Awards Ceremonies of 2017 Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Famers

MARJERIE BADILLA, MD.
Excellence in Aesthetic Medicine

Dr. Marjerie Badilla is back in practice after a brief retirement. She has over 30 years of experience in both the civilian & military services. While in the Armed Forces, she was the chief of Acute Minor Clinic OP of Fort Belvoir Army Hospital in Virginia. From there, she trained in Dermatology at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C.
Her office with her experienced medical staff offers new affordable anti-aging products & procedures, skin laser treatments & non surgical facelifts. All injectable procedures are done personally by Dr. Badilla. She treats every patient with her great compassion for people and with a special V.I.P. status.
Her special interests in Aesthetic Medicine now include Acne Scar revision using CROSS Chemical Remodeling of Scarred Skin), followed by PRP with Microneedling; and Hair Loss therapy, using PRP alone and or PRP with Autologous Stem Cells. Her innate artistic confidence blended with application of the latest revolutionary, technologies will deliver the finest and optimal results which will be a life changer.
(Nominator: Veronica Leighton, VT Publisher/CPRTV Executive Producer)

HOF award to Dr. Marge Badilla, from left , Congen Calonge, Lourdes Livas, Dr. Marge Badilla, Veronica (nominator)

 

RAVI BAICHWAL
Outstanding Asian American in Media

Ravi Baichwal co-anchors the ABC 7 Weekend News at 5 and 10 p.m., Chicago’s number one weekend newscasts, alongside Karen Jordan. He also reports for ABC 7’s daily newscasts. Baichwal joined ABC 7 Chicago in November 2006.
During his tenure, Baichwal gained a national reputation for seamless coverage of live, breaking news. He covered the fast changing world of politics and served as host of two award-winning election night specials. Other historically significant stories he has covered include the terrorist attacks on the London Underground system, the discovery of former Iraq president Saddam Hussein by U.S. soldiers and the death of Pope John Paul II. Most recently in 2009, Baichwal received an Emmy Award for his work on ABC 7’s Asian Influences: Dream America, a half-hour special focusing on immigration reform, and how it affects Asian Americans and their dream to live in this country with their families.
(Nominator: Veronica Leighton. VT Publisher/CPRTV Executive Producer)

HOF award to ABC’s Ravi Baichwal, from left , Jovie Calma, Veronica, Lourdes Livas, Ravi Baichwal, Girlie Pascual and Nick Vera Perez

 

MARIE CUNNING
VIA (Vision, Insights/Intelligence, Achievements) Woman of the Year 2017

Marie is a serial entrepreneur who owns and operates several successful companies:.. Arista Development, Inc., one of Arizona’s premier Residential and Commercial builders, Arizona Discount Flooring, a flooring, cabinet, countertop and custom door wholesaler, with three stores in the Phoenix, Mesa, and Surprise, Arizona areas, and Altair Realty, a 17-year-old real estate company with 22 active real estate agents. She is also co-owner of Mr. Boba restaurant franchise.

Marie is also very active in the National and Arizona Community service arena. She is the President of the National Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC). She is also a Board of Director for the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), and Vice Region Chair for NaFFAA Region 11. In the Arizona scene, Marie is the 2nd Vice District Governor for Lions District MD 21C and several other community positions.
(Nominator: Cindy Flores, VIA Woman of the Year 2012)

HOF award to Marie Cunning, VIA Woman of the Year, from left , Lourdes Livas, Congen Calonge, Veronica, Kayla Tejero, Nick Vera Perez, Marie Cunning & Cindy Flores (Nominator)

 

JANICE DANTES, Attorney-at-Law
Excellence in Law
Janice is a passionate attorney dedicated to serving the Filipino community. She attended the University of Chicago where she graduated with honors in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Studies.
In her spare time, Janice is a wife and mother as well as an active member in a variety of organizations. She currently serves on the Guerin Prep Alumni Board and the University of Chicago Alumni Association. She provides pro bono legal services to the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) and Wills for Heroes, an organization devoted to providing wills and power of attorney documents to first responders.
Janice is also an active member of a variety of bar associations: Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago Bar Association (CBA), the American Bar Association (ABA), the Asian American Bar Association (AABA), and the Filipino American Lawyer Association (FALA).
(Nominator: Veronica Leighton)

HOF award to Attorney Janice Dantes, from left , ConGen Calonge, Lourdes Livas, Janice Dantes, with son, and Veronica

