The Red Carpet of 22nd Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame AMassive Success!

By: Jovie Calma

 

The Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame never fails to bring the great celebration of the most deserving honorees. This year, VIA Times Newsmagazine and Chicago Philippine Reports TV presented its annual spectacular salute to accomplished and deserving Filipinos/Asian Americans and Friends at a red-carpet awards gala dinner dance held at Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel on October 29, 2016.

While the red carpet offers the glitz and glamour, it’s the recognition of the 18 outstanding and accomplished individuals that were highlighted in the occasion, in line with the celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month. The annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame project is a very prestigious awards ceremony in the Filipino American community of Chicago and the Midwest.

It recognizes and honors outstanding individuals and highachieving Filipinos/Filipino Americans & Friends, focusing on their achievements in their own field of interest or profession, and in their abilities and capabilities to promote the positive image of the Filipino not only in Chicago, but also in the entire United States of America, the Philippines, and throughout the world. It is an outstanding annual community event that benefits the locally-produced CPRTV, part of the proceeds also benefit other charitable causes locally and in the Philippines.

Hall of Fame event created a big buzz in the Asian American Community as it has been tagged as the most prestigious award ceremony and most-awaited, like Oscars’ event where Chicago’s “Who’s Who” in the community are spotted. The newly-elected Congressman for the 8th District of Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi, who was awarded the 2016 Hall of Fame as Outstanding Asian American and also served as Guest Speaker, headed this year’s batch of awardees. Raja also received the HOF Friend of the Filipino Award in 2010.

Spotlighted for this year are Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge and celebrated poet and author, Victoria Smith as recipients of VIA (stands for Vision, Intelligence/Insights and Achievements) Man and Woman of the Year. The other awardees are Glenn Amante, DDS, (Allied Health in Dentistry), Rosalyn Aranas, M.D. (Excellence in Medicine), Christine Cadlaon Cabiltes (Community Service via Music-Vocalist), Rudolfo Campos (Excellence in Music Leadership), Drs. Rodrigo & Lourdes Floro and Family (Model Family 2016), Dr. Carmencita Fulgado, PH.D (Excellence in Education-National Award), Richie Gil (Excellence in Entertainment), Josey Nieto (Young Achiever in Engineering), Nhick Ramiro Pacis (Community Service Excellence in Music- National Award), Merly Perricone (Excellence in Nursing), Rodolfo Poblacion (Excellence in Sports- Martial Arts), Christine Pompa (Excellence in Law), Former Illinois Governor Patrick Joseph “Pat” Quinn, Jr. (Friend of the Filipino), Elizabeth Rosas (Excellence in Nursing Leadership- National Award), Nunilo Rubio, Jr. M.D. (Young Achiever in Medicine).

The red carpet was rolled out and the step and repeat was staged for about 450 guests who came out with their fashionable couture gowns and dashing suits to support the event. I was honored to host the red carpet arrivals and interviews during cocktail hours for Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! Melody Dizon, CPRTV Host/VT

Columnist served as the roving journalist and also the recipient of the surprise award for VT/CPRTV staff for her outstanding service.

The program kicked off with the parade of the 2016 Hall of Fame Awardees. The Sampaguita Singers, accompanied by Elizabeth Lucero Cadlaon (CFAA Hall of Famer in Entertainment in 1996), performed the National Anthems for both the United States of America and the Philippines while invocation blessings were given by Riz Villasenor, CEO/President of MedPro Health Providers.

During dinner, Mar Dureza, former “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” Champion and CFAA Hall of Famer in Entertainment in 2008 shared his beautiful rendition of “Our Father.”

SamaSama Project led by Lou Cabalona, VT/CPRTV staffer, welcomed the guests with her classic rendition of “Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig,”

The night was very classy and nostalgic when David Rivas of CPRTV moved the crowd with his flawless ballet moves.

Kayla Tejero, 1st runnerup of Chicago Nightingales’Young Ambassador 2016 and the only daughter of Ryan Tejero of VIA Times, entertained with her superb performance of “One Night Only” entertained the audience with her superb performance of “One Night Only” from Dreamgirls Broadway Musical.

