Next up was a 13-year-old boy. "Why do you want to change the name?"
This time the crowd cheered.
"We are not changing any name; we just want to have recognition. A simple designation," responded Jornacion, while the other Filipino representatives shifted uncomfortably in their seats. "We are the first to object to segregation. Nothing will change."
"I am offended," said Tom Topping of the Boulevard Sentinel, an online community newspaper. "I have helped with revitalization, and none of us have said that we need a sign with our name on it."
"We resent people coming here and trying to change our borders and not giving us the opportunity to know about it," added an elderly woman, pacing back and forth on the stage like the host of a variety show.
"Are there plans to put a sign up that says 'Welcome to Eagle Rock's Philippine Village' on the freeway?" asked another.
"This is not a landmark," answered the befuddled Jornacion.
"Answer the question!" some in the audience screeched while others booed.
"Everyone please. We aren't miners here. Be civil," said Villasenor, who grabbed the microphone away from the questioner and restated the question.
"Those are rumors. There won't be a [freeway] sign," Jornacion added quickly.
"Why do you want to put a label on yourself?" asked the next person up.
"Let me emphasize. We are not dividing," said Jornacion. "It is a misconception you have in your mind."
"Then drop it."
"What can you do that you cannot do with designation?"
"We can do more. As far as what we are contributing, we have close to 100 businesses."
"Whoopy ding."
About half an hour into the meeting, Lloyd Monserratt, the chief of staff for Councilman Nick Pacheco, went up and tried to allay residents' fears and clear up misconceptions.
"The Filipino group has collected 5,000 signatures," Monserratt began.
"They got them from Manila," yelled a resident.
"Has the Philippine Village made contributions to Pacheco's campaign?" another roisterer shouted.
"Many people in this room have made contributions," Monserratt said limply.
Finally, Monserratt challenged the neighborhood organizations like the Eagle Rock Association and the Chamber of Commerce to meet with the Filipino reps to see if a compromise could be reached by simply putting a sign up at the existing Philippine Village Center.
"This is a challenge for all of you. I know everyone here wants to get along," he said, adding that Pacheco would make a decision by Christmas.
On that note, the Bible-loving middle-aged man stood up and faced the Philippine representatives.
"This will spill over. It is a racial issue. It will be our children fighting in the schools," he warned. "There is a group of people unseen who will provide a wrath unseen before."
"Yah," mouthed another, "the gangs."
—Christine Pelisek
