PIWC Celebration 2026

By: Lourdes G. Mon

 

In this past Philippine Independence Week Gala Celebration, I noticed that most of the attendees were not the usual people that I see every year. It’s rather understandable because most of the people were guests of the beauty queens. Having said that, from the beginning of the program, guests were consumed with loud conversations that whoever was speaking, was hard to hear. The only people who can be heard were the two MCs. They were loud enough that they overpowered the conversations?
Anyway, it’s appalling to me that people have no concept on how to behave when the program is going on and someone is speaking at the podium. So, generally speaking, whether or not, the audience is listening, the speeches went on to keep up with the time schedule. I personally felt sorry for them.
When it was my turn to introduce the keynote speaker, I was not going to tolerate the noise, so I reprimanded the audience. I said that while the program is going on and someone is talking, everybody must be quiet and listen to the speaker. If they can’t do that, they were welcome to step out and continue their conversations outside the ballroom. I found it embarrassing that the audience was noisy when the person I was about to introduce was the keynote speaker and people were not listening.
Indeed, when the people quieted down, I introduced our keynote speaker, the Honorable Aaron Del Mar, the first Filipino American running for Illinois Lieutenant Governor in this upcoming elections on November 3, 2026. Aaron’s political journey is one of passion, leadership, and dedication.
It all began in 2009 when, at the age of 29, he made history as the youngest-ever Councilman for the Village of Palatine. From there, he went on to serve in a variety of leadership positions.
Accompanying Aaron at the PIWC event, I had the pleasure on introducing and presenting his dad, Mr. Vic Del Mar, a Filipino immigrant and a mechanical
engineer. Aaron “frequently honors his father, sharing how his dad’s strength and work ethic served as a guiding example. He regularly posts updates celebrating his dad’s presence on the campaign trail and highlighting their bond.”
Personally, I am very excited about the candidacy of Aaron. You guessed it. We belong to the same party. The first time we met, as he introduced himself to me, my response kidding around, was that I am the only Republican present at the party. Actually, most of those who know me, agree that I am a die-hard Republican. I have photos with President George W. Bush in 2000 when he was a candidate on his first term as President. At his election, I was an alternate delegate at the convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That was a very exciting experience, being with people in the same party, across Illinois, and all over the nation. Also, I became president of the Asian American Advisory Council of Governor James Thompson.
I remember a few years back, at another PIWC celebration, the same thing happened that the audience was noisy as the keynote stood at the podium. It was more embarrassing at that time because the keynote speaker personally reprimanded the audience to quiet down before he started his speech. His name was the then-Illinois State Senator, the Honorable Dan Rutherford. Mr. Dan Rutherford also served as the Treasurer of Illinois, and a member of the Illinois House of Representations.
He is a friend who greets me on my birthday, without fail.
Continuing with the PIWC 2026 evening, it became kind of laughable for me because at the end of the program, some of my friends who were in attendance came by me to emphasize that they became quiet when I made the announcement.
In conclusion, I hope that every Filipino American is registered to vote. There’s no other candidate that I endorse strongly other than Aaron Del Mar.
Go vote! Be counted!

Honorable Aaron Del Mar

President George W. Bush

Mr. Dan Rutherford