NaFFAA Greater Los Angeles Region with Officers and Board Members opens the program with a parade of different clubs/organizations. In the photo are Edwin Duterte, Jannelle So Perkins, Peter Ramirez, Stephanie Finley, Noel S.V. Omega, Ivy Veneracion, Lauren Yokomizo, L.A. County ISD Field Deputy, Michael Young, NaFFAA Greater Los Angeles EPYC Leader, Mary Ann R. Omega, Erlinda Granada-Sabah, Cristina Espiritu, Moises Aglipay (not in photo: Adrian Lecaros
By Dan E. Nino
CERRITOS, Calif. – An estimated 4,000 attendees trooped to the 2nd Los Angeles County’s largest Philippine American Friendship Day celebration on July 15 at the Don Knabe Regional Park under a bright sunny day.
This yearly event is hosted by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Greater Los Angeles and co-presented by Los Angeles County chaired by Supervisor Janice Hahn as prime sponsor in partnership with So Jannelle TV Production. True to its theme this year of “Building Bridges Across Communities”, various cultural groups like the Samoan Cultural Dance Group performing the Tupulaga, the Club Magkaisa of Cerritos High School wowing the motley crowd with their Tinikling and Paso Doble and Maranao Dance of Tata Malong Malong presented by Iligan City and Lanao Del Norte of Southern California, and the Junior New Systems, a finalist of “America Got Talent” who came all the way from the Philippines were among the top hits of the day-long non-stop entertainment.
Elected officials from various mainstream and local communities, headed by Supervisor Hahn and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Congresswoman Michelle Steel and Deputy Consul Francis Maynard Maleon were on hand to inspire, greet and mingle with the throng.
Supervisor Hahn said, “It is so good to be here at the second Annual L.A. County’s Largest Philippine American Friendship Day. I’m so proud to have been a part of launching this event last year and make sure that we not only kept this new tradition alive but made it even bigger and better.”
She also gave a big shoutout to Fil-Am Amiel Noble of Artesia-based Noble Creations where she got her Filipiniana outfit as well as huge shoutouts to numerous Fil-Am City Council members and mayors across her district.
The Supervisor continued, “Los Angeles County is not only home to the largest community of Filipino-Americans in the country. We are home to the largest concentration of Filipinos in the world outside of Manila! And that’s why this event is so important. This festival is an opportunity to enjoy so many of the wonderful things Filipino American culture has to offer. But it is also an opportunity to lift up the Filipino Americans who work to improve our community every day.”
The Los Angeles County Supervisor, who is serving as County Chair, also acknowledged the presence of her six commissioners, including Filipino-American Councilmember Dandy De Paula as Human Relations commissioner.
She also announced that she authored a motion to have Los Angeles County officially recognize the 125th anniversary of the Philippine Independence from Spain and celebrate the Philippine American Friendship Day.
Thereafter, she presented a scroll to Jannelle So as overall chairperson this year on behalf of the entire Board of NaFFAA Greater L.A.
This yearly event was kicked off with a fun parade at 8:30 a.m. passing briefly on the pathway edge of the scenic lake and snaked through around the huge canopy surrounded by 65 smaller tents of food booths, food trucks, exhibitors, vendors, military, major sponsors McDonald’s and Toyota with its e-vehicles on display and several other government entities and Philippine-made Sarao jeepney – had elicited attractions from the community.
Enhancing innovations in the parade is the cash reward of $200 each for three groups of participants. The cash award for the Largest Contingent went to the Holy Family Church Catholic Community, Liveliest Contingent was received by the combined forces of Alpha Phi Omega Greater Los Angeles and APO South Bay, and the Most Colorful Contingent was awarded to the Iligan City and Lanao Del Norte of Southern California for their colorful Malong-inspired costume.
Parade Marshalls were Overall PAFD Overall Chair Jannelle So Perkins, Overall Vice Chair Dan E. Nino and Lauren Yokomizo, Supervisor Janice Hahn’s Field Deputy.
Other stellar features of the parade were the flyover of a helicopter and the mounted sheriff deputies.
The non-stop entertainment was preceded by a simple ritual like the banging of the gong by this year’s Overall PAFD Chair, Jannelle So, welcome remarks by NaFFAA President Noel S.V. Omega and invocation by Holy Family Church Pastor of Artesia, Rev. Fr. John Roxas Cordero who also participated in the parade.
The day was climaxed by the performances of Robin Nievera and DJ Rock who dished out danceable music where disco enthusiasts filled the dance floor fronting the stage.
The day culminated with the turnover of a giant key presented by Jannelle to the next overall chairperson next year, Cerritos Councilwoman Lynda Johnson. — denino1951@gmail.com
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