In a historic first, many of San Diego’s major Asian civic and community leaders attended the 10th anniversary gala fundraiser for the Asian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project (APICAP). Held at the Wyndham Emerald Plaza, the event brought together nearly 400 San Diegans, including major Asian leaders and GLBT community leaders/activists.

From beginning to end, the evening featured a colorful Asian Pacific Island theme, with the ballroom decorated almost like the palace of an empress. Many guests said this was one of the best-organized and most entertaining events they had attended.

APICAP scored a major coup with the naming of Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Jenny Fat as the event’s honorary chairs, as the Fats are among San Diego’s premier API citizen leaders and are well connected throughout California. In his remarks, Fat called upon the mainstream API community and businesses to become more involved with the issue of AIDS and to support APICAP.

Among the many API leaders in attendance were: former State Assemblymember Tom Hom; Arlie Ricasa, president of the board of trustees of the Sweetwater Union School District and the highest ranking Filipino elected official; Yen Tu, executive director of the Asian Business Association; Vitas Yamame, president of the Philippines Chamber of Commerce; Margaret Innanaga Penrose, president of the Union of Pan-Asian Communities; City Commissioner and candidate for Chula Vista City Council Dan Hom; Dr. Cudal Aurora, president of the Council of Phillipine American Organizations; the Emeritus Consul General of the Philippines, the Hon. Bael; and the Consul of Finland, the Hon. Katrin Mautino.

City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez, co-chair of the APICAP gala, addressed the crowd and urged the API community to become more politically involved and build stronger coalitions with the other people of color communities, as well as the GLBT community.

The event’s three major honorees were Dr. Sana Loue, Jeffrey Tom and Dr. Linda Lloyd. The entertainment included the Samahan Dance Company, Kaleo Onalani Polynesian Dancers, singer Armi Guzman and major recording star Jocelyn Enriquez.

San Diego City Councilmember Toni Atkins, Councilmember Charles Lewsi and Deputy Mayor Ralph Inzunza were also in attendance, along with city attorney candidate Mike Aguirre and candidate for judge Rick Kerman, Robert Young representing the office of Mayor Dick Murphy, Todd Gloria from the office of Congressmember Susan Davis and Khoa Nguyen from Councilmember Brian Maienschein’s office. Among GLBT organizations represented were: The Center, Alano Club, San Diego GLBT Pride, Imperial Court, Bienestar, Latin Pride and many others. Emcees were Channel 6 Fox News anchor Maria Arcieva Dunn and Noel Guanzon, with City Commissioner Julia Legaspi and APICAP President Aliza Carpio serving as co-chairs.

During the entire evening every speaker gave acknowledgement to the leadership and dedication of APICAP’s executive director, Jess San Roque, who is credited with building the organization to what it is today. For further information on APICAP, call (619) 229-2822.