Piyesta Pinoy in Bolingrbrook a Huge Success-

Year three and stronger than ever!

Bolingbrook, IL — One of Chicagoland’s biggest celebrations of the Philippine culture returned to Bolingbrook for the 3rd year on Saturday, June 11, 2016 and it was a huge success. An estimated crowd of about 7,500 came to join the Piyesta in spite of the very hot and humid weather. For the first time in Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook history, we had no rain this year. Thanks 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 couple more hours of entertainment featuring two bands and several singers performing at Piyesta for the first time.

“As Mayor of the Village of Bolingbrook for 30 years, I am honored to extend my personal greetings to my Filipino friends for a successful 2016 Philippine Independence Day Fest. The Filipinos play an important role in our community and continue to make significant contributions for the good of all our residents.” said Village of Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar. “Mabuhay and Pilipinas.! Mabuhay po tayong lahat!” said Consul General Generoso Calonge. A huge thank you to Village of Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar and the village staff, to Consul General Generoso Calonge, to Illinois Lt Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Billy Dec and his mom, Alice Morales representing the Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger and Romeoville Mayor John Noak for your welcome remarks, program book message and most especially for your presence for those who are able to join our event.

“We would like to express our admiration and appreciation for the tireless efforts of Piyesta Pinoy Planning Committee, our volunteers, cooperation of various NFP organizations, sponsorship of our corporate groups,  individuals, media, food and booth sponsors and performers … to showcase our cultural heritage and traditions … to strive for unity in the community, and … to share our moral values with our youth through community involvement in the celebration of our 118th Philippine Independence Day. We wish to extend our warmest appreciation to the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago and the Village of Bolingbrook for hosting and for their partnership.” said PACF President Adeline Fajardo

This year’s festival was attended by Pinoys from all over the Midwest including Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa and even as far west as Arizona, California and Washington and as far east as New York. Many thanks to The Filipino Channel for bringing celebrities Kim Chiu and Xian Lim stars of the very popular teleserye “The Story of Us” along with versatile emcee Poca from the Bay area in California.

Announcing the Split-the-Pot raffle winners: 1st Prize – R.Simbol, 2nd Prize – Ed Simbol and 3rd Prize – Nancy Hallares. Fifty percent of the cash proceeds went to the raffle winners and the other fifty percent went to PACF funds for cultural and humanitarian projects/

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, and Western Union; Gold Sponsors – Amita Health and Seafood City; Silver Sponsors – Bank of America, Country Financial, Darlene Boutiques, LBC Mundial Corporation, Mark A. Tan – T Capital, Salad Master/Triple A Health Venture,  Max Madsen Mitsubishi Signature Events, and Creative Impressions; Bronze Sponsors –  Bolingbrook Bugle , Globe Telecom, Global Cargo Movers LLC, Torre Lorenzo, Philippine Week Committee and WET, Inc; Donors – All State, Cecy & Color Studio Corp, Costco, Nicor Gas, Gerellie Productions LLC, Glendale Heights Barangay Lions Club, Home Depot, Dr. Kha M Nguyen, DMD, PNB, Transformation Beauty Spa and WFG.

Maraming salamat to MegaScene, One Philippines, PINOY News, and VIA Times/CPR TV for media sponsorship. Maraming salamat to product donors  Bar Louie, Costco, Fiesta Market, Francesca’s  Restaurant, Meijer’s, Hong Ning Restaurant, Mabuhay Restaurant, Val’s Asian Mart, Ice cream bars from Magnolia, Siopao from Oriental Kitchen, Three Horses Rice and Longganisa from Uncle Mike’s Place.

Maraming salamat to partners Advocate for Prosperity, AFIRE, APO Midwest Chicago, BIBBAK Illinois, Chicago Suburban Christian Church Melrose Park, CIRCA-Pintig, Circulo Capampangan, Couples for Christ-Families for Life, Derong Brothers, FAASD, FACHIC, The Field Museum, the Filipino American Network, Gawad Kalinga, Iligan – Lanao Association of the Midwest, Inc. (ILAMID), ISFFA, the Legion of Mary, NaFFAA, PESO, the Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois, Reiyukai America, Skeptron Alumni of the Midwest, Top Prado Blades and World Martial Arts Academy.

