By Ed Rame
“The increasing interconnectivity of nations in today’s global economy underscores the need for robust partnerships between communities around the world. Organizations like Sister Cities Internationalfoster such relationships, increasing mutual knowledge and understanding between cities and cultures. These collaborations promote collaboration and trust among citizens and nations, create opportunities for technological and economic innovation and development, and lay the foundations for continued peace and prosperity. I am proud to serve as your Honorary Chair.” – President Barack Obama
http://www.sistercitiesofla.com/
The concept of the Sister Cities of Los Angeles is truly timeless. Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy. Eisenhower envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world. By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate their differences and build partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts.
In our times right now, there are enormous conflicts from all sectors of our existence. Greater understanding among nations and The Sister Cities is a micro approach to reach out deeper to the different communities of the world. There are a lot of miscommunication, intolerance, misunderstandings, religious differences and entire gamut of indifferences which are recipes for multi pronged disasters that would put the world at the edge of a deadly war outbreak.
Makati our foremost city and is in a great position to reach out to more of the world to share our culture and define our uniqueness as a friendly, hospitable and progressive center of trade, finance and culture. It is the microcosm of the aspirations of every community in the Philippines yet Makati continues to prosper as a city with its residents at the fore as recipients of great and personal programs that would alleviate their lives. The city has grown leaps and bounds and its largesse have spilled to the lives of everyday people. Simple thoughtfulness like birthdays cakes, free movies, medical benefits and numerous discounts afforded to its senior citizens are quite endearing. There are educational and training programs, healthcare and other ameneities enjoyed by its residents.
This is Makati’s own legacy to share to the world. Makati has a heart. It has a long way to go and it does a good job firming up its structural policy foundations to balance its prosperity to flow and benefit its people.
Makati
The world can see Philippines’ aspirations as a nation thru Makati’s evolution from a marshland to soaring skyscrapers and world class amenities that the city governments has worked so hard to achieve. Makati is success and no one can argue with success. The city leadership works well with the founding fathers of Makati, the Ayalas and Zobels in achieving one vision in making it a premier city. Makati is the financial center of the Philippines. Makati is a top notch entertainment destination. Their restaurants are world class. Shopping is an ultimate experience. It is the home of choice of most multinational companies. It has great educational institutions and excellent healthcare and hospital facilities.
Success has a lot of fathers, so Makati has grown exponentially with the Philippine elites setting their turfs in the once sleepy marshland. Makati is a dream city in the Philippines and is a great example of what the Philippines can be and what it can share to the world.
On May 3, 2015 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, Makati will be the host city and will be holding a Grand Fundraising Gala Night that will showcase the culture and arts of the Philippines. To celebrate the occasion, there will be an entertainment galore top billed by Miss Cora Manimbo, Ms. Manimbo is a world acclaimed fashion guru of Philippine indigenous fabrics like pina and jusi. She will showcase the richness of Filipiniana couture from the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Complimenting her collections will be the exquisite fine filigree jewelry of Oscar Atendido. The Malaya FilAm Arts will perform the ethnic dances of the regions. The Philippine Chamber Singers of Los Angeles will serenade the guests with our own songs from our great Filipino composers. Geneva Cruz of the Smokey Mountain fame and Garie Concepion both endorsers of Image Spa MD will also be performing in the event. Christine Love will be singing the Star Spangled Banner.
KC Concepcion will be awarded Anak ng Makati in recognition of her exemplary contribution as a model youth being the Philippine’s National Ambassador against hunger of the United Nation’s World Food Programme and as a popular movie and TV personality. Ms. Grace Mercado of FoodTrients and G & E Healthcare Services Group of Companies is a benevolent community benefactor so well deserving of the LA -Makati Sister Cities Inc. award. Ms. Grace Mercado is the power shaker and mover of the community. Her support to various arts and community projects are generous and simply legendary. Miss Nymia Cocueco is another awardee who is an active community leader.
Atty. Abraham Lim is the President of the Los Angeles-Makati Sister Cities, Inc. Ms. Trinity Foliente is the Vice President . Members of the Board are Ms. Grace Mercado, Ms. Annie Cuevas-Lim, Ms. Cora Aragon-Soriano, Ms. Jannelle So-Perkins, Lordes Garcia, Atty. Ernie Ocampo, Michaella Bantillan-Andrawis , Dr.Mohammed Sellami,and Mr. Vic Perez.
Sponsors of the event are Grace Mercado of Foodtrients, Island Pacific Supermarkets, Leelin Bakery, Arcadia Retirement Village, Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Image Spa MD, Virgelia Productions of Miss Asia USA, Asian Journal Publications, Balikbayan Magazine, Filipino Heritage Festival, Colina Salon, Mike Cocueco, Lydia and Jessie Alfonso, Leila Aquino, Cora Manimbo, Oscar Atendido, Balita Media, Inc., publisher of Weekend Balita and US Asian Post, For ticket inquiries ,please call Vic at 818-4589258