Salamat-Giving Day

By: Veronica Leighton

 

We have everything to say Salamat or Thank You on this celebrated Thanksgiving Day. First and foremost, we always thank God for being there, watching us, and leading us to the right and successful path in life’s arduous tasks.

We thank 2017 for life’s smooth-(and at times, not-so-smooth) sailing experiences that we endured. Downsizing and moving to a very lovable place that we are enjoying so much is number one on our list this year—we could have never been happier.

The sweet success of our annual gala event is something to nurture, seeing all the happy faces of 2017 awardees and guests and hearing all kinds of praises, accolades and compliments from those who witnessed this event mainly for the benefit of the Filipino American community of Chicago.

The many community events that we have covered, such as the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) and its exciting election of its 2019 chairman-elect, Philippine Engineers & Scientists Organization (PESO), the JDC Rainbow Association, the Filipino American Council of Chicago (FACC), Quezonian of the Midwest (QAM), the private invitation to the inauguration of the 12th president of DePaul University who’s a Filipino, Dr. Gabriel Esteban, (pls. see full page pictorial in this issue), all kinds of invitations to all kinds of press previews and openings, CPRTV coverages and interviews, varied concerts and shows, and private parties for the occasion of birthdays, anniversaries, and more, are just some of the things that have kept our lives exciting through the years. Endless, pleasurable tasks in showing to the outside world that our community is alive, vibrant and vital (just like our Via Times slogan).

We thank God for everything and for helping us find personal happiness within us and in helping us spread cheer to our community. Please don’t stop in helping us to fulfill our purpose in inspiring people and making a difference in many people’s lives.

Speaking of an extraordinary man who has been serving as a Super-Hero and Role Model to many for his talent, hard work, and perseverance is our VT Cover of the Month, Pastor Gil Valenzuela, owner of the New Mabuhay Restaurant in Glendale Hts., IL. Please follow up his story on a one-on-one interview on pages 40-41in this issue.

You will also find in this issue our very exciting pictorial feature about the Federation of Philippine Chambers of Commerce on its 21st year bi-annual conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona. This conference enabled us to travel to Scottsdale, AZ and report on VT and CPRTV what’s the latest about this very successful organization that was established to mobilize Philippine business communities in the U.S. Currently heading this group is that very dynamic lady business leader from Arizona, Ms. Marie Cunning, who received her Woman of the Year award from the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame 2017 last October 14, 2017 (pictured here with Richard Felicelda, Man of the Year 2017) who also attended the FPACC conference with us last Nov. 10-12, 2017.

Warm congratulations to the latest Philippine Pride, A. Gabriel Esteban, PhD, for his inauguration as the `12th president of DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the nation and the first lay leader in the university’s history. Please also read Elsie Sy-Niebar’s story about Dr. Esteban on pages 14-15. He is also the recipient of Excellence in Education Hall of Fame award, given by the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame in 2015.

Many of your VT favorite columnists will have their own exciting stories and pictures in conveying their Thanksgiving messages to our dear readers in this issue. Enjoy, as usual, in reading Via Times from cover to cover.

Maraming, maraming salamat for your trust and loyalty that you have given us through many years of our existence.##

The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., left, applauds as A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., is inaugurated as DePaul University’s 12th president at a Nov. 19, 2017, ceremony. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)

Man & Woman of the Year 2017 of the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame, Marie Cunning (FPACC re-elected president) and Richard Felicelda, owner of Starlab in Chicago. (taken at the FPACC conference in Scottdfslr, Arizona.)