UPCOMING EVENTS to Celebrate Mother’s Day and Asian Heritage Month

Fri May 4 to Sat May 26 – “My Asian Mom” play at Stage 773 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL 60657

Sat, May 5, 2012 @ 2pm – Apple Picking in May – an Asian Heritage Month Celebration in Chinatown

Sat, May 5, 2012 @ 5pm – PACF Performing Arts & Sama Sama Project perform at Green Festival in Navy Pier

Sun, May 6, 2012 @1pm – Asian Heritage Month Celebration at North Suburban YMCA in Northbrook

Wed, May 9, 2012 @5:30pm – Growing up undocumented with Jose Antonio Vargas at University of Chicago

Sun, May 13, 2012 @11am – A Tribute to the Most Outstanding Mothers (MOM) at Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare

Sat  May 19, 2012 @5pm – PACF Performing Arts & Sama Sama Project perform at Skokie Festival of Cultures

Sun May 20, 2012 at 1pm – PACF Performing Arts at Filipino Cultural Day St Joseph’s Church in Marseilles, IL

Sat. May 26, 2012 @1pm – “Forgotten Soldiers”: A documentary film about the United States Army’s Philippine Scouts

Sat, May 26 @2pm – Chicago’s Filipino American History – Bridge to Identity at CPS Edgewood Library

Sat, May 26, 2012 @7pm – “Noli Me Tangere – the Opera” at Harris Theater 205 East Randolph, Chicago

Sun, May 27, 2012 @3pm – “Noli Me Tangere – the Opera” at Harris Theater 205 East Randolph, Chicago

“I am speechless,” said Dylan Rice, arts and culture programmer for Navy Pier, Inc. The night previous at a news conference hosted by the Philippine American Cultural Foundation and the Philippine Consulate General at restaurant sponsor Little Quiapo, he said he “won’t be surprised if 2,000, 3,000 people show up tomorrow – all of you will be bringing about 30 people or more, of course,” he invited.

His prediction proved accurate as up to 3,000 people showed up for the five-hour show on Palm Sunday, April 1 for the first time the Philippines is featured at Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series – a record breaker for the series.

“I’m very pleased with the turnout. Piyesta Pinoy is sure to have a repeat performance next year,” Rice said.

The Parade of Costumes was allowed to begin a half hour earlier at 11:30 a.m. lead by Hataw Pinoy’s Emilio Nicolasin and PACF Piyesta Pinoy overall chairperson Ruben Salazar. Echoes of “Mabuhay!” rang true everywhere in the vast, two-storey entrance hall – a historic first, to this writer’s knowledge.

The Parade got on the escalators to the second floor and into the Crystal Gardens to start the show. Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim welcomed the crowd of all backgrounds already filling the Gardens. Vendor tables of businesses such as Megaworld International Group, sponsors Xfinity and Sunda New Asian; and organizations such as CIRCA-Pintig, Samasama Project, and Gawad Kalinga lined the north and south sides of the stage. The east end of the Gardens featured authentic Philippine artifacts from known enthusiast Jason Lee’s collection. A portion of the north end of the Gardens was turned into dressing rooms. There were families with strollers and palm fronds, elderly accommodated on the limited seats, children on the floors, parents and supporters with recording devices. Still an hour before the show, and it was already getting difficult to move around.

“We’re happy to be here,” said executive chef Jess de Guzman of food sponsor Sunda New Asian. “We look forward to more of this type of events where we are given an exciting opportunity to feature our cuisine in such a meaningful way.”

The Eternal Tinikling: Jay-R sings “Yeah 3X” by Chris Brown at Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago no ratings yet 9 views

GMA East Coast representative Grace Hufano-Labaguis escorted Jay-R and Krista Kleiner from a similar show in Tampa, Florida just days before the event couldn’t be happier. The three are touring the country to promote GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV. “This spells success not only for the foundation and the consulate but for all Filipino Chicagoans,” she said. “GMA is proud to associate in events like this that helps preserve our heritage for generations.”

The Eternal Tinikling Videos: Krista Kleiner and the youngsters at Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago no ratings yet 5 views

Piyesta Pinoy was an opportunity for the Philippines in Chicago to showcase its diverse array of cultural fare from food to organizations to businesses. But the performances stole the show: Lane Tech Kapamilya Habambuhay’s “Sayaw sa Bangko” kept audience literally on the edge of their seats with dancers jumping from benches stacked three tiers high. Loyola’s KAPWA Cultural “Lembohung Festival” impressed with a colorful storydance celebrating the harvest. And of course, there is the eternal Tinikling, so ubiquitous among Filipinos everywhere that three sets of organizations performed their own versions of it. It was the runaway crowd-pleaser of the day – but only to the untrained eye.