Christine Cadlaon- Cabiltes, CFAA Hall of Fame Awardee, Excellence in Music (Vocalist) for 2016 honored her roots with “Pilipinas, Inang Bayan”, composed by Ernani Cuenco, lyrics by Levi Celerio and accompanied by her Mom, Elizabeth Lucero Cadlaon.

Rudolfo Campos, 2016 CFAA Hall of Fame Awardee, Excellence in Music Leadership serenaded the crowd with “If I Ruled The World”.

Rodolfo Poblacion, Hall of Fame Awardee, Sports-Martial Arts 2016 shared his craft in the Modern Arnis Demonstration.

Olivia Trinquand, Vocalist of Mixed Rhythm Band wowed the guests with her “Diamonds Are Forever”.

Judy Dizon and Regin Varona from MedPro Health Providers performed an excellent duet of “The Prayer”.

Vic Omila, former Madrigal Singer, brought the guests to a trip to memory lane to appreciate OPM, with “Musika” by Ryan Cayabyab, accompanied by Nhick Ramiro Pacis, 2016 Hall of Famer Community Service-Excellence in Music.

I was privileged to share my rendition of “I Will Always Love You” with the beautiful arrangement and accompaniment of Edizon Dayao, Hall of Famer in Music 2004

Richie Gil, 2016 Hall of Fame, Excellence in Entertainment showcased his skills and led the public in line dancing.

Veronica Leighton, Founder and Producer, Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame, VIA Times Publisher and CPRTV’s Executive Producer, delivered her welcome remarks coupled with CPRTV program video intro and Watts of Love video work presentation.

One of the highlights of the event was the Parade of the 2016 VIAMan and Woman of the Year, Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge and Victoria Smith, with the participation of all of the awardees. Chaz Patron, 2015 Hall of Famer in Entertainment performed her excellent rendition of “Ako Ay Pilipino” together with Sampaguita Singers, accompanied by Edizon Dayao.

The awards ceremony was efficiently carried out by Veronica Leighton, Judge Israel Desierto, 2001 CFAA Hall of Famer in Law and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi with the assistance of this writer and Kayla Tejero. Atty. Aurora Abella-Austriaco, 2015 Hall of Famer, Excellence in Law delivered the closing remarks.

The night capped with the crowd dancing while the vibrant music of Chaz Patron and Edizon Dayao as well as SamaSama Project.

Congratulations to this year’s Hall of Fame Awardees. We’re inspired with all your amazing contributions to our community. You all are epitome of success!

Hats off to all the VT/CPRTV Staffers and volunteers with their exemplary gift of time and dedication to make the Hall of Fame event a huge success! Congrats Girlie Pascual and Nick Vera Perez as co-emcees, and Melody Dizon, for the welldeserved surprise award!

Before I end my article, allow me to extend my special birthday wishes to Patrick Viray (Nov. 8), Neneth Miranda (Nov. 14), Annabelle Leyba (Nov. 14), Nora Tsai (Nov. 18), Jaimie Judelle Alzol (Nov. 21), Edwin Tumlos (Nov. 23), Dr. Manny Escalona (Nov. 24), Dr. Anton Juan (Nov. 25) and to my son, Al Ricmand (Nov. 5). Here’s to more loads of fruitful life, bottomless happiness, and grand success! Cheers!

On Thanksgiving, be thankful and celebrate that you all have another day to spend and share the wonderful bounties and blessings bestowed upon our lives. Count your blessings and share the LOVE like an infectious disease.

To all Via Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. I wish you and your family to have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Congratulations to newly-elected Congressman for IL 8th District, Raja Krishnamoorthi (L-R: VT/CPRTv’s Jovie Calma, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Veronica Leighton, VT/CPRTV’s Publisher and Executive Producer). Photo credits to Rosie Reed.

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma’s Red Carpet Interview with Philippine Consul General Gene Calonge, recipient of 2016 VIAMan of the Year. Photo credits to Rosie Reed

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma exchanged fashion ideas and travel adventures with poet and author, Victoria Smith, recipient of 2016 VIAWoman of the Year and who’s also wearing her own coutur gown creation. Jovie also designed her own gown and Tracey Bond as HMUA for Jovie. Photo credits to Rosie Reed.