Hexagon August/September 2022

By: Ishka Villacisneros-Tusjakova
President, FACC Greater Pasadena

Los Angeles, September 11, 2022 – Kusina Filipina’s Soft Relaunch and Lumpia Eating Competition 2022

Fil- Am Community members flocked to Eagle Rock’s Kusina Filipina to witness the ribbon cutting ceremonies for its soft relaunch post Covid. The event was organized and sponsored by the Fil Am Chamber of Commerce Greater Pasadena headed by its President, Ishka Villacisneros-Tusjakova. The guests were delighted to witness the highlight of the celebration which was the Lumpia Eating Competition. The competition is a brainchild of FACC Greater Pasadena Vice President Paul Mirador who takes pride in generating unique entertaining activities for anyone who joins their chamber. “I have always had a creative mind and it brings me total fulfillment to have our business partners at the chamber enjoy the benefit of becoming our member affiliate,” adds Paul.

His co Vice-President Tony Chi-Su Gutierrez graciously moderated the ribbon cutting ceremonies with Assembly Member Wendy Carrillo as one of its VIP guests. Ms Carillo spoke about the importance of supporting the small businesses of the community. “The family owned and operated small businesses are the pillar of the community. Without these businesses , the community failed to thrive,” says Wendy Carillo of the 51st district of which Kusina Filipina is a part of. The restaurant’s co-partners Jun Miranda and Vener P. Ramos have served their neighboring areas for over 11 years now and have kept the quality of the food they serve to that consistent and delicious
standard. “When our chef prepares the dish for our clients , he is motivated to provide them with the closest to a home cooked meal they can ever have,” says Jun. “And that’s why they keep coming back for more”, states Vener Ramos.

Winners of the competition are Elizabeth Hernandez for the women’s division. Crowned as the Lumpia Queen, She happily consumed 50 PCs of lumpia in 10 minutes. Kevin Montenegro bagged the honor for the men’s division, crowned as the Lumpia King, with 61 lumpias eaten and finally the Grand Champion of the day Raina Huang who flew all the way from Las Vegas who chowed down 141 lumpias and had the kitchen run out of the tiny rolls way before the time was up.

Fun was had by all and the standing room only situation at the Kusina Filipina was a testament to the event’s success. Movie producer AJ Calomay of the film Lumpia 2 with the Vengeance was there to share a glimpse of the sequel’s movie trailer. The film will be released starting September 23, 2022 and will make its way on the city of Long Beach to as far out as Northern California.

The event would not have been possible without the support of media partner Asian Journal, Camarillo Skilled Home Health, Philippine National Bank Remittance Center in Eagle Rock, OfficeZilla, Ishkaster Media, Filipino Shopping Network and of course Kusina Filipina Los Angeles.

Others present were Gerry Palon – President of the Coalition of Filipino Americans Chambers of Commerce (COFACC), Merwynn Montenegro – COFACC Co-Founder and President Emeritus of Filipino American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) Tri-County, Femie Villaflores Cupit – President of FACC North San Diego, Joseph Joseph – President of FACC Orange County, Katherine Bercasio – FACC Hollywood, Kathy Current – FACC Greater Los Angeles board member, and last but not least Dr. Fatima Bustos Choy also with FACC Greater Los Angeles

For more information on upcoming events like this, please visit www.FACCGP.org.

 

By: Lydia V. Solis

WEST COVINA, California – Polynesian dances, silent auctions for Hawaiian plumeria plants and other goodies, a photo booth and lumpia pupu platter topped festivities at FilAm Chamber of Commerce Tri-County’s summer luau fundraiser at Lead & Follow Dance Studio in West Covina, Calif.

Nā Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe Dance Studio in Chino Hills, Calif. entertained the guests who dined on Filipino food including lechon, pansit, and lumpia, among others. Desserts accompanied the silent auction, raffles for collector dolls, Game of Thrones, and Star Wars collectibles along with antique crystal ware.

