FILIPINOS FIND GOOD LIFE IN SCV; IMMIGRANTS FLOURISHING.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

Rafael Mariano and his wife came to Santa Clarita for the same reasons other residents do: They wanted a safe, family oriented community with good schools.

But they were pleasantly surprised to find other Filipino-Americans all over the area, from Castaic to Newhall, whom they gradually met by going to services at the local Catholic church.

``We were definitely drawn because it is a clean community, it's suburban living, and it has an excellent school system,'' Mariano said. ``It's a place where we can achieve the American Dream of having a home in a nice environment.''

Within a few years, the Marianos joined the Filipino American Association of Santa Clarita Valley, a social group that celebrates the members' common culture but also just has fun. The group celebrates the Fourth of July, plans summer camping trips and holds a big Christmas party every year.

``We gather together for just the pleasure of being with people who share your birthplace,'' Mariano said. ``No matter what ethnicity, that's the general attraction.''

This month, the Filipino American Association and the Filipino Catholic Association of Santa Clarita Valley will celebrate the 100th year of Philippine independence. Events will include a film and lecture Saturday at the Valencia Library that chronicles Filipino immigration to America.

It is a fitting celebration because of the size of Santa Clarita's Filipino community, Mayor Jan Heidt said.

``One of the largest groups of Filipinos is in (the) Santa Clarita Valley,'' Heidt said. ``They're just a wonderful group of people who come here because we have a good, solid community. I think the diversity is great.''

Today, Mariano serves as president of the Filipino American Association and has made friends with the 150 families registered as members and 50 other families who have been members and participate in events. He estimates there are as many 500 local Filipino families.

Heading one of those families is Art Caranto, one of the organization's first members.

Caranto moved his family to Santa Clarita almost 20 years ago, when the Los Angeles Unified School District decided his son would have to be bused to East Los Angeles.

Frustrated, Caranto said he looked at surrounding communities and chose Santa Clarita.

Not long after arriving, the Carantos met other Filipino families, who gathered for picnics. Finally, one member, Rudy Correa, suggested that they organize.

``There were only a few families, about 10 or so, and that's how we started,'' said Caranto, who served as the organization's fifth president. ``When we organized formally in 1983, there were 30 or 40 families, and we grew from there. Now we're going to celebrate our 15th anniversary in October at the Valencia Hyatt.''

The association has given families a way of preserving Filipino culture, Caranto said. And it gives Philippine natives the opportunity to reminisce and share stories.

``The objective is to meet socially among Filipino-Americans and instill in the children, don't forget your Filipino heritage,'' Caranto said. ``There are family values and things like that, that you want to preserve.''

Filipinos also have chosen to live in Santa Clarita because of the reasonable commute to downtown Los Angeles, where many have jobs, said Mariano, who works at a veterans hospital in West Los Angeles. But other Filipinos operate successful businesses in town, he said.

``A number of us have established small businesses,'' Mariano said. ``Some have dental offices, doctor's offices. There are two specialty Filipino markets, (and) a beauty shop. I think Santa Clarita has more of a potential for Filipinos.

``We've loved Santa Clarita. We've been welcomed with open arms.''

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PHOTO Filipino-Americans say they moved to the Santa Clarita Valley because of its good schools, safe environment and overall cleanliness.

John Lazar/Special to the Daily News