The Eternal Tinikling Videos: Lane Tech Kapamilya Habambuhay, “Sayaw Sa Bangko” at Piyesta Pinoy no ratings yet 12 views

From the awed and pleased expressions of the audience, there was a swelling of pride and love, memories and homesickness, gratitude and possibly even resurrected commitments to renew ties to the homeland. Possibly helped along by the Crystal Gardens’ airy six-storey glass architecture with live palms, water tension arches and protea plants – providing a climate much like the homeland.

“It was indeed a successful event. To be invited to showcase our arts and cultural heritage at this prestigious event is a big honor,” said Consul General Herrera-Lim. “Through this event, we hope to be able to make our roots known to American-born Filipinos and other ethnic groups that may not be familiar with our heritage. I believe there was an enthusiastic turnout and the performances were truly exemplary. I am confident that this event at the Crystal Gardens brings the Filipino-American community together,” he said.

Rice first got the idea to feature the Philippines for Neighborhoods of the World by two friends who thought it would be a great addition to the series. Always in touch with Consulates, he picked up the phone and dialed the Philippine Consulate office on Michigan Avenue, and spoke with Berth Salvador, the Consulate’s cultural officer. Mr. Salvador then contacted PACF.

An invitation from Navy Pier would have remained an invite, however, if not for the many businesses, organizations and volunteers taking on the task. The Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago Committee would like to thank the following, without whom the event would have been impossible to accomplish:

Our corporate sponsors: GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, Comcast, Xfinity.

The venue: Navy Pier Inc., and the producers of Neighborhoods of the World series for thinking of the Philippines.

Food donors and sponsors: Sunda New Asian, Little Quiapo Restaurant, eathelp.org, Simple Delights, Isla Pilipina, South Sea Asian Cuisine, Hong Ning Restaurant, Val’s Asian Mart, Ron’s Grill, Chef Marilyn Mcnabb, Adeline’s Homemade Filipino Sweets and Desserts.

Our program advertisers: KGB Productions and Da Corneto Opera, Megaworld International, Oliveaire, MoraVer International LLC, Saladmaster Solutions, Salerno’s Rosedale Funeral Chapels, LMR Home Health Care Inc.,  VIP Home Health & Hospice Inc., Samasama Project, GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV.

All the participants, performers, artists, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, donors, advertisers, contributors, exhibitors, the media, friends, families and guests for making this event a success!

The Committee would also like to acknowledge the people around them that had made it possible so they could devote extra hours in their day to pitch in organizing this very successful, classic piyesta.

Defensor Method of Filipino-Indonesian Martial Arts. Photo by Yvonne T. Hortillo

• Ruben Salazar, overall chairperson and Merle Salazar: BIG THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for all your hard work, your valuable time, your amazing talents, your full cooperation, your generous donation and your heartfelt support. To Consul General Leo Herrera Lim and Berth Salvador of the Philippine Consulate, to Dylan Rice and his staff at Navy Pier, to our corporate sponsors Comcast, Xfinity, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, to our Hermano & Hermana Mayor George & Margie Boerema, to all of our program sponsors & food donors, to our friends & supporters in the media, to all the performers, and booth vendors, exhibitors & participants, to The Committee: Marc Rita, Lou Cabalona, Rian Mari, Alpha Nicolasin, Baron Cabalona, Yvonne T. Hortillo, Almira Gilles, Merle Salazar, Michelle Lura White, Emil Nicolasin, Rome Roque Nichols, Adeline Fajardo, Anna Millan and to all volunteers and unsung heroes who dedicated their time and efforts in making this event a huge success and we hope to do it again next year. THANKS to all our families & friends who came to see us and supported us. MABUHAY.
• Adeline Fajardo, PACF President and Piyesta insurance and finance: The Piyesta Pinoy 2012 at the Navy Pier, Chicago was a resounding success because of all your continuing support. The 2012 Philippine Fest greatly surpassed the first Piyesta Pinoy at the Wheaton College in Wheaton last Oct. 2010 in terms of huge attendance of Filipinos and non-Filipinos with a low estimate of 2,000 guests, the outstanding performance of 18 cultural groups, hip hop performers, local band entertainers, international guest Jay-R and special guests, artists, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, Filipino food and non-food vendors, media, family and friends.Words can hardly describe the feeling of appreciation and pride for the amazing group of dedicated committee members and volunteers with special mention to Ruben Salazar, the Overall Chairperson and also PACF’s Cultural Director. You are all the prime movers and leaders of this fantastic fest and hopefully we can plan another fest in October 2012 to celebrate Filipino American History Month.

  Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat for making this a successful event. You have proven your pride and commitment to preserve our rich and beautiful Filipino culture and heritage.  It is our hope that this pride for our motherland and cultural heritage will always manifest during the various stages of life: Childhood, youth, school life, adulthood, chosen careers and retirement. Our younger generation needs to learn and treasure our rich Filipino culture, as they continue to assimilate American culture. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Amerika!  May God bless us all!

Sulyap Pilipino Cultural Dance Company, “Bulaklakan.” Photo by Yvonne T. Hortillo

• Almira Gilles, booth manager: I look forward to working on more projects with you all – we came together as a community should, with no expectation of recognition or reward. I’m honored to have been a part of it.
  
• Michelle Lura White, volunteers and security: Team Volunteers = Amazing!!! Thank you to all the volunteers and for those who were willing to help out. Due to everyone’s contribution, we were able to execute all the little details that helped collectively operate Piyesta Pinoy. Without each volunteer team member’s help, we would not be able to run a smooth, successful first Piyesta Pinoy! Every team member was truly outstanding in how he/she was willing to jump from one task to another, in a matter of seconds without hesitation. Team Volunteers demonstrated true leadership that day in stepping up to the plate to help out where he/she was needed. Thanks again for your patience in showcasing the first Piyesta Pinoy festival at Navy Pier and for your collective outgoing volunteer team spirit! Thank you very much/maraming salamat po!
• Emil (parade, Hataw Pinoy), Alpha (production manager, host, Hataw Pinoy), Trina (Hataw Pinoy) and Anna Nicolasin (Hataw Pinoy): We are truly thankful to have been given the opportunity to share the Piyesta Pinoy experience with the hundreds of local talents and volunteers as well as the thousands in the audience who showed their appreciation by staying to watch the entire 5-hour show! It was indeed a “pista” like no other that we have had in the Midwest before and we are amazed at the array of talents who stepped forward to promote our beautiful and colorful culture and heritage. The spirit of bayanihan is alive and well in the US Midwest! Salamat at mabuhay po tayong lahat!
  
  Parade of Costumes, Navy Pier entrance hall. Photo by Yvonne T. Hortillo
• Rome Roque Nichols, food: I would like to acknowledge our kababayans who served food to the seemingly endless line of hungry performers and volunteers especially Telly, Rona, Nhora, Christy and Anjelo. Your initiative, selflessness, and efficiency made it much easier to perform our tasks. To Victor of Adeline’s, the two lechon and fruit carvings were perfect additions to the Piyesta. Thanks also to Ernie of HongNing Restaurant and Chef Marilyn for wholeheartedly supporting the community without any hesitation. Kudos to all the performers, committee members, and volunteers for another fun Pinoy day in Chicagoland.
• Yvonne T. Hortillo, communications and news release: My family – my mom, Bernardita, and my daughter, Marie Isabella – for giving me a little time each day to work on communications for this event. Former teachers and classmates, in writing and music, for reminding me of things I’ve merely read or studied, and the Piyesta Committee, the performers and my seatmates in the audience for bringing to life all of those academic notes on page. You are all great examples to me of passion, hard work and critical thinking. Maraming salamat for being instrumental in helping me bring together my two countries – a birthland and an adopted land.
  
  Transfiguration Dance Troupe, “Polkabal” Photo by Yvonne T. Hortillo
• Rian Mari, stage manager: CONGRATULATIONS to all of us. Starting with the Philippine Consulate General, ConGen Leo Herrera-Lim, Cultural Director Berth Salvador, Cultutal and Arts Director, Dylan Rice. Hats off to the Committees, Performers, Hosts, Volunteers and the Filipino Community.Thank you all for your cooperation, patience and understanding regarding program timeline changes, updates, last minute requests and all. We could have not done this without you all. Amazing job everyone.

