The Height of Fun Summer Activities

By: Veronica Leighton

 

All of us know that the end of summer is near, the reason that there are more hectic activities not only in our community but in almost every community in trying to enjoy and savor the beautiful hot summer that we are having and being blessed with for this year.

We grabbed the opportunity to join a Media Tour of the neighboring Green Bay, Wisconsin this month to know more about GB (and their Packers, their dark green and gold, of course), and boy, didn’t we enjoy it to the hilt. Please read our Green Bay tour report on page 5 of this issue. Thanks much to Debbie, Eva, Rachel & Virginia from Geirger & Associates and to Brenda Krainik and Brad Toll of GB CVB for a most wonderful media trip, and in networking with some journalists from other parts of the country, even as far as Canada.

The very interesting Philippine politics and the ultra-strong and determined new president Duterte does not escape our editorialist’s eye, Joe Mauricio. Read about his objective editorial on the impact of Duterte’s pronouncements and actions after only a couple of months in the office. Interestingly, as of deadline, he angrily and strongly pronounced that he will be pulling the Philippines out of the United Nations membership if they keep on criticizing what he is doing in his country as president. As a matter of fact, our very reserved Prof. Bob Boyer (Philippines, pg 33), has a very interesting topic to write about Duterte.

Meanwhile, your Notebook columnist (Elsie SyNiebar, pages 14-15) is sweetly touching on American politics, Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump, and their chosen running-mates for VP.

As I have mentioned, many people are taking advantage of this beautiful summer weather by flying all over (but not like the birds who fly to the south, as they still love to come back to the north to welcome the chilly change of weather, though some actually dread it).

The VT columnists are no different from them as they are also flying all over like those birds…From Girlie Pascual (GMail), Lou Cabalona (Art), Melody Dizon (Unchained Melody), JP Ferrer (Financial Topics), Aeron Lancero (FilAm Eats), Nancy Abiera (On a Bright Side), Mayra Salazar (Social Security), Bob Boyer (Philippines), Victoria Smith (Warrior’s Heart), Lena Remigio (DearAte Lena), Ryan Tejero (Club Presidents), to us, with our summer visits of Tampa Bay, Florida and Green Bay, Wisconsin this summer.

Happy, happy birthday to the August birthday celebrants among VT/CPRTV family, Elsie Sy-Niebar (Aug. 24) and Joe Mauricio (Aug 19). See pictorial birthday page of his surprise party on page 44. We surely had a blast!

With the change of summer weather comes our big annoncement for a great event in the Fall (October 29, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare), the 22nd annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame awards & induction ceremonies, a most prestigious red-carpet gala event in our community.

We will be presenting the 2016 roster of the most deserving awardees in our next September 2016 issue and likewise on CPRTV.

Please come, enjoy, witness and welcome the 2016 batch of high-achieving hall of famers to receive their amazing crystal trophies on October 29, 2016. You may call 773-866-0811 for more information.

Enjoy reading your favorite columnists’ articles & savor the rest of the summer months!

Surprise! Surprise! And wasn’t our co-publisher Joe Mauricio got surprised for his birthday last August 18th held at the new Bay Leaf Restaurant on 3641 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago. Left photo, VT staff & friends greeting the surprised celebrant, clockwise: Lesty Naval, Elsie Sy-Niebar, Joe Mauricio, Chaz Patron, Don Kramer, Jovie Calma, Flor Kramer (back turned), Melody Dizon, Robert Chavez & Veronica. Right photo: The Birthday Boy ready to blow his birthday candles. Happy Birthday, Joe!