In Carson: Keeping the home traditions alive
By by Doris Benavides reporters@samoanews.com

After a Dec. 6 early liturgy, Fr. Niko Fati Falaniko is greeted by parishioners of all ages. That Sunday he celebrated his 25th priesthood jubilee. [Photo: Doris Benavides]
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Tradition matters in the Samoan community. Which is why, when Malaeloa, a village in American Samoa (about half an hour away from the island's capital Pago Pago), was almost wiped off the planet in the September tsunami that killed more than 150, Edwin and Violina Toilolo traveled from Bellflower, where they currently live, to Malaeloa, their hometown, to assist.

As a high chief, Edwin's presence was needed for cultural ceremonies to honor the dead (which included some of Edwin's family) in the town built with fales, round or oval tent-like houses, with pebble floors, thatched roofs and no walls, supported by posts on the sides.

After their trip, the Toilolos were eager to join their children at home for traditional Christmas festivities, starting with the Dec. 11 Christmas Carols Night at St. Philomena Church where they have been regular members for four years. During that time, the Carson parish has become home to one of the largest Samoan communities in Southern California.


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cap: JUBILEE: After a Dec. 6 early liturgy, Fr. Niko Fati Falaniko is greeted by parishioners of all ages. That Sunday he celebrated his 25th priesthood jubilee.

Photos by Doris Benavides
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Comments to this story (9)
eyeland_chica  wrote:
29 Dec 2009 11:33 AM
Doris Benavides...whoever you are...GET YO FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE PUTTING THEM OUT!! Get enough sleep before going into work because when you don't...wrong info like this one goes out to the public...and believe me it don't look good!!
Vaa T.  wrote:
27 Dec 2009 12:26 AM
this is either a poorly written story or a big scandal. i hope the catholic paper that published this finds out.
Tama Samoa Moni  wrote:
26 Dec 2009 04:17 PM
This news needs to be reviewed again, as Malaeloa is about a mile inland from the nearest ocean. Her fellow cousin the village of Leone was devastated. Second, where in the world is the 150 dead come from, or made up? This story might have some merits but the information is "way off."
Anonymous  wrote:
26 Dec 2009 02:16 PM
Please, don't mislead the readers. Malaeloa is an inland village, and was never affected by the tsunami. There are a lot of villages near the shores, that were damaged by the tsunami and needed help, not Malaeloa. I guarantee you that Malaeloa will never disappear off the planet because of the tsunami. Malaeloa always get flooded when too much rain. Happy New Year everyone.
Anonymous  wrote:
26 Dec 2009 09:26 AM
malo ia oe se...malaeloa is not even close to the ocean.r u talking about malaeloa close to puapua or another malaeloa village somewhere...soifua ia oe ma manuia le tausaga fou.
Sam O.  wrote:
26 Dec 2009 07:58 AM
Wow this story is full of inaccuracies. Don't journalists check their facts beforehand??? I guess as long as it sells it's OK. *rolls eyes*
Teine ole Nu'u  wrote:
26 Dec 2009 05:12 AM

Please STOP! They went to Samoa for a family funeral. Edwin Toilolo's cousin passed away in November 2009 the Tsunami happened on September 29, 2009. Come on now! Malaeloa is far inland. Make up a different story to get popularity or what you call this, but please not the Tsunami 2009. A lot of our people were affected from this tragedy.
G.A.  wrote:
26 Dec 2009 12:04 AM
I think there is a typo error with the village name. Pls Samoanews editor correct the village's name so there is no misunderstanding. Thank you...
Say what???  wrote:
25 Dec 2009 12:39 PM
Are you kidding me???? Malaeloa is far inland and was not affected by the tsunami.
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