The Filipino American Community Forum with the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) and the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE) are once again hosting a victory celebration for recently elected Filipino-Americans.
From Cherie M. Querol Moreno for @inquirerdotnet:
“SAN FRANCISCO – Leaders here are kickstarting the new year with impassioned resolve to unify and mobilize the community with a definite focus on the next two years.
First California Fil-Am US Rep. TJ Cox will keynote the Victory Celebration, barring an emergency vote on the government shutdown.
Constant collaborators Marily Mondejar and Al Perez are joining forces anew to celebrate and build on the victories of Filipino American political candidates in the recent midterm elections at a grand meeting of the Fil-Am Community Forum 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Google Community Space at 188 Embarcadero,San Francisco.
The event is free and open to all who confirm attendance no later than Jan. 25.
Newly sworn-in United States Rep. Terrance John “TJ” Cox (D-21st District), the first Fil-Am from California elected to the US Congress, has confirmed to keynote the event, unless he is required to remain in the Capitol should an emergency vote be called on the current government shutdown.
“I say #FilAmtoo. It’s our time to step up. It’s Fil-Am time. I commend those who continue to lead the way. The last couple of years, we’ve had Filipina women Millennials winning the city council races: Malia Vella at City of Alameda, Juslyn Manalo at Daly City and Melissa Ramoso at City of Artesia. We need more brave FiAms to step up. Run for office or donate to FilAm candidates. Volunteer at candidate campaigns,” Mondejar, founder and CEO of Filipina Women’s Network, told this writer. “We finally have Rob Bonta at the California Assembly, TJ Cox in the US Congress. We need to crack the marble ceiling in the US Senate. We’re still sorely under-represented. I’m optimistic about 2020. #FilAmToo #ItsFilAmTime #ItsOurTurn.”
Both powerhouse figures in the city and county of San Francisco, Mondejar and Perez each head a now-iconic organization. Since 2006, they have been directing the ad hoc Fil-Am Community Forum to celebrate fellow Fil-Ams in public service.”