VIA Times – June 2019 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Lou Maningas Cabalona
The biggest and most star-studded Philippine Festival in the Midwest, a fun fact filled lecture on National Hero of the Philippines and an intimate reception in celebration of the 121st Anniversary of Philippine Independence. There’s always a lot of good things going on in the community this month in celebration of our “Araw Ng Kalayaan” (Independence Day) on June 12. Here are some highlights this month:
June 7, 2019 – Filipino actress Megan Young met fans for a quick meet and greet at Seafood City Chicago. She was crowned Miss World in 2013 and is the first and the only Filipina to have won the title. Megan answered a few questions from the press and invited the audience to Piyesta Pinoy 2019
June 8, 2019 – For the 6th year in a row the community comes together in June for Piyesta Pinoy led by the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF). Pictured below are some of the performers of Zarsuela, Filipino folk songs and dances weaved into a musical play during their final rehearsals. This was presented at during the Cultural show from 11am to 1pm with participating groups PACF Performing Arts, Kulturo, Circa Pintig, Silayan Choir, BIBBAK, CARE, PASAC, FIA Cultural, Lane Tech Kapamilya, SamaSama Project and many others. Directed by Alpha Nicolasin
Piyesta Pinoy’s afternoon Variety Show showcased Chicago’s top entertainers and up and coming artists including LucidBlur, Barkadaz, Katipunan Martial Arts Collaboration, Singers MJ Sumila, James and Janae Agena, Comedian Dahlia Jane Ilada. Chris Rivera the Angry Piano, Lenny San Jose aka Ukulenny from California and Louella Rose and Baron Cabalona of SamaSama Project hangout backstage during the break
Hilford Bacala, Fr. Sunny Castillo and Jay Espano serenaded Celebrity Guest Megan Young during the Celebrity Hour.
Various Not for Profit organizations setup tables in the Visayas Tent to promote their advocacies. FYLPRO represented by Joshua Ang Price, Dr. Melissa Palma and Baron Cabalona alumni from Batch 7 (2018) and Louella Cabalona (2012) encouraged the Filipino Community to fill out the Chicago Asian Health Survey to help increase Filipino American representation in the US Census. Participants who complete the survey receive $25 cash. Survey is still ongoing. Email melissa.l.palma@gmail.com to participate
June 12, 2019 – Consul General Gina Jamoralin invited key leaders of Filipino American Community in the Midwest as well as government leaders, business leaders and members of the Chicago Consular Corps to a Breakfast Reception in celebration of the 121th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Philippines. (Top, fr L to R) Jan Rosell of the FAAWIS in Wisconsin, Marlon Alfano and Marife Cabaluna Callender from Indiana, ConGen Gina Jamoralin, Louella Cabalona and Janette Weiss. (Bottom) Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) poses dramatically “teleserye” (soap opera) style. Surrounding the Consul General (center) are (fr L to R) Baron and Louella Cabalona, Marjorie Baltazar, Abbey Eusebio, Jan Paul Ferrer and Mark Calaguas.
Got to hang out with Miss World 2013 Megan Young before hitting the stage and found out a few interesting facts you’ll want to know. Watch out for my interview with Megan in the next issue; (Right) Megan sings “Oo” by Up Dharma Down for the fans and audiences who sat through the Celebrity Hour despite some unexpected drizzle (Credits: Mark-us Morales)
June 11, 2019 – Renowned Filipino Historian Ambeth Ocampo conducts a very interesting lecture on “Rizal: The Hero As A Traveler” presenting candid pictures, artworks, letters and other artifacts no one will ever find in history books to give insight to the National Hero’s more human, sometimes humorous, side. Ocampo who received a Certificate of Appreciation from Consul General Gina Jamoralin at the end of the program, shares that in showing this side of Rizal everybody can find in himself the capacity to become a hero for the nation.
(Left) Paul Balan as Illinois based painter and sculptor shows Louella and Baron Cabalona a print of his painting entitled “Bandila Ng Bayan”. (Right) Operatic Tenor Rodell Rosel sang the US National Anthem and entertained guests with his version of Nais Ko during the reception.
Community leaders from Illinois present include (Top – clockwise from top left) Jan Paul Ferrer, Louella Cabalona, ConGen Gina Jamoralin, Evelyn Natividad, Bryan Ranchero, Ruben Salazar, Almira Gilles, Baron Cabalona and Everett Icao. (Bottom) Joe Mauricio (2nd from left) with officers of Illinois-Davao based company Gr8 Seas Holding, Inc Bob Jeter, Goran Ilijevski and Ramon Pacheco.
