78th Sinulog Festival in LA

78th Sinulog Festival— Los Angeles When : Sunday Jan 13, 2008 at 11:30 AM Where : Social Hall of the Filipino-American Community (FACLA) 1740 West Temple St., Los Angeles , CA 90026 Contact : Part II of the “78th Sinulog Festival— Los Angeles" will be begin with the 11:30 a.m. mass at the St. Columban Filipino Parish on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. The blessing of all the Santo Niño images and icons will follow after the mass. Then a procession will be held at the church ground – from the church to its social hall, where lunch will be served. Sinulog Festival Is also a Filipino Fiesta. Then the fiesta celebrants will move on at 2:30 p.m. to the FACLA Social Hall, where a short program will be held. There will also a “merienda cena" and then dancing. For a Filipino fiesta always includes dancing and merriment. Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon has been invited to deliver a keynote speech at the FACLA venue of the Sinulog Festival. The 2008 Sinulog Festival— L.A. has the CBI president, Ager Flores Libago, and CBI chairperson of the Board, Luz L. Espina, as honorary co-chairs. Overall chair is former CBI First Couple Caloy and Lina Alpuerto. Assisting the Alpuertos are Bobby M. Reyes (co-chair), Zeny Bajarias (co-chair for reception), Anne Gutierrez (co-chair for decorations), CBI 2nd vice president Larry Caballero (co-chair for music and entertainment), CBI 1st vice president Nene Ortega Jensen (co-chair for food), Rita Dinsay (co-chair for raffles) and Lorie Lee (co-chair for the Sinulog dances). Sponsor Deals for the Sinulog Festival— L.A. The Food Committee reported during today’s meeting that three lechons have been pledged and paid for by the donors: President Libago and Chairwoman Espina (first lechon), the Alpuerto Couple (second lechon) and the third one from CBI officers Luz Itzel (treasurer), Zeny Bajarias (auditor) and Arcadia Caballero (assistant treasurer). Lucy Thayer (CBI corresponding secretary) pledged four cakes and Fely Garcia (CBI event coordinator) would supply the Filipino “biko" delicacy. The Media Breakfast Club will provide Starbucks coffee at both venues. The other CBI members contributed cash for the needs of the festival. Bobby Reyes announced also that he is now crafting sponsorship deals with several prospective corporate sponsors, the identities of which will be announced by this coming week. He is also finalizing a five-year plan that would make the “Sinulog Festival" the biggest ethnic festival in the City of Los Angeles in the month of January. Details of the 2009 festival may be announced during the Jan. 13, 2008, fiesta. - MyGringos