FACCTC is a California not-for-profit 501(c)(6). Founded in 2015, it supports businesses in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and is rebounding after the pandemic lockdowns of the past two years. Chamber President Carmela Giliberto encouraged interested parties to join for a discounted fee at https://facctc.org/membership-application/.

FACCTC executive officers include Vice President Lydia V. Solis, Treasurer Art Abellada, Secretary Christen Montero, and President Emeritus Merwynn Montenegro. Its board of directors includes Anthony Lopez, Luau host; Chirho Garcia, Eliza Serna, Jeanette Burton, Jv Libunao, John Fleming, Lani Kim, Luau co-host; Nick Munoz, Hermie Natividad, and Dan Nino. Chamber Ambassadors include Chien Wang, Geno Quiocho, Lisa Day, Daisy Sacro, and Demeven Quirino.

 

By: Gerry Palon
President, COFACC

A historic event last August 25, 2022 that culminated in stronger ties and bonding between the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) and the Indonesian American Business Council (IABC). The Business After Hours Mixer organized by the two ASEAN national Chambers of Commerce organizations and supported by their respective Consulate General offices – Philippine Consulate General Office Los Angeles headed by Congen Edgardo Badajos and the Indonesian Consulate General Office Los Angeles headed by Congen Saud Krisnawan. The venue of the mixer was held at the beautiful and spacious Indonesian Consulate General Office in Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles which accommodated more than 100 guests from both nations.

It was truly an inspiring initiative from both Chambers of Commerce organizations hearing positive responses among the guests and accentuated, of course, by the warm hospitality shown by our Indonesian hosts. The Philippines and Indonesian share the same cultural, social and family values tracing back their ancestral roots.

On the first photo from left is Consul General Edgardo Badajos or the Republic of the Philippines, President Jane Wibowo of the Indonesian American Business Council (IABC) President Gerry Palon of the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC), and Consul General Saud Krisnawan of the Republic of Indonesia. The second photo shows the officers of COFACC who attended the mixer event.

 

 

At COFACC we believe in empowering our Partner Chambers to reach for new ways of doing business and keeping their chambers innovative and relevant to their respective communities. We accomplish this support for our partner chambers by constantly providing “best practices” resources via our online COFACC Resource Center page. The following resources are those we’d like to highlight for our members this month:

1. Sample Template of an Advanced Chamber Marketing – For chambers who are in a position to utilize or are already doing email marketing campaigns, this guide is a sample template that outlines tips for Email Marketing Campaigns which you may find useful.
2. Eight Great Responses to Membership Sales Objections – A nice to read article by Frank Kenny (Chamber Professionals) on How to Handle (right responses) Chamber Membership Sales Objections. Good material for MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT.
3. Sample Template for Guidelines for Hosting Business Events After Hours – This document provides a helpful checklist of items to consider when putting together an after hours networking event for your chambers. This can be very useful and be given to your board members or event committee members.
4. Sample Template for Onboarding Board Members – Roles and Responsibilities – This document can be used to present to new board members to help communicate roles and responsibilities of serving as a board member of the organization. This document also includes a sample code of ethics.

For more great best practice resources, visit our Resource Center page at https://cofacc.org/resource-center/

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐄! 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐋𝐋!

Join COFACC’S Virtual Fall Mega Mixer this coming October 27 at 5 pm (PST) via Zoom. A great event to unveil your best superhero costumes and share your powerful elevator pitches among expected hundreds of virtual participants during this event.

Be ready to meet new friends from the various States – Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Hawaii, Illinois, and of course, from the State of California. Only $10 registration fee to be part of this fun event. Register now at https://bit.ly/Fall-Mega-Mixer2022.

Be one of our event sponsors to get maximum exposure for their brands and businesses. Don’t forget to invite your friends and colleagues.

Become Your Own Superhero!

#cofacc #mihmum #fallmegamixer #cofaccfallmegamixer #megamixer #businessmixer