Ladies for Rizal Presents Miss Maria Clara

By: Ryan Tejero

 

The Ladies for Rizal, USA celebrates the Filipino American History Month (FAHM) of October, highlighted by its presentation of Miss Maria Clara for 2018-2020. Ladies for Rizal, USA has been consistently pursuing its important role in promoting Filipino history and culture. Founded on September 27, 1958, this organization upheld its vision of putting in the forefront the legacies of the Philippines’ National Hero, Dr Jose P. Rizal, to inspire the youth, the community and the world about his historical significance.

The Ladies of Rizal, USA created the event – Miss Maria Clara to promote Dr. Jose Rizal’s view of Filipino women. In most of his intellectual works and writings, he cited exemplary traits of Filipino women. Thus, the fictional character of Maria Clara became an epitome of a Filipino woman, who is demure and graceful in her ways, intelligent in her choices and judgment, modest and calm in expressing herself, and one who defends her dignity and advocates for other people and her country.

With this project, the Ladies of Rizal, USA aims at elevating the community awareness on the major contribution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal – his views on the importance of the youth, the significant role of women, and his love of freedom for his country – the Philippines.

The Miss Maria Clara will be presented in a traditional, but elegant banquet at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel located at 10249 West Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, IL 60176 on October 26, 2018. Cocktails is at 6:30PM and Dinner at 7:30PM. Filipiniana or formal attire is requested. There will be three Maria Clara titles that will be presented: Miss Maria Clara Illinois, Miss Maria Clara USA, and Miss Maria Clara International. Proceeds of this event will benefit in part the programs of Ladies for Rizal and the AGAPE Orphanage in Sto. Tomas, Batangas in the Philippines.

Please contact the following for tickets and donations: Lady Veronica Fertig at 773 983 0711; Lady Gloria Kery at 773 968 7549; Lady Elizabeth Barett at 773 495 8880; Lady Carmen Estacio at 773 661 2021, and Lady Justine Alvarez at 708 785 0548.