 

LOUIS DE GUZMAN
Young Achiever in Visual Arts
Chicago-based artist, Louis De Guzman, creates artwork that merges his past with his present. Using mixed media (black pens, pencils, a tablet and adobe illustrator),
De Guzman blends together images and stories that evoke his family’s immigrant struggle, and his own experience as a second generation Filipino American. He is inspired by the art of the Baroque and Renaissance periods, and also takes inspiration from silk scarves from high end fashion brands like Chanel and Versace. He describes his work as “intricate conceptualization,” intertwining modern (sometimes iconic) symbols with those that embody the heart and resiliency of the Filipino people and his experiences as a child.
De Guzman’s work has been showcased throughout the Chicagoland area.
(Nominator: Elaine Lehman, FACC Executive Director)

HOF award to Louis de Gusman, from left , Congen Calonge, Lourdes Livas, Louis de Guzman and Veronica

 

CARLOTA GRUSPE DOMANTAY
Humanitarian/Community Service

This lady whose community-consciousness and humanitarian heart is widespread in the Chicago Filipino American community of Chicago, is also known as a “beauty queen spotter,” as she is the person who knows one when she sees one. As a beauty queen herself during her younger days, she was voted “Miss UM (University of Manila) College of Law” as well as “Miss Basketball Team.” Beauty titles gained in her own province was as “Miss Tarlac” and “Miss Central Luzon.” When asked how she can inspire some ladies to join community’s beauty pageants, she says with a motherly smile, “I love to encourage the ladies to participate in our community events because these are humanitarian causes and I want them to be aware of helping the community. Also, I hope to see them lose some of their shyness and inhibitions, and gain self-confidence.”
Some of her community awards include: Outstanding Service award from Red Hot, Hall of Fame award by Fil-Am TV, Most Outstanding Senior from Philippine American Cultural Foundation, Juzz Danz Award, Outstanding Grandma from Pilipino American Social Service, PASS’s Golden Humanitarian Award, Golden Heart award from Chicago Philippine Lions Club, Mrs. Valentine’s from Joy Dance Club, Kalayaan’s Outstanding Service award, Outstanding Service from PIWC, and the list goes on.
(Nominator: Angie Francisco)

HOF award to Carlota Domantay, from left , ConGen Calonge, Lourdes Livas. Carlota Domantay and Veronica

 

RICHARD FELICELDA
VIA (Vision, Insights/Intelligence, Achievements) Man of the Year 2017

Hardworking, driven and fearless are words that appropriately describe
Richard Felicelda, who is a teacher by profession and a businessman at heart.
It was his dream to become a teacher, and he pursued this dream by working his way through college with a scholarship from the Catholic Church, and earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Language Teaching in Southern Leyte State University. He worked passionately as a university teacher, teaching both undergraduate and graduate levels for more than a decade. He has also taught in various universities in the Philippines, as well as in Poland and China
Emigrating to the United States in 2008 offered different challenges in life for
Richard. Gifted with strong determination and faith, he started his own business, Star Lab, which he incorporated in 2011. It started as a Phlebotomy company and he worked hard as the
phlebotomist, the manager, the office receptionist, the janitor, all in one. Through
sheer hardwork, perseverance, determination and faith, he overcame the challenges of running a
business. Richard expanded the operation of Star Lab in 2013 to become an
independent clinical laboratory company. StarLab offers phlebotomy services as
well as diagnostic specimen testing. The number of services the laboratory offered
has steadily grown since then. Under Richard’s management, StarLab grew from
renting a 250 sq. ft. room to purchasing a 5,000 sq. ft. building in Franklin Park, IL.
The facility now hosts an array of state-of-the-art medical equipment for clinical
diagnostics.
(Nominator: Melody Dizon)

HOF award to Richard Felicelda, from left , Richard Felicelda, ConGen Calonge, Melinda Rabor-Dizon, Richard Felicelda, Mrs. Felicelda, Veronia and Girlie Pascual

 

