Notebook

elsie sy-niebar

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*HAPPY EASTER to All! The Day of Christ’s Resurrection
*PHILIPPINE CONSULATE General celebrates 75th Bataan Day
*WHO OWNS THE CHICAGO FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER, NOW??? Does FACC President Crisostomo have the legal right to make changes without consulting the Community?
*A BLESS-FULL HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Sister, Vilma! From this columnist

AVERY HAPPY EASTER TO ALL, Christians or non-Christians who believe there is ONE GOD ALMIGHTY who come by different names. And those who have “Faith: being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN CHICAGO, in cooperation with the MAYWOOD BATAAN DAY ORGANIZATION (MBDO) and the FILIPINO AMERICAN VETERANS Post 509, celebrated the 77th Bataan Day Commemoration which marked one of the saddest and deadliest time in World War II in the Philippines. Under the leadership of Philippine Consul General DG Calonge, the group held a morning ceremony at the Bataan Corregidor Memorial Bridge on State and Wacker Drive. Award ceremonies and reception was held at the Philippine Consulate on 122 South Michigan Avenue.

Invocation was given by Nestor Policarpio. The guest Speaker, following the ConGen’s welcome remark was Col. Mark Jackson, assistant Adjutant General-Army. His message focused on the Congressional Gold Medal Act 2015 for Filipino Veterans. Proclamations from various government offices were read by the following representatives: Lisa Kohnke, Mayor’s Office; Thomas Choi, Governor’s Office; and Greetings from US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, by Abbey Eusebio. During the Awarding of Medals, American Veteran Major Edwin H. Walker IV, (USMC) (ret), from the Maywood Bataan Day Organization, delivered his greetings . Recipients of Commemorative Medals and Certificate of Recognition were Fil-Am Vets Emil Garcera and Dominador Ramirez, of Fil- American Legion Post 509. Garcera also delivered a brief remark. Awarding of Commemorative Medals and Certificate of Recognition to FilAm Veterans; Copies of Proclamations and Letter/ Greeting were also presented to veterans. Event coordinator are Anna Liza Alcantara, Cultural and Visa Coordinator, and Jovencio Agus. Deputy Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., was Master of Ceremonies. Sean Conejos coordinated the display of the Bataan Historic Presentation, with Rose San Diego, past president Chicago Nightingales, assisting.

I just received an Invitation to the UNVEILING OF THE PORTRAIT of former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, on Monday, May 8, at 1:30 pm. at the The Hall of Governors in the state Capitol in Springfield, followed by a reception at the Halls of Flags, Howlett Bldg. Another reception will be held the next day in Chicago, on Tuesday, May 9, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Connie’s Pizza, 2373 S. Archer, Chicago. The Hall of Governors in Springfield contains portraits of every Illinois governor, including Gov. George Ryan, in spite of his serving a short jail term. Sadly, due to his impeachment and conviction, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich photo was not included. According to information obtained, “due to his impeachment and conviction, Gov. Blagojevich lost his right to a publicly-funded portrait.”

Meanwhile, a very reliable source from the former governor Quinn’s office told this columnist that ”Gov. Quinn’s portrait will be the first non-funded portrait by the taxpayers. He believes that the taxpayers do not have to foot the bill for this. The former governor personally paid the expenses, plus some donations from friends.” To RSVP to any of these two venues, email to PQportrait@gmail.com or call (312) 505-2015.

WHO NOW OWNS THE RIZAL CENTER, HOME of the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO or the famous FACC?

These are some of the sack-full of questions I have been receiving these past three months about the fate of the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO at 1332 West Irving Park Road, our “City Hall” in Chicago.” The Landmark of the Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the Windy City. The building where the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and his son, the past Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, and several other politicians, including politicians from the Philippines.

Today, the name FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO is gone. The Center is no longer open to everyone. The Key to the Center is in the hands of a certain Elaine Lehman, supposedly appointed by the current FACC president Dr. Rufino Crisostomo as the Executive Director (Crisostomo did not respond to my previous email). Lehman, I was told, even delegated her husband. Ari Lehman as “janitor” of the building.

All the personal stuff of Atty. Alfonso Bascos (has been undergoing treatment) who once upon a time “burned the mortgage” when he was FACC President for several terms, who stood by against many unholy winds blowing hard against him to save the FACC – were “dumped into garbage bags.” But when Atty. Bascos’ daughter came to haul them out, they were not allowed inside the Rizal Center, once upon a time their “Home,” where they served and joined in the programs.

A long-time devotee of the Virgen Mary which, for many years occupied a room for religious worship, especially for the seniors who are having a difficult time going to far churches, told me: “Even our Mama Mary (“Mother Mary”) the Virgin, is thrown at a corner because the new director said religion is against the taxexempt status of the FACC. I am a retired professional. I know that religious institutions are taxexempt.” How far gone is the power of FACC president Crisostomo today? Even Trump can’t do to the White House what Crisostomo is doing to our “Filipino White House.” Oh well, let’s see what happens…

A long-time volunteer at the Rizal Center, allegedly said: “Now that the Crisostomo Administration had erased the FACC historical name of OUR COMMUNITY BUILDING, makes me think this president now owns the building? When did he buy it? How come nobody knows in our Fil-Am community? This building is our Legacy from our Filipino pioneers who withstood worst discrimination during those Early Times in America?”

Again, I say. Let’s see what happens…In principle, I believe NOBODY can claim ownership of the FACC, a non-profit organization. I could be wrong. I am not a lawyer. This New Governance at the Filipino American Council of Chicago (now deleted by the current administration) could make our FACC Dead Pioneers turn in their graves.

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(1) Bataan Day of Valor at the National WWII Memorial Washington DC remembered: Filipino Americans joined Philippine Embassy staff and local veterans in honoring the sacrifices of 76,000 U.S. and Filipino World War II soldiers after the USAFFE surrender on April 9, 1942 in Bataan. (ACFV photo by Eric Lachica) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_Death_March. (2) Photo shows representatives from various organizations who attendedthe Bataan Day 75th Commemoration held at the Philippine Consulate last April 9. From left to right: Clement Rodriguez, F.D. Roosevelt Post 923 American Legion 923; Consul Gen. Generoso DG Calonge; Emil Garcera,Filipino American Legion Post 509; Dominador Ramirez; -Fil-Am Legion Post 509; Deputy Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr.; Col. Mark Jackson; Asst. Adjutant General, US Army; and Edward Brotonel.

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Representatives, from left — Major Edwin H. Walker IV (USMC) (ret.) Maywood Bataan Day Organization; VAC Cmdr George Mulvaney (USMC); Emil Garcera; Marlou Garcera; Rose San Diego, Chicago Nightingales; and Sean Conejos, senior copywriter & presenter of the display of historical facts and scout outfits at the Philippine Consulate Kalayaan Hall.

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