Generous HOF Thank You’s

By: Veronica Leighton

 

From Marilin Solomon (Excellence in Engineering awardee): “Last Saturday’s CFAA HOF Gala/Awards Night was the most elegant event I’ve attended. It’s indeed a great honor that I’m one of the awardees. I met most of the Awardees, and I find them very friendly, talented, and welldeserving of the award. As you probably know, I’m the Immediate Past President of Philippine Engineers & Scientists Organization (PESO), served 2015-2017. Congratulations to CPRTV Executive Producers, Veronica & Joe, and all the Event Committee Staff especially to my friends, James Dela Cruz, Girlie Pascual & Nick Vera Perez.

Congratulations to my co-PESO Awardees, Past President Edith Ardiente as VIAWoman of the Year, and Business Manager, Jan Paul Ferrer as VIAMan of the Year. Special thanks to PESO PP Edith for nominating me to Excellence in Engineering Award. I thank all my PESO Family who supported this event, especially to President-Elect Gilbert Bermundo, and Past Presidents & First Ladies, Fidel & Lina Garcia, Sergio & Linda Liwag, Gem & Cora Mindo, and Tante & Zeny Tagamolila. I’m also grateful to all the advertisers, and last but not the least, to my husband, Leo and children, Alyssa, Alex & Jacob, and my two mothers, Amy & Ester. Maraming salamat”

From Drs. Rupert & Amelita Mayuga, Model Family Awardee: “To Veronica, Joe, Jovie, Ryan and the rest of the hardworking and talented individuals who contributed to the success of the 2015 CFAA Hall of Fame Awards gala celebration.

Amy and I and the rest of the Mayuga Family wholeheartedly thank you for the recognition and honor you have given us by selecting us as Model Family for 2015. All 65 family members and our invited guests were unanimous in their praise for the evening’s festivities. The awardees were very well-chosen and qualified. The venue and ambiance was just right. It appeared that all had fun and had a great time. Most of my own family even stayed until after the last dance at 1 AM. It truly was a night to remember. All in all the gala night was a resounding success. Kudos once again to the organizers.

From Ron delos Santos, Education Administration Awardee: “The 21st Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Gala really enriched and expanded my perspective on the accomplishments of Filipino Americans. The Gala was a true testament to the cultural strength and cohesion of the Filipino American community in Chicago. Being inducted alongside so many greats in so many areas of the Filipino community not only made me proud of what I have accomplished, but also inspired me to continue growing, achieving, and now leading through my service to others in education. The event is an evening I will remember fondly for a long time. Thank you for allowing me to share in the experience!

A wonderful evening and event! Thank you all, Jovie, Ryan and Veronica for making the event beautiful!

From Dr. Adolfo Maglaya, Excellence in Medicine awardee: “Congratulations to you for a job well-done. I already have a nominee for “Excellence in Medicine” for next year.

From Cora Maglaya, daughter of Dr. Adolfo Maglaya, Excellence in Medicine awardee: “Thank you so much for all your hard work and for making this such a special night for my dad (Dr. Maglaya) and family! My dad was so happy to be a part of this ceremony and we are all truly so grateful! My sincere gratitude again!”

From Ernie Rosas, Excellence in Nursing, National Award: “Beth and I are back in Kansas City, MO and we keep talking about this wonderful event last Saturday, I want to extend my personal thanks to you for putting together and hosting this Event.

We enjoy it very much. I believe this is a great event to recognize deserving individuals who excel in their work and honor those people who are into community service and gift-giving.

I felt good all throughout the Event. Everybody looks good, well organized, entertainment and band are its best. MAGNIFICENT! It’s a great joy to be recognized so generously.

I want to thank you for having me and I am so proud that I made it to this prestigious HALL OF FAME Awards.

Veronica, so as an Honoree, can I nominate deserving individual in the future?”

From Stella Marie Santos, Excellence in Accounting/Finance awardee: “Thank you again for a wonderful and well-organized night. Please extend the congratulations to all your staff and volunteers.”

From Edith Ardiente, VIA Woman of the Year 2015 “Congratulations! What a wonderful event. Veronica, you did it again! Everybody really enjoyed the evening, including Joaquin my eight-week-old grandson.”

From Atty. Aurora Austriaco, Excellence in Law & Public Service awardee, in absentia: “Congratulations to all my fellow awardees!!!

I am so sorry that I missed this fabulous event since I am in the PHIL as a US Delegate to APEC Summit.

I saw beautiful pictures on Jasmine Hernandez’ FB posting!!!!!”