Maraming salamat to our food vendors Bojo’s, El Taco Grande, FM Asian Food Mart, Kusinang Pinoy, Mang Juan, Mabuhay Restaurant, Manila Fiesta, Uni-Mart, Val’s Asian Mart, Kitty’s Irish Ice, and the concession stand at the venue, Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center.

Maraming salamat to our Parade of Costumes 2016 participants and individual sponsors: Consul General Generoso Calonge, Hermano Mayor Steve Haser, Hermana Maria Haser, Hermanos Dr. Virgilio Jonson, Joe Mauricio, Darwin Posadas, Danny Salazar, Patrick Salazar, Mariano Santos, Edgar Tabalan, Bart Tubalinal and Flo Villegas. Hermanas Fely Bayona, Angie Francisco, Veronica Leighton, Imelda Posadas, Alice Salazar, Sheryl Salazar, Merlinda  Santos, Grace Tabalan, Yolly Tubalinal and Lita Villegas. Ninongs Dr. Amador Acosta, Andy Chen, Rudy Garcia, Ely Natividad, Danny Salonga and Mark Tan. Ninangs Zenaida Acosta, Carmen Garcia, Evelyn Natividad, Ditas Salonga, and Liza Vasich.

Maraming salamat to our amazing performers: National anthem singers Emil Nicolasin and Divine Aleonar; Cultural performers – BIBBAK Illinois, Chicago Anklung and Rondalla Ensemble, Loyola Kapwa Cultural, PACF Performing Arts, UIUC PSA Barkada newcomers Philippine Dance Troupe of Fox Cities from Wisconsin and the Iligan – Lanao Association of the Midwest, Inc. (ILAMID); Singers – Hillford Bacala, Brad Go, Gene Flores , MER with violinist Jason Vinluan, Emil Nicolasin , Chaz Patron, Alyssa Solomon, Kayla Tejero, Nina Mae Vidal and Sychar Yebra; Dancers – Meghan Despojo, Trina Nicolasin and Stephanie Buena; DJ Tony Hurtado; Musical Bands – Blue Marlin Band, Live Wire Band, No Limits Band and Samasama Project; and Emcees Alpha Nicolasin, Lakhi Siap, Ma. Girlie Pascual, and James Delacruz.

Maraming salamat to the chefs of our Fil-Am Chefs Cooking Exhibition: Accomplished Fil-Am Chefs Marilyn McNabb, Enric Tolentino and cooking coach Ren Mendoza are showcasing their own recipes. Special thanks to cooking personality Johanna Mirpuri, also known as Momma Cuisine and host of In the Kitch, for facilitating and engaging the audience during the demonstrations organized by Mango Rice Productions, in partnership with the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) and the Filipino-American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC).

Maraming salamat to providers of our children’s activities: Village of Bolingbrook Park District for the train ride and rock climbing wall, Fountaindale Public Library for the Book Mobile, Village of Bolingbrook Fire Department.

Maraming salamat to our program booklet sponsors: Western Union, Seafood City, Gerellie Productions LLC, Signature Event Design, Max Madsen Mitsubishi, Nicor Gas, Bank of America, Salerno’s Rosedale Funeral Chapels, Darlene Boutiques, Creative Impressions Plus, Salad Master/Triple A Health Venture, LBC Mundial Corporation, Leonida Pureza, Lead Ways Associate, Torre Lorenzo, RJ Jewelry, Amita Health, Mark A. Tan – T Capital, Country Financial, Bigby’s Pour House, Mar & Aning Carlos, Dr Kho Nguyen, DDS and Dr Evelyn Pobes, DDS, Rosemarie Santi, Jasmin Oriental Mart, Three Horses Jasmin Rice and The Filipino Channel.

