VIA Times – Septermber 2024 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Ryan Tejero
It takes a lot of planning and coordinating to stage a successful event especially if it involves participation of guests coming from all over the US and from the Philippines. This is the case of the 3rd Agusanon Tapok Tapok Ngani America, which was a gathering of Filipinos who hailed from the province of Agusan. It was truly a memorable event for the group which was hosted in Chicago from Aug 23-25, 2024. There was a total of 120 participants who came all the way from California, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Washington DC, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Canada and from the Philippines.
For two days, guests were treated with a fun-filled meet and greet night, followed by an exciting tour of the Windy City. Everyone took the opportunity to visit and pose at the world-famous Millenium Park, with a group picture taking at the Cloudgate and a picnic at the Adler Planetarium grounds. The day event included a guided tour inside the Chicago’s Field Museum where the Golden image from Agusan (Golden Tara) was featured and highlighted as the star of the show.
An elegant gala night was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chicago O’Hare with a Filipiniana Theme. The Gala was inspired by the overall theme centered on “Connecting our roots with the new generation.” It is the desire of the with the aim of involving the younger generation in keeping the Agusanon heritage and tradition. Highlights of the gala included top notch ballroom dancing from Agusanon, Alfreda Reterrer, guest singing performance by Kayla Tejero, and a live band led by Agusanon, Eric Sembrano from Wisconsin.
Chair of the host team (Kami nga mga Agusanon ngani Midwest) Ritchie Calo Quinones said, “As we move forward in this fast-paced world, it’s essential to remember where we come from. Our roots, shaped by the experiences and traditions of our ancestors, are the foundation upon which we build our lives. By connecting our roots to the new generation, we can ensure that the stories, values, and wisdom of the past continue to inspire and guide us towards a brighter future.”
Ritchie added, “The new generation, with their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, can learn valuable lessons from our collective history. By sharing our roots with them, we can help them understand the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our communities and cultures. This connection can foster a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose, empowering them to become the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow.”
Ritchie Quinones is a Registered Nurse. He is married to Maggie, who also is a Registered Nurse. Both of them have been blessed with three very smart and successful children: Migi is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of BS in Computer Science; Macy, who is a nursing student and Marv, who is a pre-medicine student.
Chicago’s Field Museum features the Golden image from Agusan (Golden Tara).
Agusanons with the world’s famous landmark in Chicago – The Bean at the Millenium Park!
Agusanon at the Chicago’s Field Museum.
Agusanon with Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan.
Agusanon representing California, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Washington DC, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Canada and from the Philippines.
