Theresa Manejero Joanne Turija Leaders of Filipino Club of Joliet

By: Ryan Tejero

 

There is a new organization in Chicago’s southern suburban city of Joliet. This is the group of young professionals and their families, who formed a club, with the goal of promoting Filipino traditions and engaging second generation Filipino Americans. In October last year, a smaller group of families met to organize a Christmas Party. This marked the humble beginnings of the group, they called – Filipino Club of Joliet. The proposed event was opened to those who share the same interests of mixing friendship, with respect to one another, and embracing the idea of strengthening Filipino traditions and community building.

This first formal event of this group was held on December 30, 2018. It was a well-attended Christmas Party held at the Knight of Columbus Community Center in Joliet. A total of more than 30 families attended the event. Dinner was catered and a variety of Filipino desserts brought in through potluck completed the festive Christmas Party. There were parlor games that surely brought hysteria of joy and laughter that filled the air from both for the young and old participants. Music and dance performances were provided by Kayla Tejero, Abigail Turija and the Divas of Filipino Club of Joliet. Everyone’s name in the party were entered into a raffle drawing. No one left empty-handed but brought home happy memories of a fun-filled Christmas Party.

Theresa Manejero is a Registered Nurse at the Amita St. Joseph Medical Center. She graduated her BSN degree from the Central Philippine University in 1992. She is a native of Leganes, Iloilo in the Philippines. Theresa is married to Noli Manejero, and they have 3 children: Terrence (12), Tristan (10) and Tyler (7). Theresa migrated to the US in 1995, and has been living in Joliet since then.

Joanne Turija is a Registered Nurse at the Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. She graduated her BSN degree from Iloilo Doctors College in 1993. She is a native of Oton, Iloilo. Joanne is married to RJ Turrija, and they have 2 children: RJ (17) and Abigail (15). She migrated to the US in 1995, and has been living in Joliet since 2000.

If you reside in Joliet and its surrounding suburbs, and you are interested to join the group and participate in its summer and holiday events, please contact Theresa Manejero at 815 603 8120 and Joanne Turija at 815 272 3758.

Singers at the Christmas Party – Kayla Tejero and Abigail Turija.

RJ and Joanne Turrija and children Abigail and RJ.

Divas of Filipino Club of Joliet

Nokia and Theresa Manejero and children Terrence, Tristan and Tyler.