LAIN AND NELL FRIAS & FAMILY
Model Family
As owners of a printing company, Creative Impressions Plus, Lain and Nell are deeply entrenched in many Filipino organizations and are quite adept to the nuances of their business. In fact, their great attitude and personality are a perfect fit for a trade that is almost completely reliant on its community. Their service, though, far exceeds their business interests doing not for profit organizations’ souvenir programs and other printing needs for much less money than they would have charged other businesses and doing so with pleasure. Short of ‘giving away the store,’ Lain and Nell donate their time, money and effort to organizations, groups and programs whose missions and visions are closest to their hearts. As practicing Catholics, Lain and Nell’s volunteer work is first and foremost, faith-related.
Lain and Nell are blessed with 4 children, viz: Joseph, a High Performance Technology graduate from Northwestern University in Ohio, who now owns Creative Imprints Plus and co-owns Larlin, a nursing school. Joseph also works as service engineer with Sysmex and helps with the family business; Rainel, a multi-awarded Army veteran graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University with a major in Kineseology. He now works as IT with a private company and also maintains their printing company’s networking and computer needs. Rainel is married to Vanessa who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Benedictine University. She works in Quality Assurance at a Home Health Agency. Lorajoy and Sara are both majoring in Criminal Justice at the College of DuPage with the objective of serving in the police force. Lorenz, the youngest, served in the U.S. Navy. He now lives in Virginia and is working towards a degree in Physical Therapy while at the same time working at the YMCA as instructor; his girlfriend, Ashlee graduated cum laude with a BS Psychology degree from the Southern Illinois University and works as audiology specialist at an ENT clinic. Lain and Nell have 2 grandchildren: Caleb from Lorajoy and Sara and their sweet little bundle of joy, Landon, son of Rainel and Vanessa.
There is no greater joy than to feel the love and presence of family. “Our family is a circle of strength and love; founded on faith; joined in love; kept by God; forever together.”
(Nominator: Angie Francisco)

HOF award to Nell & Lain Frias & family, with Lourdes Livas, ConGen Calonge, Nick Vera Perez, Veronica & Girlie Pascual

 

Ben Inventor, PhD, APN/CNP
Excellence in Nursing Education

He specializes in mental health and in management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. He received his PhD in Nursing Science from Rush University, Chicago, IL where he examined the impact of activities, social environment and psychotropic medications on neuropsychiatric symptoms of nursing home residents with dementia. Recognizing that
poor management of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, aggression, anxiety and depression can have catastrophic consequences such as premature hospitalization, inappropriate use of psychotropic medications and use of physical restraints, he plans to
develop a program of research that focuses on effective management of these symptoms, appropriate use of psychotropic medications and caregiver skill building to provide person-centered dementia care. He recently received training on clinical application of genetics from the National Institutes of Health and Nursing Research. He began to incorporate pharmacogenomic testing to optimize therapeutic response and increase safety of medications among older adults with depression and is now building a program of research in this emerging field of science. He has published and presented clinical papers nationally and internationally in the areas of older adults, dementia and caregiving.
Dr. Inventor is currently an assistant professor at Rush University, College of Nursing, where he teaches students in the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. He is privileged to have a positive impact in healthcare through clinical practice, research and education.
(Nominator: Richie Gil, CFAA Hall of Famer in Entertainment 2016)

HOF award to Dr. Ben Inventor, from left , ConGen Calonge, Kayla Tejero, Lourdes Livas, Ben Inventor, Veronica, Richie Gil (Nominator)

 

Ma. Gemma Esmalla-Kosanam, DM, MS HSA, RN
Nursing Executive/Education Leadership
She is currently the immediate past president and adviser of the Chicago Nightingales. CN is a 501 (C)(3) organization launched in February 2013- a voluntary, impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian organization with a mission to promote health and wellness in the community, and provide assistance to communities that are stricken with disasters or calamities locally, and in third world countries, primarily, the Philippines.
Gemma is connected with Presence Saint Mary and Saint Elizabeth Medical Center as the hospital’s Medical Stabilization Manager, House Manager and Performance Improvement Coordinator. As a registered nurse, Gemma is professionally trained and educated, both here in the US and the Philippines. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo; completed the academic requirements for Master of Arts in Nursing from Central Philippine University, Iloilo; Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL) in 2000; and Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix in 2012.
Despite her multiple roles in the organization, Gemma also leads the Pride Council at PSMEMC. The Pride Council is in charge of the hospital-wide associate engagement activities. The council under Gemma’s leadership has successfully launched initiatives unique to the organization, such as Walk the Block, Halloween Family Night, Employee Idol, and Multicultural Food Fair.
(Nominator: Ryan Tejero)

