Another successful Piyesta Pinoy for the books!
Year five and stronger than ever!
, IL — One of Chicagoland’s biggest celebrations of the Philippine culture returned to Bolingbrook for the 5th year on Saturday, June 9, 2018 and it was a huge success. An estimated crowd of about 7,000 came to join the Piyesta in spite of the heavy rain early morning. The rain stopped just before 11am and the festival went on schedule from 11am to 1030pm without rain. Thanks again to the consistent prayers to St Clare by the volunteers. The weather cooled off later in the evening that brought in more crowd in time for a the celebrity segment and the dance party night that featured four bands.
“Today’s festivities honor the leadership, achievements, and ongoing cultural, economic, and social contributions from the Filipino American community in Illinois. I commend the planning committee for organizing a wonderful celebration of Filipino art, music, cuisine, and culture each year. The efforts of all the organizations and volunteers enhance the rich diversity of our state, and I am proud to join you in commemorating this special day. I congratulate the Filipino American community on this proud day and look forward to further developing our close friendship and partnership. As we build a better future for all our families across the state, I commend the community for its daily efforts in promoting the well-being of the community and richness of Filipino culture here in the Land of Lincoln.” said Illimnois Governor Bruce Rauner who graced the Piyesta Pinoy for the first time. Also attending for the first time is our new Consul General Gina Jamoralin who said in her message “ To the Filipino American community, we thank you for supporting efforts to promote and preserve our rich Filipino heritage while upholding the common values and shared history between the Philippines and United States”.
This year’s festival included the inaugural Piyesta Pinoy Gawad Kalinga 5K (Run, Ruck, Walk. It was a rainy Saturday morning but the inclement weather did not dampen the enthusiasm and spirit of the mission oriented GK Chicago. Our appreciation to the runners, walkers, advocates, volunteers, friends, donors and Piyesta Pinoy.
As in the previous years, the biggest crowd came during the TFC hour. Many thanks to The Filipino Channel for bringing celebrity actor/singer/composer Inigo Pascual along with versatile emcee Poca from the Bay area in California.
Congratulations to the 2018 Piyesta Pinoy Raffle Winners!! 1st Prize – Sahlee Songco One-Eva Air Round trip ticket to the Philippines, 2nd Prize – Teresita Viduya Saladmaster cookware and 3rd Prize – Marietta Dizon 1 LBC Balikbayan Box Gift Certificate.
Festival organizer, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation, would like to thank our organizing partners and hosts – the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago and the Village of Bolingbrook. We also would like to thank our sponsors for their donations and continued support: Platinum Sponsors – The Filipino Channel, Three Horses Jasmin Rice; Gold Sponsors – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Century Properties, LBC Mundial Corporation Rivers Casino and Seafood City; Silver Sponsors – Allstate, Creative Imprints Plus, Eva Air, Mora Asian Kitche, Salad Master/Triple A Health Venture and Signature Event Designs; Bronze Sponsors – AREAA, Bayan Mall, Bolingbrook Bugle, Countryside Bank, Cruise Planners, Equis Future, Geodis and World Remit, ; Donors – Amita Health, BioNWater, Globe, Indomie Noodles, Magnolia and Nicor Gas. Maraming salamat to MegaScene, PINOY News, and VIA Times/CPR TV for media sponsorship.
Maraming salamat to our Hermano Mayor Brandon Paccion & Hermana Mayor Eden Olarte, Hermano Golbert Bermundo (PESO), Hermanas Pamela Caguiat Alma Sabejon Rozek, Gloria Sabejon, Thelma Schroeder, Rollin Schroeder and Sandra Santuele,
Maraming salamat to our food vendors Better Way Coffee, Kitty’s Irish Ice, Kona Ice of Wheaton, Mabuhay Restaurant, Manila Fiesta, Mora Asian Kitchen, Ox Tail Filipino Inspired, Seafood City, South Sea Carry Out, Yelo and the concession stand at the venue, Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center.
Maraming salamat to our amazing performers: National anthem singers Emil Nicolasin and Silayan Choir; Cultural performers – BIBBAK Illinois, Chicago Angklung and Rondalla Ensemble, Kulturo, PACF Performing Arts, UIC FIA Cultural, Lane Tech Filipino Club, Philippine Dance Troupe of Fox Cities from Wisconsin and PASAC; Singers – Richelle Lu, Willi Lucas, Silayan Choir and Nina Mae Vidal; Dancers –UIC FIA Modern; DJ Richie Gil and Rommel Gaspar; Musical Bands – Above N Beyond, Blue Marlin Band, Chasing 90, Filipino Musicians of Chicago, Ghost in the Backseat, and Soundredd; and Emcees – Alpha & Emil Nicolasin, Ma. Girlie Pascual, and James Delacruz.
Maraming salamat to all our not-for-profit partners and cultural tent participants – 3JNR Rondalla, Alvin Ibalio, Asian American Law Enforcement Assn, BIBBAK IL, Bolingbrook Park District, Chicago Cultural Alliance, Chicago Suburban Christian Church, Couples For Christ, Derong Brothers Filipino Martial arts (DBMFA), Filipino American Basketball Association (FABA), Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC), Filipino American Lawyers Association (FALA), Filipino American Historical Society Chicago (FAHSC), Filipino Frindship Society, Gawad , International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA), J.Santos, Kampilan Eskrima, Kulturo, Legacy Agency, Legion of Mary, Midwest Association of Filipino American Seventh Day Adventist (MAFASDA), PACF Performing Arts, Philippine Engineers and Scientists Organization (PESO), The Joule Experience, UPAAGC, Westbrook Christian Church and World Apostolate of Fatima
Maraming salamat to the 2018 Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook Committee who worked very hard since last year to make this year’s festival a huge success.: Overall Chair Ruben Salazar, PACF President Adeline Fajardo, Rae Joyce Baguilat, Romy & Tita Balcita, Glenn Bermejo, Daniel Boyle, James Delacruz, Jason Dela Rosa and the Photo/Videographers Team, Michelle Delson, Allen Desiderio and the Security Team, Jan Paul Ferrer, Nell & Lain Frias, Rudy & Carmen Garcia, Andy Gaston, Everett Icao, Cindy Lopez, Trista Maltizo, Anna Gina Millan, Pia Natividad, Ely & Evelyn Natividad, Alpha & Emil Nicolasin, Rome Nichols, Ms. Girlie Pascual, Marie, Joanna Ramos, Joy Ranay, Abegail Rodriguez, Merle Salazar, Lisa Simbol, Bryan Ranchero and the Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois and all the First Aid Team,. Thank you to all our volunteers and unsung heroes and excuse us for not listing all your names. The successful operation of each area from souvenir program to communications, raffles, stage performances, volunteers, cultural activities, delicious food, first aid, and others made this celebration truly enjoyable and… the best ever. It would not be humanly possible to orchestrate such efficient and meaningful activities without your help.
Lastly, maraming salamat to all our kababayans, families and friends who had attended this year’s festival! We hope to see you again next year! We hope that you will continue to join activities that promote our cultural heritage, traditions and pride as a Filipino American community. Looking forward to your involvement and participation in our next Filipino community event. MABUHAY!