Maraming salamat to the 2016 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, sponsors/VIPs/First Aid Adeline Fajardo, vendors/sponsors/reserve seating Cindy Lopez and Telly Yumping, food concession and volunteers food Merle Salazar, food vendors Jan Paul Ferrer, partners/cultural/games/marketing Michelle Delson and Rae Joyce Baguilat, BPD Train/Rock Climbing Wall/Library bus/Fire truck Isabella Cerdan, Mayor/Village/Illinois state Officials Liaison Romy Balcita and Michelle White, Finance/raffle/fundraising Pia Natividad, Ely & Evelyn Natividad, Program book/stage manager Anna Gina Millan, Programme Emcees and stage managers Alpha Nicolasin, Lakhi Siap, Ms. Girlie Pascual and James Delacruz, Food cooking demo and marketing Rome Nichols and Donna Reyes, Volunteer coordinators Evcrett Icao and Danie Boyle, Security Allan Desiderio and the Security Team, AV Tech Sound Baron Cabalona, Parade and Stage crew Emil Nicolasin, Social Media Iris Kay Strauss, Mark Tan and Videographer/Photographer/Social Media team, and Marketing Andy Gaston and Celeste Bermejo. 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 and traditions and pride as a Filipino American community.  Looking forward to your involvement and participation in our next Filipino community event.  MABUHAY!

CHICAGO, Apr 5 — Chicago’s favorite Filipino American festival returned to Navy Pier for a smashing fifth year on March 20, 2016. Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago is the Philippine Celebration for Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series, filling Crystal Gardens with Filipino songs, dances, businesses, food and crafts; attracting record crowds numbering about 2,500 and bringing the Philippines closer to immigrants and expatriates. This year’s Piyesta featured very diverse group of dancers of all ages from the kids from PACF Performing Arts, to the high schoolers of Lane Tech, the collegians from Divine Rhythms, Loyola and UIUC to the seniors from PASAC. We are also honored to have singers who traveled from miles away just to perform for Piyesta, from the Bay area in California, the Philippines and all the way from Australia.

Attendees welcomed the spring like turn of the weather at the lakefront, turning the Gardens downright balmy inside, matching the memories of Filipinos born in the homeland and calling Chicago their new adopted home. “The Filipino community is a vibrant and important part of Chicago and Illinois, and its wonderful culture, including music, dance, food and folk art, will be enjoyed by thousands during this popular annual festival” says Attorney General Lisa Madigan in a message sent to PACF. Click here to view the full message from  Attorney General Madigann.

The festival opened with a colorful Parade of Costumes from the Pier’s first floor marketplace, paired with beloved folk songs rendered by Piyesta mainstay Chicago Angklung and Rondalla Ensemble. Visitors were treated to traditional Filipino dance by veteran performers PACF Performing Arts, the youth group of festival sponsor Philippine American Cultural Foundation. PACF Perf Arts showcased three dances – Binoyugan, Galway Gaway and Tinikling. Lane Tech High School and  Divine Rhythm returned with two versions of the crowd favorite, the Tagalog dance Sayaw sa Bangko, known for the demanding technical skill required of dancers leaping between wooden benches stacked three tiers high. New this year is the much anticipated participation of the Pilipino American Seniors Association of Chicago. The seniors did not disappoint us as they did very well entertaining the mixed crowd of Pinoys and mainstream with two Philippine rural dances – Subli and Alitaptap wearing very colorful and beautiful costumes.

The festival’s dance component would not be complete without college groups fresh from the 2016 Battle of the Bamboo: Loyola Kapwa Cultural placed second with the Legend of Muslim Dances, depicting legendary routines from the Muslim tribe, in Mindanao. First place winner University of Illinois Urbana Champaign PSA Barkada recreated their winning dance depicting a story from the B’laan tribe of Mindanao.