HOF award to Gemma Esmalla-Kosanam, from left , Ryan Tejero (nominator), ConGen Calonge, Lourdes Livas. Gemma Kosanam and Veronica
MAR LAPENA
Excellence in Fashion
Mar, perhaps, is the first Filipino haute couture to have done a live Fashion Show and interview, on a mainstream television in Chicago, at WLSTV Channel 7. His fashion designs were featured live last June 2014 and June 2017, featuring Filipiniana vintage ternos and sayas and modern gowns, modeled by the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) beauty queens.
In 1985, Mar got a contract to work in Saudi Arabia as a Managing Couturier of a famous Fashion Couture. For 15 years, Mar’s clientele included Saudi Arabian Royalties, Princesses and Diplomats. “The most common work in fashion designs in Saudi Arabia is meticulous and detailed beadwork, specialized by Filipinos. So, I was able to sponsor some Kababayan (countrymen/women) to work with me in Saudi. I felt so blessed helping others. Very true. Charity is always in Mar’s heart. Until today, he supports many relatives in the Philippines, including some charitable institutions there. “My greatest joy is seeing my fashion clients very happy with my work. But deep down in my heart, my mission is not only to make them look beautiful as seen by the naked
(Nominator: Chaz Patron, past Hall of Famer in Excellence in Entertainment 2015)

HOF award to Designer Mar Lapena, from left , ConGen Calonge, Lourdes Livas, Mar Lapena, Veronica, Chaz Patron (Nominator), MC Girlie Pascual

 

PATRICIA LEONARDO
Young Achiever/Entrepreneurship

In 2015, Patricia graduated from Guerin Catholic High School where she received her Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma. In high school, she participated on the Women’s Varsity Golf team where she found her life-long hobby. As a young entrepreneur and college student, Patricia is always willing to be better and always willing to learn. She attended Landmark Forum for Teens which focused on personal development. She was also a part of a Toastmaster’s group that she attended weekly over the summer to help her become comfortable with public speaking. Patricia is currently involved in the Greek community at IU as an active member of the sorority, Sigma Kappa. Within her sorority, she is part of the public relations committee. To get in touch with her roots, Patricia is a member of the Filipino American Association at IU and has connected with many people who she now considers family. Apart from academics and school activities she has a love for traveling, any chance she gets she will fly half way across the world to learn and expose herself to other cultures and environments.

Although she is a science major, Patricia is also taking extra business classes at the prestigious Kelley School of Business. In the rapidly evolving world of marketing, Patricia likes to stay up to date and appeal to her age and target market. Social media marketing is her main strategy to promote the Patricia Collection by NENA. Patricia personally handles all the shipping and handling of the products and continues to promote the products by keeping up to date on social media. She is connected on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Tumblr. Her goal is to expand her brand internationally as well as expand her product line.
(Nominator: Nena Mondonedo Perez, CFAA Hall of famer, Young Entrepreneur 2012)

HOF Award to Patricia Leonardo, from left , Congen Calonge, Patricia and Veronica

 

ROSELLE OLEA
Community Leadership
Rose is the Chief Operations Officer for Asian American Community Exchange (AACE), a market research company focused on helping organizations penetrate the Asian American market. She brings over 20 years of work experience in a variety of industries. Rose is also the current President of NAAAP-Chicago, a leadership organization focused on helping Asian American Professionals become better leaders.
Rose is passionate and actively involved in the Asian American community. She is the longest running President for the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) and was the first woman elected as Board Chair to the National Board in 2013. During her tenure as Chicago Chapter President, Rose established Asian American Group Leaders, a peer program that has brought together over 40 Asian Employee/Business Resource Groups as well as established a Women in Leadership Program now recognized as a national program within NAAAP. She has also served as Chairwoman to the Chicago Chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum and was recognized for her contributions to the Asian Community by the National Federation of Filipino American Association’s Circle of Empowered Women in the Midwest. Contact: rose@aacexchange.com / (773) 236-2227
(Nominator: Jovie Calma)

HOF award to Roselle Olea, from left , Congen Calonge, Jovie Calma (Nominator), Lourdes Livas, Roselle Olea and Veronica

 

