Cambodia Day Magazine 2024 | ISSUE 03 by Remy Hou

Meet Our 2024 Committee Members

ChanwanthaSam Limon

Chanwantha “Sam” is a public servant in Los Angeles County, with 36 years serving the workforce of Department of Public Social Services, and currently serving as an HR Chief. She is an active Board of Advisor for the Los Angeles County Cambodian Employees Association, and is a Board of Director for the Aquarium of the Pacific. She has been involved for over 20 years in the Aquarium’s Southeast Asia Day celebration and is the current Interim Chair for the Cambodian Cultural Center. Bong Sam is Co-Chair of Cambodia Day and brings her full energy and arsenal each year to honor and celebrate thecommunity.

CharlesSong TevySithan Galano

Charles Song is a seasoned community organizer & health advocate with extensive experience serving local organizations in diverse communities in Long Beach Notably, he has held leadership positions such as Board of Director of the American Red Cross Long Beach Chapter, Vice President of Mid Town Bid Improvement in the 6th District, and is a respected board member of the Signal Hill Community Foundation Currently, he serves on the Board of Advisors for Mayor Robert Garcia's Covid-19 Memorial project His unwavering commitment and dedication to diverse communities have garnered widespread recognition from elected officials at the city, county,state,andfederallevels, as well as profound respect fromhisowncommunity

Mary was born In Battambang, Cambodia and came to the United States as a refugee in 1985. She attended Boston University, studying bank accounting. Mary owns Khmer Tbal. She is the leader of Khmer traditional Chai Yam performers. Mary 's passion for dancing and singing developed at a very young age. She also serves as emcee, singer, and is a community organizer & coordinator. She loves Khmer traditional outfits and wears them to all events to show her pride to the world and to inspire the young generation. She loves teaching and promoting new singers and dancers. Mary loves volunteering her time and effort to make the world a betterplace.

Tevy is a retiree with 42 yrs of service with the L.A. County Child Support Services Department. Her community service includes serving on the Board of Advisors and Treasurer for The Los Angeles County Cambodian Employees Association and has served on the Board of United Khmer American Coalition (UKAC). She is also a Committee Member for The Cambodian American Cultural Center. This is Bong Tevy’s third year contributing her time, talent, and resources to Cambodia Day, leading a team of volunteers to manage operations and check in. She is one of the village leaders in Co-Chair Sam Limon’s vast village.

Born in Cambodia Srey Pech entered the US in her early age, in 1989 and has been a Southern California girl since Srey Pech is fluent in both English and Khmer With more than 10 years in sales field with excellent client service, Srey Pechisadedicated,trustedreal estate professional at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, representing both Buyers and Sellers,servicinginLosAngeles, Orange County and the surrounding areas Srey Pech commitmenttoherclientsgoes beyond the transaction, she takes the time to understand her client unique goals and tailor her approached to achieve them With a strong ethical foundation, she conducts business with integrity, ensuring her clients interestsareprotectedatevery step

Kanilen Kang founded the KANILEN®companyin2016with the mission to retrieve, restore, and preserve the extraordinary artifacts of Cambodian culture while building an indigenous workforce of Cambodian silk producers, weaves, and designers to recreate, innovate, and impress the world with the unsurpassed beauty and quality ofCambodiansilkart

A large portion of the profits made from sales of these exquisite products are used to train weavers to improve and preserve their skills, provide food and medicine to the villagersemployedbyKANILEN®, and to provide educational opportunities, vocational training, and nutrition to underprivileged children in Cambodia

Danielle is a survivor of the Cambodian Genocide who has found success in the corporate world, having worked in the Information Systems field for 25+ years. She is an absolute adventurist, and has hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and trekked Patagonia in Chile. Danielle volunteers for many non-profits in the Cambodian community, including Cambodian Town Film Festival, Cambodian New Year Parade, the first Cambodian TV Talk Show in Long Beach. She is a certified Hypnotist and Master of Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner. This is Danielle’s third year as a CAMBODIA DAY Committee member, contributing at every level to sales, operations & marketing.

Remy worked in Hollywood for 3 years with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Pharrell, Tom Cruise and many more. He ventured into Fashion in 2009, and by 2011 he was the closing Fashion Designer for Cambodia Fashion Week. In 2014, he moved back to Cambodia to be a Judge on Cambodia's Next Top Model. He was a Professor of Fashion at Raffles International School of Design, a Costume Designer for International Movies, Head of Drama Dept. for CTN and President for the Council of ASEAN Fashion Designers based in Malaysia. Remy has a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication MGMT and aMaster’sinBusiness.

Soup's journey in community service began in 2017, when he sang at a Cambodian Town’s New Year celebration. He expanded his outreach to other Southeast Asian communities, and is now recognized as an ambassador for Cambodia, Laos & Thailand. Soup empowers youth through music, interviews, and community engagement and serves as a media host and correspondent for AWFF, CTFF, LA Fashion Week, and more. Soup is collaborating with Sastra Films and SG Music on a full LP. He recently released “Ocean Family” with his sister Cynthia. This is his third year galvanizing the troops and energizing the community for Cambodia Day, where he servesasMusicalDirector.

Alix is a multilingual storyteller whoisdedicatedtostorytelling to build cultural bridges and understanding. Fluent in English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, she transitioned from a finance career to film and theater production, using her business acumen to produce impactful stories that foster empathy. Passionate about Asian world cinema, she has a longstanding connection with AWFF, deepening her appreciation for other Asian cultures. Her third year on the Cambodia Day Committee, she leverages her strong network to support the event and celebrate the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Sophie grew up in Long Beach and worked in child-related research for 10 years before getting involved in her own art, writing, designing and party coordinating. She has one son, Geno, a senior at Palos Verdes High School, who is the light of her life! Sophie volunteers raising funds for Los Angeles Children Hospital and the Peninsula Education Foundation, and is a proud supporter of the Cambodian community. This is Sophie’s third year leading the incredible Silent Auction. Along with her attorney husband, Bruce, they are community philanthropists whoarecommittedtothearts, having supported CAMBODIA DAY and Elodie Yung’s directorialdebut.

Sanghak has more than 23 years of experience working for government, private sector, and local and international NonGovernmental Organizations such as the UNDP, the World Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Cambodia. Sanghak also volunteers at the Mark Twain Library, hosting and promoting many Khmer programs. Sanghak Kan is a board member of the AOC7 organization, serves on the Cambodian American Cultural Center Community Steering Committee, and is a Community Ambassador for Flourishing Families Long Beach.

SreyPechHeng RemyHou AlixYumiCho

MaryKheng

Meet Our 2024 Committee Members

My name is Kiry. I am an enthusiastic, self-motivated, reliable, responsible & hard working person. I’m a mature team worker and adapt to all challenging situations, able to work well as a team player while using my own initiative. I have worked in the Port of Long Beach for the last 22 years and am married to a feisty Khmer woman named Phoan, who is also on the committee. I am self taught and like to give back to the community to preserve Khmer Culture for the younger generation. I volunteer my time to the ChaiYam drumming team and love being active and out and aboutinnature.

Covering real estate throughout Los Angeles, Long Beach and the surrounding cities,OrangeCounty,and the Inland Empire, Tony Thy Chan is a committed agent representing Buyers, Sellers, and Lessees of Residential Property. Working around the clock and going above and beyond by integrating his event coordinating and community engaging skills into his real estate business, Tony ThyChanaimstochange lives and help his clients transition into new homes. www.tonytchan.com | cell 562.212.5936

Sayon is an activist, healer, and educator. He received his Bachelor’s from California State University Long Beach and Master in Fine Arts from Claremont University. An Adjunct Instructor at Long Beach City College, a Lecturer at CSULB, and a Graphic Designer, his art focuses on post-war Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Southeast Asian countries. He currently works at United Cambodian Community (UCC) as a Program Manager teaching art to high school students & works to promote business development & preservation. (www.sayonart.com)

Borin Saron is a Cambodian immigrant who graduated from High School in Lakewood, California, studying computer science, automotive repair & smog technician Borin loves classic movies, music & photography and has parlayed his hobbies into a professional career used to benefit the Khmer community Borin volunteers to clean up streets and beaches with KYRO (Khmer Youth Reach Out) & spends much of his time at Wat Elsinore, fundraising for a community pagoda buildout He has prolifically and generously donated his talent and time to the Cambodian community of Long Beach, offering his photography & videography services to a myriad of organizations, including CTFF, Cambodian Town&CambodiaDay

