A Power Gathering of Filipino Women in LA
by Teresa Martinez Sepulveda
June 6, 2008
A power conclave of prominent Filipino women gathered at the Port’s O’ Call in San Pedro, CA last April 12, 2008 in celebration of International Women’s History Month. The moving force behind the meeting was cultural activist Linda Nietes, who hails from Antique and grew up in Manila.
The main honoree, Los Angeles Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon talked on the Philippine Consulate’s work in society, providing service to Filipino nationals in need of assistance and how they strive to be “friends to the community”. A community that extends from Southern California, Southern Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. She touched on overseas absentee voting, registration for which will soon be open at the consulate, the program for dual citizenship for Filipino-Americans and support for Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act. Accompanying the Consul General were members of the Consular Staff – Vice Consul Charmaine Serna Chua, who also heads the Legal Department, and Cultural Officer Rowena Sierra.
Consul Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon spoke of her roots, which include relatives from Bacolod on the Bernardo side. She attended St. Rita College in Manila in her formative years through 3rd year high school and continued to finish her final year in Vienna, Austria. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Germany and undertook further studies in London. Her diverse multi-cultural experiences served her well when she entered into government service in 1979, later moving on to Foreign Service in 1994, where she held various administrative positions before assuming her current post as Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles.
After her speech, Jim Dean, Mayor of the City of Carson, presented a plaque designating Consul General Aragon as an “Honorary Citizen of the City of Carson” together with a symbolic key to the city. Carson in Los Angeles County is home to a large number of Filipino-Americans.
An introduction of book authors was given and each talked about their respective new literature release. An open forum followed wherein Linda invited everyone to come to the podium and share their advocacy. A lively discourse soon ensued, firing up everyone and shifting the crowd to high gear. The room was soon ablaze with network intensity. I found myself sharing an impromptu introduction to Beach House, a recently launched coffee table book available at BisayaBulletin.com which pays tribute to Cebuano architecture by the sea. The book is published by Zee Publication with Jing Ramos as Executive Editor and Eva Gullas as the Publisher.
I would like to thank Linda Nietes and husband Robert for spearheading this power gathering. Linda is known for blazing the trail in promoting Philippine books in America, a mission she continues to undertake passionately for 24 years now. She is the proprietor of Philippine Expressions Bookshop, a mail order company dedicated to Filipino-Americans in search of their roots.
A special thank you is extended to Marissa De Los Santos-Cordeta, who hails from Tacloban, for prompting Bisayabulletin.com to take part at this event.
It is truly an honor to meet and associate with strong and talented women. From a handful in 2005, Linda's gathering has grown to 80, a number that has grown exponentially from inception. More power to the ladies for sharing their ways of giving back to their communities whether here in the USA, in the global community or to the Philippines. Our best wishes to Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon and her staff for their ardent vocation to Filipino nationals. And to the rest of the women who attended, including a few brave men, kudos! It was a time worthwhile and well spent.
Photo credits:
Therese Antigua-Gordon, Josie Castro, Teresa Sepulveda
