2015 Chinese Lunar New Year of the Sheep/Ram

By: Jovie Calma

 

Holidays are particularly festive and Chinese Lunar New Year is undoubtedly one of the biggest. Chinese Mutual Aid Association celebrates its cultural traditions on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Truman College. There were over 400 community members, elected officials and dignitaries who came out to this community celebration of Year of the Sheep! CMAA Lion Head Dancers kicked-off the celebration with multi-talented performing artist, Sarah Young, singing the national anthem. Ms. Jenny Han, CMAA’s Board of President welcomed everyone and thanked them for their involvement with CMAA.

Elected officials and Community leaders in the likes of U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger, Illinois State Senator Heather Steans, Illinois State Representative Greg Harris, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinckle, Cook County Commissioner of the 17th District Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman, 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman, 47th Ward Adlerman Ameya Pawar, Paul Lee from the Office of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yong, Deputy Consul General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Samuel Kuo, Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge, Ms. Abbey Eusebio from the Office of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and Mr. Abin Kuriakose from the Office of the Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer were in attendance. An early voting was also held in line with Chicago Municipal Election on February 24, where the community were given an opportunity to cast their votes and exercise their rights.

The Chinese Mutual Aid Association serves the needs, promotes the interests, and enhances the well-being of Chinese and other immigrants and refugees in Chicagoland, and fosters their participation in and assimilation into American society. At the event, CMAA’s Youth performed a traditional Chinese Fan Dance for the viewing pleasure of the community members, elected officials and guests. CMAA Golden Club performed salsa with gusto. It was indeed a fun-filled celebration. Congratulations to CMAA for pulling off such a wonderful and successful event. Thank you for having me as the Mistress of Ceremonies. I’m honored to be of service to this wonderful pan-Asian organization in serving the community and making a difference. Big thanks to my good friend, Ray Thompson of Rockin Ray Photography for the awesome photos of the CMAA Lunar New Year celebration!

AACC’S 32ND CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND NETWORKING & ANNUAL LUNAR NEWYEAR CELEBRATION: A HUGE SUCCESS!

On February 28, 2015, Asian American Coalition of Chicago welcomed over 1,000 guests and celebrated 32nd Annual Lunar New Year, “E Pluribus Unum * Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (meaning: Unity in Diversity- out of many people, races, religions, languages and ancestries has emerged a single people and nation) at which Asian Americans expand their horizon and play significant roles in the mainstream of community-at-large in educational experience, economic development, government participation and international affairs; they aspire to representation in numbers that are at least proportional to our percentage of the population and eventually to our level of academic achievement.

This year’s function was hosted by the Indonesian Community under the leadership of Martino Tangkar as AACC 2014-2015 Chairman. The official kick-off started in the morning with Northern Lion Dance, Shaolin Kungfu, and dance performances from St. Therese Chinese Dance, Reog Ponorogo, Indonesian Dance Group and Jesse White Tumbling Team. The Asian American Senior and Family Health Fair Program was held and presented by the IL Secretary of State Asian Pacific American Advisory Council. There were various hot topics such as Asian American Professional and Business Development, Health, Immigration and Youth Education that were the core of discussion in the Conference on Business and Networking.

Social hour kicked-off the festivities at the black tie gala with cocktail reception, exhibits and silent auction. AKIRA Chicago and Lady Quaint staged a fashion show, which featured the latest fashion trends. Mr. Jon Cotay, Co-Founder/Owner of Akira Chicago served as one of the Celebrity Presenters that night. It was a star-studded event with Illinois and Chicago’s elected officials, media personalities and VIPs in the likes of The Hon. Jesse White, Secretary of State, The Hon. Leslie Geisler Munger, Illinois Comptroller, The Hon. Michael Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, The Hon. Bob Dold, U.S. Congressman (IL-R- 10), The Hon. Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congresswoman (IL D-9), The Hon. Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s Attorney, The Hon. Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President, The Hon. Andriana Supandi, Consul General Indonesian Consulate General Chicago.

The Celebrity Presenters were Jon Cotay, Co- Founder/Owner of AKIRA, Billy Dec, CEO/Founder of Rockit Ranch Productions, Inc., Entertainment Contributor, ABC 7 Windy City Live and Commissioner, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Eric Hong, Reporter ABC 7 Chicago TV News, Judy Hsu, Anchor/Reporter, ABC 7 Chicago TV News, Katie Kim, Reporter, NBC 5 Chicago TV News, Joanie Lum, Reporter, FOX-TV WFLD-TV Chicago, Susanna Song, Reporter CBS 2 Chicago and Judy Wang, Anchor/Reporter CLTV News.

This annual event honors community leaders and standout youth from about 16 different Asian ethnicities which include Filipino American Awardees, Clarita Santos, Senior Director, Community Health Initiatives Community Investments Department, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Community Leader Recipient and Samantha O’Brien, Senior, Jones College Prep Chicago, IL, Youth Who Excels Awardee. The latter was the eldest daughter of the proud Mom, Judge Jessica O’Brien.

Aurora N. Abella- Austriaco, Owner and President of Austriaco & Associates, Ltd. was the recipient of the Pan Asian American Ping Tom Memorial Award.

Congrats and thank you to the 2014-2015 AACC Chair Martino Tangkar and the Indonesian Community for hosting this year! Big congratulations to all the recipients of community service awards this year! Hats off to you, Irene Cualoping of ENERI Communications, Producer and 2015 Evening Show Director. AACC Production is getting bigger and better every year!

It was an amazing experience to be part of this great celebration! 2015 AACC Lunar New Year is undoubtedly one of the most memorable celebrations of Asian American heritage in Chicago. Stay tuned until next issue of Wassup?! Happy Lunar New Year Everyone!

(Left) VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma served as the Mistress of Ceremonies at the CMA Lunar New Year Celebration in a photo opp
with Illinois Lt.Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti. (Right), Photo opp with Congressman Mike Quigley. Photo credits to Ray Thompson

 

Jovie with the CMA Staff (L-R): Tuyet Nho, Jen Han, Jovie, Hazel Afroilan & Michelle Lura White. Photo credits to Ray Thompson.

(1st) VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma wearing her beautiful AKIRA gown with Jon Cotay, Co-founder/Owner of AKIRA Chicago, one of thencelebrity presenters at AACC Lunar New Year. ; (2nd) JovienCalma’s photo opportunity with Billy Dec, CEO/Co-Founder of
Rockit Ranch Productions, Entertainment Contributor for ABC 7 Windy City Live and Commissioner, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

 

VIPs from Filipino-American Community! Back Row L-R: Jan Paul Ferrer, 2014 FYLPro Delegate & VT Financial Columnist, Jovie Calma, Joe Mauricio, Business Manager and Director of VT/CPRTV. Front Row L-R: Carmen Estacio, Secretary of State’s Asian American Liaison and Veronica Leighton, VT Publisher and Executive Producer of CHICAGO PHILIPPINE REPORTS TV (CPRTV).