PIWC 2024 Gala Celebration to be an Enchanting Evening

By: Veronica Leighton

 

The Chicago’s Filipino American community is now gearing up for the finale of its 2024 independence celebration, the most anticipated Gala and Coronation Night on June 22nd at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Through the able leadership of Jovy Sirianni and her hardworking committee chairs and its members, the evening promises to be an evening to remember and to be proud of our culture, ancestry, and heritage.

Supporting Jovy for the success of all her patriotic endeavors on this occasion are the following executive committee officers of the PIWC: Jovy Sirianni, Overall Chairperson; Dr. Nida Blankas Hernaez, OAC-Elect; Maritess Wynkoop, Past OAC; Flor Castil, Recording Secretary; Ralph Sirianni, Corresponding Secretary; Myrna Cordero, Treasurer; Mercy Cusi, Asst. Treasurer; Felix Llanes, Asst. Treasurer; Leilani Magana, Auditor: Press Relations Officers: Mariano Santos, Veronica Leighton, Lodi Po; Social Media: Lindy Tan, Marissa Crome; Legal Adviser: Lourdes Mon; Financial Advisers; Edwin Pineda, Joy Manuel;

Major activities on the night of the grand ball include the Queen’s Coronation, chaired by Flerizza Antonov, and the Awards Committee, chaired by Violy Montoya.

The list of 2024 PIWC Queens include: Marilyn McLean (Mrs. Philippines); Rosibeth Hernandez (Mrs. PIWC); Josirene Vicuna Sanglay (Mrs. Illinois); Julia Chavez (Mrs. Chicago); Jelly Ann Barimbao (Miss Philippines); Alma Gatuz (Miss PIWC); May Lorraine A. Villalon (Miss Chicago); Selah Roman Kim (Miss Teen Philippines); Samantha Jane Concepcion (Miss Teen PIWC); Lara Grace Bryant (Little Miss Philippines); and Jenna Rose Torres (Little Miss PIWC). Choreographers: Jessie Angat for opening number and Rizza Antonov for Beauty Queens’ Royal Dance. The list of Honorific awardees include: Leandro (Lindy) Paunlagui Tan, Lodi S. Po, Dr Marie Audrey Llanes Pineda; Editha C. Ilagan; Maritess Verin Wynkoop and Dr. Remedios R. Escalona (Posthumous). Star Volunteers awardees are: Elsa and Nestor Castillo and Dr. Edward Hernaez.

Other pre-gala Independence activities include the Kick-Off event, headed by Neneth Miranda, the Seniors Health Fair by the Chicago Nurses for Diabetes Lions Club, Bowling chaired by Melanie Woodnorth; the Community Picnic, headed by Marjorie Llanes, Parade Chair Robert Chavez and Evelyn Tolledo; Appreciation Night, Robert Chavez, and picnic Liturgical Service performed by Fr. Carlos Llagas and chaired by Liza Vasich.

The event’s keynote speaker is the Hall of Famer Hon. Israel Desierto, the first Filipino American appointed as Associate Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mabuhay! May God bless the Philippines and the Pilipinos! May your evening’s celebration be filled with fond memories.

Jovy Sirianni
PIWC Overall Chairperson 2024

Dr. Nida Blankas-Hernaez
PIWC Chairperson-elect &
Gala Night Chairperson 2024

Rizza Antonov
Beauty Queen Chairperson/
choreographer

Standing: L to R Selah Roman Kim, Samantha Jane Concepcion, Alma Gatuz, Jovy Sirianni (OAC), Marilyn McLean, Rosibeth Hernandez, Julia Chavez, Josirene Sanglay, Jelly Ann Barimbao, Jenna Rose Torres. Sitting: L to R Tina Pumarada (co-chair), Maria Sciakitano (co-chair), Rizza Antonov (bq chair), Cecilia Ramirez (co-chair). Inset photos: Lara Grace Bryant (Miss Little Philippines) and May Lorraine Villalon (Miss Chicago).