From The Readers

FilAm in Niles Running for Library Board

Hi VIA Times Team, My name is Mike Movido, and I am a first-generation Filipino- American from Chicago. I moved from Chicago to the nearby suburb of Niles, where I have decided to run for a Trustee position on the Niles- Maine District Library Board.

Although Niles is home to a significant Filipino population and several prominent Filipino-owned businesses, I am the only Filipino candidate on the ballot in April and would be the first Filipino Trustee on the Library Board. I want to provide much-needed representation for our community on the library board. The current library board has made local and national headlines for their efforts to dismantle our award-winning library, including slashing budgets and funding and pushing many valued staff members to resign in the midst of a hiring freeze.

As the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.” My wife and I don’t have a village to help with raising our two young boys. The library has become our village. It’s like our second home. The library staff love my sons, and my sons love them. I’m running to protect my village.

In the spirit of Bayanihan, I am asking you to consider endorsing me and helping me mobilize the Filipino vote in my District. I would be happy to discuss my campaign further with your team.

Thank you, Mike Movido

votemikemovido.com

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Interview Opportunity Request – Filipina International Best-Selling Author in Chicago

Hello, I have been a reader of Via-Times since I was a little girl, and I actually was featured in a 1991 issue as a Calendar Girl, representing Chicagoland’s up and coming accomplished Filipinas.

I am now a successful professional and entrepreneur, and with the recent win of R’Bonney Gabriel as Miss Universe 2023, it is the perfect time for Filipina women to shine!

Although I was born and raised in the Chicago area, I have experienced the negative impact of racism, discrimination and Imposter Syndrome, which contributed to some of my failures growing up and being in corporate America as a Filipina. There were times when I knew I should have spoken up, but thought that no one will listen to me anyway, so why bother. We face Imposter Syndrome when we feel we can’t compete with others, compare ourselves to others, and lose our self-confidence, despite our achievements.

After facing many challenges, I finally found my voice. I was able to break through the negative thinking and become the successful and achieved woman I am today. My goal is to empower and inspire all women to overcome Imposter Syndrome with my passion and influence. I feel your readers and viewers will resonate with my message, and would make an impact to the Filipino community.

I am an IT Project Manager, but I am also an award-winning Motivational Speaker, International Best-Selling Author, Mindset and Public Speaking Coach. Along with other amazing women, I co-authored two books, Inspiring Women Professionals Who Boss Up, where my chapter speaks about my career challenges and how I overcame them, and Dream Big, Do Bigger, where I speak on how limiting beliefs (cultural or from experience) contribute to holding us back in pursuing big dreams or achieving success. I draw on personal experiences as an Asian American born and raised in the US. It’s great conversation to bring awareness to the topic.

I would love the opportunity to be interviewed in person on Chicago Philippine Reports TV, as I feel now is the critical time to bring awareness of Imposter Syndrome to the Filipino community and empower everyone to go for their dreams, as R’Bonney did.

Please let me know who I can work with at Via-Times. My bio is below. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Bio: Gail helps inspire and empower women who lost confidence or feel unworthy from failure and self-doubt learn how to regain their confidence through self-discovery and overcome imposter syndrome so they can take controllable action, redefine their success and become Warriors with a Purpose. Connect with Gail on LinkedIn, Facebook, Clubhouse and www.gailmeriel. com to learn how she can help you in your journey to redefine YOUR Success. Gail lives in the Chicago area with her husband Joe and golden retriever Cubby. Her greatest accomplishment is her son Ryne, to whom she is building her legacy.

Gail Meriel www.gailmeriel.com