  Tito Ruben, it was pleasure and an honor to be able to work with you for this project. I appreciate your patience and for keeping everyone on track for this event. Salamat po!

  Alpha and Kevin, thank you for being masters of ceremony as you engage audience on the performances that will be presented to them. Excellent job!

  Tito Emil, thank you for always being ready for the little things where we need help. Such a multi-tasker. Thank you po.

  Baron, thank you for taking of the technical aspects of the show and for working side by side with Marc on stage.

  Hinsdale Fil-Am SDA Rondalla, Transfiguration Dance Troupe, PACF Performing Arts, Hataw Pinoy, Chicago Angklung & Rondalla Ensemble, Sulyap Pilipino Cultural Dance Company, St. Isidore Simbang Gabi and Lane Tech Kapamilya Habang Buhay – Tita Lynne, Tita Fe, Tita Anna, Tita Alpha, Tita Espie, Tito Ray and Alexis, I appreciate your immediate response to my requests and for the changes that we have to make the last minute for your set. Amazing leaders! Your group did a wonderful job in making the first part so lively and entertaining so we can keep our audience glued to their seats.

  Jeremy Calimag, Cryptic Movement, Sama-Sama Project and IL Empire – Jeremy, Lorraine, Lou and Ren, thank you so much for understanding regarding changes in the program especially for your set. No words to describe on how grateful I am for all of your support and time in sharing your talents to everyone at Navy Pier. Also Ren, I do appreciate the kind words that you have said. I really do appreciate it. Thank you so much.

  Grace Hufano-Labaguis, Elton Lugay, Jordan Cezar, Jay R and Krista Kleiner of GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life and GMA International – So great to meet you all and to be able to work with you. Thank you so much for working with us especially with the timings. You guys rock! Jay R, kindly continue in making original Filipino music and for discovering new talents to keep the Filipino alive and known all over the world.

  Christine Leong, Suman Brothers Ohio State, Loyola’s Kapwa Cultural, De Paul’s Asian Cultural Exchange – Christine, Michael, Mary Anne and Courtney, thank you for taking care of your group. Everyone were in costumes and in their respective places for the performance. Wonderful leaders! Amazing performance. The audience waited for your set and left them with a bang. We cannot thank you enough for your cooperation and help. Thank you.

  Tita Merle, thank you for being our Assistant Stage Manager and taking care of the artist’s line-up for every set.

  Kristine Ilagan, thaaaaaaaaaaaaank you for being my assistant music technician on the day of the event. You are amazing, girl! I really do appreciate your help. Thank you Tita Tina for letting her help us on the day of the event.

  Hataw Pinoy (Tito Alpha and Tito Emil) and Via Times (Tita Veronica and Tito Joe Mau) — Thank you for covering the event. We would love to watch it on screen. Please give us copies.

  Dylan, Rishanna, Pete and Ryan of Navy Pier and the AV crew, I appreciate your diligence and patience with our AV needs. Thank you for making sure that everything were all set and ready for us.

  It was indeed the group effort in making this event a success. Thank you for sharing your talents to all of us, as we would like to keep the Filipino spirit alive and burning. To the next generation, please continue to appreciate and to learn more about the Filipino culture through dances, songs, art and history. Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Transfiguration Dance Troupe, “Mangingisda” Photo by Yvonne T. Hortillo

• Baron (stage technician, sound and layout) and Lou (production manager) Cabalona: Thank you to the over 2000 people who came to Piyesta Pinoy last Sunday!Awesome, Awesome Sunday with good friends and over 100 jeepney-load of Filipinos/Fil-Ams (supposing we packed 20-seater jeepneys to go to Navy Pier) united in celebrating our culture and heritage with Piyesta Pinoy!

  We just wanted to send out a few thanks and kudos to everyone who was there with us Sunday.

  First off, Congratulations to the Philippine Consulate, Congen Leo Hererra-Lim, Cultural Director Berth, Tito Ruben, Rian, Anna, Marc, Almi, Tita Merle, Tita Adeline, Yvonne, Michelle White, Michelle Delson, Tita Telly and all who helped with organizing the event — excellent job of making this happen!!

  Superb hosts, Alpha and Kevin, you guys are the best!

  Trina, Apat and Kuya Boboy Nicolasin, Orlando “Pipa” Cabalona, PACF, Cryptic Movement Crew, Sulyap, ACE, Kapwa, Suman, Transfiguration, CARE, Hinsdale Rondalla, St. Isadore, thoroughly enjoyed your performances. Did you notice EVERYONE kept at their seats or on their toes from 12-5pm to watch YOU!! Beautiful dances, beautiful songs!

  Not to be forgotten is the hard working staff of GMA Pinoy TV / GMA International with Donna Reyes, Grace Labaguis, Elton Lugay, Jordan and other new faces that I have not had the opportunity to be introduced to because of our hectic schedule last weekend. To Jay-R and Krista Kleiner, thank you for gracing us with your presence. Mabuhay kayo for using your talents and influence to promote Fiilipino Music.

  Rob, Cynthia, Miya and Rudy, thank you for taking care of our photo and video coverage. We owe you lots!

  Ms. Castle and Nena Cosmetics team (including Robert Chavez), thank you for making us beautiful yesterday and all other days!!!

  Stan Ley, Rick, Mae, Nena, Ruben, Adel, Thank you for your patience getting all vendor requirements straightened out. All that dynamic and goings on around the stage added more fun to piyesta-goers’ experience! Looking forward to working with ya guys again!

  Jason Lee, thank you for giving everyone a very interesting and engaging lesson about Philippine history, culture and lifestyle through your collections. They are priceless!

  To Victor of Adeline’s, Rey and Lakhi of Isla Pilipina and Rey of Little Quiapo and all food sponsors, we would not be able to go on without you!

  Tita Vero and Tito Joe, thank you for your unending support and for coming out on a Sunday afternoon to see us!!

  The Mondonedo Clan (Nena, Rolo, Leila, Liza, Lahaina, Robin, Marie, Jaz and Neil?) for the cheers and laughter and hugs. We love you all.

  To our friends and supporters especially the ones who drove a long way to get to Navy Pier, thank you so much for coming out to support! I hope you enjoyed your time!!

  To the Leopoldo family (Ube, Ginger, Larry, Basil), Josh, Jessica thank you for holding our fort at the Sama-Circa booth! You guys are the most dependable people I know!

  Sarah and Christian, Miya, Ronnie, Josue, Yvonne, thank you for being there for us.

  Hek, Ren, Jeremy, thank you for your talents and for giving your time for this awesome event. Great to be sharing the same stage with you awesome people.

  And lastly to our manager, Lucian Gus for looking out for all our needs (including the handmade poster stands) and keeping us in check all the time; to Ran for tearing up his guitar strings as always even without sleep and for the lovely “banned” dance choreography. To Lee for her solid and playful bass and for playing for singers to get the harmonies straight at rehearsals and to Baron for being the most reliable and hardworking setup crew with Ronnie and Gus and for always outdoing himself playing whatever instrument he wants/has to play!

  Hoping for more and more celebrations like this one and looking forward to seeing you – our old friends – and meeting new ones along the way!

  Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Until next year!

We close this maraming salamat letter with an invite to view hundreds of pictures and video documented by volunteers and audience the day of the event. There are photos and video on the Event Page and the Piyesta Pinoy FB page. Maraming salamat! Mabuhay!

The Eternal Tinikling Videos: Piyesta Pinoy Tinikling Suite no ratings yet 14 views

Joins Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series for the first time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ruben Salazar, 630-379-9636
Adeline Fajardo, 630-580-9069
Louella Cabalona, 708-528-6321
Yvonne T. Hortillo, 773-817-3495
PiyestaPinoy@gmail.com
bit.ly/piyesta_chicago

CHICAGO — Celebrate the tradition of the Filipino piyesta at Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World performance series at “Piyesta Pinoy” on Sunday, April 1, noon, at Crystal Gardens! Admission is free.

While already part of the Chicago Children’s Museum’s yearly Passport to the World series, this is the first time the Philippines is featured at Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series honoring Chicago’s ethnic neighborhoods and cultural diversity. The famous Crystal Gardens are located on the same floor as the Chicago Children’s Museum. “Piyesta Pinoy” is a landmark opportunity to learn about Philippine culture and traditions, and the meet the community currently living in Chicago.

“Piyesta” is the Filipino translation for celebration, fiesta and festival. In the Philippines, every town and village throws a yearly a festival to honor a patron saint, to celebrate a bountiful harvest or to just have fun. “Piyesta Pinoy” adds to the Chicago Filipino Community’s beloved traditions, usually celebrated in the summer as a reminder of the homeland climate, but acknowledging our adopted country by celebrating in the spring.

“We have several outdoor events in the summer such as the Philippine Independence picnic in June and the Adobofest in September. This will be the first time that we will gather and celebrate in the spring time for a huge Philippine festival and what could be a better place to hold a fiesta in April than indoors in a garden setting at Navy Pier’s Crystal Gardens,” said festival organizer Ruben Salazar of the Philippine American Cultural Foundation.

Performances include the Chicago premiere of Universal Records Philippines recording artist Jay R, with additional performances by the Chicago Angklung & Rondalla Ensemble, hip hop dance group Cryptic Movement Crew, De Paul Asian Cultural Exchange, Hataw Pinoy, Hinsdale FilAm SDA Rondalla, hip hop duo IL Empire, Jeremy Calimag, Lane Tech Kapamilya Habang Buhay, Loyola Kapwa Cultural, PACF Performing Arts, folk fusion band SamaSama Project, St. Isidore Simbang Gabi Dance Crew, Sulyap Pilipino Cultural Dance Company, and Transfiguration Dance Troupe. Winners of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Battle of the Bamboo contest are also scheduled to perform! Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim will give an address. It will be a lively afternoon of music, dance, colorful costumes, authentic cuisine, and local folk arts.

GMA Pinoy TV is bringing R&B singer Jay-R to Chicago from the Philippines to sing in a segment called “Party Pilipinas in Chicago.” The Philippines’ Platinum Prince of Soul’s career includes singing, songwriting, record-producing, acting and even modelling. Currently, he hosts GMA Pinoy TV’s variety show “Party Pilipinas”, and the host of the Philippine adaptation of dating game show, “Take Me Out”. To know more about Jay-R, visit his site at www.jayrsmusic.com and www.gmanetwork.com/international.

Philippine Fest Chicago is presented by Navy Pier in partnership with the Consulate General of the Philippines and the Philippine American Cultural Foundation and the sponsorship of GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, Comcast and Xfinity.  The 2012 Piyesta Pinoy committee in  collaboration with several other  sponsors, donors, supporters,  artists, performers and  volunteers are working together to make this festival successful.  ”We would like to invite you, your families and friends to celebrate and be part of a fiesta, the Philippine traditional way we call “Piyesta Pinoy” right here in Chicago at Crystal Gardens in Navy Pier,” said Salazar.

For more information, visit the piyesta Web site at http://bit.ly/piyesta_chicago.

Philippine Fest Chicago Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago
Sunday, April 1, 2012
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Navy Pier’s Crystal Gardens
Free Admission!

Philippine Fest Chicago

Sunday, April 1, 2012
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Navy Pier’s Crystal Gardens
Free Admission!

Presented by Navy Pier in partnership with the

Consulate General of the Philippines and the

Philippine American Cultural Foundation.

For more information, click on the link below:

(Philippine Fest Chicago, part of Neighborhoods of the World Series at Navy Pier)

Performances by:

Jay-R
Chicago Angklung & Rondalla Ensemble
Hataw Pinoy
Hinsdale FilAm SDA Rondalla
PACF Performing Arts
SamaSama Project
St. Isidore Simbang Gabi

Attend the event on Jan 28, 2012 starting at 6PM and pay minimum donation of $ 15.

St. Lambert Parish
8148 N. Karlov Ave.
Skokie, IL 60076

Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry is a yearly tradition celebrating the holidays and diverse cultures. As always, the Museum’s 45-foot Grand Tree will take center stage in the Rotunda with more than 30,000 lights and 1,000 ornaments, surrounded by more than 50 smaller trees beautifully decorated by volunteers from Chicago’s ethnic communities to represent their various cultures and holiday traditions. This year, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation Performing Arts and the Sama Sama Project will entertain visitors to the museum with music and cultural dances celebrating Pasko (Christmas) on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 1:00PM.

Come Experience Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier, another “must-see” attraction and entertainment in Chicago during the holiday season. Enjoy more time to have more fun inside an enchanted 170,000 square foot winter playground! Bring the entire family for days of entertainment, Chicago Blackhawks indoor ice skating, huge inflatable slides, rides, and so much more. The Philippine American Cultural Foundation in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate in Chicago will present entertainment programs at the Winter Wonder stage on Saturday, December 3 at 11:30AM and Saturday, January 7 at 12:15PM.

