History of the Filipino American Educators Association (Los Angeles) from 1974 to 1996 From Co-Founder Frances Lacebal's Writings

 

History of the Filipino American Educators Association (FAEA) of Los Angeles

Introduction and Founding

The Filipino American Educators Association (FAEA) was founded on March 24, 1974, as a turning point for Filipino American educators, students, and the broader community in Los Angeles. The association was established by Dr. Milagros R. Aquino Ruiz, Helen Brown, and Mrs. Bibiana R. Ruiz, who organized a meeting for Filipino American teachers to create a forum to address their personal and professional needs.

The association was officially incorporated as a tax-exempt non-profit in California on December 17, 1975, and received federal tax-exempt status on February 27, 1981.

Organizational Goals

The FAEA was established to achieve the following:

• Communication: Create open communication links between school districts, school boards, community colleges, and universities to improve educational services for children and youth.
• Opportunities: Act as a clearinghouse for scholarships and other educational opportunities for Filipino American youth.
• Cultural Exchange: Serve as a hub for educational and cultural activities of interest to the community and local school districts.
• Professional Placement: Maintain a resource file of Filipino American educators for employment placement.
• Publications: Publish educational and cultural materials relevant to educators.

Major Accomplishments

• Institutional Support: Facilitated the successful processing of teacher grievances, improving the general welfare of both teachers and students.
• Bilingual Education: Established Filipino Bilingual and Bicultural Programs in Long Beach and Los Angeles. In 1976, the FAEA formed the first Filipino Bilingual Class at Hawaiian Ave. School (LAUSD) with Mrs. Segundina V. de Léon as the first teacher.
• Certification: Helped administer the first Filipino Bilingual Competency Examination at California State University, Dominguez Hills, with the support of Dr. Milagros R. Aquino Ruiz and Dolly Antony.
• Community Resource: Served as a primary source of information and referral services for schools and communities regarding Filipino matters.
• Professional Development: Partnered with other Asian and Pacific Islander teacher groups to conduct in-service training to improve the understanding of Filipino American culture and language.

---

Chronological Timeline of Events

1980 – 1985: Growth and Community Outreach

• 1980: Held the "Filipino American Community Education Conference" at the USC Von Kleinhempel Center (March 22 and 29).
• 1981: Held the "Filipino American Artist: Focus on Education" conference at UCLA (October 24–25).
• Development: Compiled "Filipino American Perspectives," a comprehensive guide featuring profiles of prominent Filipino Americans, funded by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
• Student Engagement: Conducted essay contests titled "What My Filipino Heritage Means to Me" to encourage pride and self-worth among students.
• 1984: Celebrated the 10th Anniversary Recognition Night on March 17, honoring those who contributed to the Philippine Educational System.
• 1985: Sponsored a "Glimpse of Filipino Culture" in Carson City for Asian Pacific Heritage Week and participated in the Asian American Cultural Trade Fair in Pasadena, featuring woodcarving demonstrations by Joe Z. Sabroso.

1986 – 1988: Scholarships and State Expansion

• 1986: Launched the Dr. Milagros R. Aquino Ruiz Scholarship on June 28 to support outstanding high school graduates pursuing careers in teaching.
• 1987: Participated in the International Folk Arts Festival at the Museum of Natural History (June 13) and hosted a multicultural picnic at Glenoaks Park in Glendale (May 8).
• 1988:
  • Continued the Dr. Milagros R. Aquino Ruiz Scholarship for high-achieving graduates and recognized outstanding senior citizens and educators.
  • Formation of FAEAC: In October, members attended the First Annual Statewide Conference in San Diego. This led to the creation of the Filipino American Educators Association of California (FAEAC). Joe Z. Sabroso was elected chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee to draft the constitution and bylaws.

1989 – 1992: Leadership and Recognition

• 1989: The FAEAC bylaws were ratified during the 2nd Annual Statewide Conference. Ligaya Avenida was elected as the first State President. The conference theme was "Filipino Americans: Forces of Change in Education."
• 1990: Established the theme "Filipino American Educators: Partners in Action" for the following year.
• 1991: Hosted the 3rd Annual Statewide Conference at the Torrance Marriott Hotel, co-sponsored by LAUSD and Pacific Bell Telephone. The event featured notable leaders, including Ronald Dangaran (the first Filipino American Superintendent) and Dr. Tobin Gonzales Barocio.
• 1992:
  • LAUSD Appointments: Frances Lacebal was appointed Filipino adviser at the Asian Pacific and Other Languages Office (APOLO), and Carmencita Davino became director of the Asian Pacific and American Education Commission (APAEC).
  • Presidential Visit: During the Orange County Asian Festival, President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush visited a Philippine booth coordinated by David Guillermo, Frances Lacebal, and the de Leons, commending the FAEA for projecting a positive image of Filipinos.

1993 – 1996: Legacy and Final Milestones

• 1993: Conducted an educational and cultural mission to the Philippines in July, led by President Ligaya Avenida and Dr. Cora Ponce. The group met with President Fidel Ramos and the Minister of Education to share expertise and gather cultural materials.
• 1994: Celebrated the 20th Anniversary of FAEA Inc. Lita Clamor was inducted as President, and Consul Emmanuel Fernandez was named an honorary member.
• 1995:
  • Philippine Renaissance Project (P2P): FAEA coordinated the Los Angeles round of this competition. John Marshall High School won the LA round and eventually became the first P2P Champions in San Francisco.
  • Adult Education: Established adult classes (ESL, Citizenship, Art, and Recreation) at the Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI), linked to Belmont Adult School and FAEA (LA)'s Erick Mata and later Malou Garcia--as teachers.
  • Cultural Preservation: Supported the Filipino Cultural School (sponsored by the Sampaguita Women's Circle) for over 25 years under the direction of Dolly Antony.
• 1996:
  • Awards: Dolly Antony and Elito Santarina received "Outstanding Educators" plaques from the Lions Club. Joe Z. Sabroso won 2nd place at the California State Fair Instructors' competition.
  • Community Event: Hosted a booth with hands-on activities for Philippine Independence Day at Veterans Park in Carson on June 8.
  • Conference: Hosted the 9th Annual Statewide Conference of the FAEAC on October 18–19 at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel.