Happy, Happy Birthday, Angie! And many more BLESS-FUL days to come!

By Elsie Sy-Niebar

Angie Francisco, one of the most familiar faces in the Filipino American Community in Chicagoland, was treated by her groups of friends last February by celebrating her 60- something Birthday! What was most touching was — the celebration was not a one-shot deal like we normally have on our birthday celebrations. Angie’s Birthday celebrations came one after the other in a week’s time! Who among us are lucky like her to have such thoughtful “Friends who love at all times.”–Proverbs 17:17

Ironically, Angie is one person whose enigmatic or mysterious personality “intrigues” some people. Her “quiet” persona is always misunderstood.

I know Angie for over three decades starting when she and her late husband, Ben Francisco, a very nice gentleman, were managing Sally’s Stage, the first largest Filipino American-owned banquet hall, night club and restaurant. Beneath her quiet persona lies a strong, determined, and hard-headed Woman who believes in herself!

When Ben passed away, Angie worked hard as a realtor and other businesses she could put her hands on in order to support their three, then, very young children. As a single-Mom and business woman, Angie was faced with lots of problems, starting from business competitions, friends’ backstabbing, etc.

However, she was able to pass all the life’s tests with flying colors. Today, as a retiree, she gets closer to God, best exemplified by her only daughter Yvette Franciso Vo, a nurse and a role model young Christian, member at Faith Community Presbyterian Church, where Angie is also a member.

Like most independentminded Filipina Woman, Angie is not afraid to speak up when she knows she is right. “If some people don’t like me, so be it,” Angie said. “Only God knows what is in my heart. I will do where He leads me to.”

Well, God is not sleeping. He must have heard Angie when He put her to the PILIPINO AMERICAN SOCIAL SERVICES (PASS) in 2009, the time when PASS, an only Pilipino social services in Chicagoland, was going down, to the extent that some officers even thought about closing it due to financial reasons.

Since Angie took over as Executive Director (and allaround runner), PASS’s annual fundraising events like “Calendar Mom,” which later included, “Calendar Dad and Calendar Grandparents,” were always full-house in attendance!

Another PASS fundraiser project called “Humanitarian Golden Heart Award,” has also reaped successes in terms of visibility and finances. PASS officers, especially Dr. Virgilio Jonson, long-time President and Chairman of the Board, are very thankful to their “Angel Angie” as PASS today is no longer groping for their payments for monthly rental money, utility expensesm etc.

These days, PASS continues to serve the seniors and other less fortunate Filipino and non-Filipino folks through its Food Program….for the seniors’ “Happy Hour,” they play Bingo, rain or shine, on Fridays or Saturdays. Angie overlooks and works ‘till exhaustion, every Friday or some Saturdays on the food program, etc. She attends almost all community parties to promote PASS projects, usually using her own personal money.

“And, yet, I am not spared from false and malicious accusations by some catty Filipinos and detractors, especially from women who have nothing to do. I wish they should come to PASS and help instead, so they can see what’s going on. Everyone here is a volunteer,” Angie snapped in frustrations.

“Honestly, some of my friends are telling me to walk out of PASS. Well, let’s see what happens. Right now, my head is spinning, preparing for our next “Humanitarian Heart” fundraiser. My Big THANK YOU to all the awardees and volunteers.

MY HEARTFELT THANKS to my faithful and loving FRIENDS who helped me celebrate my last Birthday. I thank God for giving me Friends like You.”

Keep up the good work, Angie. SOMEONE up there watches over you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY from all of us at VIA TIMES! (esn)

1& 2) Angie, the January 25th Birthday Celebrant preparing to make herWish before blowing her BD candles! At right, group picture of Friends who celebrated her birthday!

 

 

Angie with her children and grandkids, from left: Allan Francisco; Angie with grandkid Trinity, daughter of Yvette Francisco Vo with eldest daughter Faith. Not in photo are Faith’s husband Ninh Vo and daughter Grace. Photo taken at Faith Comm. Presbyterian Church where Angie had a Birthday celebration.

 

BEAUTI-CONTROL CONVENTION IN NEW ORLEANS, taken recently, shows Angie with company President Nicoli Milivojevic, Beauti-Control President, distributor of anti-aging products and cosmetics. Angie has been promoted to Director position.