As we celebrate this Christmas season with rich and meaningful traditions, the carolers of the Philippine American Cultural Foundation would like to entertain you, your family and friends with Christmas songs.  In the spirit of the holiday season, we are seeking your support to help maintain PACF programs such as the Paaralang Pilipino, seniors computer program, natural calamities assistance and to implement new programs (food pantry, voters registration/new Americans initiative, Cultural Performing Arts Group, etc.) that would be centralized at the PACF center.   As we continue to liquidate the center’s mortgage and with your financial and moral support, PACF can stay focus and succeed on a variety of community and social services. At your convenience, we would like to schedule a Caroling appointment with you.   Please contact Gloria Laksamana (Caroling Chairman, Tel:  630 745-1018,  Email goldilock@sbcglobal.net) or Adeline Fajardo ( PACF President, Tel:  630 886-0701, Email adeline.pacf@yahoo.com)

Here are few excerpts from Emanuel’s proclamation—”Chicago’s Filipino American community has contributed greatly to our city’s cultural fabric and demographic landscape; and the Filipino American community has made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of our city in many areas; and Chicago is home to a vibrant and energetic Filipino American community that has contributed to the arts, business, education, science, social service, technology and many other areas.” Click here to view Mayor Emanuel’s proclamation.

Likewise, the Village of Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen join in proclaiming October 2011 as FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH in his proclamation dated September 19, 2011. He urge the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate program and activities. Click here to view Mayor Van Dusen’s proclamation.

The Philippine Consulate General of Chicago in cooperation with the Filipino American community would like to invite everyone to actively participate and support the celebration of the Filipino American History Month Celebration in Chicago and Suburban Illinois. Click here to view the full copy of the press release. Click here to see the schedule of activities starting with kickoff events in September and all throughout October.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)  Illinois Chapter and the Filipino American Community in Skokie cordially invite you to the opening of the Filipino American History Month Celebration & Honoring our National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie, Illinois on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 2:00pm  to 4:00pm. Activities include a Cultural Presentation at the Petty Auditorium, Donation of copies of Manuscripts: Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo and Cultural Displays & Exhibits.

The Chicago celebration of FAHM starts with Filipino Arts at a Glimpse at the Chicago Pedway from October 3 thru October 27.  ‘Pinas Sining’ is presented by The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago to celebrate the Filipino American History Month, the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and the Chicago Artists Month. Witness the Unveiling of ‘Pinas Sining: Filipino Arts at a Glimpse’ by Twelve Filipino-American Artists on Monday, October 3 at 2:30pm.
… Take a glimpse of the Filipino American art and history in Chicago all throughout October at the Chicago Pedway (Below Daley Center).
Participating Artists:
1. Paul Balan mailto://info@paulcbalan.com
2. Willi Buhay http://willibuhay.wordpress.com/
3. Eve Red Buhay (ERBU) http://erbu55.com/
4. Cesar Conde http://cesarcondeart.com/home.html
5. Fred De Asis http://www.fdeasis.com/
6. Roland Mechael Ilagan http://creativetalentnetwork.com/portfolio.php?id=201
7. Joel Javier http://www.joeljavier.com/
8. Eliza Perez
9. Lea Rivera http://www.learivera.com/
10. Susan Alforque Silvano
11. Sherie Sloane http://sheriesloane.com/
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Berth D. Salvador, Cultural Officer, Philippine Consulate General, 30 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 332-6458.
Official Event Website:
http://www.chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/node/36581

Here are few excerpts from Quinn’s proclamation—”The Filipino American community is the second largest in Asian American group in the United States with a population estimated to be close to four million strong”.
“Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have long- standing service to the United States Armed Forces  including approximately 250.000 who fought under the Unites States flag during Wold War II”.
“The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October provides an opportunity to celebrate the heritage and culture of Filipino Americans and their immense contributions to our country and presents a time to renew efforts toward the examination of history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all people in the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the growth and development of the United States”.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen are expected to join in proclaiming October 2011 as FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH in Chicago and Skokie.

The Philippine Consulate General of Chicago in cooperation with the Filipino American community would like to invite everyone to actively participate and support the celebration of the Filipino American History Month Celebration in Chicago and Suburban Illinois. Click here to view the full copy of the press release. Click here to see the schedule of activities starting with kickoff events in September and all throughout October.

