VIA Times – December 2015 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Jovie Calma
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the kids jingle-belling and everyone telling you “be of good cheer,” it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it’s the happiest season of all with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call, it’s the happiest season of all! Like how the song goes, the holiday excitement is in the air! The holiday season tickles everyone with all the festivities to come.
This is also the time of the year when we all have to reflect on what we have done for the past year and looking forward for what’s in store for the New Year. Christmas is a time of giving. Giving a gift to others is a good thing, but it points to a deeper meaning. We will not find this deeper meaning under the Christmas tree, but it is not a bad place to start. The deepest meaning, however, is found in the loving heart. At its best, Christmas is a mirror in which we see reflection of the very best life can be and the best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped in each other. Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and really, the best time of the year. It’s God’s way of reaching His world and His creatures with the good news that life could be different from what we have made it. It is God’s way of giving us, His creatures, the gift that keeps on giving- Jesus Christ. This month, allow me to share with you once again the bountiful blessings that God has showered for Wassup?! Jovie Calma Live in Chicago for VIA Times Newsmagazine and Chicago Philippine Reports TV this year.
In January 2015, we shared the smashing success of Live Out Loud Annual Charity Fundraisers held at Schaumburg Hotel and Conference Center and The Castle. Live Out Loud Charity (LOLC) is a non- profit organization focused on suicide awareness and prevention through core character development. I’m grateful and honored to be invited as a Celebrity Performer in line with my recent appointment as the new Spokesperson for Live Out Loud Charity joining the phenomenal team who are advocates for anti-bullying campaign and suicide prevention. Suicide has touched my life and has forever stolen a piece of my heart and soul. I know the pain and what a big hole it leaves.
The heat was on in Miami last February! Thousands of beauty pageant enthusiasts trooped to Doral, Florida to witness the prestigious Miss Universe 2014! 88 beautiful candidates from all over the world shared their beauty, grace and wit representing their home countries and territories. They all vowed to win the coveted crown at the 63rd Miss Universe 2014 held on January 25, 2014 in Florida International University. Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE of VIA Times and CPRTV had the privilege in covering the Press Junket at the Miss Universe and the Preliminary Competition. Holidays are particularly festive and Chinese Lunar New Year is undoubtedly one of the biggest. Chinese Mutual Aid Association celebrates its cultural traditions on February 21, 2015 at Truman College, which we showcased in March. There were over 400 community members, elected officials and dignitaries who came out to this community celebration of Year of the Sheep!
In April, we showcased the City of Miami Beach for the celebration of the 100th year anniversary with its white sands and azure waters as a stunning backdrop to its centennial weeklong celebration. It was culminated with iconic music festivals and 100 hours of exciting events on March 22-26, 2015. It was a celebration on a scale that our world famous destination has never witnessed before. It was indeed a 100-hour non-stop celebration, which included performances by some of the world’s leading artists in the likes of Andrea Boccelli, Barry Gibb and Gloria Stefan. They headlined in Hard Rock Rising Miami Beach 2015 concert with a crowd of about 16,000. It was also a week where electronic music enthusiasts from all over the world flocked to Miami for the 30th Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival. Miami Music Week and Miami Open transpired simultaneously in the same week. You can only imagine the whole week stretch of festivities at one of the world’s most popular and celebrated beaches in the world.
May was dedicated to all the phenomenal women, most especially Moms! In celebration of International Women’s History Month last March, I am incredibly honored, humbled, and boundlessly grateful to have been inducted in the roster of 2015 Circle of Empowered Women of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Illinois. In light with this, we honored and celebrated the empowered WOWMOM that have brought our existence to this world right in time for the celebration of Mother’s Day.
In June, we shared the wonderful achievement of the international performing artist and my kumare, Rachelle Ann Go, who dreamed a dream and finally it came true as she portrayed the major role of Fantine in the 30th Anniversary staging of Les Miserables in London.
Honoring philanthropy in unforgettable fashion, Marco Foster’s 5th Annual White Party painted the town white hot in July. Chicago altruist and entrepreneur, Marco Foster, invited guests to an evening of premium food and drink from Untitled, energetic music, creative performances, and sizzling summertime fashion, all benefiting One Hope United, a not-for-profit organization that aids foster children, protects them from child abuse or neglect, strengthens their families, and prepares children for a prosperous future. It was a huge success!
In August, we celebrated my boys, Rovic’s 7th Birthday and Alric’s Graduation Party with the witty and funny Southpaw from the Chicago White Sox who made an appearance as a guest of honor. It was EPIC! The Bang Bang Project Exhibition Tour was announced in September. “Enough of Racism! Enough of Police Brutality!
The Bang Bang Project! Hold those who serve and protect us to their highest accountability. Paint and brushes is my weapon. The canvas tells my story.” These were the words from the known international visual artist, Cesar Conde who’s debuted The Bang Bang Project Exhibition Tour on November 20, 2015. Red Bull Flying Bach was a breathtaking success in October. Chicagoans trooped to the historic Chicago Theater to experience the spectacle of Red Bull Flying Bach where the worlds of classical music and urban dance collided.
Red Bull Flying Bach is an internationally acclaimed show that marries the high culture of classical music and the urban art of breakdancing, where the fourtime world champion breakdance crew, Flying Steps fused with the masterpieces of legendary 18th century composer John Sebastian Bach. Flying Steps and opera director, Christoph Hagel have joined forces as they took Bach’s “The Well-Tempered Clavier” and paired it with electronic beats and jaw-dropping dance moves.
November was a month to remember as I proudly shared that I’m a U.S. Navy Mom! My big guy, Alric was inducted to the U.S. Armed Forces as a Navy Sailor. I’m extremely proud of him!
How time flies now that the end of 2015 is upon our doorstep. It has been a rollercoaster experience and some are ready to get off the ride. For many of us, the holiday season is a time that is anticipated with both joy and anxiety. Sure, we love the celebrations, the family traditions, and we cherish the memories of holidays gone by; but along with them, we add the stresses of preparation, expectations and the fear of letdowns, or family squabbles that we have experienced in the past. And, this year, the stress and anxiety level is likely to be amplified.
With this in mind, we have to know what’s the true meaning of Christmas. It is the celebration of love, generosity, benevolence, kindness, brotherhood, and familial bonding, and the celebration of the joy, peace, and security that those things promote. The true meaning of Christmas — according to this way of thinking — is a kind of Hallmark sentimentality about a world where there is no strife, no anger, no hatred, and no criticism; a world in which there is no warfare in any of its forms. It is indeed a preparation. Preparing for Christmas means preparing for LOVE…to love more…more powerful… powerful enough to forgive all and to fully absorb forgiveness from all as well.
On a side note, special birthday wishes to Tito Aris Topacio (Dec.1), Tita Haidee Angeles (Dec. 4), James DC (Dec. 13), Michelle Ola (Dec. 20), and to my Dad Ricky Calma (Dec. 28). I love you, Dad! Congratulations to a colleague and great friend of mine, Ryan Tejero, as the newlyelected President of UP Alumni Association of Greater Chicago. I’m proud of you!
To all VIA Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! Have a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous 2016! God Bless Us All!
VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma had a blast celebrating her aunt, Haidee Angeles 53rd Birthday at Round1!
Breakfast with Santa!
VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma had a fair share of candies with son Rovic and his fellow Cub Scouts and best friends, Joseph and Jonathan Basile. Taken at Sugar Factory.
