LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will make a major announcement about the future of Historic Filipinotown Los Angeles at its annual fundraising gala on Wednesday, November 14, held at the Majestic Downtown. The 46-year-old non-profit organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for the multi-ethnic community of Historic Filipinotown and the greater Filipino-American community, will host its annual awards and benefit dinner at 5 p.m. followed by an inaugural +63 Night Marketplace, a Philippines-inspired cultural food and crafts bazaar open from 9 p.m. to midnight. All proceeds will aid the Historic Filipinotown-based charity to continue its ongoing health and human services as well as community economic development and arts/cultural programs.
The 46th annual gala, whose theme is “Cultivate – Collaborate – Celebrate,” will honor community leaders who have contributed to improving the quality of life for Pilipinos. This year’s honorees include Councilmember Rachelle Arizmendi of the City of Sierra Madre; philanthropist Jennifer Boyd, co-founder and CEO of Mommy & Me Cancer Foundation; business leader Raissa Gerona, chief brand officer of REVOLVE Clothing and co-founder of Alliance Apparel Inc.; actress/influencer Asia Jackson; and the late Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, Fil-Am community champion and historian, whose family will receive the Pinay Empowerment Award on her behalf. Mabalon served as a professor of history at San Francisco State University and co-founder of the Little Manila Foundation, before her untimely passing in August.
“All of us at SIPA are proud to recognize this group of phenomenal female awardees, for the first time, all Filipina Americans this year. It’s no coincidence that this year’s honorees are all women, on the heels of establishing our new Pinay Empowerment brunch series which has attracted Filipinas across the nation,” said Lyle del Mundo, president of the board of directors of SIPA. “This is also a critical time for Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles, as SIPA is ready to renew its commitment to this community and to preserve our identity as Filipino Americans. We are fully engaged as ambassadors of our historic district.”
In addition to del Mundo, the executive officers of SIPA’s board of directors include new vice president Ed Malicdem, VP of Merrill Lynch; secretary Jessica del Mundo, CEO of 10storyhouse Inc.; and treasurer Mardi J. Ross, Esq. of the Law Offices of Mardi J. Ross. Joining active board members Rachel V. Buenviaje, brand marketer at Nike Inc.; DJ Isaiah “Icy Ice” Dacio; Allen Palos, project manager at ABS-CBN Corp.; and Perla B. Santos, community advocate with Asian Pacific Health Care Venture; are new board members: Ritchie Arce, CEO of Greenwood Healthcare; Katrina Balbuena, founder of Glam Girls; Caroucel Kim Chuateco, MD; Chef Johneric Concordia of The Park’s Finest; Rita Garcia, CPA of Meloni Hribal Tratner LLP; Ramon Mella of L.A. Unified School District; Joseph Narcoda of L.A. Unified School District; Reggie Panaligan, SVP of Research & Analytics at Paramount Pictures; Jennifer Taylor, principal of Archere Investment Management; artist manager Audie Vergara; and Abigail Zelenski, Esq. of Zelenski Law. The board is advised by special counsel Ernie A. Ocampo, Esq. of Reed Smith LLP.
Limited gala sponsorships are available, and a limited amount of individual dinner tickets ($125/person) may be purchased at sipa.ticketsocket.com. In addition to the awards and scheduled programming, the gala features a silent auction with all winning bids donated directly to SIPA. More information is available at www.sipacares.org or by contacting 1-213-382-1819.
