SAN FRANCISCO, California, United States?Filipino American community
organizer Al Perez was appointed San Francisco Entertainment Commissioner by Mayor Gavin Newsom in December 2009.
"I am honored to be selected by Mayor Newsom to serve on the neighborhood seat of the Entertainment Commission and be an advocate for the concerns of the neighborhood residents," said Perez.
"This city is world-famous for its diverse local culture, festivals, parades, community events, and lively night time entertainment. I am looking forward to serving our great city to ensure that the quality of life of neighborhood residents is respected as we continue to make San Francisco a dynamic and exciting place to live, work, and play," he said.
The seven-member San Francisco Entertainment Commission has the powers and duties to accept, review, and gather information to conduct hearings for entertainment-related permit applications. It oversees the development of the city's vital and vibrant entertainment industry.
"Al is a bright individual who has a solid grasp on what's important to the City," said Jason Chan, former mayor's liaison to the commissions. "With his positive impact on the Entertainment Commission, this world-class city will continue to have world-class
entertainment."
Perez has been actively serving the Filipino American and the Asian Pacific American communities for the last eight years. As president of the Filipino American Arts Exposition, Perez leads a team of community leaders, stakeholders and volunteers to organize the annual Pistahan Parade and Festival at the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. He also partners with local professional sports franchises, including the
S.F. Giants, Oakland Raiders, Golden State Warriors, San Jose Earthquakes, and Sacramento Kings to organize a series of Filipino Heritage Nights to celebrate Filipino culture and heritage.
He has organized fundraising events to benefit the victims of the Leyte landslide and Ondoy/Pepeng typhoon disasters in the Philippines.
Serving on the Board of the Filipina Women's Network, Perez is a member of San Francisco Hep B Free Project, a citywide campaign to provide awareness to the Asian and Pacific Islander community about hepatitis B and to eradicate this disease in San Francisco. He is also a member of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee and San Francisco-Shanghai Sister City Committee.

