PH Consul General Calls On Fil-Am Representative, Engages Filipino Community in Bakersfield

Consul General to Los Angeles Adelio Angelito Cruz (right) meets Representative Terrence John “TJ” Cox (left). (Los Angeles PCG photo)

LOS ANGELES 20 September 2019 — Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz visited Bakersfield for the first time on 28-29 August 2019 to call on Filipino-American representative Terrence John “TJ” Cox of the United States House of Representatives.

The Consul General congratulated Representative Cox for his dramatic win in the 2018 midterm election and for being the first-ever first-generation Filipino-American to be elected to the U.S. House. He is also one of only two sitting legislators of Filipino-descent in the U.S. Congress.

Consul General Cruz also thanked the Representative for his membership in the Philippines-United States Friendship Caucus in the U.S. Congress.  The Caucus was officially launched in 2003 and has been an important institution in sustaining the close friendly ties between the Philippines and the United States.

Aside from discussing the potential hiring of Filipino teachers and nurses to fill the city’s need for medical and education professionals, the two also had a heartfelt exchange on their Filipino heritage hinged on their mutual respect for their Filipino parents and admiration of Filipino values.

Democrat Representative Cox represents District 21, which is the northernmost congressional district under the consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.  It covers certain areas within Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare Counties.  Cities covered by the district include Delano, outer portions of Bakersfield, Hanford and Coalinga. Prior to the meeting, the Consul General was warmly welcomed by the Filipino-American community in Bakersfield via an intimate luncheon meeting.

The meeting was arranged by the Filipino Community of Bakersfield and Vicinity, Inc. (FCBVI) under the leadership of spouses Jun and Myrna Rivera, a retired businessman and banker, respectively. FCBVI serves as the umbrella community organization that keeps the community united.

Although relatively small compared to other groups in Southern California, FCBVI’s impressive track record of being a united community organization with a strong cooperative relationship with other Filipino-American community groups, should serve as an inspiration for community building elsewhere in Southern California. END

Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz (left) gives Representative Cox a bottle of Aldio Barako Coffee Liqueur as a token of appreciation. (Los Angeles PCG photo)

Consul General Cruz (standing, fifth from left) Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles Consul Rea Oreta (seated, fifth from left), and Information Officer Mary Grace Leaño (seated, rightmost) pose with the officers of The Filipino Community of Bakersfield and Vicinity, Inc. (Los Angeles PCG photo) 

For more information, visit https://www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA/