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San Diego’s No. 1 Source of News & Information for the Filipino Community • An Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1986 December 8, 2023 - December 14, 2023
www.thefilipinopress.com • (619) 434-1720
Green Cities: A Matter of Life and Death
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- As humankind grows increasingly urban, planting trees and parks — far from merely beautifying cities — increasingly becomes a matter of life and death. At a Friday, Dec. 1 Ethnic Media Services briefing, Los Angeles Forestry officials and urban greening experts discussed the city as a case study of the link between green space and human health, and explained how adding nearly a million years of life expectancy in LA County through urban greening could serve as a model for other cities. Green space and life expectancy The more parks and trees there are in a given neighborhood, the higher the area’s life expectancy, said Michael Jerrett, referring to a July 2023 UCLA study he coauthored, which found that bringing green space in LA County to median levels could add up to 908,800 years of collective life expectancy to residents in under-resourced communities. While the study found that life expectancy in wealthy and verdant Beverly Hills was 90, the median in south LA communities less than 15 miles away was 77. The total expectancy ranged countywide from 68 years in poorer south-central areas to 93 in affluent places like Malibu, said Jerrett, a UCLA environmental health professor and Center for Healthy Climate Solutions codirector. In already “very leafy areas, like Brentwood, or parts of West LA, there’s not a lot of impact in adding more green space,” he added, but in
disproportionately less green areas in the east, south and far north — where two-third of LA County’s Black and Latino population resides — merely expanding parks to county medians would add 164,700 years of life expectancy to the region, with Black and Latino residents receiving 72%, or 118,000 of these years. Healthy trees, healthy people The health benefits that come
from more parks and trees depend on more than just planting, said Rachel Malarich, the first City Forest Officer for the City of Los Angeles. “In order to achieve those benefits, we need to have healthy trees, regularly maintained to live their own full lifespan in the neighborhoods which most need them.” The city’s Urban Forest Management Plan has four pillars,
she continued: planting new trees, maintaining existing trees, preserving these trees amid new construction and development, and engaging the communities who live with these trees. “When we talk to community members, there is often frustration because the trees haven’t been maintained,” Malarich explained. “The industry standard is to inspect
trees and trim them as needed every five to seven years; the city’s current cycle is closer to 18 years … we’re now holding community engagement workshops and feedback surveys both to improve inequity of access to green spaces, and inequity in how these spaces are maintained.” Greening on-the-ground The most sustainable urban forests are planted and supported by
members of their own communities, said Marcos Trinidad, Senior Director of Forestry at TreePeople. Now in its 50th year, the urban greening nonprofit has been shifting from an all-volunteer model of planting, maintenance and community education to a hybrid model which includes “workforce development,” particularly training youth interested in environmental careers to work with community organizations to green “neighborhoods which need trees the most,” like northeast and southeast LA, he explained. Though TreePeople is based in LA County, Trinidad said that its model of community investment in “what is needed to have sustainable, sustainable urban forests” — namely planting, maintenance, preservation and education — is meant to be shared well beyond LA: “We’re currently in the Inland Empire and Antelope Valley … and want to share our process with the rest of the world.” Green equity as green stewardship To invest in more green space for underserved communities means investing in those communities as caretakers of this space, said Bz Zhang, Project Manager of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust (LANLT) — which, since its inception in 2002, has created about 30 parks and gardens across 21 acres of green space for over half a million LA County residents. Since majority non-white See GREEN CITIES on 8
