Filipino Community Centers

The Filipino Community Organization of San Luis Obispo County, Inc. was formed some time in the year of 1945 just after World War II by founders Theodor Fermin, Salvador Reyes, Gabriel de Leon, and Sonny Javier. It was established to promote the Filipino culture and heritage to the younger generation, especially as the American-born generation was growing. The organization consisted of members of different dialects in the Philippine islands: Tagalogs, Illocanos, and Visayans. The center, completed in August 1970, is located on 13th Street in Grover Beach, CA and was built from money raised from sabongs (cock fights) and fundraisers such as bingo games and queen contests. This property served as a gathering place for the Filipino Organization of San Luis Obispo, Inc. giving them a place to socialize and share their culture with the communities in San Luis Obispo County. Today, the organization is still promoting Filipino culture and providing support to its members. Like the mutual aid and fraternal organizations, the Filipino Community provides financial support to its members if there is a death. The organization showcases Filipino culture by participating in the annual Harvest Festival of the City of Arroyo Grande, CA. Here is where they set up food booths as well as dress in Filipino costumes and perform various folk dances. Their fundraisers serve to offer scholarships to any high school Filipino students with a 3.5 GPA in San Luis Obispo County while also providing support to the members’ children who were chosen to visit Washington, D.C.[8]The Filipino Community of Santa Maria was formed in 1971 with Ray Cayatas as the first president. The Filipino Community also has a building on North Preisker Lane in Santa Maria. Groundbreaking was on March 13, 1984, and construction was completed the following year. A second larger building was added to the property to accommodate the growing Filipino community. These buildings are the site for a number of community celebrations and events, including Filipino history month in October 2010.[9]

For further reading:

• • FANHS Central Coast Chapter. Stories, Legends, Biographies, and Memories of Families in California Central Coast. InstantPublisher.com, 2008.