Asian Journal, News Report, Posted: Jan 20, 2012

LOS ANGELES--Filipinos here will celebrate Historic Filipinotown, which was named in December by first lady Michelle Obama as one of the Preserve America communities. It is a district in the southwest portion of Echo Park.

The historic district was created by a resolution proposed by City Council Member Eric Garcetti on August 2, 2002. Last December, Mrs. Obama announced Historic Filipinotown as one of the five new Preserve America communities, together with Auburn, Brookhaven, Kinderhook, and Ogdensburg all in New York state.

The Filipino community will celebrate the presentation of a recognition certificate from Preserve America, a federal initiative encouraging diverse communities to preserve their cultural and natural heritage. Music, food trucks, and community tables from various Historic Filipinotown organizations will be set up on January 28, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Unidad Park, 1644 Beverly Boulevard.

Garcetti said the area’s designation “is the result of the hard work of many community leaders who have brought the neighborhood’s rich and diverse history into the spotlight.”

Congressman Xavier Becerra said Historic Filipinotown “is a cultural hub for the Filipino American community and also for many of us who are not of Filipino descent in Los Angeles.”