LOS ANGELES, California, October 27, 2025 -- Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD) today announced the honorees of its fifth annual Larry Itliong Legacy Awards. The PALAD awards program encapsulates the spirit of Larry Itliong, a labor organizer and civil rights activist who played a central role in the founding of the United Farm Workers union. The recipients were celebrated on Saturday, 10/18, by honored leaders and allies of the Filipino American community in LA County. Notable attendees and speakers included CA State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, LA Mayor Karen Bass, Cerritos City Councilmember Mark Pulido, and Artesia City Councilmember Melissa Ramoso.

 

The 2025 Honorees  are: 

• Rep. Justin Jones, Tennessee House of Representatives – Nationally recognized as one of the ‘Tennessee Three’ lawmakers who faced expulsion for demanding action on gun violence, Rep. Jones challenged a powerful state government supermajority, demanding gun reform, environmental justice, and expanded healthcare. The LARRY ITLIONG LEGACY AWARD is named after Larry Itliong, Filipino American labor organizer and prominent leader of the Delano grape strike. The award honors a Filipino American Democrat whose work leaves an indelible mark on the California political landscape and raises the bar for the political potential of Filipinos in the United States.

• ACLU SoCal – Through their advocacy, partnership, and unwavering support, ACLU SoCal has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Filipino American community— using litigation to defend the community’s rights against federal overreach and violence. The KAPWA COMMUNITY ALLY AWARD honors a non-Filipino leader whose actions and impact demonstrate undeniable solidarity with the Filipino American community.

• This Filipino American Life Podcast – a platform centering the nuanced experiences, stories, and voices of Filipino Americans across the country, This Filipino American Life explores identity, immigration, colonization, food, family and more. The show is hosted by Dr. Joseph Bernardo, Ryan Carpio, Elaine Dolalas, and Michael Nailat. The RUBY DE VERA SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD honors Filipino leaders who are trailblazers in the community, paving the way for many to dedicate their life to service.

• Carla Ibarra, LGBTQ+ Community Liaison, LA Civil Rights Department – The LGBTQIA+ Community Liaison at the City of LA’s Civil and Human Rights Department and lead staffer for the City’s Transgender Advisory Council, Carla Ibarra ensures that the voices of LGBTQIA+ constituents, especially BIPOC communities, are heard and acted upon in City policy and practice. The BAYANIHAN COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD honors local Filipino leaders whose work strengthens connections and builds movement across the diversity of Filipino community members in the greater Los Angeles area.

• Yvonne Wheeler, President, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO – An advocate, organizer, and historic figure in the labor movement, Yvonne Wheeler is the first African American woman to serve as President of the LA County Federation of Labor, representing over 800K workers across more than 300 unions. The LABOR CHAMPION AWARD uplifts a union that has gone above and beyond in supporting Filipino Americans, paying homage to our community’s own history of building worker power while highlighting the continued need to build coalitions across lines of difference.

• Lisa Lew, Emmy Award-Winning Producer/Creator and Manila International Film Festival Co-Founder  – The PRESIDENT’S AWARD recognizes Lew’s tremendous support of PALAD over the past two years and her leadership in elevating the Filipino community.

 

“The Larry Itliong Legacy Awards celebrates leaders who fight for equity and give voice to laborers and working families,” said Godfrey Plata, president, PALAD. “Each honoree has shown their solidarity with the Filipino community in LA and throughout the U.S. Their achievements demonstrate their power and fortitude as they break through the challenges of the world today.” 

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Event sponsors are:

Brilyante / Platinum

• LA City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado

• SEIU 2015

 

Pilak / Silver

• CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar

• LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath

• Former CA State Controller & Candidate, CA Governor Betty Yee

• LA County Assistant Assessor Dara Smith

• LA County Young Democrats

• LA Mayor Karen Bass

 

Tanso / Bronze

• Congressmember Judy Chu

• CA State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez

• CA State Senator & Candidate, LA County Board of Supervisors María Elena Durazo

• CA State Assemblymember Mike Fong

• LACCD Trustee & Candidate, CA Superintendent of Public Instruction Nichelle Henderson

• West Basin Municipal Water District Director & Candidate, CA Assembly District 66 Scott Houston

• Culver City Councilmember Freddy Puza

• Cerritos City Councilmember & Candidate, CA Assembly District 67 Mark Pulido

• LA City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez

• LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman

• LA County Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell

• Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis

• West Hollywood Councilmember Danny Hang

• Culver City Unified School District Trustee Stephanie Loredo

• Candidate, LA City Attorney Marissa Roy

• Candidate, LA City Council District 11 Faizah Malik

• Candidate, CA Assembly District 65, Progressive Caucus Chair Emeritus, Fatima Iqbal-Zubair

• Los Angeles County Democratic Party

• Renay Rodriguez, President of Stonewall Democratic Club

• Community Services Commissioner, City of South Pasadena, Anne Bagasao

• LACDP Delegate, AD 55 & Stonewall Democratic Club Steering Member, Jasmyne Cannick

• PALAD Founding President, Joselyn Geaga Rosenthal

• LACPD Secretary Susan Sheu and Brian Colker

 

Event photos are available here.

 

About PALAD

Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD) is a political organization first chartered with the Los Angeles County Democratic Party in 1987. PALAD's mission is to organize and mobilize Filipino Americans in Los Angeles. PALAD is dedicated to promoting political empowerment and increasing civic engagement and participation in the Filipino American community.

 

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CONTACT
Stephanie Loredo

stephanie.loredo@gmail.com

310-910-1830