Dear FAC3 Members, Sponsors and Partners:
It is with great humility and honor that I take on the role of Founding President of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos — the FAC3. Serving this dynamic, vibrant and hardworking FilAm business community is something I am deeply passionate about because without this community, I wouldn’t be here today.
Growing up, my step-father was a successful real estate agent based in Cerritos. Through his hard work, he was able to provide a great life for his children, full of opportunities. I was able to attend college, graduate and eventually find myself at the helm of my own company. In short, I was blessed and it’s in this gratitude that I find the drive to give back.
FAC3 certainly comes to life at the most unique of times. Having been a leader in the community during the Pre-COVID19 times, it had already become apparent that all chambers and associations were generally facing a membership problem — networking organizations were losing their relevance in an increasingly digitally connected world, especially among the younger tech-savvy professionals. But experienced networkers know that there is no substitute for the type of communication that can be only be gleaned in-person — the power of a firm handshake and authentic smile. So, the beginnings of a modernization effort to solve this dilemma took shape.
And then COVID19 hit us — HARD.
As expected, many organizations struggled to adapt and affect what basically amounted to an abrupt “culture change.” And while others were able to pivot adequately enough, such a shocking and monumental shift takes time to propagate through an organization’s established culture. This is where FAC3 really differentiates and seizes on this opportunity of getting its start now. Establishing a foundational thinking, borne out of these COVID-era circumstances, allows the organization to operate and develop in ways that aim to marry the positive aspects of the “old ways” with the technological advantages of the “new”.
What does that mean? Well, without intending to offend anyone, it means that FAC3 isn’t “your tita’s and tito’s old chamber.” And I mean that with no disrespect at all because we value and respect the contributions and structures our mentors created. However, it’s our responsibility now as the up-and-coming generation to continue to elevate upon what they built.
With that, I promise to lead and build this organization with an eye to the future — a future that will never be just like things were, but certainly better off than we are. With newly honed skills and wider perspective, our community can rely on FAC3 to provide the valuable informational and functional resources needed to stay on the cutting-edge, facilitate and foster a “relationship based” approach to doing business and supporting one another to create a culture of empowerment in our community, and to serve as the commonplace where “doers” and the “dreamers” can connect and collaborate to really show the world the best of who we are.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Bautista
Founding President, FAC3
