San Diego Fil-Am foundation marks 25 years of humanitarian work

Fil-Am youth achievers. PHOTOS BY JULIAN ORIEL

SAN DIEGO, California — The recently held gala anniversary of the San Diego Fil-Am Humanitarian Foundation gave Heritage Excellence Awards to recipients from all over the country, as it celebrated 25 years of humanitarian work here and in the Philippines.

FASO, the first and only Fil-Am Symphony Orchestra in the United States a backdrop of nostalgic Philippine music as the foundation established by Dr. Barbara M. Yorobe on May 19, 1991 celebrated with about 560 friends and supporters at the Marriott Hotel in Mission Valley.

Operation Samahan’s Dirk Zirbel, Dr. Arsenio Jimenes, Rita Andrews, Joe Garbanzos.

Performances of the Pakaraguian Ensemble of the Samahan Dance Company and the now popular San Diego Fil-Am Youth Achievers Choral Ensemble also enlivened the occasion. The National anthems were beautifully rendered by Dr. Tess Mauricio and “The Voice” finalist Katriz Trinidad.

Adding significance to the event was the presence of the Honorable Consul General of Los Angeles, Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, as the Special Guest and Speaker, who was also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award and the “Spirit of Humanity” Award.

The Annual Historical Heritage Excellence Award were given to 25 deserving organizations and institutions dedicated and committed to the promotion of History and Heritage: INQUIRER.net; Philippine American Press Club; San Diego Museum of Art; Southwestern College; Filipino Cultural School Los Angeles; Fil-Am Artists Ricky Nierva; Evgeny Yorobe and Aldryn Estacio; Bb. Pilipinas USA-Insider Productions; San Diego County Library; New Americans Museum; NaFFAA; Operation

Miss Tourism-Adele Reyes and  Miss Fil-Am Foundation Alessandra Joy Morales

Samahan; Asian American Journalists Association, Muramid Museum & Arts Miles Mural Projects, Asianvoices & Asian Culture & Media Alliance; Fil-Am Symphony Orchestra; La Jolla Presidents Lions Club; Pangasinan Association; Executive Lions Club; Premier Lions Club; Ladies on Course; Fore Organized Group; Synermed Multicultural Group; Cora Anderson Dance Studio.

A new program, the “I am proud to be a Fil-Am” Project created quite a stir with 25 beautiful young girls promenading and blowing out the 25 candles of the Anniversary Cake. Leading the cake ceremony were Brighton Alevia Birkfeld, Kayla Jolie Pedigo and  Kourtney Marie Pedigo  with the heart-warming rendition of “Isang Lahi”  by popular young vocalist Melanie Jimenez.

ConGen Adelio S. Cruz and Dr. Barbara Yorobe

Dr. Barbara M. Yorobe’s organization, the San Diego Fil-Am Youth Foundation whose Annual Recognition of young highly deserving achievers has attracted many students from all over the city and county, has been under the able coordination of Presidents Renato and Eunice Manzano.

Also given awards were former Councilmember Byron Wear, Supervisor Ron Roberts, Supervisor Greg Cox, former PDOTLA Director Annie Cuevas and former PDOTLA OIC, Manny Ilagan, Julian Oriel, Dr. Edwin Yorobe, Dr. Tom Stuebe, Dr. Donna Martos, Dr. Glen DelCarmen, Gil Ontai, Dr. Rosben Gutierrez, Felicitas Ong, Veronica & Sidney Hewitt and Atty. Marc and  Norma De Guzman.

25 Miss Fil-Am Princesses

The coronation of Miss Tourism Philippines-San Diego 2017 Adele Reyes and the Miss Fil-Am Humanitarian Foundation 2017 Alessja Morales added glitter to the evening. There was also a Reunion Presentation of the Iconic (past) Gala Muses headed by Miss Fil-Am San Diego County 1995 Kelly De Guzman-Caitlin and Miss Fil-Am Humanitarian Foundation 1995 Virginia Hewitt-Lopez.

Among the numerous projects and programs of the San Diego Fil-Am Humanitarian Foundation, Inc., a charitable corporation with “people helping people” projects in San Diego and the Philippines, was a four-storey building with previous Filipino imprint located in the Asian Thematic District. It was rehabilitated to house Filipino American students and Filipino American senior citizens needing temporary housing. The same rooms were  also opened  to the low-income members of the community regardless of race, religion, language or color.

INQUIRER.net Marketing VP and Regional Director Esther Misa Chavez receiving the Annual Historical Heritage Excellence Award for INQUIRER.net and Philippine American Press Club.

The building, located in the heart of downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter, also houses the Diego Philippine Library & Historical Heritage Museum (opened to the public in 2001) as well as the Fil-Am Archive Center & Rizaliana Center.The Annual Fiesta Filipiniana promotes Philippine history, heritage, arts, culture, tradition and tourism;

The foundation has helped with an annual medical mission in the Philippines since 1991; Gawad Kalinga Housing projects in the remote provinces; financial support and distribution of school items  to five orphanages in Manila; financial support and emergency relief goods to the victims of natural disasters and calamities (such as the Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan); financial support towards the rehabilitation of Pasig River; and from the net proceeds of the Gala, a scholarship program to send to college poor, delinquent but bright and rehabilitated high school graduates through the coordination of a reputable religious order in Manila.

Legendary San Diego Fil-Am artists Evgeny Yorobe, Ricky Vera Nierva and Aldryn Estacio

The 2017 Gala Committee was composed of Juliet Pastor, Elsa Siverts, Susan Llorente, Cyd Cardasis, Joette Isibido Davidson, Joyce Temporal, Tony Ricasa, Debbie Espe, V-Marie Barnachea, Daphne Galang, Atty Ariel Javier, Tom Leto, Erik Birkfeld, Bill Pedigo, Virginia Ferrer, Emy Guanzon, Jhigs Legaspi, Josie Isibido, Fresas Flores Balistreri, Hula Ramos, Elly Aguilar, Liberty Zabala, Julian Oriel, Atty Ed Pamintuan, Marie Sol Birkfeld, Camille Lourdes Pedigo, Madelyne Agamata, Yvonne Mendoza, Yllana Casim, Krystle Torres, Audrey Reyes, Dr. Melinda Silva, Jessica Duhay, Alessja Morales and Melija Montenegro.

The corporate sponsors include Operation Samahan, T-Mobile, AXIS Renewable Group, Philippine Airlines &  Ma. Teresa Garces,  Innovative Tours & Travels, fotoco.org. JEO Enterprises, BY Publications, Inc. and the Philippines & Asian Report and ASIANReader.