Shawn Ros is a Khmer National and Entrepreneur specializing in business, real estate, and agricultural development. A strong community leader & organizer, he is passionate about humanitarian work and medical missions in Cambodia. Shawn is also a producer at CATCH INTERNATIONAL, a film & event production company that specializes in producing Khmer-related content. He recently got engaged to a beautiful Khmer woman named Chiang Mai. Shawn looks forward to bringing his Goldendoodle Ollie to live in Cambodia, while traveling and working internationally between Cambodia & the U.S. CONGRATS,Shawn!

PhoanSrey JackieGuevarra

Phoan Srey was born in Battambang, Cambodia She came to the US as a refugee in 1982, having survived the Killing Fields, but also having lost a number of family Phoan was raised in Long Beach, California andbelievesingivingbacktothe community She is involved in the Los Angeles Unified School District and works with special needs kids Phoan is a proud mom of one daughter and leads by example, showing her strength and commitment to community by volunteering to support a number of organizations This is her first year as a committee member of the Asian World Film Festival Cambodia Day She has been invaluable in her efforts to contribute at every level to ensurethiseventsuccess!

Jackie has worked with the County of Los Angeles for more than 25 years. She joined the Department of AuditorController in 1997 and worked as an Auditor and Accountant for 21 years. In 2018, she joined the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors as the Executive Director of the Quality and Productivity Commission. Jackie also serves as the Chair of the Los Angeles County Management Council Education Committee. Jackie has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California State University,Northridge.

Born in Battambang, Cambodia, Nary lost her father when the Khmer Rouge took over. She survived the brutal years hiding in the jungle with her family. After living in refugee camps, she came to the U.S. and graduated early, becaming a top real estate agent before shifting to insurance, where she quickly rose to success. Despite setbacks, she built a thriving SHAKLEE business in nutrition and wellness and is active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nary is pursuing a degree while balancing family, career, and her faith in Jesus Christ and God. She is happy to be friends withall!

After 2 1/2 years of missionary service, he attended Fordham University School of Law. After graduating he began a varied law career with law firms, companies & government agencies. He serves as General Counsel and specializes in representing landlords, real estate matters, corporate and transactions in California, the U.S. and abroad. Peter Paul is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and currently serves as Ward Mission Leader in Long Beach for the Cambodiancongregation.

Khanongsak is a Lao-Ngaw, Thai, Khmer American artist who has done numerous works as the Founder of 9khanong Media, a media company specializing in videography, photography, and music production. He loves to spend his time DJing for high profile events and is a proud member of the Bermuda Triangle Entertainment Family. Kevin, as he is known, has donated his time, talent and resources to AWFF & Cambodia Day for years now, and supports many other community events. He would like to extend a special thanks to Minta Zarris of MD medical Spa and credits his mom Thongmee Chantha and his father Seda Phaiboon for encouraging him to follow his dreams.

Sophirian Kim, owner of HairSecret, launched her business at 19 and now runs three successful locations. A first-generation Cambodian American, she started selling door-to-door with her dad at just five years old. An educator with an online academy, she also provides jobs and flips mobile homes, having bought two homes for her family. Passionate about empowerment, she writes children’s books to boost confidence, with her first, *The Secret is Out*, releasing in 2024. A proud mother of three, she’s launching the “Forever Hers” Pageant in 2025 to uplift women entrepreneurs. Connect with herandjointhejourney!

Janet is the broker/owner of Keo Conklin Realty LLC and President of KC Marketing & Media. She is a candidate for La Palma City Council 2022, a community leader, advocate, and a philanthropist. She believes in giving back to the community and is involved with the United Khmer American Coalition, Care Closet LBC, KIWANIS Club, Aquarium of the Pacific, Cambodia International Film Festival, Kids Save, California Science Center, and Cambodian Health Professionals Association of America.

Khanongsak Phaiboon

SophieKim

JanetKeo

Shawn Ros

KirySong TonyThyChan SayonSyprasoeuth

BorinSaron NaryVin

PeterPaulMendel

Peter Paul Mendel was born of Dutch parents in Nederlands.

