Meaningful Post-haste, Post-HOF Messages, Thoughts & Reflections

By: Veronica Leighton

 

The resounding success of the gala ceremony of the 22nd Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame 2016 still echoes and reverberates in our ears. What a great feeling to see and witness so much joy, excitement and thankfulness from everyone involved in the successful execution of this fundraising event, the purpose of which is to maintain and showcase our heritage and culture through a visible medium in the mainstream America and likewise help and share the blessings with the other humanitarian groups that are helping the Philippines and the Filipino people.

Our regular columnist Maria Girlie Pascual (G-Mail, page 27) and CPRTV Anchorperson, sums it up with her beautifully worded description…” It felt as electric as our first Hall of Fame 22 years ago, as vibrant a night every year that we awarded our Hall of Famers, and as important as it was then, as it is now, to showcase and herald that which is good and important in our handpicked group of achievers that have elevated the Filipino and Filipino American image, and our non-Pinoy friends that have helped promote our cause as natural-born citizens with Filipino ancestors, or as immigrants that have come to call America our home, without losing track of our roots across the seas.”

Let’s hear from some of the hall of famers who took a breather and write down their thoughts about this memorable occasion. But, let me print first the belated message sent by the office of the new President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, that came post haste, a couple of weeks after the event. We understand the delay due to the very new transition office of the president where other major priorities involving the major problems of the land must be attended to.

“My warmest greetings to the officers and members of the Chicago Philippine Reports TV amd thhe Via Times Newsmagazine on the occasion of your 22nd Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame 2016.

For many years, the Chicago Philippine Reports TV and the Via Times Newsmagazine have given its viewers and readers reliable and balanced news as well as interesting stories that inspire and entertian them. I commend you for your commitment to excellence, professionalism amd genuine public service. I also thank you for holding such events that give due recognition to our outstanding countrymen who are worthy of emulation especially by our youths.

Let this occasion not only highlight the accomplishments of Filipino-Americans in the United States, but also serve as a constant reminder that we can all excel in whatever field of endeavor we choose to engage in. May the Anual Awards remain a tradition in Chicago and the Midwest, and be a testament to the many Filipino achievers we have in various parts of the world.

I congratulate, too, all the recipients of these Hall of Fame Awards, and I thank you for your contributions to society and to our nation’s sustained distinction in the international community. May you continue to be our people’s source of pride as we strive to effect real and meaningful reforms back home.

Mabuhay and Pilipino at ang bansang Pilipinas!

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

President of the Philippines

 

From Maria Victoria Smith, VIA Woman of the Year 2016:

“As regards the honor the 2016 Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame kindly bestowed on me when it recognized me with the VIA Woman of the Year Award, I’ve said most of what I have to say in gratitude and awe, not only during the event itself, but also through my numerous articles that include my October 2016 VIA Times poetry column and my social media and web postings prior to and immediately after the event. I also reiterate my hearty congratulations to my fellow honorees on their various individual achievements.

Now, I’d like to devote a few words of gratitude and praise for the organizers of this laudable event—to Ms. Veronica Leighton and her awesome staff in VIA Times Magazine and CPRTV. I know of no other greater event in the United States, nor even elsewhere in the world, dedicated to a grander recognition of the achievements of Filipino immigrants, thus supporting and inspiring the latter to continue making a positive difference in their various communities. The crucial importance of this project, especially in the aftermath of the recent U.S. elections that elected a clearly anti-immigrant president, cannot be overstated.

The HOF, as we’ve fondly come to call this annual celebration, is a brilliant, albeit little star that boldly shines its light in a darkening sky that is slowly yet surely is being choked by clouds of doubt and suspicion against immigrants not only in the United States but in increasing countries around the world that are fed by fear and bigotry. Granted the event is also a major fund-raising project that benefits and supports the operations of VIA Times Magazine and CPRTV, one must remember it is Via Times’s and CPRTV’s daily, weekly, and monthly devotion to showcasing Filipino immigrants’ industry, professionalism, and dedication to excellence in everything they do that also helps to keep the American dream alive for all of us—for in doing so, VIA Times and CPRTV inspires all of us to keep doing what we do best: supporting not only our adopted country, but also our loved ones in our native country through our Godgiven talents, time, and resources.