Dr. Maria Lourdes Geraldine Banaad-Omiotek
Excellence in Medicine 2017
Dr. Maria Lourdes Geraldine Banaad-Omiotek is a Family Practitioner and has been practicing in the Chicago area since 2004. She is currently board certified in Internal Medicine in the Philippines. She practiced briefly in the Philippines before she decided to pursue further training in the US.
Upon coming to Chicago, Dr. Omiotek worked as a research assistant at RUSH University Department of Hepatology for over a year. She then proceeded to complete a Family Medicine residency at Swedish Covenant Hospital, finishing as chief resident and resident of the year in 2004. She then joined a private practice and has been still the same group for fourteen years. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She is currently working as one of two busy primary care physicians at Family Doctors/Family Healthcare, based in Chicago and affiliated with Swedish Covenant Hospital.
(Nominator: Dr. Rodrigo Farrales, Past President, Ateneans USA)

HOF award to Dr. Gina Omiotek, from left , Congen Calonge, Lourdes Livas, Omiotek’s son, Veronica & MC Bick Vera Perez

 

MAYOR RITA GOMEZ SANDERS
Excellence in Public Service

Rita Gomez Sanders is currently the Mayor for the City of Bellevue, Nebraska – home of Offutt Air Force Base. Elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. Rita was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, her father of Filipino descent and her mother of German descent. As a teenager, Rita moved to Germany for 5 years, then to Livermore California. In 1983, Rita moved to Bellevue Nebraska where she started a family (2 boys now ages 33 and 34). Rita
and her husband are commercial real-estate developers and their current project is a Senior Living Retirement Campus in the heart of Bellevue.

Rita’s education interest is in Global Studies and she continues to make education part of her lifestyle. She continues to take classes at Bellevue University. “It is as a way to keep in touch with the next generation, their thoughts, desires, passion and how they see life.
Rita’s involvement in her community has been very active. She lives by the motto “if you’re going to complain, be part of the solution”.
(Nominator: Consul General Generoso DG Calonge)

HOF award to Mayor Rita Sanders, from left , Lourdes Livas, ConGen Calonge, Sanders with family and Veronica

 

OLIVIA TRINQUAND EXCELLENCE IN ENTERTAINMENT 2017
Born and raised in the southern part of Philippines, Ms. Olivia S. Trinquand is a SINGING special education teacher.
Olivia’s love for music started at a very young age, she became a national winner in singing at a national noon-time show, LUNCHDATE, at the age of 15. She bloomed and became a recording artist of Quantum Music Corporation, Philippines. She has performed in several five-star hotel lounges and events, and hosted entertainment venues in U.S. and in different Asian countries. Hotel Sofitel Shanghai, Shang-rila Golden Flower Xian, Sheraton Hotel Xian, Peoples Republic of China were included in the list of her gigs.
Recently, Olivia was the only official guest singer of Mr. Nick Vera Perez, a Warner Music Philippines rising artist, during his Philippine album tour “I Am Ready.” She opened almost all of his major shows. “Ms. Olivia ST,” as commonly known to all, belts when needed and can whisper on command during performances, a delight for all the audience to see, regardless of race, age, and sex. A true entertainer in her blood, Ms. Olivia ST, is a talent to watch!

HOF award to Olivia Trinquand, from left , Lourdes Livas, Olivia Trinquand, husband Bojie Agustin, Veronica and Nick Vera Perez (nominator)

 

Lawrence “Larry” Ventresca MBA, LUTCF, FSP
Friend of the Filipino
Larry Ventresca is a financial consultant, author, and adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.. He is responsible for developing a personal approach to managing wealth. Larry states wealth management is more than just investment advice. Wealth management
encompasses all parts of a person’s financial life cycle.
Larry Ventresca attained Million Dollar Round Table status in 2008 and was fortunate enough to
be awarded with the Who’s Who of American Business People. In addition to managing his client’s portfolios with his company VFG Group, Inc., Larry travels on the weekends to our nation’s capital in order to continue the “Jesuit” ideals and training at Georgetown University where he himself earned an MBA in Finance. The courses Larry teaches are in portfolio management, entrepreneurship, financial analysis, business and management.
Larry has been a professor for over 18 years, including his tenure as faculty at Triton College
In River Grove, Il(Nominator: Dr. Rodrigo Farrales, Past President, Ateneans USA)

HOF award to Larry Ventresca, from left , Lourdes Livas, Larry Ventresca, Con- Gen Calonge and Veronica

 

