Rey Aquino President, NVAC

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Nueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in Cagayan Valley Region in the Northern Island of Luzon. Bayombong is the most prosperous and considered to be the city capital. It is bordered by Benguet to the west, Ifugao to the north, Isabela to the northeast, Quirino to the east, Aurora to the southeast, Nueva Ecija to the south, and Pangasinan.

There are many Filipino Americans in Chicago who hailed from Nueva Vizcaya. Since 1932 when the Nueva Vizcaya Association of Chicago (NVAC) was established, residents have been meeting and organizing social events to re-live their community traditions from back home. They take every opportunity to commune with each other. During the warm season of summer, the group organizes family gathering through picnics or special occasions hosted at member’s homes. Last year, NVAC held their summer picnic in July at the Ty Park in Westmont, IL. The group also held a Christmas Party last year as part of their fundraising. In the past, the group had participated in Medical Missions and sent out donation of books for schools in Nueva Vizcaya. NVAC is currently focused on strengthening the relationships between member families, and also increasing its membership. There are about more than 100 members of NVAC.

Presently, Rey Aquino is the NVAC President. He is from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. He graduated from the University of the East. Here in the Midwest, Rey lives with his wife Socorry – in Woodridge, IL. He said that he retired from the Philippine Army in 1986 with a rank of a Captain, before he migrated to America. While finding his own spot in his adoptive country, Rey had worked as a security officer, and in a glass manufacturing company. His last job prior to retiring was at the US Postal Service. His wife came to the US in 1980 as a nurse. Prior to her retiring, she worked at the VA Hines outpatient clinic.

Rey is a father of two children: his son – Ryan, who is married to Michelle, and daughter – Aura. In his free time, he helps in taking care of his grandson, Odin. Rey is an active member of the Grove Lodge Masonic; the Scottish Rite of Chicago Masonic; Medina Masonic and the USPS Branch 825 Association. If you or you know someone who is from Nueva Vizcaya and resides here in Chicago, please extend the invitation to join NVAC and contact Rey at aquino.rey@ gmail.com.

NVAC’s Summer Picnic, with member families and supporters