Where fear-driven Americans might sadly scapegoat and blame immigrants for other Americans’ own self-created problems, the HOF quietly shines as a beacon of indisputable proof and hope that vindicates the good, old, noble and inclusive America we love who, through its Statue of Liberty, cried to all the world: “Give me your tired, your poor, /Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, /The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. /Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, /I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” (Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus, 1883).

Thus, to Ms. Veronica Leighton and the staff of VIA Times magazine and CPRTV: My deep and abiding thanks to all of you for your humble and devoted service to our immigrant communities! And congratulations again on the big success of HOF’16! I’m so proud and honored to have been a part of it!”

From Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge, VIAMan of the Year

Awards, like battle ribbons in the military, are indications of high achievement. They are signs of recognition for exemplary conduct and indeed evidence of creditable performance.

As a humble awardee, I would like to express my profound gratitude to Ms. Veronica Leighton and her entire crew, for the conferment of the award . Frankly, I am not sure how I got it! I was not aware that I was under scrutiny.

What I am sure of is that it is part of our DNA at the Consulate General to spread our wings to the sixteen states that we cover so that we will feel closer to the entire Filipino community in the Midwest and in the Southern States that are within our jurisdiction.

The award is source of inspiration to me and to my staff. The credit belongs to them as well. They are all patriots working for the continuing improvement of Filipino lives and in the furtherance of Filipino-American relations.

I wish the VIA Times News Magazine more successes, good health to its staff, and a boost to its initiatives to inform, to educate and to enlighten the Filipino- American community.

Mabuhay ang VIA Times

From Dr. Rosalyn Aranas, Excellence in Medicine Awardee

“Thank you again for the honor. We hope to continue to be role models for all Filipino Americans. Hopefully down the road we can create an email network among all hall of famers or even create a committee, so we continue to communicate and corroborate all of our talents together to ultimately contribute to the chicago Filipino community.”

From Dr. Carmencita (Menchee) Quesada Fulgado, Excellence in Education-National Award

“I am still in awe over the event this past weekend. Your unrelenting effort in promoting the positive image of Filipinos in Chicago, and all over the world is unsurpassed and beyond compare, that you yourself should be in this Hall of Fame. If as 2016 inductee I am privileged to do the honor, may I do your nomination!

For years, your annual event brings Filipinos and friends together with pride, honor , glory in friendship and camaraderie while fundraising for charity as you render assistance in our country of birth. You put into action Dr. Jose Rizal, our National Hero’s mantra: “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, di makakarating sa paroroonan” as you help the poorest of the poor in the Philippines.

UPAA-NY’s signature project, MEMORIES, shares with you that Give Back mission, this one in the form of scholarship through funds raised by written legacies published in a coffee table book with tax deductible donation of contributors. On behalf of UPAANY, I invite you to be our PARTNER in Book 3 in-the-making, which means seven pages of the VIA Times, CPRTV story with your staff, acknowledgment and your name in the front cover, your special Message as partner including seven copies of the coffee table book. Among the many Hall of Famers you now have, I am confident that with your endorsement, at least 20 will be donors. Then, you will have a CFAAHOF chapter, and each donor will have their own copy of the book included in their donation.

Book 3: Memories of UP Alumni and Friends United is last of the Centennial Series, each book will be part of the written history of the University of the Philippines. Funds in the UP Foundation Inc. now provides scholarship in UPD, UPM, UPLB, UPOU, UPV, UPMin, UPB and UPCebu. Only interest earned by the fund is used for awarding, donation therefore will last forever. Donors’ relations can possibly be a recipient.

Congratulations again for successful 2016 CFAAHOF and wish you only the best in 2017…”

From Richie Gil, Excellence in Entertainment Awardee

“So overwhelmed and happy with how the night turned out!! Thanks to you and Tito Joe!”

From Beth B. Rosas, RN, BSN, HNC, Excellence in Nursing Leadership-National Awardee

“My most sincere thank you to Ms Veronica and staff for a most wonderful and exciting evening. God bless you for what you do for our Fil-Am community locally and internationally. And to all co-awardees, my congratulations again to everyone. Go well with blessings!”

From Christine Cadlaon Cabiltes, Community Service Via Music (Vocalist)

Once again, thank you thank you so much for this opportunity. Muchas gracias to you and your staff!

Parade of VIAMan & Woman of the Year around the dancefloor with the singing of “Ako Ay Pilipino,” showing Congen Calonge, Vicki Smith, Atty. Aurora Austriaco, Cong. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Beth Rosas & Dave Rivas (flag waver). More HOF pictorials inside pages.