At the start of the holiday season, the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) held their holiday event, Be Merry & Bright Mixer and New Member Onboarding last December 14 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.  The event was kicked off with a speech from Consul General Edgar Badajos, the current Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.

During the event, FACCGLA inducted new members into the organization as well as recognized many of their outstanding members and sponsors in various categories. Geoffrey Jimenez Group of Companies, Roy Escosar of Escochecks Inc., and Ruth Canlobo of Matrix Investments, LLC were recognized as Sponsors of the Year while Connie Mapue, Annie Nepomuceno, and Dr. Fatima Bustos-Choy were named Supporters of the Year. The chamber also recognized their board members as well. Roselyn Arciaga and Celeste Monderin were named Promoters of the Year. Jocip Sarmeniento, Henry Chen (Treasurer), and Celeste Monderin were recognized as Patrons of the Year. The last award, the Contributors of the Year, was given to Fidji Victoriano (Secretary), Mikko Palon (Vice President, Events), and Lionness Ebbay, Esq.

Attendees were given a chance to celebrate the holidays and network with fellow members and guests during this event.  The group was even serenaded by Consul General Badajos with his rendition of the Christmas classic, “O Holy Night”

Based in the San Fernando Valley, FACCGLA’s mission is to “promote, cultivate, connect, and empower the Filipino American Community and its allies for Business Development in Greater Los Angeles”.  The chamber works towards uplifting the Filipino business community through providing opportunities towards increased success with their various activities, events, and programs.  They also serve as a voice for businesses through advocacy and awareness.

“At FACCGLA’s New Horizons Black & Gold Inaugural Gala & Fundraising Dinner Cruise in March of this year, while we are all just coming out of the COVID-19 lockdowns and mask mandates easing up, we courageously declared that this year dawn of the Golden Era of our Chamber. It was a bold statement as it was a challenging couple of years for many businesses. By building a strong community and staying relevant, our Chamber is blessed that 2022 turned out to be a stellar year with successful monthly events, membership, strategic partners, fundraising, programs, marketing, and chamber governance. We were able to raise funds for our Gala beneficiaries by donating a tiny home to Hope of the Valley, donating vaccines to Save Lives PH, and donating to our Golf beneficiaries – St. Vincent Meals of Wheels and JIR Foundation. This year marked our milestone project, the 14-part Entrepreneur Bootcamp Series. We aim to continue to empower entrepreneurs, elevate professionals and engage the community as we embark on FACCGLA 3.0 for 2023!,” shares current FACCGLA President Lois P. Klavir.

Klavir, the current Vice President, Commercial Banker at JP Morgan Chase, and a founding board member of the Coalition of Filipino America Chambers of Commerce, infuses this year’s chamber with her vision to “Empower entrepreneurs. Elevate professionals. Engage Community.”

To implement this vision, she is joined by chamber officers Celeste Rose Monderin (VP, Membership), Mikko Palon (VP, Events), Fidji Nicar Victoriano (Secretary), and Henry Chen (Treasurer) as well as board members Gemma Bergstrom, Jocip Sarmiento, Kathy Current, Lioness J. Ebbay, Esq, Redy Babasa-Thompson, and Roselyn Factora Arciaga.

This year alone, FACCGLA organized and hosted more than 35 events, an increase from last year. The holiday event was sponsored by Cathay Bank, Island Pacific, Investment Marketing Solutions, Inc., Beberline Tax Free Retirement, Get Assured Inc., Virtual Express Inc, L.A. Auto Care, Pierce Community College, and Mondrose Business Solutions.

To learn more about the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles, visit their website.