Woman’s Touch at the Philippine Consulate

By: Veronica Leighton

 

Expressions of “oooh”, “aahh” and “wow” came out uncontrollably from my mouth upon entering the Philippine Consulate’s social hall for the invitation-only diplomatic reception held for the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine independence last June 14th. For a short while, I thought I entered a wrong room.

Who would have thought that the Philippine Consulate’s small office area on the 16th floor of 122 S. Michigan Avenue could be transformed magically just like what I was seeing before my very eyes? The ambiance was just like what you would expect upon entering a five-star hotel. I mean, a step and repeat for photo shoot backdrop, Chicago Angklung and Rondalla Ensemble playing familiar nationalistic music, mini cocktail tables draped in black linens, passed hors d’ouvres by uniformed waiters and waitresses with matching black napkins with tablecloths, interesting bar for drinks manned by handsome and friendly Nelson, a non-Filipino talking proudly of the tempting Tanduay bottles displayed on the bar, and the dining table was rightly situated inside the passport waiting area with uniformed non-Pinoy servers, catered by Isla Pilipina, and delicious offerings of a few Filipino dishes and leche flan and cakes for desserts.

Just upon landing on the 16th floor from the elevator, three pretty girls dressed in beautiful Filipino costumes, greeted us with the sweetest smiles and pleasant greetings, another pretty and native-attired girl at a table near the main doorway to the social hall checked our names and handed us the program, and inside the reception room, we were received graciously in the lineup reception of the new Chicago Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin, Deputy Consul General Victor M. Israel, Jr., Consul Lalunio and Consul Abad, all dressed up in native Philippine attires for the occasion.

In a brief one-on-one with ConGen Jamoralin, I expressed to her my amazement at the “Consulate Magical Transformation,” how she did it, and, of course, the costs of doing it. She emphasized that “it was done in a very limited budget as the Philippine government cannot afford underwriting such a reception in a five-star hotel,” plus (I added), a woman’s creative ideas and touch in the execution of such an affair to remember. On the other hand, through the years since the 1970’s, I have seen the parade of several Philippine Consuls General in Chicago, men and women, but somehow, no one impressed me as much as how Congen Jamoralin impressed me at the Independence reception that I recently attended. It’s just the way I had envisioned a Consular reception should be since my young student days taking up Foreign Service at UP Diliman.

Attended by some of our community and business leaders, representatives from various government agencies (Thomas Choi from Office of Governor, Nettie Lasko from Office of Attorney General, Ms. Sharon Garchitorena from Office of the State Treasurer, and Jordan Miller from Office of Mayor), and members of the Chicago Consular Corps headed by Hon. Patricia M. Pittsford, Consul General of El Salvador and Dean of Consular Corps (a toast after ConGen Jamoralin’s remarks was started by Hon. Susana A. Mendoza, State of Illinois Comptroller, and Hon. Patricia Pittsford). Guest speaker from the Philippines is Hon. Virgilio S. Almario, Chairperson, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). A video message from IL Governor Bruce Rauner was watched on the TV screen. The singing of the National Anthems by Maria Christina J. Santiago (Philippine Anthem) and Filipino tenor Rodel Rosel (US Anthem) was heart-rending. Emceeing was ably handled by Congen Israel. Patriotic phrase for a theme, Kalayaan 2018: Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan (Change We Fought For, An Offering To An Abundant Future).

PLEASE HELP THESE YOUNG ATHLETES FROM THE PHILIPPINES!!!

The Pilipinas Agilas Team is set to participate and represent the Philippines in 2018 Pinto 8U Coach Pitch International Baseball Classic on July18-22 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois USA. Unfortunatelly, Pony World Series can’t arrange our transportation when we get there. We already have our accommodations. We just need help and assistance for our transportation. It would be a big help for us if you can help us with our transportation. Thank you (Millet Talbon).

Team Pilipinas Agilas, Champions of the 2018 PTBFI (PONY) Baseball Tournament, earned the right to represent the Philippines and compete in the PONY 8-Under International Baseball Classic World Series Tournament in Mt. Vernon, Illinois from July 15 to July 23, 2018. The team will be headed by baseball program director Luke Bernardo and head coach Jonas Ponce. Any form of sponsorship in cash or in kind will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Bernardoluke12@gmail.com and/or fayemendiola@att.net for the details.