Peter Bacho
The Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles, Inc., (FAPCLA) (established 1978), Inc. will sponsor a two-day Creative Writing Workshop on March 21-22nd, at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), Histor4ic Filipino Town, 153 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90026. This will provide an opportunity to present the seminar for writers, both from professional circles and student aspirants who wish to expand their writing skills. FAPCLA (est. 1978) was formed by former news reporters and writers from the Philippines who had immigrated to this country in the early 70s.
Professor Peter Bacho, Filipino American author, winner of multi awards, will conduct the workshop: first segment is scheduled on March 21, (“Meet and Greet” and Intro to the Workshop) at the PWC Assembly hall, from 5:00 P.M. The Pilipino Workers Center has been dedicated to the renowned labor leader, Larry Itliong Village, Historic Filipino Town.
The second segment starts at 8:30 A.M. on March 22nd, same venue. The two-day workshop is supported by the PWC, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) under the leadership of Joel F. Jacinto, executive officer; and the Echo Park Public Library, Joselyn G. Rosenthal, president.
Fellows/ participants are asked to send in their $25 pre-payment/reservation by the deadline date of February 28, 2014, FAPCLA, Inc (est 1978). Bacho’s books will be on sale at the PWC during the event.
Interested parties are asked to write Cecile C. Ochoa, Chair, Creative Writing Project, 6739 Goodland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91606; phone number: (818) 203-3137;
e-mail address: cdochoa@aol.com; Evelyn A. Portugal, chairman of the board, (310)729-8880. Please submit participation information: name, address, telephone contact information, age, reservation fee. All participants will be named fellows of FAPCLA. Seats are limited and FAPCLA reserves the right to close application by deadline or upon meeting the desired number of participants.
Peter Bacho, is an alumnus of Seattle University (where he was awarded his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude) and the University of Washington; he earned law degrees from the latter institution, and later, he taught in the same university’s Ethnic Studies Department. He also served as a staff attorney for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the late eighties during which time he was a regular editorial contributor for the Christian Science Monitor. An author of five books: ‘Cebu;’ ‘Dark Blue Suit;’ ‘Boxing in Black and White;’ ‘Nelson’s Run,’ Entrys and Leaving Yesler, Bacho’s works paved the way for his running as ‘semi-finalist,’ in the Cesterfield Writer’s Film Project, now under possible consideration at Paramount Pictures. Other distinguished honors that are attributed to Bacho’s literary prowess: American Book Award, the Murray Morgan Award, the Distinguished Northwest Writer-in-Residence (2005); and the Washington State Governor’s Writers Award.
Club president Dr. Ludy A. Ongkeko said focus of the workshop is the enhancement of the fellows’ writing skills under the guidance of renowned author Bacho.
FAPCLA sponsored the Larry Itliong Forum in December 2012 at SIPA where the son of Labor leader Itliong, Johnny presented a documentary trailer, “The Forgotten Heroes: Manongs.” In March 2013, FAPCLA likewise sponsored the first on-the-spot essay writing competition with senior high school (11th graders) writers recommended by their respective schools who vied for six cash prizes.
Other activities which included the active participation of the same press club was “Destination Delano,” an up-to-date vehicle of information which provided the FilAm youth with the opportunity to visit the famous farmlands where the Filipino worker made history in their world-famous grape strike in 1965.
The pioneering press club joined the campaign for the passage of California’s AB 123 to highlight the role of the Filipino farmer in U.S. textbook history-making events.