Statement on the Tennessee Three

On April 6, 2023, Tennessee lawmakers expelled Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson from the legislature for leading a peaceful protest with Representative Gloria Johnson on the house floor following the tragic shooting at Covenant School that claimed the lives of three children and three staff members. Soon after the expulsion, Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson were reinstated to continue their fight for their communities. We denounce this expulsion as racially motivated and view it as an attack on our democracy. This expulsion not only unjustly removed two lawmakers of color without adequate due process, but also disenfranchised their constituents effectively silencing thousands of voters. FLOC stands in solidarity with our brother and sister bar organizations and our respective communities against further attacks on our democracy. We are grateful for the support of our fellow bar organizations as we continue our fight for justice and the protection of Constitutional rights and due process for all. Please see our joint statement with PABA and TMBA with support from APABA-LA, Pinay Powerhouse, Cal-APABA, NFALA, and OCAABA. Frances-Marie Angeles Prizzia FLOC President

A quote from Mercedes Cook, PABA President: The undeniable racism and discrimination shown against Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson is a stark reminder that the fight for equality, inclusion, and justice must be vigorous and steadfast. As Black-Filipino-Am and Black men, many obstacles were thrown in their path simply because of the color of their skin. They beat all odds to reach the House of Representatives and zealously advocate for their constituents, only to be told again that they don’t belong. Yet, throughout this experience, they demonstrated perseverance in the face of expulsion and courage in the face of oppression. That is great leadership to be admired and emulated. As the first Black and Fil-Am President of PABA, I am empowered by their actions and I am proud of PABA for its unwavering commitment to stand in solidarity against racism, discrimination, and all injustice. I stand with the Tennessee Three.

FLOC Joins FBANC & California Filipinx Bar Associations In Joint Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE: FLOC Joins FBANC & California Filipinx Bar Associations In Joint Statement on Mass Shootings In Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay

Contact: Frances Prizzia, theflocboard@gmail.com

Thank you to Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (“FBANC”) for taking the lead and laboring oar to put together this joint statement which our California Filipinx Bar Associations commit to amplifying.

The Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (“FBANC”), Filipino-American Lawyers of Orange County ("FLOC"), Philippine American Bar Association ("PABA"), Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego ("FALSD"), and Sacramento Filipino American Lawyers Association ("SacFALA") deeply mourns the tragic loss of innocent lives resulting from the mass shootings in Monterey Park on January 21, 2023 and Half Moon Bay on January 23, 2023. These senseless acts of gun violence occurred at or around Lunar New Year, a time for joy, celebration, and renewal for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. FBANC especially grieves the families, friends, and communities of the victims, for whom this holiday will permanently bear a traumatic significance.

FLOC also acknowledges that sympathy is not enough. Although the investigations into these mass shootings are ongoing, one thing is unequivocal: we must renew and strengthen our collective efforts to reduce gun violence, advocate for long-term community safety, and sustain coalition building. In doing so, we must recognize that gun violence disproportionately impacts historically marginalized communities, including underserved and underprivileged communities of color.

Alongside its call to action, FLOC wholeheartedly urges our community to process this trauma with grace, kindness, and empathy. The important work of healing our communities and addressing systemic issues must stem not from hate, but from compassion. FLOC stands in solidarity with the families and communities impacted by these mass shootings, and all those who have experienced gun violence. With this statement, FLOC renews its commitment to advocate collectively and relentlessly for a safer and more just society.

