EPCC NEWS June 13, 2013 After the Euphoria, the Hard Facts By Art P. Garcia After the euphoria on the successful first Philippine Grand Parade in Historic Filipinotown, the collaborative efforts of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) and the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles, after all dust settled by more than 5,000 feet and souls that marched down the 3 mile trek on Temple St, we have to reckon on some hard facts. First, we were proud of the DINAGYANG dancers who gave us a terrific sound and sights flavor of the Philippines at the van of the parade. Their drums and dance really revved up all the marchers and drew the crowd of the seclusion of their homes. Many went out to watch, marvel and waved the flag and declare that they are proud to be Filipinos in America. ** As the parade coordinator, I still marveled on the last minute tendencies of the Filipinos to join occasion like this. 2 weeks before the parade, there were only 20 organizations who confirmed. Three day to go the list went up to 50. But on the day of the parade, more than 5,000 came out in force. The largest group who participated in the parade was the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles led by Ms. Patty Santiago. They displayed not only their beautiful sagalas but saints and icons of the Catholic faith making it truly a Santacruzan in June. They were followed by FACLA , the host organization in Historic Filipinown. I truly enjoyed the Igorot dancers from the Cordillera from a Protestant denomination who followed the Filipino Ministry who banged their gansas and were in their traditional costumes. I almost joined them in dancing my duties only prevented me for I have to see the flow of the parade. ** I will be amiss if I will not mention the FILAMTV and Tribune-USA float that stands out during the parade. It was manned by Arnel –The Magician and two Fil-Am artist, Sean Afable and Model Actress Koko Laima. What more can I say, when the FIlAM top honchos were at the FIAMTV were at the media tent in FACLa and at the Silverlake Medical Center during the program after the parade till 2PM. And they even went to Carson for another Independence Day Program till the day ends. *** I was so proud of some veterans and widows who marched the 3 mile during the parade. With them were KmB and JFAV youths. Some of them we made sure were riding vehicles at the front of the march and with the Knights of Rizal delegation with FACLA vehicles. ** But despite the success, we should not miss the minus factors. One is that Filipinos in the city of Carson went on their won Independence Day and tried to steal the thunder from the LA Celebration. But that is Carson. They have their own Independence Day always even though they have been told four months ahead. Besides they have big time artist from GMA7--Marian Rivera as a come on. I cannot comment further than to say, this is the United States. There is unity in diversity. Filipino diversity instead of unity? ** But the tendency of some FilAm organizations to put down other organizations showed its ugly head during the preparations. And their usual target was the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) But FACLA just rolled with the punches. Why bother about May flies trying to topple the giant Oak Tree? Some unnamed organizations tried even to malign and put a cloud of suspicion over on the preparation and even had the temerity to ask the LAPD if the permit has been secured. I was really ashamed when the LAPD officer asked me; “Why are some Filipinos like that, they even asked if you have filed the permit with our office?’ I did not bother to answer. I just gave him a big smile as he assured me of the street closure, there days before the parade. he know for me for years of applying for a permit in the LAPD HQ. ** Another glaring thing is that the front door of the Silver Lake Medical Center in Temple St side . was closed. Many people who went there ( i can say a good number of residents and out of town people ) went away when they saw that the front gate was closed. Others who went on to the Burlington gate were only those who were really bent to watch the program. Other people at the SLMC compound were looking for food booths. The food booths were at FACLA compound . The good thing, the food booths in FACLA were sold out early. ** One parade participants who knew that there was a check-in table participants asked me at the start of the parade: “Where is the check-in table?” I answered; “There is no need for that, nobody wanted to check-in, they all want to be in the parade”. Well and good, we (FACLA and the Consulate ) made preparations for that and it went well. But I still shake my head. Filipinos are known to hate discipline. As sort of “disorderly orderly thing.” ***
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:11:19 +0000