Some Enchanted Evening

By: Veronica Leighton

 

Our 19th annual Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame fundraising gala event reminded me so much of one of my favorite songs while growing up, “Some Enchanted Evening” by Perry Como from the hitmovie of that decade, “South Pacific.” Not that I saw a stranger across the crowded ballroom…what I saw were enchanting familiar and unfamiliar faces but all happy faces. What a night of enchantment that HOF gala night as you can read in some of the columnists’ pages in this issue, particularly some comments/ remarks from the awardees and staff themselves in Veronica’s Vibes on page 5 and from Elsie Sy-Niebar’s column on page 14, the recipient of our most-awaited annual surprise award for VT/CPRTV staffers. After the guests’ hearty toasts in honor of the awardees, two special trophy awards were given to the following recipients, Nick Vera Perez as the Personality of the Year 2014 for being the most popular person (he had the most number of guests and advertisers) and the winner of the VT cover January 2014 issue and a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, and a Posthumous award given to our first awardee in Entertainment award in 1994, Ms. Roski Fernandez, who passed away a couple of years ago. A very close friend of mine, Roski requested me to give him a HOF crystal trophy to replace his HOF wooden plaque, when he was still alive and the last time we were together. As promised, I ordered a crystal trophy for him which his sister, Carmen Estacio received and will take to his crematorium in Zamboanga one of these days. From there on, the enchantment of the evening continued from the delighted awardees’ exciting video’ed speeches while receiving their crystal trophies handed by the Secretary of State Jesse White, myself, Maya Leighton and Jovie Calma. The two huge screens inside the ballroom projected all the activities for everyone to see. Thanks much to the hotel’s AV techs who handled all the tech aspects professionally. Adding more enchantment to the evening’s festivities were the attendance of some luminaries headed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, who spoke briefly about his heartwarming support for the victims of super-storm Yolanda in the Philippines, the Filipinos’ favorite government person, the SOS Jesse White, and the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., who served as the evening’s guest speaker and likewise the recipient of the International Award in Public Service and the VIA Man of the Year. Together with the VIAWoman of the Year, Ms. Vernie Velarde-Morales, every Filipino in the audience felt proud to be a Filipino as these two special representatives of our mother country walked around the ballroom preceded by CPRTV’s Philippine flag waver, young and handsome Kyle, as Jovie Calma was singing a heart-rending “Ako Ay Pilipino” song. Lest we forget, this space is not enough for the needed thank you’s and words of appreciation to our 2013 hall of fame inductees, some of whom came all the way from far outlying states of Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, California, and Washington, D.C., these are the people who make America a greater country as successful immigrants of this country. Their awards photospreads on pages 40 and 41. To our hardworking VT/CPRTV staffers who are always there in support of my various activities, Girlie Pascual, emcee, Jovie Calma, coordinator, Ryan Tejero, asst. coordinator, James dela Cruz, and all committee members who worked hard, most especially my irog, Joe Mauricio. To the most talented Lou Cabalona for coordinating instantaneously the rendition of “We Are The World” by the VT/CPRTV Chorale. For this year’s sponsors, thanks much for your generous hearts…Blue Cross Blue Shield, Emir Abinion of Fox Vallley, Crystal Windows, Ms. Lourdes Livas, Mr. Dave Pauldine of DeVry University, and Mr. Sidney Lee of Golden Country. This annual fundraising project’s purpose of supporting and sustaining the oldest, most consistent and most visible broadcast media in Chicagoland, the Chicago Philippine Reports TV (CPRTV, on its 31st year anniversary), also always shares its blessings and generosity with other charitable causes through the years. This year’s other recipients are the Northwestern Institute of Health & Technology and the victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Philippines (to be donated to the Word of Grace Church). The halo-halo bar, opened after dinner, was a big hit for those lucky enough who had a chance to partake it together with the cans of coconut water and 3 Horses Jasmine Rice, courtesy by the Golden Country The enchantment of the evening continued until one o’clock in the morning with the wonderful danceable music of D’Ladies Choice Band headed by Andy Sian and Edison Dayao, with talented songstress Chaz Patron. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! Merry Christmas, Maligayang Pasko to all our readers, advertisers and friends! ##

Veronica waving at the HOF awardees and guests at the recent gala event.