Flashing Parties in July

By: Veronica Leighton

 

In mid-July, we’ve realized that we have already done a lot of summer partying, attending, participating and observing of different special occasions in this very, very busy community of ours. Done and gone from our calendar of events are the Philippine Independence Week Committee celebration, the July 4th American Independence Day, the Santacruzan festivals in many churches, Dr. Jose Rizal’s birthday celebration by the Knights of Rizal & other Rizalista groups, Pyesta Pinoy in Bolingbrook and many other Filipino fiestas all over, many graduation parties, weddings, anniversaries. birthday parties, baptisms, reunions, concerts and fashion shows that have been filling up the pages of our very popular newsmagazine these days.

And, lately, the many farewell parties that are being tendered by his many friends and several organizations in honor of our beloved Consul General Generoso Calonge, who is leaving his Chicago post in August after a memorable two-year term of office. It was a quiet, brief stint for ConGen Calonge, and we surely will miss this very impressive gentleman.

In the midst of all these parties and celebrations, it came as a jolt for us to realize that summer will be ending soon, then comes fall, and the dreaded winter season. Don’t we love the excitement of the four seasons?

Sweet reminiscences of this spring/summer are the memorable visits of good friends, such as, Ms. Thelma Dumpit and her family from the Philippines. Thelma is the former anchorwoman of CPRTV that preceded Maria Girlie Pascual. And the visit of another old friend who now lives in Arizona, Ms. Lirio Arkoncel-Sevilla. Lily or Lilot, as I fondly call her, was Miss Mindanao 1963 (of Miss Philippines/Miss Universe Beauty Pageant and former Bayanihan dancer). We were also co-workers at the old Ace-Compton Advertising in Ayala, Makati. Another visiting BFF was from Las Vegas, also a former Chicagoan, Rose Tosino and her husband, Max. Believe it or not, they had to have a taste of a Chicago Casino so to Rivers Casino we went for a luncheon and for Max to play the machines. Wow! Speaking of flashbacks of sweet memories with these special people in my life. Surely, I did not let these ladies go without appearing on CPRTV for an exclusive interview, to keep the memories of the visit intact and on the air. See page 20 for CPRTV interviews.

Nominations for the most deserving awardees are coming in for the most-awaited and most prestigious 23rd Annual Awards Gala Event of the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame 2017 to be held on Oct. 14, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Please mark your calendar & call us for ticket reservations at 773-866-0811 or call or text or PM any of these VT/CPRTV staff.

Enjoy our July cover features, the PIWC 2017 beauty queens with a nice article written by Elsie Sy Niebar on pages 40-41. Hailed as a very successful community event last June, big congratulations go to the Overall Chairperson 2017, Lourdes Livas. Also enjoy reading, as usual, Elsie’s Notebook column on pages 14-15.

Another two-page pictorial that will bring you a feeling of delight is Chaz and Jhun Patron’s 15th wedding anniversary celebration on pages 38-39.

Special thanks to the Cadillac Palace Theatre, especially to Kailey for the media invite (and great seats in the orchestra) to the much talked-about show in town, Disney’s Aladdin. Truly enjoyed the show with grandkids Maya & Christian with their Mom Christy Leighton. We recommend for everyone to see this wonderful show, children or no children.

You will enjoy reading the summery reads of your favorite columnists in this beautiful July 2017 issue. Wishing our readers and advertisers a wide-range of enjoyment for the rest of summer months! ##

Veronica with grandkids Christian and Maya and their Mom Christy in front of the Cadillac Palace Theatre Chicago to warch the phenomenal stage play of Disney’s Aladdin;

The marquee sign of Disney’s Aladdin, a Broadway play.