in due time.

The Health-Screening Day (HSD) on Nov. 14, 2007, will be conducted as a public service by the CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, as coordinated by Errol Santos, its Business Development consultant. Assisting Mr. Santos are FACLA Director for Medical Outreach Teresita Elegino, Bobby Reyes and Atty. Terry Herrera of the MBCLA and Ms. Elizabeth C. Watermeier of the New York Life. This year’s HSD may become an annual Health Fair starting next year, depending on the community interest and corporate support.

More details about the three events can be obtained by calling the FACLA at (213) 484-1527, the MBCLA at (626) 825-0628 or by e-mail at mediabcla@aol.com. # # #