Highlights on the Notable & Outstanding Filipinos

By: Veronica Leighton

 

This is the month that Filipinos who are making a difference in their lives and other people’s lives must be highlighted as this is our month…October is publicly oberved as the celebration of Filipino American History Month as passed by the U.S. Congress.

The 2015 Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Famers and their friends will not be our only focus in this issue when we talk about outstanding and notable Filipinos who have been creating impacts in this country and throughout the world for what they do and have accomplished.

Let’s start from a quiet mover and shaker….Colonel Antonio A. Aguto, Jr., Deputy Commander General Operations 7th Infantry Division, who was recently promoted last Setember 28th as Brigadier General held at American Lake Conference Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. (Thanks to Mr. Alex Gonzales, past FACC President, for sharing this wonderful information with us).

Col. Aguto was commissioned an Armor Officer from the United States Military Academy in 1998. As a young officer, he served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Support Platoon Leader in the 4th Squadron, 8th Cavalry regiment, 3rd Armored Division United States Army Europe during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Col. Aguto later served as Commander, Armor Company, 2nd Battallion, 64th Armor, 2rd Infantry Division and Headquarters Commander 1st Battalion, 77th Armor, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Europe during operations in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Aide de Camp to Commander, 1st Infantry Division.

Col. Aguto later served as Operations Officer, 133 Readiness Division, Joint Staff and DAG3 Army Operations Center, Readiness Center.

Following CGSC, Col. Aguto served as Squadron Operations and Executive Officer, 3rd Armored Cavalry regiment and as Regimental Executive Officer while deployed to Operation Irqi Freedom 2003 to 2004.

From November 2005 to June 2006, Col. Aguto commanded 2-14 Cavalry Squadron, 1st Brigade (Stryker Brigade Combat Team)m 25th Infantry, Fort Lewis, Washington. Col. Aguto became the Commander of 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry regiment after 1st Brigade reflagged to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry regment in June 1, 2006 in Vilseck, Germany. He commanded the Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 in Baghdad and Diyala, Iraq from 2007-2008. From 2010-212, Col. Aguto commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment–Blackhorse–at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. From 2012-2015, Col. Aguto has worked for TRADOC both as the Chief of Staff, Combined Army Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Executive Officer of the Commanding General, Fort Eustis, Virginia.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Course, Field Artillery Advanced Course, Command and General staff College and the Naval War College.

Col. Aguto’s decorations include the Legion of Merit (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal ) Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Staff Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Staff Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5 Oak Leaf Clusters), the National Defense Service Medal (2 Awards), NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Army and Joint Staff Badges.

Col. Aguto is married to the former Melane Nunn of Fort leavenworth, Kansas. ****

The following highlighted personality needs no further introduction as she has been making waves for her renowned performances on stage, concerts and silver screen since she was a child. Ms. Lea Salonga, who was a big hit in Broadway musical “Miss Saigon” and “Mulan,” has brought with her the beauty, graciousness and talent of a Filipina who makes sure that the word “Filipino” accompanies her name wherever she goes. We received the latest news about Lea who will be starring in another Broadway show “Allegiance,” and will be a featured cover of popular magazine “Vanity Fair” in a high-fashion emphasis for her upcoming Broadway performance. Let us share this wonderful news with you…

“New York, NY — To celebrate the opening of the Broadway show “Allegiance,” starring George Takei, Lea Salonga, and Telly Leung, Vanity Fair will feature a high fashion spread photographed by Luke Fontana, and styled by George Brescia, showcasing each actor wearing internationally-acclaimed fashion designer Malan Breton’s creations. Shot at New York’s YouTube studios the editorial exhibits a classic Hollywood look with art direction by Mitch Dean.

When Mr Breton was asked how he felt learning these lifelong icons would be gracing the magazine in his designs, he simply bowed his head in gratitude, smiled, and said with a tear in his eye, he wished them success on Allegiance, and the Broadway opening.

“Allegiance” the musical is “Inspired by the true-life experience of its star George Takei (“Star Trek,” “Heroes”), Allegiance follows one family’s extraordinary journey in this untold American story.

A mysterious envelope leads Sam Kimura (Takei) back 60 years to a time when he (played as a young man by Telly Leung – Godspell, “Glee”) and his sister Kei (Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga – Miss Saigon, Mulan) strive to save their family from the wrongful imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Sam enlists in the army to prove the Kimuras’ loyalty, but Kei joins draft resisters fighting for the rights of their people.

Their paths take them from the lush farmlands of California to the wastelands of Wyoming to the battlefields of Europe, and their divided loyalties threaten to tear them apart forever. But as long-lost memories are unlocked, Sam finds that it is never too late to forgive and to recognize the redemptive power of love.”

The garments much like the musical are rooted in rich history, each hand constructed garment is made of hand woven material. Mr Breton, mentored by the late Arnold Scaasi, crafts his gowns using old world techniques taught to the couturieres of the past century. This careful construction gives a perfect fit each time, as witnessed in the image of Ms Salonga in his papillon gown. Each of the menswear pieces are crafted with the philosophy of fit, quality, and construction, Mr Breton learned from Paul Cuss at a British heritage brand famous for shirting the Prince of Wales.”

Below photo is showing the scene of the first-ever gathering and commemoration of Filipinos and Filipino Americans, mainly leaders from all over the country, inside the White House last October 2, 2015.

On this occasion, Chicagoan Billy Dec, former VIA Man of the Year, Emmy awardee, successful entrepreneur and lawyer, and member of the President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs, moderated a panel with Filipino American trailblazers, which included Cristeta Comerford, the first Filipino American White House Executive Chef; Apl.de.ap, Co- Founder of the Black Eyed Peas; Cassie, singer; Geena Rocero, model and founder of Gender Proud; Jo Koy, comedian; and Ronnie del Carmen, Co-Director of Pixar Animation Studios.

The speakers highlighted how they have blazed the trail in their respective fields, and recognized the role that their families – especially their mothers – played throughout their experiences. The Celebration kicked off with remarks by Jason Tengco, Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), and Mel Orpilla, President of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), who highlighted FANHS’ efforts in 1991 to recognize October as Filipino American History Month for the first time. Jason then surprised Mel and FANHS Executive Director Dorothy Cordova with a special message from President Obama:

This year’s keynote speaker, Nani Coloretti, who serves as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is the highestranking Filipino American in the Obama Administration, highlighted her upbringing in Hawaii and the role that her family played throughout her personal and career journey.##

Brigadier General Antonio A. Aguto, Jr.

Photo by Bessie Chan, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.