FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 24, 2009

CONTACT:

Kristine Co & Melissa Sipin

Co-Directors

TAYO Literary Magazine

Email: tayoliterarymag@gmail.com

TAYO LAUNCH PARTY TO CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY'S TALENTED WRITERS AND ARTISTS

HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN, LOS ANGELES (July 2009) - TAYO, the first independent literary magazine dedicated to the creative expression of Filipino American youth, has finally arrived.  Everyone is invited to the very first TAYO Launch Party on Saturday, August 22 at 6:00-9:00pm at Salakot Sizzle & Grill (2122 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 90057).  Along with showcasing the inaugural issue of TAYO, the event will feature open mic performances, an art gallery, and Filipino cuisine buffet-style.  Please RSVP by emailing tayoliterarymag@gmail.com.  Pre-sale tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online at tayolaunch.eventbrite.com/.

TAYO Literary Magazine aims to empower and bring together Filipino American youth through the many different forms of creative art.  By gathering differing expressions of Filipino American identity, from high school students to full-fledge adults, TAYO paints an intricate anthology of the Filipino culture and community.  It is presented by the Filipino American Library (FAL) and led by Co-Directors Kristine Co and Melissa Sipin.  Sponsorship and advertisement opportunities are still available.  Writers and artists who want to perform or display their work at the Launch Party should also contact TAYO by emailing tayoliterarymag@gmail.com.  Please include in the subject header, "TAYO Launch - Open Mic" or "TAYO Launch - Art Gallery".

Founded on October 13, 1985 by Helen Agcaoili Summers Brown ("Auntie Helen"), FAL is the earliest and largest Filipino library in the country with a collection of over 6,000 titles.  Its mission is to provide access to information and knowledge through the collection, preservation, and dissemination of a unique collection of Filipino American and Filipino reading material to those that seek knowledge.  Through this collection and its community involvement, FAL seeks to provide access to cultural information and enrich America's diverse cultural tapestry.  For more information, please visit www.filipinoamericanlibrary.org.

(For pictures to include for publication, please contact Kristine Co and Melissa Sipin as indicated above.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 6, 2009

CONTACT:

Jonathan Lorenzo

Filipino American Library (FAL)

Email: filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net

Tel: 213-382-0488

THE FILIPINO AMERICAN LIBRARY PRESENTS FREE COMMUNITY TOURS OF HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN

HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN, LOS ANGELES (July 2009) - What is Filipino about Historic Filipinotown?  The Filipino American Library (FAL), in partnership with the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Corporation, and the Office of Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, answers the question in its Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown on Saturday, August 1 during the 2009 Historic Filipinotown Festival and 5k Run/Walk (Temple St., between Alvarado St. and Union Ave., Los Angeles 90026).  Four 1.5-hour tours will begin at 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm.  To reserve a seat, please contact filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or 213-382-0488.  While the tours are free, a donation of $5 per person is requested to help defray the cost.

The FAL Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown, narrated by a knowledgeable tour guide, will cover significant sites, events, and individuals in and around Historic Filipinotown, providing a rich historical overview of Filipinos in Los Angeles. 

FAL will also be selling signed copies of Los Angeles's Historic Filipinotown for $20 each.  This new book by Carina Monica Montoya is a collection of vintage images from Los Angeles historical organizations and Filipino families who settled in and around the area since the 1920s.  Many Historic Filipinotown souvenirs, courtesy of FIH Store, will also be available for sale, including t-shirts, souvenir coins, and pins.  The books and souvenirs may also be purchased in advance by contacting FAL.

The tours are part of the 7th anniversary of Historic Filipinotown.  For more information on the 2009 Historic Filipinotown Festival itself and 5k Run/Walk, please visit www.historicfilipinotown.org.

These are a few comments from past attendees of the FAL Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown: "Before the tour I didn't even know about Historic Filipinotown.  I didn't know there was such a deep history of Filipinos in Los Angeles."  "It was very informative and points out all the important landmarks that we wouldn't have known."  "The tour was fascinating and informative.  I enjoyed the whole experience."

Founded on October 13, 1985 by Helen Agcaoili Summers Brown ("Auntie Helen"), FAL is the earliest and largest Filipino library in the country with a collection of over 6,000 titles.  Its mission is to provide access to information and knowledge through the collection, preservation, and dissemination of a unique collection of Filipino American and Filipino reading material to those that seek knowledge.  Through this collection and its community involvement, FAL seeks to provide access to cultural information and enrich America's diverse cultural tapestry.  It is located at 135 N. Park View St., Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, CA 90026-5215.  From June 15 to September 15, FAL will be open for Summer Hours: Thursdays-Fridays 1:00-5:00pm.  To visit outside these hours, please schedule an appointment at filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or 213-382-0488.  Also, please visit FAL's website at www.filipinoamericanlibrary.org.

(For pictures to include for publication, please contact Jonathan Lorenzo as indicated above.)