Last November 22, the Filipino-American community lost a well-loved member with the sudden passing of long-time community leader and advocate Peter J. Corpus, a veteran of community organizing and a devoted champion of equality for over 21 years. A special community celebration of Peter’s life will be held this coming Friday, December 10.
Many communities rely on people with community spirit to survive; people who love to do an activity or service which benefits their community. In the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles, Peter Corpus was one such person. A long-time director of the Fil-Am social services organization in Historic Filipinotown—Search to Involve Pilipino American (SIPA)—and its indefatigable Director of Development and Communications, Peter devoted his life to the vital service of the Fil-Am community. His altruistic involvement in the community helped made it healthier and livelier.
Corpus was committed to help SIPA reach its goals of providing health and human services as well as community economic development and arts/cultural programs for low to moderate income youth and families in multi-ethnic Historic Filipinotown and the greater Los Angeles Pilipino American community.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Peter relocated to Los Angeles in 1989 after a brief stint working in Yosemite National Park. Over the past several years, Peter was employed as SIPA’s Director of Development and Communications, but also volunteered tirelessly for numerous Pilipino American, Asian Pacific Islander, and LGBT community-based organizations, including Philippine American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD), FilAm ARTS, API Equality-LA, and National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA).
An experienced community leader with a vast network in both the API and philanthropic communities, Peter was a proactive and effective organizer of community programs and events. He was a wise mentor to young Asian Pacific Americans who sought to pursue careers in community service. At the same time, he will be remembered equally for his incomparable sense of humor and wit, fun-loving spirit, and boundless enjoyment of life.
Peter served as a member of SIPA’s Board of Directors from 1995 to 2001 and joined the staff as Director of Development and Communications in 2002. He helped raise over $25M throughout his career for a variety of non-profit institutions. He held Chief Development Officer positions at the International House of Blues Foundation, Citrus Valley Health Foundation, Wheels for Humanity, East West Players and St. John’s Well Child Center. Before serving in those positions he was Special Events Manager for Project Angel Food.
Mr. Corpus also helped found the Asian Pacific American Development Roundtable and was a former member of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He was also a volunteer fundraiser for the Asian American Alliance Against AIDS and is a co-founder of both the Gay Asian Pacific Support Network (GAPSN). For GAPSN, he served in the positions of Co-Chair, Public Relations Coordinator and Fundraising Coordinator. He was a key figure in the shaping of GAPSN’s early identity as an organization dedicated to providing supportive environments for members of our community.
In addition to serving as GAPSN co-chair and in numerous other officer positions on the GAPSN board, Peter also was a founder of Barangay (the gay Pilipino organization of Los Angeles), Asian Pacific Islander Pride Council, and an active participant over the years in efforts to organize members of the API LGBT community nationally. Also serving on the organization’s Faith Committee, Peter will be remembered for his robust laughter and colorful language which always livened up a room.
Corpus also sat on leadership committees for the Philippine American Los Angeles Democrats and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Being with SIPA which is the leading provider of social and economic services for youth and families in multi-ethnic Historic Filipinotown, Peter played a vital role in the local community. As Director of Development and Communications, he promoted SIPA’s comprehensive array of programs designed to meet the needs of youth, families and individuals, such as after-school enrichment activities, affordable housing, small business development, and financial literacy activities.
Peter has dedicated his life and talents to inspire and empower the community to make smart choices, bring families together, and ultimately, revitalize the community.
The Filipino-American community extends its deepest sympathy to Peter’s parents and other members of his family. He will be sorely missed.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Dec 8-10 MDWK p.2)
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