Dream Bigger Challenge supports Fil-Am startups and founders The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Trade Commissioner Anne Marie Kristine Umali, and Ms. Cristine Cia Clasara-Steylaerts attended the Dream Bigger Challenge on 25 October 2024 at Plug and Play Tech Center in Sunnyvale, California. This is to show support to Filipino American startups and founders. The Dream Bigger Challenge, which is a brainchild of Ms. Christeen Rico, gathered Filipino founders, investors and ecosystem supporters across North America. It also featured panel discussions, and pitches from Filipino American-led early-stage startup finalists. (San Francisco PCG photo) Ms. Karen Jane Salutan-Krukover, CEO of EdukSine, delivers her pitch (San Francisco PCG photo) Manilatown commemorates Fil-Am History Month In commemoration of Filipino American History Month, Consul General Neil Ferrer and Madame Miriam Ferrer visited the International Hotel (I-Hotel) Manilatown Center on Kearny Street—the site of the former I-Hotel—for a screening of a restored version of the 1983 documentary film “The Fall of the I-Hotel,” and a tour of the current I-Hotel Manilatown Center on 26 October 2024. “I commend and thank Executive Director Caroline Cabading and the Manilatown Heritage Foundation for their efforts to preserve and promote Filipino American history, heritage and culture in San Francisco,” Consul General Ferrer said. The former I-Hotel made headlines as a subject of a nine-year struggle to stop the eviction of hundreds of residents—mostly elderly Filipino bachelor men or manongs— who had lived in the single-room-occupancy (SRO) residential hotel for decades, and as the final bastion of San Francisco’s once-thriving “Manilatown.” The broad coalition that was formed to save the I-Hotel became a linchpin for Asian American solidarity in San Francisco, and a foundation for the housing and tenant’s rights movement in the United States. Those who are interested in touring the I-Hotel Manilatown Center may reach out to the Manilatown Heritage Foundation by visiting their website, https://www.manilatown.org. (San Francisco PCG, Manilatown Heritage Foundation photos) World Cup Grand Finale 2024 The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Vice-consul Hannah Go, participated in the Startup World Cup Finals in San Francisco last October 4. SolX, a start-up company from the Philippines was one of the participants. CEO Sergius Santos introduced the company’s innovative energy solutions multiplier platform. This platform integrates an industry-driven data ecosystem designed to enhance sustainability, optimize energy efficiency, and drive significant energy savings. Competing alongside 83 leading global startups, SolX was proud to represent the Philippines. #SWC2024 #StartupWorldCup #EnergyInnovation #B2B #SolX Alvarado Project Sentimental Journey ”Our Sentimental Journey: A Celebration of Filipino American History Month" with The Alvarado Project at the historic Presidio Tunnel Tops in San Francisco commemorated last October 5 the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, highlighting the sacrifices of Filipino, American, and Allied soldiers and civilians, as well as the contributions of first-generation Filipino immigrants, seen through the work of photographer Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado. SFPCG affirms support for Fil-Am artistry at Filbookfest 7 opening gala Vice-consul Hannah Go delivers a congratulatory message on behalf of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco during the Opening Gala of the Filipino American International Book Festival last October 11. New Bayanihan Equity Center at SOMA Pilipinas District (San Francisco PCG photos) Upon the invitation of the Bayanihan Equity Center (BEC), Consul General Neil Ferrer joined Mayor London Breed and other local officials in a press event on October 22, announcing the BEC’s acquisition of a building at 616 Minna Street, SOMA Pilipinas District through a grant from the City and County of San Francisco. In his speech, Consul General Ferrer thanked the BEC, led by Executive Director Luisa Antonio, for “keeping the flame of our veterans’ heroism alive and well into the modern times” by “providing welfare to Filipino veterans and their families, and for educating younger generations of Filipino Americans about our history.” He also extended his appreciation to Mayor Breed and the City Government for their support to the BEC and other Filipino American organizations in San Francisco. Set to be operational in January 2025, the new center is expected to provide services and case management in areas of senior care, affordable housing, immigration, transportation, and food assistance. Originally established in 1999 as the Veterans Equity Center, the BEC has worked to advance the welfare of Filipino World War II veterans and their families through direct services and advocacy. The organization changed its name in 2017 to reflect the expanded services provided for low-income immigrant San Francisco seniors, people with disability, and families.