FLOC Flash April 26, 2021

FLOC Flash April 26, 2021

RECAP: Chapman APALSA and FLOC Mixer: FLOC President, Serafin Tagarao, and Board members Vincent Gonzales, Ronald Baldonado, and Kristine Avena were presenters at a law school mixer with Chapman Law School’s APALSA. Students were able to meet with the speakers in breakout rooms and have their questions answered from how to survive law school to how to prepare for the California bar exam. Elimination of Bias MCLE Event with Milton Grimes: FLOC co-sponsored an MCLE Event with OCBA featuring renowned attorney Milton Grimes. It was well attended by several Orange County Bar Organizations and members of both the Orange County Public Defender’s Office and the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The event touched upon race related issues that deal with our representation of clients of color as well as being a minority attorney practicing in predominantly white Orange County. It was eye opening and extremely relevant to today’s current issues. Know Your Rights Training: AABA, Cal-APABA and Stop AAPI Hate hosted a training focused on protecting our community and equipping us with tools to support each other. The distinguished speakers explained how to handle discrimination in the workplace, in public stores, in school, and what to do when witnessing a possible hate crime. Friday Financial Freedom Series (Part 1): FLOC’s board member Christina Ahluwalia is leading this series and providing guidance for attorneys on how to manage their wealth. The first series was held this past Friday and was a success. Please see the Upcoming Events section to save the dates for Part 2 and Part 3. Rob Bonta As Attorney General: Rob Bonta was confirmed as the first Filipino Attorney General this week. We are so proud to stand with him. Please see our statement here congratulating Mr. Bonta on this outstanding achievement. Guilty Verdict on the Derek Chauvin Trial: Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts of the death of George Floyd. FLOC sent out a statement regarding our views on this verdict here. Dues Dues Dues! Please remember to pay your membership dues on the FLOC website: https://www.floclawyers.org. Along with the generous donations from our sponsors, your membership dues are an investment in our organization and help support our efforts to represent and advocate the interests of Filipino and Filipino-Americans and their communities, and to encourage and promote the professional growth of the members of the Association. If you have any questions regarding the membership dues, please email FLOC Treasurer Nate Epstein. To sign up as as a new member, click here. Mentors for Law Students: Please contact Kristine Avena (kristine.avena29@gmail.com) or Michelle Lumasag (michelle.lumagsag@gmail.com) if you would like to participate in a mentor/mentee program. The mentorship program pairs interested law students, new admittees, or attorneys with other practicing attorneys to help provide advice on professional development and career goals. UPCOMING EVENTS: The Friday Financial Freedom Series: Please tune in this Friday and the Friday after for our Financial Series Parts 2 and 3 headed by FLOC’s very own board member, Christina Ahluwalia.

Be the Difference Stop Asian Hate: APABA is hosting a virtual discussion of practical tools and resources to combat hate incidents and care for those affected on April 27 at 12:15 p.m.

What are Hate Crimes, and What Can AAPI Attorneys Do About Them: Please join us for this discussion about Hate Crimes, and what we, as attorneys, can do to protect our community. FLOC Secretary, Frances Prizzia, will be one of the speakers at this event.

FLOC Members Sunday Brunch: Please save the date for FLOC's first in person event of 2021! Come meet us under the tree in Irvine and bring your own brown bag brunch. There are spaced out chairs but feel free to bring your own chair or blanket as well as games if you would like.

APABA Unity Night: In light of the increasing physical and verbal incidents targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans, PABA, APABA and other APA bar organizations have banded together to host a virtual event in solidarity against APA-targeted hate and violence.

Recipe of the Week Ube Madeleines (Courtesy of Greggy Soriano) Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1/2 cup almond flour

• 2 Tbsp. Ube powder

• 1/3 cup all purpose flour

• 1/4 tsp. salt

• 3 large egg whites

• 1 tsp. Ube extract

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 Tbsp. lemon or Calamansi juice

Other Things You'll Need:

• standard sized madeleine molds or mini madeleine molds

Instructions

1. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter until it turns a golden brown. This is called "beurre noisette, which gives these madeleines a nutty flavor. Remove from heat and allow it cool.

2. Sift sugar, almond flour, Ube powder, flour, and salt into a stand mixer bowl. Add egg whites, Ube extract, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and whisk until well combined. Add beurre noisette and mix until well incorporated.

3. Prepare the madeleine pan/molds with a light coating of baking spray. Pipe or spoon (with a mini ice cream scooper) into the madeleine molds. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to create a skin. Preheat the oven to 325F.

4. Bake Madeleines at 325F for 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely in molds.

5. Release from molds. Can be enjoyed, as is, or can be dipped in purple chocolate, dusted with Ube powdered sugar, or Ube glaze.

Coatings and Glazes:

• Purple Chocolate: Melt 1 lb chocolate and add 3-5 Tbsp. melted coconut oil mixed with 1 Tbsp. Ube gel extract. This can be done with white chocolate, too- if adding Ube gel extract

• Ube Powdered Sugar: In a stand mixer bowl- fitted with A paddle attachment, mix 1 cup powdered sugar and 3 Tbsp. Ube extract on low, until the mixture turns purple. Sprinkle on a parchment-lined sheet pan and allow to dry overnight. Place it in a spice grinder or small cup blender and blend until fine and powder-like in texture. Store in an airtight container.

• Ube glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt, 2 Tbsp. milk, 1 tsp. ube extract.

If you have any contributions such as scholarship information, job openings, volunteer opportunities, or any events for the FLOC Flash, please email FLOC's Secretary Frances Prizzia at Frances@PrizziaLegalTeam.com