VIA Times Filipino American Lifestyle and Culture in the Greater Chicago Area

Anthony A. “Tony” Armada is the President for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital.  Lutheran General is one of the flagship hospitals of Advocate Health Care, the largest health care provider in Illinois.  Lutheran General is ...

As a young child of three, Mae’s mother enrolled her at the Cultural Center of the Philippines where she studied ballet. She was also accepted to the prestigious Children Repertory Theatre in Makati, where she studied theatre, and was also ...

Orlando C. Cabalona Sr. is a native of Jaro Leyte, Philippines. A born musician, he started playing at a very young age by watching his classically trained grandfather secretly and imitating him play behind his back. This led to him ...

Raised in a prominent clan of Misamis Oriental, Fr. Carlos Agcopra Llagas has always been associated with the Agcopra Clan’s dominant traits: intelligence, gray hair, audacity.  A consistent honors student, Fr. Carlos graduated valedictorian three times–in Grade School, High School, ...

Kampilan Eskrima System A natural athlete, Edie was engaged in different sports most of her life. She went to college at the University of San Carlos in Cebu on a basketball scholarship. While playing for her college team, she was ...

Jason Lee is the pride of the Filipino-American communities of Central Illinois. His great compassion for Filipinos and his desire to promote Filipino culture has gained him respect from many Filipino-American associations from around Illinois. He is currently the Founder ...

Marilou McLaughlin is a business owner, retired Volunteer Coordinator and teacher. She received her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Lewis and Clark Community College-Godfrey, IL. summa cum laude, Bachelors in Sociology w/minor in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois University ...

Santiago Toledo Jr., more fondly known to his family and closest friends as Boyet, was born in Manila, Philippines on July 23, 1959 to Santiago Ybanez Toledo and Patria Ambrosio DeLeon-Toledo. His late father is a lawyer and outstanding government ...

A visionary leader with numerous awards and recognition as an exemplary performer in every aspect of her life – as student, law practitioner, mother and politician – Governor Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo is strongly motivated to work for the best of ...

Wilfredo “Jing” V. Espiritu has over 25 years of experience in management, administration & finance. He has worked in marketing and business development to promote various industries including retail & wholesale, trading & distribution, events & entertainment, and real estate. ...