The New and Old FACC’s Philippine Independence Celebrations

By: Veronica Leighton

 

With the community in feverish excitement celebrating the 119th Philippine Independence this month of June (June 12th, to be exact), we wonder how the umbrella organization of the Filipino American Community of Chicago (FACC) is celebrating this special nationalistic occasion. The FACC has been experiencing lately a quagmire of controversies that involve the Old Guards headed by Al Bascos and Jerry Clarito versus the New Guards headed by Dr. Rufino Crisostomo, President and Elaine Lehman, Executive Director.

We must all remember that the FACC belonged to the former four groups of organizations that used to have big independence celebrations, with only two, the PIWC and the offshoot PWC, remaining these days. Although the FACC’s Kasarinlan (meaning independence) cannot be officially called off the list of celebrators as some of its former officers headed by Thelma Bascos and Carmen Estacio quietly tried to celebrate the occasion with punch cocktails and hors d’ouvres after the cancellation of hotel function celebrations.

Our question was answered when we received an email from Mr. Bascos, named “Bascos FACC” as email address, stating the following…

“Hi everyone. this my first dateline scribbling since November 2016. I had been beset with health issues that put me in the confines of home, hospital and rehab facilities. However, I have been venturing beginning just recently. Thank you God.

In an effort not to miss or break the yearly celebration of the June 12`119th Araw ng Kasarinlan ( Philippine independence) which was annually celebrated in a more public manner by the Chicago-Filipino patriots, I thought of celebrating the event among friends, and not with all people who usually celebrate with us, in my residence.

In the spirit of the occasion, we did proudly hang the Philippine flag just above the stairway inside our house. Then we did the Bayang Magiliw, Panumnumpa sa Pilipino Flag (Pledge of Allegiance and sang the “Ang Bayan.” This was followed with wine and hors d’oeuvres and unlimited conversations; immediate bondings among old and friends were readily apparent We took pictures to memorialize the occasion.. Everyone had a good time. I have photos of the occasion which are made available to you in installments, due to attachment limits.”

We are publishing here a couple of pictures taken of the occasion.

Meanwhile, we sought the “independence” FACC happenings from Ms. Elaine Lehman, FACC’s new executive director, who replied immediately by sending us this email. (President Dr. Rufino Crisostomo is sick).

“Virtue lies in the middle ground.” – Jose P. Rizal

“Today is the 156th birthday of Philippine national hero JOSE P. RIZAL! His memory is a blessing and a strong presence in us day to day, as we work to revitalize and restore the FACC and our Rizal Community Center.

This endeavor is personally significant to me. In March, we restored the recovered, stolen Jose Rizal bust to its rightful place, overlooking a main thoroughfare and welcoming our communities to the Rizal Community Center. In Seattle, a bust replica gazes over Jose Rizal Park – designed by architect Elaine Latourelle, one of my father’s earliest and dearest friends and after whom I am named. Celebrating the Jose Rizal in us.

Enjoy the day!”

Elaine followed her message with the following updates on the FACC.

“I posted picture of the young men who helped with bust recovery on our Facebook page Rizal Community Center. We presented them with letter of appreciation and reward signed by Alex Gonzales, Chair. Dr. Crisostomo also played an integral role, as he contributed toward the reward funds and directed us to follow through on this endeavor.”

As to other happenings at the Rizal Center?

1. Saturday, July 22. 11 am – 5 pm. USED BOOK SALE For the love of books and the Rizal Community Center

2. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! SHALL WE DANCE? 🙂 ARGENTINE TANGO CLASSES at RIZAL CENTER – Beginning 06/07/17. Wednesday and Thursday! $5, Help Support the Center!

7 pm Beginners and Warm-Up

8 pm, Advanced….

For more information, contact us at facc.rizalcenter@ gmail.com.

When asked about the people who are behind her and helping her in executing her projects, she sent me the list of the new FACC officers…. Alex Gonzales, Chair Rufino F. Crisostomo, MD, Immediate Past Chair Robert Mittenthal, Chair Elect Alfredo Barranco, Vice Chair Estrella Alamar, Corporate Secretary Jay Cabrera, Treasurer Delisay Villalon Advisory Board includes Dr. Virgilio Jonson Art Dilay Dr. Carmen Baldoza- Banes Irene Botuyan There you are, folks! Wishing you all a wonderful month of June with the official start of summer

The FACC’s splinter group headed by former president Alfonso Bascos celebrated the Philippine Independence in his house in Morton Grove with a few friends, as you can read below, from his recent communication entitled “Bascos FACC”.

Pictured on the left are the two young kids, Brandon Gonzales and Nick Degilio, who helped recover the stolen Rizal bust a few months ago, holding the letter of appreciation and reward, given by the new set of FACC officers.

Thanks for the love, to my family, son Bobby, wife Christy, grandkids Maya and Christian, for the birthday treat at D’Agostino’s.

Thanks for the mucho love, Girlie & Melody, for hosting a birthday luncheon fete for my honor at Chef Ping Rolling Meadows, with bffs in picture, Flor Kramer & Dan Gawat. From left, Girlie, Veronica, Joe, Don, Flor, Dan, Thom, Melody & Dino. Love y’all!