Let us take pride of our Filipino heritage and history.  Let us engage ourselves with this great opportunity and challenge to build a legacy of sharing and collaboration for the betterment  of our  society.   For a start, let us come together and make every October  celebration – a meaningful and memorable month.

Now is the time to celebrate together this momentous event in our history. In the spirit of “pagkakaisa” and “bayanihan” and with shared history, we, Filipino American  individuals, organizations, and businesses, can  have  a common vision for our community.    The Filipino American community needs a cooperative effort among  the medical professionals, health care groups, civic and community organizations (regional/religious/ professionals / media groups) by sharing their talents and areas of expertise.  As a start, we enjoin you to support any of the FAHM activities and participate in any future community initiatives.         Please visit  the web site www.pacfmidwest.com for details /updates and circulate this info to your family and  friends. ***

One Hundred Fifty years ago, Dr. Jose Rizal was born in the Islands of the Philippines. He was a multifaceted intellectual, an award-winning poet and writer, a polyglot, a scientist, a Doctor of Medicine, specializing in Ophthalmology. Of all his passions and pursuits, the National Hero of the Philippines is best remembered in history, first, as a political activist whose writings inspired the Philippine revolution, which ultimately led to his martyrdom by Spanish colonial authorities.  Second, as a romantic, who had many equally-statured loves but found his heart in the bosom of a common woman, an orphan who was rumored to be a whore and allegedly a spy for the Spanish friars.

As the highlight of the year-long celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday, SamaSama Project  and Circa-Pintig present a world premiere musical that shows a glimpse of a his personal life with his foreign-born (Irish Hong Kong) wife, Josephine Bracken in the Rizal’s Sweet Stranger, The Musical (Untold Stories of Josephine Bracken).  It is a contemporary musical born of a collaborative montage of the 2009 Carlos Palanca Award Winner for a Full-length Play, Miss Dulce Extranjera, by Sir Anril P. Tiatco as well as Isagani Cruz’s Josephine and extrapolations of other historical texts and visual documents.  Musical direction by SamaSama Project’s very own Baron Lloyd Cabalona, music by Cleofe Guangko Casambre, M.D. and William Elvin Manzano (Happy Days Band, Philippines), and concept and direction by Anton Juan, Jr., PhD.

Ariel Dayanghirang and Chip Payos (Jose Rizal)  and Toni Gomez and Elizabeth Tuazon (Josephine Bracken) lead the cast including Bert Matias, Levi Aliposa, Nicole Dizon,Lovien (Joey) Flores, Evelyn Masbaum, Georges Augustin, Jovie Calma, Daniel Estorco, Charles Gareza, Hope Kim, Dylan Lainez, Anthony Martinez, Je Nepomuceno, Angel Pabalan, Tatum Pearlman, Emilia Ramos, Logan Ramos, Mae Vidal, Patrick Viray and  Michael Baylon and featuring Ms. Lani Misalucha as Inang Bayan.

SamaSamaProject’s Lee Maningas, Josh Torres, Ran Sevilla, Louella Cabalona and Baron Llyod Cabalona will set the play to music along with Emilio Nicolasin on Kulintang and Vice Velarde as Choir Director. Dramaturgy and Video Design by Pat Valera, Assistant Direction by Ginger Leopoldo and Levi Aliposa, Lighting Design and Technical Direction by Meliton Roxas, Production Design by Giau Truong, Costume Design by Lhenvil Paneda, Photography by Jay Escalante, Elizabeth Tuazon as Repetiteur, additional graphics by Charles Gareza and Stage Management by Angelica Atian.

Rizal’s Sweet Stranger, The Musical will be presented on Sept 23 (Friday) at 7:30 P.M. and Sept 24 at 2 P.M.  and 7 P.M. at the St. Scholastica Academy Theater 7416 N Ridge Blvd Chicago, IL 60645.

Tickets are at $25, 45, 75 and 100 and VIP tickets for $120, which includes a gala night reception on Sept 24 at 6 P.M.

For tickets or more information, contact the following ticket outlets: Lakhi 224-538-1471, Lou 708-528-6321, Baron 312-593-5154, Jovie 847-987-5227, Mario Adap 224-766-8804, Via Times 773-866-0811, Tita Ging 773-615-0330, Biboy 773-744-8804. Or, email samasamaproject@gmail.com / info@circapintig.org. You can also purchase your tickets at CircaPintig.org and SamaSamaProject.com.