Octo-Month, a Salute to All Filipinos & Fil-Ams

By: Veronica Leighton

 

October seems to be a very auspicious month to be celebrating important events and occurrences in our lives…There are the National Breast Cancer Month, National Vegetarian Month (see CelebrEATy page 43), and most importantly, there is the official Filipino American History Month having been celebrated all over the U.S. for the last three years. This year, for the first time in October month, the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame was held last October 4, giving star-studded recognition to deserving and outstanding Fil-Ams all throughout the U.S. made its marked inclusion in the list of October activities of CFAHM. As you can glean from this wonderful October issue, it is a hip-hiphooray shout for the success of the 20th annual gala event of our pet fundraising project to benefit the Chicago Philippine Reports TV (CPRTV). Warm congratulations to all the deserving cream-of-the crop 2014 recipients of the most-coveted HOF crystal trophy award. These are the people who have excelled in their own fields of interest and profession, contributing to this country’s invaluable pool of inborn talents, giving a leg up to America’s search (corporate and government) for diversity and innovation to compete in the global marketplace. You are all a treasure, the pride and joy, of both the Philippines and the U.S. Millions of thanks are apropos to our many (about 500) guests who witnessed our 20th historical gala, to our VIP guests and speakers, Bruce Rauner, Billy Dec. and Consul General (Ambassador) Generoso Colange, to our hardworking co-coordinators Jovie Calma and Ryan Tejero (recipient of this year’s Outstanding Service award), most talented co-emcees Maria Girlie Pascual and Nick Vera Perez, amazing performers in the persons of NVP, David Rivas, Arizza Marcelo, Ed Cabanayan & partner Susan, Darren Kramer & partner Lisa, and Michaela Aloba, to our most hardworking committee members Chaz & Jhun Patron, Chie Rivas, Alicia Monk, Carmen Estacio, Karla Maglantay, Aiza Marcelo, Gina Kalaw, Mike Aloba. and to our swinging favorite band, the Ladies’ Choice, who kept the dancers on the floor until 1:00 A.M. Thank you for your special prayers which guided us through the evening. (Some committee members in a photo, see on this page. Thanks to our long-distance VT Poet-Columnist (Warrior Heart) from Iowa. Ms. Marivic Smith. for her thoughtful note prior to the event. Vicki was in last year’s batch of hall of famers…”You must be crazy busy what with HOF coming up this weekend. Again, so sorry for not being there with you. As you might see on my FB page–got quite a few things going on for me this weekend, too, among which are UP classmates arriving as early as Saturday for my birthday and author event on Monday, Oct. 6. I wish you and Joe could be with me, too–alas, we all have our passions and time doesn’t alway cooperate.” Thanks much, Vicki, and I know it was an unforgettable birthday celeb with your former UP classmates! Enjoy this issue-ful of stories, comments, pictures of Hall of Famers’ October edition. Absorb likewise some of your favorite columnists’ issues and topics that range from politics, religion, government and socials.

Some of the hardworking HOF committee members and talent participants took time to pose in front of the red-carpeted step-and-repeat banner, from left: Gina Kalaw, Jovie Calma (Coordinator), Karla Maglantay, Arizza Marcelo, Aiza Marcelo, Chie Rivas and David Rivas.

HOF keynote speaker Billy Dec, popular Emmy awardee, Sunda and Rockit owner, White House appointee for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Affairs.