Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) 40th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration Fil-Am Awardees

By: Veronica Leighton

 

Here’s a special message from our Social Security columnist Doug Nguyen who is the Chairperson for the 40th annual celebration of the Asian American Coalition of Chicago 2023.

“Each year, the Asian American Community celebrates the accomplishments of its community and business leaders by hosting the largest Asian Coalition dinner gala at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. The 40th Asian American Coalition Lunar New Year Dinner Gala event will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023. On behalf of the 2023 Asian American Coalition Dinner Banquet Planning Committee, it is our pleasure to invite you and your organization to participate in this year’s Business and Education Forum and evening gala event, which will be at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL 60018.

Over 1,200 Asian Pacific Americans and friends of the Asian American community attend this important and much-awaited event. Over 16 different Asian American communities, including the Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Thai and Vietnamese communities participate in this annual celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Each year, a host community is selected and this year, the Vietnamese American community is hosting the event. This year’s theme is “40 years of United Leadership and Service” The program will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a business and educational forum where university presidents and business leaders will be invited to participate in a forum, followed by a VIP reception, then an exhibition for businesses and community organizations. The opening ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, entertainment, and the much awaited award ceremonies to honor the accomplishments of many Asians, young and old, in the community.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities together constitute the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States and make rich contributions to our society, our economy, and our culture. We invite you to support the Asian American community, help ensure diversity and cultural awareness and enhance your business prospects at the same time.”

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Together with the AACC, we are happy to feature in a pictorial below two endearing celebrations that in essence are interconnected. One, is the surprise birthday party hosted by award-winning author of “Imelda’s Secret” Liza Gino and former Binibining Pilipinas, in honor of her aunt, Norma Contreras, a Chicagoan. Loving Liza flew in from California to execute a wonderful display of love for an aunt, from taking her to beauty sessions to the surprise dinner attended by friends at the Kusina de Manila on January 19th (see photos).

On January 21st, Liza Gino held a successful book signing (award-winning Imelda’s Secret), hosted by co-UP alum and co-owner of Max’s Restaurant Leo Madangit. Liza Gino received a Hall of Fame award given by the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame (VT & CPRTV) as an “Empowered Woman” in 2019. (seee photos below).

Keynote Speaker
Daphne Kwok
Vice President
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion,
Asian American & Pacific Islander
Audience Strategy AARP

Exemplary Community Service
Awardee
Richard Felicelda, President and CEO,
StarLab Corporation –
Filipino American Community

Youth Who Excels
Awardee
Kayla Mendiola, Freshman at Illinois
State University (Nursing) –
Filipino American Community