By Jurnation Reymundo
On Friday, March 18, 2011, The Filipino-American Law Enforcement Officers Association (FALEO) held its 1st Annual Nick-Tomasito Birco Scholarship & Bryan Tuvera Fellowship Awards Dinner at the Marriott Hotel in San Mateo, California.
FALEO, a non-profit law enforcement association, is comprised of members from various city, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers from throughout California and as far east to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The event was in honor of two Fil-Am San Francisco Police Officers Nick-Tomasito Birco and Bryan Tuvera, and Seattle Police Officer Joselito Barber all who were tragically killed in the line of duty in three separate incidents in 2006.
This was FALEO’s first signature event of 2011 sold out 2 weeks prior. It was an impressive sight to see uniformed law enforcement officers from the San Francisco Police and Sheriff’s Department, BART PD, Pacifica, Salinas and Los Angeles World Airport Police escort the families of the fallen officers into the ballroom as a symbolism of respect and to honor the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. FALEO’s own Color Guard Team opened up the evening with the presentation of “Colors” at the beginning of the event.
Headlining the entertainment for the evening was Filipino comedian Rex Navarrete. Other performers included Filipina soprano Tracy Sarmiento and the Fil-Am Vets Rondalla (2010 recipient of the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Samahang Award).
Approximately 350 guests were in attendance. Those notably in attendance were California State Assemblywoman, Fiona Ma, Philippine Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr., Vice-Mayor of Union City, Jim Navarro, BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey, SFPD Assistant Chief Thomas Shawyer and other command staff from Daly City Police, Berkeley Police Departments. Retired Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Chief Dante Honrico, Assistant Special Agent in Charge IRS Clarissa Balmesada and Director Tom Maruyama, Office of Statewide Operations at California emergency Management.
The recipients of the Nick-Tomasito Birco Scholarship Awards are: Farisha Jalam (City College of San Francisco), Darryl Umale (South Bay Regional Law Enforcement Training Center), and Helen Lau (San Jose State University).
The recipients of the Bryan Tuvera Fellowship Awards are: Kimberly Sylvester (SF CSI), Bradley Bautista (CADOJ), Patrick Mostasisa (Pacifica PD), and Jurnation Reymundo (SF Sheriff's Department).
The recipients of the Perlita Mendoza Becker Humanitarian Award was awarded to Angelita Alves.
Furthermore, FALEO’s interim Executive Board Members and Directors were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from Police Director General and Chief of the PNP, Attorney Raul M. Bacalzo, Ph.D. for establishing the foundation of what FALEO is today.
Recipients of the Bryan Tuvera Fellowship Award also received a Certificate of Recognition from the California Assembly Legislature presented by State Assemblywoman and Speaker pro Tempore Fiona Ma for their exemplary leadership and dedication to academics while continuing to fulfill their law enforcement duties and public service to the people of California.
The event ended with FALEO’s signature “Top 3” raffle prizes being raffled off. 1st place winner won a 51” flat screen plasma television. 2nd place winner won a 42” LED flat screen television and 3rd placed winner won an Apple Ipad. The word is within the community is that FALEO is known for handing out large raffle prizes at all their events.
FALEO wishes to acknowledge the SFPOA, SFPCU, BALEAF and Best Buy Store in San Bruno for their generous support.
Furthermore, FALEO would like to express their appreciation to all associations and those who attended and supported this successful and worthwhile event. The organization is already making preparation for their 2nd Annual Birco Scholarship & Tuvera Fellowship Awards Dinner for next year. For more information, visit FALEO’s website at www.faleo.org for upcoming events and information about the organization.
Photos by Darryl Umale
