Rallies Attract Sparse Crowds especially in Los Angeles, CA, the Home of the Biggest Overseas-Filipino Communities in the World

By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – Several dozens of Filipino Americans joined a rally in front of the Chinese consulate general’s office in Chicago, Illinois, as other groups of Fil Ams in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and San Francisco, California, held similar rallies on Friday (July 8).

Members of a chapter of U.S. Pinoys For Good Government (USP4GG) led by Yoly Tubalinal in Chicago holding placards, denouncing China’s bullying of the Philippines over Spratlys islands within the 200-Mile economic zone west of Palawan province, was under the watchful eyes of Chicago Police, who allowed what is believed to the first rally by Filipinos against China over the brewing crises in Philippine Western Sea (South China Sea).

Chanting “Our soil, our oil,” “Stop China from drilling our oil” and “China Stay Out of the Spratlys,” the rallyists started massing in front of the consulate building on 100 West Erie St. at about 12 noon that lasted for an hour, causing motorists and passers-by to catch their attention.

USP4GG volunteer member Carlos A. Cortes, Jr. considered the turnout “very good despite the short notice. But I always believe that law and diplomacy should prevail.”

Atty. Arcadio Joaquin, in an e-mail to this reporter and another rally supporter, Elsie Sy-Niebar, said, “I was not able to attend the rally because I had a hearing in Wheaton, Illinois. Had I known earlier, I could have made arrangement for the continuance of my hearing. Sayang (Too bad), I could have volunteered as one of the speakers.”

A USP4GG member, Marlon L. Pecson, said that ”although most of us who joined the rally are American citizens, we are never detached and are very concerned over the crisis the Philippines is facing against China.”

The rally started with a prayer led by Joe Balmadrid and the singing of national anthems by Ellen Balmadrid and speeches by Ms. Tubalinal and Ging Capio, who was in wheelchair.

In Washington, D.C., Eric Lachica reported that “it was a great day waving our flags and placards at the China Embassy. We had fun singing and chanting with Mary Ann, Daisy, Bambi, Chris, Luis, Emma, Digna plus 50 supporters (PG Pinoy teachers & Oxon Hill Md. seniors & US Filvet Celestino Almeda, 94).”

E ditor’s Note: Attendance in the rallies were indeed in the low “several dozens,” as Mr. Lariosa put it. Especially in Los Angeles, CA, the rally attracted a crowd of about 50 also. Facebook members can access photos of the rally in Los Angeles, Southern California, where there are at least 1.0-million Filipinos and Filipino Americans: http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150316786726271.387410.727081270

It “brought back memories of my UP High and USC college days protesting the Vietnam War and during the Cory days. Stop China's oil rigs in Philippine seas! Laban!”

In New York City, rallyists led by Loida Nicolas Lewis, one of the national USP4GG leaders, also chanted slogans in front of the Chinese consulate. They shouted, “Stop China’s invasion now.” # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)