CHRIS G. P A R K H U R S T

Since 2004, through his company, Barang Films, filmmaker Chris G Parkhurst, has been producing award-winning impactful, emotional, and wholly original stories for clients globally

With a client list comprising, among others, Nike, Adidas, Intel, and CrowdStrike, Parkhurst has worked in a host of different mediums, including feature films, television commercials, web content, podcasting and documentary films.

His work in documentary has included Bombhunters, Born in a Ballroom, and Journey to Kathmandu.

His latest film, Elvis of Cambodia: The Legacy of Sinn Sisamouth was recently recognized by the Cambodian government as an important contribution to the documentation of the past and current arts and cultural renaissance in Cambodia

Parkhurst is also the founder and host of the internationally-recognized, The Documentary Life podcast, a bi-weekly show dedicated to the craft of documentary filmmaking as well as the lifestyle associated with it

It is the culmination of these experiences that helps produce the Barang Films signature brand of storytelling; the beautiful intersection where narrative and documentary collides

Elvis of Cambodia: The Legacy of Sinn Sisamouth is a feature length documentary film, which celebrates the life and legacy of singer Sinn Sisamouth. The film delves into the legacy of Sinn’s music, uncovering both the personal endeavors of his family to protect it, and socially, the influence it has had on the spiritual, intellectual and cultural growth and healing of millions of Cambodians worldwide.

MEETING WITH POL POT

AFILMBYRithyPanh INSPIREDBYATRUESTORY

SUNDAY,NOV.17,2024-2:00PM THECULVERTHEATER

THE CAMBODIAN OSCAR SELECTION COMMITTEE`S OFFICIAL NOMINATION TO THE 2025 ACADEMY AWARDS

DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA (CAMBODIA) - 1978 THREE FRENCH JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED BYTHE KHMER ROUGE TO CONDUCTAN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OFTHE REGIME'S LEADER, POL POT. THE KHMER ROUGE REGIME IS DECLINING AND WAR WITH VIETNAM THREATENS TO INVADE THE COUNTRY. UNDER THE EYES OFTHE JOURNALISTS, THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURE CRACKS, REVEALING THE HORROR. FREELY INSPIRED BYJOURNALIST ELIZABETH BECKER'S ACCOUNT IN WHEN THE WAR WAS OVER.

HONOREES

CAMBODIA TOWN

In Long Beach, California, Cambodia Town stands as a vibrant testament to cultural resilience and community empowerment Since its establishment in 2007 as a Business Improvement District (BID), Cambodia Town has been central to celebrating Khmer culture and heritage and addressing the needs of the city's robust Cambodian American population Richer and Sithea San, two key figures in Cambodia Town's evolution, have led numerous initiatives over the two decades to support cultural preservation, education, and community healing, leaving a lasting impact for multi-generations of Khmer

Healing & Celebrating Cambodian Heritage

Richer and Sithea San's leadership shines through impactful campaigns and programs The Khmer Language Class initiative provides vital language preservation, empowering the younger generation to connect with their heritage Their work on the Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum ensures that local schools teach Cambodian history and the experiences of refugees, fostering understanding and pride Understanding the emotional needs of the community, especially the youth, the Sans initiated the Emotional Healing for Southeast Asian Youth Program This effort addresses the intergenerational trauma from the Khmer Rouge era, offering youth a safe space for emotional expression and support The program exemplifies how the Sans have dedicated themselves to holistic community well-being They also launched the Cambodian American Oral History project, capturing firsthand narratives from survivors of the Khmer Rouge, which serves as a resource for education and historical preservation

Above all, the organization's crowning and signature achievement is the Cambodia Town Annual Parade and Cultural Fair in Long Beach, a vibrant celebration that brings together thousands of the city's Cambodian community and visitors to honor Khmer culture This lively celebration of Cambodian traditions is expertly curated, featuring a colorful parade along Anaheim Street, with traditional Cambodian dancers, cultural floats, and marchers from local organizations The festivities continue at MacArthur Park, where attendees can enjoy live performances of classical Khmer music, traditional and modern dance acts, and martial arts demonstrations The cultural fair also hosts a variety of food vendors offering authentic Cambodian cuisine and over 45 booths showcasing local businesses, art, and educational resources This gathering fosters cultural pride and provides an opportunity to share the rich heritage of the Cambodian people with the broader Long Beach community

