Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

BEING the first Filipino-American Commissioner in Daly City and the first Fil-Am to chair the 19th Assembly District Committee, Perla G. Ibarrientos still remains true to her vision – that is, to serve the community, especially the youth.

Ms. Ibarrientos’ civic engagement began in 1973 as a teacher’s aide in the classroom of her children and her involvement in education continued as she served on the PTA Board and was a member of the Parents Advisory Board at Westmoor High. Later on, she became one of the key figures in bringing qualified Filipino teachers into the local school district.

But one of her most admired qualities is how much she cares for people and how committed she is in improving the lives of the people in her community. In 1991, when gang activities were prevalent in Daly City, an African-American was shot to death by a Filipino youngster. To ease the tension between the two communities, Ibarrientos was one of the people who organized the meeting.

A pharmacist by profession, Ibarrientos is also currently the president of the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC). There, she assists the immigration pro bono lawyers.

At present Ibarrientos is also the vice president of the North Peninsula Food Pantry Dining Center in Daly City, where she is very hands-on in its operation by stocking food and preparing individual brown bags for distribution to needy and the Director of the American Baptist Homes of the West since 2006.

She has also been the president of the Daly City/Quezon City Sister City Committee (2005-2006), vice president of the Board for the San Mateo County Organizing Project (1994-1995), Chairwoman of the 19th Assembly District Committee (1997-2001), was elected delegate by the 12th Congressional District at the National Democratic Convention for Al Gore in 2000 and was president of the Fil-Am Democratic Club from 1989-1991.

Ibarrientos was also bestowed by Daly City Mayor Carol Klatt in 1999 as Citizen of the Year, awarded by the Fil-Am Coalition as Outstanding Filipino American Women Award in March 2007 and was recognized for Outstanding Leadership by the Fil-Am Democratic Club of San Mateo County.

With all her achievements and her continued service to the Fil-Am community, Ibarrientos has also tackled her personal life successfully, having been happily married for 44 years and a mother to three successful children and a grandmother to five.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published in January 9, 2009 in Asian Journal Northern California p. B1)