FILIPINOS CELEBRATE HERITAGE LEADERS PLAN FIRST MONTHLONG SERIES OF EVENTS.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

GLENDALE - When Ante Trinidad moved to Glendale in 1977, the commercial real estate broker had to travel to downtown Los Angeles to fulfill his craving for Filipino food. Today, Glendale and nearby Eagle Rock boast a number of Filipino grocery stores and restaurants that cater to the area's growing Filipino population.

According to the 2000 census, Glendale's Filipino population jumped from 8,022 in 1990 to 11,083, a 38 percent increase. In Burbank, it almost doubled from 1,734 to 3,341.

In the city of Los Angeles, which includes Eagle Rock, the Filipino population stands at 101,062, about 15 percent more than a decade ago.

``You will be amazed when you come here on the weekends how many Filipinos there are in Glendale,'' said Cesar Cauton, one of the owners of Bario Fiesta, an international restaurant chain. ``On weekends, we serve 600 to 800 people.''

The Filipino population is becoming more visible in other areas as well - from arts and local politics to religion.

This year, for the first time, Filipino leaders have planned a monthlong series of cultural events throughout June to celebrate Philippine Heritage Month and the 103rd Philippine Independence Day on June 12.

``We want to highlight the diverse fabric of the community,'' said Zen Lopez, an event organizer. ``We want to showcase the artistry and talents of our artists, recognize the achievements and contributions of Filipino Americans to the community and engage the whole community in the celebration of our cultural heritage and diversity.''

Also calling Glendale home are international chains Red Ribbon BakeShop and Max's of Manila, a restaurant, and a few other smaller eateries catering to the Filipino palate.

On East Colorado Street, Arko Foods International and Luneta Seafood Market specialize in imported Filipino groceries.

Luneta owner Manny Reyes has created a Filipino hub of sorts near Colorado and Adams streets by courting Red Ribbon and Manila Good-Ha, a Filipino fast food restaurant, to locate to his strip mall.

``It's more convenient for customers,'' he said. ``Now they can shop and eat in one place.''

The growing ranks of Filipinos are also reflected in the makeup of local Catholic churches.

Holy Family Catholic Church estimates 65 percent of its parishioners are Filipino, and Incarnation Church estimates close to 50 percent of its parishioners are Asian, with Filipinos making up the majority of the segment.

``Originally, back in the `50s and `60s, it was mostly Anglo, then came the influence of the Hispanics. In about the `80s came the tremendous influx of Filipinos,'' said the Rev. Joseph Shea of Holy Family.

Of 297 parishes in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, 110 have significant numbers of Filipinos, according to Sister Mary Christina Sevilla, director of the Filipino Ministry.

Her post was created in 1999 by Cardinal Roger Mahony in recognition of the large number of Filipinos in the archdiocese who were previously under the Asian Pacific Ministry.

As their numbers increase, Filipinos have begun to establish their own institutions locally.

In the early '90s, Filipino leaders founded what is now called the Filipino-American Business Association of Glendale and Kultura Philippine Folk Arts to promote Filipino culture. They also founded the Filipino Political Action Group to endorse local candidates.

``There is a big concentration of Filipino professionals in Glendale,'' said Ruby de Vera, one of the business association founders.

Filipino nurses and doctors are prevalent at local hospitals. They have been able to immigrate to this country, they say, because U.S. immigration policy favors such skilled workers, who are sorely needed to staff medical facilities.

Whereas many immigrants are stuck in blue-color jobs because they don't speak English, Filipinos are largely white-collar workers who have mastered English as a second language in their homeland.

``Most who come here have college degrees or post-graduate degrees,'' Trinidad said. ``Because of that, we find it a lot easier to get employed. For that reason, we are also more mobile and not tied down to a particular community.''

Edith Fuentes, a past president of the business association and city zoning administrator, said education is a top priority for Filipinos.

``(Parents) will put you through school even if they have to work two jobs each,'' said Fuentes, who noted that it's rare for college students in the Philippines to work part-time rather than devoting themselves fully to school.

Christopher Montero, vice consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, said that Filipinos are highly successful also because of their ability to adapt, born out of repeated colonizations.

``The history of being a colony has enabled us to adapt to a particular culture. Spain is European. It's a Western culture. The fact we also live in Asia, we are also adaptable to Asian culture,'' he said. ``There is a healthy mix of cultures that enables us to adapt to anywhere we go.''

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The following is a list of events in Glendale celebrating June as Philippine Heritage Month:

--Today, 11 a.m. - Concelebrated Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, 209 E. Lomita Ave.

--Wednesday, 6-9 p.m. - Philippine Independence Day celebration at Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard St., including a ``Textiles of Southern Philippines'' exhibit.

--Saturday, 2-4 p.m. - ``Kuwentong Bata'' Family Day at the Glendale Central Library Children's Room.

--June 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. - ``Philippines Rediscovered'' at the Glendale Galleria.

--June 16, 7-10 p.m. - Carmencita Davino will read and sign books, and Filipino jazz musician Michael Paolo will perform, at Borders Books & Music, 100 S. Brand Blvd.

--June 17, 4-6 p.m. - An afternoon of Filipino-American spoken word at Borders Books & Music.

--June 19, 7 p.m. - Screening of ``Jose Rizal'' at The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd. For tickets, call [phone] or [phone].

--June 29-30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Filipino Floral Artists Exhibit at Hilton Glendale, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd.

--July 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. - ``Salo Halo'' at Max's of Manila restaurant, 313 W. Broadway. Sunday brunch gathering with eclectic entertainment. For tickets, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Third- to eighth-grade students at Holy Family Parish perform at an opening ceremony for Philippine Heritage Month. Filipino leaders in Glendale have planned a monthlong series of events.

(2) Vicki Tolosa wears a traditional Singkil princess dress at a Philippine Heritage Month celebration.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer

Box: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (see text)