CAMBODIA TOWN

In short, Richer and Sithea San's relentless dedication to community has been acknowledged far and wide, most recently through their shift in philosophy for a more united and collaborative community For that reason, it is our great honor to award Cambodia Town the Asian World Film Festival’s Cambodia Day 2024 Community Heritage Award Receiving this Award celebrates not only their individual contributions to the community at large, but their decades of work and engagement provide a timely platform to reflect on their accomplishments and share their vision for future generations CONGRATULATIONS to Cambodia Town and THANK YOU to Richer and Sithea, and your board You are a beacon of cultural endurance and hope Through your organization s work and annual festivities, Cambodia Town continues to inspire unity and preserve the beautiful tapestry of Cambodian traditions Your advocacy for the Cambodia Town Grand Entrance, a landmark project, is the crowning jewel to a legacy of great works, and will be a striking visual representation of the community’s pride and cultural legacy for generations to come

“Unity in the community makes our culture strong.”

CAMBODIA TOWN FILM FESTIVAL

September 2024 marked the 10th anniversary edition of the Cambodia Town Film Festival (CTFF) in Long Beach, California, celebrating a decade of immense cultural and artistic contributions to the Cambodian community Founded by filmmaker Caylee So and rapper/artist PraCh Ly, the festival has become a vital space for Cambodian artists to share their stories and engage with a global audience, emphasizing themes of cultural resilience and creativity

Caylee So has significantly shaped both the festival and broader film landscape, committed to mentoring young filmmakers of Cambodian descent, and help them navigate the industry to bring authentic narratives to life Her efforts have amplified the voices of the diaspora and highlighted the importance of cultural preservation and understanding With a background that includes serving in the military and later becoming a celebrated filmmaker, So co-directed In the Life of Music, a film exploring the legacy of the Khmer Rouge through music and family narratives In 2019, this work was the Cambodian Oscar Selection Committee s submission to the Academy Awards Most recently, Caylee directed a feature film, The Harvest, a powerful family drama centered on the complexities of generational and cultural dynamics within a HmongAmerican family So's direction brings a poignant and authentic lens to this narrative, highlighting the importance of representation and visibility for Southeast Asian stories on the big screen

PraCh Ly, known as Cambodia’s first major hip-hop artist, continues to intertwine his artistic work with advocacy His groundbreaking album Dalama chronicled the trauma and survival of the Cambodian genocide, using rap as a tool for cultural memory Ly then expanded his reach by collaborating with the Long Beach Symphony on Khmeraspora, an innovative performance blending traditional Cambodian and Western classical music This project, inspired by the Cambodian-American experience, underscores his role in bridging cultural gaps and advocating for representation in mainstream art Most recently, Prach Ly's appointment to the Long Beach Symphony Board of Directors is a historic and significant moment for the Cambodian-American community As a prominent artist and cultural advocate, Ly brings a unique perspective to the symphony, emphasizing the importance of incorporating diverse voices and honoring the cultural heritage of Long Beach His role marks a step forward in bridging classical Western music with the rich traditions of Cambodian art, which he has passionately championed This inclusion represents progress in cultural representation and sets a precedent for future collaborations that celebrate and uplift marginalized communities

CAMBODIA TOWN FILM FESTIVAL

The Asian World Film Festival's Cambodia Day Red Carpet serves as an opportune moment to celebrate both So and Ly’s individual contributions to the arts, as well as their collective impact leading the CAMBODIA TOWN FILM FESTIVAL The AWFF Heritage Award they receive tonight symbolizes a broader acknowledgment of the Cambodian-American community’s resilience and influence on culture, bound by community By combining their talents in film, music, and community outreach, the duo has cemented CTFF as a cultural cornerstone that fosters healing, unity, and artistic excellence CONGRATULATIONS, PraCH & Caylee! Your work personifies how art can transform and connect CTFF 's recent 10th-anniversary celebration offers a space to honor your tireless dedication to storytelling and cultural advocacy, shining a beacon of light on both present and future filmmakers WE SALUTE YOU!