From Dr. Omeed Memar, Friend of the Filipino awardee: “Saturday night was such a special night. Thank you for all of your hard work and efforts.”

From Mabel Turtogo-Sacay, Leadership in Home Healthcare Awardee: “Thank you. It was a pleasure and honor to be one of the awardees. You have a dynamic and wonderful team with you, Joe, Girlie, James, Melody and Robert.

Congratulations to all the awardees! I’m honored to be one of you.

Thank you to all the staff who pulled through such a huge event. Great job, guys.”

From Reynaldo Pabellano, Excellence in Nursing awardee “It was a very successful event and evening to remember. Thank you all for making this event possible}.

From Chaz Patron, Excellence in Entertainment awardee: , “Maraming, maraming salamat din po sa inyo sa tiwala na binibigay nyo po sa aming mag-asawa. Bawat minuto at lakas na nilaan namin ni Jhun ay bukal po sa aming kalooban.Masaya po kami kapag may mga bagay kaming nagagawa para sa ikakagagaan at ikatatagumpay ng isang event. Lalo na po kayo, hindi na po kayo naging iba sa amin. Pamilya na rin po tingin namin sa inyo at sa buong staff ng CPRTV.

Nakakatuwa, kasi marami nang gustong magbigay ng award sa akin kahit noon pang nasa ibang bansa ako. Lahat yun hindi ko tinanggap, kasi mas gusto ko yung mag-asikaso kaysa nakaupo sa isang tabi..hahaha…But this time, Napa OO ako..

Kaya maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat . I will remain humble and honored as I cherish the unforgettable evening that will be kept in my heart for the rest of my life.”

From Carmen Estacio, Chair, Reception Committee “Congratulations !!! Your HOF was a great success and I am honored to be a part of the Team”

From Chie Rivas, Chair, Tickets/Reservations Committee: “It’s a great pleasure to be part of the CPRTV family. You are always very welcome, my dear Tita Veronica. It was so nice that we all worked as a TEAM during the hall of fame. Warm regards to Tito Joe.

CONGRATULATIONS to every member of VIATIMES and CPRTV. The event was once again a glamorous success.”

From Brian Evangelista, “surprise” awardee, VT/CPRTV Outstanding Service awardee “Thank you, Tita Veronica, Tito Joe, and everyone who took part in the surprise recognition award. My goal is simply to share what I have and for everyone to have fun. I love what I do and never expect anything in return. It is inspiring to know that it is appreciated.

Congratulations, Tita Veronica, for another fabulous and full of glitter event. The CFAA HOF is becoming bigger and bigger. Thanks, Tito Joe, for holding my drink and keys… Thank you for your support and friendship.

Thank you everyone for the friendship and appreciation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!”

From Jovie Calma, CFAA HOF Coordinator “What a spectacular event!!! Hope to see everyone!!! Love and brilliance to all!!! XO”

From Ryan Tejero, CFAA HOF Co-Coordinator “Hello everyone, it was, indeed, a great evening for our over-community achievers – 2015!

Congratulations, once again, it was nice meeting all of you and your families and friends! More power to all of you, hope to hear more of your active involvement in the Filipino and Asian communities here in Chicago and in your home cities!

It was my pleasure to have worked with you all in this year’s CFAA Hall of Fame Event!

 

We are honored to share with our readers the following special souvenir program message from our guest speaker, A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., the first Filipino President of Seton Hall University, the largest Catholic university in this country…

“Welcome to the 21st annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Gala. As tonight’s featured speaker and an honoree, I am honored to join you on this occasion and congratulate our host on more than three decades of exemplary service to the Filipino community in Chicago.

The success of IA Times and Chicago Philippine Reports TV has mirrored the upward trajectory of Filipinos in the United States and the world. These eminent media address issues that matter most in Chicagoland’s Filipino/Asian/Hispanic communities and continually seek to build bridges between our homelands and the United States.

My experiences as a Filipino in academia–which you will learn more about later this evening– may be similar to your own. I have often thought that our shared background can be counted among our most beneficial qualities. Our cultural upbringing fills us with a desire to excel in our chosen fields, no matter what they are.

I am proud to support the Hall of Fame’s mission to promote the positive image of Filipinos in Chicago, throughout the United States, and around the world. It is my hope that VIA Times and Chicago Philippine Reports TV continue to grow with the same vigor over the next 30 years as they have during the last three decades.

The Hall of Fame has my heartfelt thanks for choosing to honor me as part of this most special celebration. And you have my best wishes for an enjoyable evening and much success in the coming months and years.” Maramng salamat,

A. Gabirle Esteban, Ph.D., first Filipino President of Seton Hall University