FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Gabrielle Ramos Seasons MarketPlace at Landess (714) 815-9899 Girly.Seasons@gmail.

com

Filipino American History Month in the South Bay: A-Day/Leyte Landing Commemoration on October 23 Milpitas, CA, October 19, 2011 --- 67 years have elapsed since the Leyte Gulf Landing on October 20, 1944, led by General Douglas MacArthur. In the South Bay this Sunday, from 10:00am to 3:00pm on October 23, 2011, Seasons Marketplace at Landess, the United States' largest Filipino-centric mall, is the venue for Filipinos and their friends to gather and honor the Filipino American World War II veterans. The Leyte Gulf Landing is now known in many cities across the United States as A-Day. The significance of the date, October 20, 1944, was documented in many military history books. About.com summarizes the Leyte Gulf landing: "Battle of Leyte Gulf: In late 1944, after extensive debate, Allied leaders elected to begin operations to liberate the Philippines. The initial landings were to take place on the island of Leyte, with ground forces commanded by General Douglas MacArthur. To assist this amphibious operation, the US 7th Fleet, under Vice Admiral Thomas Kimkaid, would provide close support, while Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's 3rd Fleet, containing Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher's Fast Carrier Task Force (TF38), stood further out to sea to provide cover. Moving forward, the landings on Leyte commenced October 20, 1944." According to Ben Menor, NaFFAA Region 8's Santa Clara County Chapter Chair, the Filipino community of Santa Clara County started commemorating the Leyte Landing in 1994. It has been a tradition spearheaded by Filipino American World War II leaders to hold such an event. In 1995 the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, led by then-Supervisor Mike Honda, held the event at Santa Clara County's favorite venue for celebrations, gatherings, and programs --- the James P. McEntee, Sr. Civic Center Plaza. Over 500 veterans, public officials, Consulate General staff, and community leaders attended this historical occasion. Proclamations came from the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County proclaiming the Leyte Landing as an official day to commemorate the tremendous sacrifice made by the Filipino World War II veterans. The commemorative event is co-sponsored by the following community-based organizations: Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) -- Santa Clara Valley Chapter; National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Northern California - Region 8; Seasons MarketPlace at Landess; Asian American Recovery Services, Santa Clara County; and Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club. For more information about the event, contact Gabrielle Ramos at (714) 815-9899 (girly.seasons@gmail.com) at Seasons Marketplace at Landess, Ben Menor (BenMenor@yahoo.com) or Clarence Madrilejos (clarencem99@gmail.com) of NaFFAA Region 8 and SVAPADC, and Ron Muriera (rpmuriera@yahoo.com) of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society. Seasons Marketplace at Landess is located at 1535 Landess Avenue, Milpitas CA 95035. www.TheSeasonsMarketplace.com. ###