Jean Amour Fashion Show Successfully Launched; NATIONAL CITY CELEBRATES THE Cherilyn sizzles with her singing performance HOLIDAYS WITH “A KIMBALL HOLIDAY” AND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY NATIONAL CITY, CA-- Mission Accomplished! The much anticipated launching NATIONAL CITY, CA -- We are of Jean Amour Fashion Couture back! Join the City of National City Collections during a segment of as we present the 15th Annual “A the Filipino Press Thanksgiving Kimball Holiday” Celebration. The Extravaganza held recently at event will take place in Kimball Park Ramada Hotel in National City, on Saturday, December 9th. This left the audience in awe and event is free and open to the public. impressed with the show . Twenty six models, mostly FilipinoSchedule of Events: American displayed their beauty, Saturday, December 9th Main Event 2:00pm – 9:00pm poise and pride in strutting the Tree Lighting Ceremony creative and elegant couture works of fashion designer Jean Amour. 6:00pm A Kimball Holiday is a great Model participants include Hannah event for the entire family! FREE Michellle, Luella Joice Barrios train rides, sledding down a snow Abelita, Luke Jireh Barrios Abelita, hill, children’s arts & crafts, live Lemuel Jireh Barrios Abelita, DJ music and LED dance floor, Lorelen and Kaelen Ng, Maddison community performances on stage, Habaluyas, Elisha Faith Estrella, A Taste of the Holiday area with Alyssa Marie Redondo, Alexandra delicious food and beverages Macaraeg, Joyce Ryan Santiago, available for sale, and a not-to-be- Graciel Denise Tan, Elizabeth missed photo opportunity with Santa, Beatrice Orioste, Heather Alexia Mrs. Claus & The Grinch! Everyone Santos, Brynn Gonzales, Elle Paris in attendance will countdown for Legaspi, Saraiah Divine Legaspi, the annual tree lighting ceremony at Jeanne Legaspi, Leanne Mendoza, 6:00pm. The City of National City is Ayra Fong, dam Fong, Priscilla happy to be back, and ready to share Garcia, Shilo, Jojo Bondoc, Ycel of PNA, Norliza Rodriguez, Titus the joy of such a magical day! Please note that parking will be Bonifacio and Edina Tagaloguin. A resident of San Diego, Jean limited. ‘A’ Avenue will be closed shared her talents and between National City Blvd. and Amour 12th St. including the Kimball Park creations to San Diegans, after ‘A’ Avenue parking lot and City having done fashion shows in Los Hall parking lot from 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9th through Sunday, December 10th at 6:00 a.m. Participants are encouraged to park in: Kimball Senior Center parking lot located off 12th St and ‘D’ Ave., Kimball Park parking stalls located on ‘D’ Ave. National City Public Library parking lot located at 1401 National City Blvd.
Angeles, New York, Philippines and recently from her Paris Fashion Week stint. Cherilyn Mallari got her break as a singer/artist, during the dinnerconcert segment of the program. She delivered heart warming songs, reached fever pitch notes from songs of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys just to name a few . Cherilyn confidently showcased her vocal range, control, versatility and creativity as an emerging professional artist in her own right. Cherilyn was joined by Charisma Ursua and Melanie Jimenez, both Champion Karaoke Singers previously sponsored by Seafood City. Most recently, Cherilyn launched her professional singing services and is available for events, concerts, all occasion parties to provide musical entertainment. The Filipino Press Thanksgiving Extavaganza was brought to you by Wyyerd Fiber, My Point Credit Union, Gerry's Grill, Paradise Valley Hospital, Noel Ancheta, Old Schoolhouse Square Shopping Center, San Ysidro Health Center, La Flamme French Pizza, Zarlitos, Atty. Morris Chichiyan, Ramada by Wyndham, Mabuhay DJ, Califoto, Juv's Petals, Amy and Rizza's Salon, Make up by Cindy, and more. Part
of proceeds went to the UP Alumni of San Diego's scholarship program, Mahal Kita Foundation, Samahan and St. Agustine Church in Cebu. A Red Carpet welcome and reception with sushi party trays from Kyoto, Lumpia shanghai from Zarlitos and French Pizza, Mediterranean salad and Quiche from La Flamme surprised the attendees as they are also greeted with a Holiday Bazaar featuring vendors/exhibitors like DCL PreLoved Bags and Jewelry, Palm Care Pharmacy, Juv's Petals, Sofia's Boutique, Kitchen Logic, Riman, Hazel Pingol of SBHIS and more. Special Dinner selections were from Gerry's Grill which appeals to the discriminating taste of the Filipinos and guests alike. Expect consistent excellent in taste and flavor as they visit and discover the other offerings at Gerry's Grill located in Plaza Bonita Mall. Desserts were from Bakers Avenue inside Seafood City National City. Special puto/rice cake from Bread de Luxe. Special dance performances by Stars Lions Club as well as Samahan Dance Company , commmunity Dancing and Karaoke entertainment capped the enchanting evening. Check page 12 of this issue of the paper for more photos.