Kalayaan 2022 Celebrated in Los Angeles
Clockwise from L: Consul General Edgar B. Badajos delivers his Kalayaan 2022 toast remarks to the gathering; Consul General Badajos (center) with Los Angeles PCG personnel and attached agencies prior to the reception; Mr. Felson Palad performs popular songs close to every Filipino’s heart; The Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts group performs a suite of Mindanao dances ; ConGen Badajos ( 2nd from L) welcomes guests to the reception; ConGen Badajos with local officials during the presentation of resolutions and proclamations honoring the 124th anniversary of PHL Independence ( Photos from PCGLA)
LOS ANGELES, 20 June 2022 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles held a formal reception in commemoration of the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 14 June 2022 at the Carson Event Center in the City of Carson, CA. The reception is the Consulate General’s first-ever post-pandemic, in-person Independence Day reception, bringing together diplomats, local government officials and Filipino-American community and business leaders, numbering more than 200 in all.
In his toast remarks, the Consul General underscored the significance of the event and the venue of the celebration. Carson is not only home to a large number of Filipino-Americans and Filipino-owned businesses; it is also the location of the largest monument dedicated to national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal on the United States West Coast. The larger than life-sized statue was formally unveiled in September 2012.
In line with this year’s Independence Day theme, “Kalayaan 2022: Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas”, ConGen Badajos highlighted the outgoing administration’s major milestones, such as the expansion of universal healthcare and free tertiary education, tax reform, business-friendly legislation, and transportation and infrastructure modernization through the “Build, Build, Build” program, among others.
Local government officials, including City of Carson Councilmembers Arlene Rojas and Jim Dear; Santa Ana Mayor Protem Phil Bacerra; Artesia Mayor Melissa Ramoso; Cerritos Councilmember Frank Yokoyama; Bellflower Councilmember Sonny Santa Ines; and Mr. Jun Aglipay, on behalf of California Assemblymember Mike Gipson, presented the Consul General with resolutions/proclamations issued by their respective Cities and State Councils honoring the 124th anniversary of Philippines Independence. Ms. Jessica Caloza, representing the office of California Attorney General, was also present at the reception.
Mr. Felson Palad rendered the Lupang Hinirang and Star-Spangled Banner and later on performed popular English and Filipino songs while the Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts group performed a suite of Mindanao Dances.
For more information, visit https://www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA/. END