Dalisay (Dely) Villalon – An alpha Women. Seasoned. Empowered

Embodying the true qualities of a “VIA” (Vision, Insights and Achievements) Woman of the Year, Dely, Daisy or Dalisay Villalon) is a fitting tribute to this highest-acclaimed title for the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Awards. She has demonstrated uncommon, innovative and civic responsibility and has excelled and achieved so much for the encouragement and betterment of the Filipino /Filipino American Community, making her the comunity’s pride, the inspiration the role model to many people.

The eldest of eight children (5 sisters and 2 brothers) of Federico and Librada Manuel of Niugan, Angat, Bulacan, Dely is a registered nurse graduate of Manila Central University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She took up post- graduate studies at the University of Illinois, though she did not get the Master’s degree in Nursing due to family responsibilities. She has worked as Director of Nursing of Nursing Homes and Hospice Group. She worked until she was 78 years old. Dely was married to Dr. Enrique Villalon, Jr. They migrated to US in 1967 and had five children and divorced in 1983, and both of them did not get remarried. Sadly, Dr. Villalon passed away in 2013, followed by her middle daughter, Liberty, who passed away also in 2018 at 46 years old. They have 16 grandchildren. She has been residing in Northbrook, Illinois, since 1983.

This grand lady has been an active participant in various community activities in numerous capacities. Highest positions held in the last 48 years are the following: Vice President of Filipino American Council of Chicago; Board of Director, Asian Human Services; President of Auxiliary to the Philippine Medical Association of Chicago, two times; Vice President of Chicago Medical Society Auxiliary, got elected president but had to resign due to family issues; President of Filipino Professional Civic Alliance; Co-chair, Asian American Coalition Annual Lunar New Year Celebration; Overall chair Philippine Independence Week Committee; member of Board of Trustees Rizal MacArthur Foundation; President of Filipino American Concerned for the Elderly; Executive Vice President, Asian Festival, Inc,; Member, Asian Advisory Council to Major Richard Daley; VP Filipino American Service League; District Senator, Illinois Nurses Association; Chair, Human Rights and Ethics Commission; President, Chicago Philippine Lioness Club, and Lions Club, President Board of Trustees Philippine Independence Week Corp., Board member PNAI. Was Mrs. Philippines of Chicago Philippine Lions Club and Mrs. Chicago of Philippine Independence Week Committee. Currently, she is secretary to the Auxiliary to PMAC, Board of Trustees member of PIWC Corp, and President of Chicago Philippine Lions Club.

Her many awards and recognitions attest to her hard work: Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame VIA Woman the Year 2010, TOFA Awardee (Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad USA and Canada,), Certificate of Appreciation, Rizal MacArthur Foundation 1977; Most Outstanding Filipino of the Midwest 1980, Cavite Association; Outstanding Community Service Award Filipino American Council of Chicago; 1981 and 1989; Outstanding Service Award, NGHIA Sinh International; Outstanding Asian Community Service Award, Asian Coalition of Chicago, 1981; Outstanding Contribution Award 1988 from Directors of Nursing and Administrators Illinois Long Term Council, Leadership and Service Awards from organizations past her presidencies or chairmanships, Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Community Service Award, ViaTimes/CPRTV 1996; National Prism Award for Women of Style and Achievements by PhilUSA Magazine 2003,Certicate of Recognition Circle of Empowered Women of the Midwest, 2004; Outstanding Woman in Leadership, Filipino Woman’s Club of Chicago1992; Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow 3 diamonds. 2017, Outstanding Alumnus MCU College of Nursing Alumni Association 2004. Elegant Woman Award, Fashion in Fashion 2005, Mrs. Philippines of CPLC 2008, High Profile Woman by Fashion in Fashion. Lion of the Year 2009, Lion of the Year 2018-2020. PIWC Presidential Award 2018.

She thanks GOD for all HIS BLESSINGS and extend her deep appreciation to her family, friends and everybody who have been supportive and kind to her and her family all these years

Turning an epic 81 years of age, after sharing her well-endowed traits of beauty, strength, hard work, determination and community sense of empowerment, this Grande Dame of our community is passing on a great legacy, in making this beautiful world a better place to live in.

Happy forthcoming April 19th birthday, Miss Dely, here is wishing you God’s blessings of more happiness, good health, more power, and more energy to you!!!

Dely with her five grandchildren living at home with her who are children of son Ricky, L-R: Erika, April, Liberty Rose, Maymay, and Dad Enrique IV, and Biggy, the family pet.

Dely with her five children, L-R: Liberty, (RIP 2018 at 46 years old), Dolly Rose, youngest daughter, Mom Dely,
Derrick, youngest son, Enrique IV, oldest son, and May Lorraine, oldest daughter.

The GOLDEN LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEES 2022 of Chicago Philippine Lions Club at the Awarding Event held March 11, 2022, organized and chaired by Dely. L-R Dely Villalon, President of CPLC and Chairman of the Golden Life Awards night; Awardees: Evelyn Tolledo, Violy Montoya, Vishnu and Myrna Mahant, Dist. 1A Governor, Gail Anton (Keynote Speaker), Ginalene L opez, Marjorie and Felix Llanes, Dr. Veronica “Vicki” Fertig, Drs. Manuel and Remedios Escalona, and Ella Basilio.