By: Veronica Leighton   Chicago’s super-active Fil-Am community has shown its acts of diligence, ingenuities, and performances for the combined months of July and August, with remaining June stories addenda. As can be glimpsed from the photos we are featuring here, they are from the Philippine Independence gala celebration in June, May and June birthday […]

By: Veronica Leighton The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago invited the Chicago Fil-AM leaders for the Launch of the 2027 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour on August 13, 2026, at the Community Room – Seafood City, 5033 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60630. For the first time, the VIP Tour will be held in conjunction […]

By: Veronica Leighton   For two and a half centuries, our American Republic has stood as the crowning achievement of human history, one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time. This country is the home of freedom. This is the land of liberty. And this is a flag that’s the banner of […]

By: Veronica Leighton   I have thought of sharing the speech that I delivered on my 86th pre-birthday party, as my friends and guests really liked it, even some asking for a copy of it. Here it is… “Welcome to my Senior Debut birthday of 86! At this exciting age of 86, I want to […]

By: Veronica Leighton   May month is characterized by blooming flowers specifically my favorite Lily-of-the-Valley, warmer weather for Chicagoans like me, and the cultural celebrations of May Day and Cinco de Mayo. It is also widely known for honoring mothers (Mother’s Day) and military personnel in the US, alongside various agricultural, historical, and cultural festivals. […]

By: Veronica Leighton   What is it in April that makes so many people feeling jubilant, hopeful, refreshed, and inspired? We guess it’s the beauty of April–a welcoming, embracing, and nurturing month. This must be the reason why so many artists, celebrities and philosophers have expressed unforgettable quotes about April. Such as, Mark Twain: ““The […]

By: Veronica Leighton   As May has always been the most beautiful month as our Editorial talks about the wonderful occasions or celebrations or events of Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day, happy to say that this is also my birthday month (May 31st). My umpteenth celebration is something that gives me mixed […]

By: Veronica Leighton   But Full of National Days Here’s wishing our readers a Happy Easter 2025! May the spirit of Easter bring us a feeling of happiness and love for the celebration, renewal, and faith! Our Editorial this month reminisces about the celebration of Easter in the Philippines. Yes, the Philippines has its own […]

By: Veronica Leighton   The VT’s pretty faced columnists with the mighty pens who have been delighting you and giving you joy every month, Top to bottom, L to R: Pastor Nancy Abiera (On A Bright Side); Kayla Tejero (YFA On Campus); Lourdes Mon (Lourdes Insights); Nirmla Johnson (Careless Whispers); Girlie Pascual (G-Mail); Faye Mendiola […]

By: Veronica Leighton   Happy St. Valentine’s Day to all our readers, friends, advertisers and associates on this love month of February. The special day of February 14th celebrates all forms of love—romantic, familial, and platonic—not just romance. Although being termed as a “commercialized celebration,” research suggests that celebrating Valentine’s Day can have positive effects […]

By: Veronica Leighton   Saying goodbye, particularly to an old year, is always hard to muster, and welcoming the new year is always an exciting thing to do. Here we are, bright and early, delightfully looking forward to the new year, resolving so many things to do until the finish line, and be triumphant and […]

By: Veronica Leighton   Contrary to what others say about the end of the year as some kind of a breath of fresh air, the most relaxing time of their life, that it’s just like a breeze to them, but to me, I look at it with bitter-sweet feelings, with all the sweet memories gone […]

By: Veronica Leighton   We are observing this month of September two very important impactful events that happened in this country that have made indelible marks in history forever, These are the historical Labor Day (see Editorial on this page) and the 9/11 World Trade Center New York attack (23 years today, Never Forget). God […]