SILAYAN ASSOCIATION SINGERS
Community Service Through Music

The love of music has a way of gluing people together. Since 1990, most of Silayan Singers were members of The Lofradez Chorale. After this group disbanded, a small group of friends continued to sing even without a director. At the death anniversary of Ines Millare in 1994, the Silayan Singers were born.
Susing Flores, Didi Saguin-Becker, Cindy Sunga, Alice Parenas were among those who accompanied the group at various functions in the Filipino communities: Laguna Association, St. Paul College Alumni Association of the Midwest & the De Ocampo Nursing Alumni Association. We also started venturing out to sing at religious occasions: Easter Mass at the University of Chicago, Simbang Gabi at several churches including St. John Brebeuf in Niles, St. Hubert’s at Hoffman Estates, St. Margaret Mary’s. St. Gregory’s and St. Matthias’ in Chicago, as well at weddings, funerals, wakes and Nursing Homes.
In 1997, we forged a union with Ed Dimangondayao who provided excellent musical leadership, inspiring the Silayan Singers to pursue greater heights in musical performance. In 1998, this journey led to Navy Pier- the centennial celebration of Philippine Independence, where we blended our voices with many others to pay tribute to those who birthed our nation. This experience spurred us on to pursue the recording of our maiden album, “Silayan”, and its launching at our first concert in 2000. This was an expression of who we are, what we’ve been through and what we will continue to aspire for. It represented many years of friendship.
In conjunction with Nila Dimangondayao as our movement director and conductor, through hard work and tremendous commitment, yearly concerts ensued and subsequent recordings followed: “Salamat Musika”, ”Love in all of its Splendor” and “A Moment in Time to Love”, each year providing the needed assistance to the deprived and less fortunate.
In 2002, Silayan Association in Illinois had become a non-profit organization (501(c)3), promoting music as a universal language giving praise and glory to God and using our gifts and talents to raise community awareness and charity.
Through World Vision, we supported Project Pangkaunlarn and sponsored a Filipino child’s health, education and well being. Through ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) Foundation, we supported GAWAD KALINGA in the creation of safe communities by providing housing, education and the basic necessities for the homeless. Through Food for the Poor, Inc., we helped ease the hunger problems in the US.

Silayan singers, not in order: Abegail Rodriguez, Judy Seghers, Julie Lazo, Marcy Darunday, Rosemarie Tom, Herminia Flores, Marylou Sarmiento. Linda Escartin, Dr. Gloria Millare, Ilani Valero, Ben Butuyan, Rustom Barsanas, Richard Dela Pena and Lou Cabalona. Music Director: Esther Hana.

 

MICHAEL ENCARNACION VIANZON
Excellence in Engineering

Michael is a principal project manager at the local electrical utility Commonwealth Edison, an Exelon company. He manages and executes large capital projects in transmission and substation areas. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois and California. Michael is a certified project management professional with over 12 years in heavy industry project management.

Michael is the executive board secretary for the Asian American Resource Group at ComEd / Exelon. This resource group strives to support the diversity and inclusive goals of the company by being a supporting organization for employees and by planning signature and networking events, recently at the Field Museum and Zhou Brothers Art museum. Michael also plans volunteer events, lunch and learns, and Taste of Asia events throughout the year to showcase and be as impactful as he can be as a leader for diversity and inclusion in the work place.

(Nominator: Josey Nieto, CFAA Hall of Fame Young Engineering Award 2016)

HOF award to Michael Vianzon, from left , Lourdes Livas, Michael Vianzon, ConGen Calonge & Veronica

 

SILAYAN ASSOCIATION SINGERS
Community Service Through Music

The love of music has a way of gluing people together. Since 1990, most of Silayan Singers were members of The Lofradez Chorale.
In 1997, they forged a union with Ed Dimangondayao who provided excellent musical leadership, inspiring the Silayan Singers to pursue greater heights in musical performance. In 1998, this journey led to Navy Pier- the centennial celebration of Philippine Independence, spurring them to pursue the recording of their maiden album, “Silayan”, and their first concert in 2000.
In conjunction with Nila Dimangondayao as their movement director and conductor, yearly concerts and subsequent recordings followed: “Salamat Musika”, ”Love in all of its Splendor” and “A Moment in Time to Love”, each year providing the needed assistance to the deprived and less fortunate.
In 2002, Silayan Association in Illinois had become a non-profit organization (501(c)3), promoting music as a universal language giving praise and glory to God and using our gifts and talents to raise community awareness and charity.
Nominator: Lou Cabalona