Chula Vista Approves Naming a New Park Filipino American Veterans Park in Cota Vera Neighborhood, Chula Vista, California

On October 21, 2025, the council members of the city of Chula Vista approved the resolution to build a new 5.5-acre neighborhood park in the Cota Vera area in Otay Ranch in Chula Vista. Additionally, they unanimously voted to name this park the Filipino American Veterans Park to honor the service and valor of the Filipino American Veterans who served and are still serving in the US Armed Forces. This is the first ever park to have this name in the country to honor the Filipino American Veterans. The park also recognizes the many contributions of the Filipino Americans in the USA in general and in the city of Chula Vista in particular. This is a big win for everybody in the community. Job well done!

The 5-member council is headed by Mayor John McCann who has been advocating for this park and to name it the Filipino American Veterans Park since the inception of this project. The other council members are Deputy Mayor Carolina Chavez, council member Michael Inzunza, council member Cesar Fernandez and council member Jose Preciado.

The Filipino American Veterans Monument will also be constructed in this park. The conceptual design of this monument is a 30-foot by 20-foot concrete platform with 3 segmented walls (separated walls) in the back. The walls symbolize the three major islands in the Philippines— Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The maps of the USA and the Philippines are etched in the middle wall symbolizing the friendship and partnership between the two countries that has started in the early 1900s.  The Filipino American Military Officers Association (FAMOS) is leading the charge to raise funds for the construction of this monument. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have your name engraved on this monument and be part of this history making. Please contact Chief Warrant Officer 4 Oscar Sa. Garcia (USN-Retired) and Oscar.sa.garcia@gmail.com or Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ernie Liwag (USN-Retired) ernieliwag@gmail.com if interested in donating for the construction of the monument.

The city of Chula Vista and the developer have started the plan reviews and will progress in this review until the plans are 100% ready for construction. This review process and plan checks will take a few months. The construction is estimated to take about 2 years to complete.  If everything goes well, the park should be ready for opening and for the community to enjoy in the summer of 2028.
Mabuhay!