The festival would not have been complete without our singers: actress, model, singer, Via Times and F Magazine reporter Jovie Calma sang first with a very beautiful rendition of Ako ay Pilipino, 16-year-old Kayla Tejero performed the song, Open Arms by Journey to the delight of the audience.; singing soon-to-be priest Paul M. Aquino SVD did two original Philippine music Nais ko and Muntik n kitang minahal, and Davao-born Cebuana Divine Aleonar serenaded popular tunes in Cebuano – giving audience a rare glimpse into the vernacular pop culture of a major Visayan language.  This year’s Piyesta were honored to have featured special guests who travelled to Chicago just to perform for us – from San Francisco, California – Emil Nicolasin who came with his wife Alpha as our emcee;   from the Philippines – Alegria Ferrer, soprano and professor from the University of the Philippines College of Music; and all the way from Australia – Mary Ann Van Der Horst, a pop singer who made it to the second round competition of Australia’s X-Factor. All of them gave us outstanding and amazing performances, reminding all that a festival of Piyesta’s caliber is all about Filipino pride and quality.

Emcees Alpha Nicolasin and Mark Dinglasan’s doubled as entertainers themselves as they tried out the Philippine national dance Tinikling, inviting audience to brave the clapping bamboo poles for which the dance is known. For the finale, well known Fil-Am fashion designer Victor Miller presented Fashion in Fashion featuring over 20 models wearing contemporary dresses designed by Miller, inspired by the Filipino arts, fashion and culture.

Piyesta Pinoy returns in the summer in Bolingbrook! Join us for a massive 11-hour festival, Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the sprawling Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center, next to the Bolingbrook Village Hall and Town Center! Applications for sponsors, donors, business and cultural booth tables are now open. Please visit us online at http://piyestapinoy.org/ for details. Kitakits po tayo doon!

Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago (Philippine Fest) is brought to you by Navy Pier, Inc., the 501(c)3 Philippine American Cultural Foundation, and the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago. We would like to thank our sponsors: Platinum – GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV; Silver – Creative Impressions Plus, Mark A. Tan with T Capital Management LLC and UMAC; Bronze – Futurity First and The Filipino Channel (TFC); Media sponsors – CPR TV, MegaScene, One Philippines, PINOY News, VIA Times; and Food donor Val’s Asian Mart. Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series is sponsored by ComEd.

The 2016 Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago would like to thank the following special guests, Consul General Generoso Calonge, Hermano Mayor Aeron Lancero, our Hermana Mayor Teresa Samara De Guzman, Hermana and Hermanos: Jovie Calma, Lain & Nell Frias, Veronica Leighton, Joe Mauricio, Darwin & Imelda Posadas, Mariano & Merlinda Santos, and Bert & Yoly Tubalinal, Ninongs and Ninangs: Rudy & Carmen Garcia. Cornelio & Evelyn Natividad, Ph.D., Illinois government officials Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Thomas Choi, public affairs manager from the office of Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger, Nettie Lasko, immigrant assistance program coordinator from the office of Illinois State Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Dennis Jung, outreach coordinator from the office of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner

Festival volunteers would also like to thank the following for their partnership, gift donation and table participation : Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment Chicago, Alpha Phi Omega Midwest Chicago, the Asian American Law Enforcement Association, Cirera Express, Darlene’s Accessories & Etcetera, Filipino American Association of South Dupage, The Field Museum, the Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago, the Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago, the Filipino American Network, the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, Gawad Kalinga, International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA), LBC, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Omega Alpha Caregivers, Inc, Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois, The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Chicago, and Susan Sivano (Artist).

Maraming salamat to our performers: Divine Aleonar, Paul M. Aquino SVD, Jovie Calma, Chicago Angklung Rondalla Ensemble, Divine Rhythm, Alegria Ferrer, Lane Tech Kapamilya Habang Buhay, Loyola Kapwa Cultural, Victor Miller Fashion In Fashion, Emil Nicolasin, PACF Performing Arts, Pilipino American Seniors Association of Chicago, Kayla Tejero, Mary Ann Van Der Horst, UIUC Barkada, Zumba dancer sponsored by FACHIC, emcees Alpha Nicolasin and Mark Dinglasan.

Maraming salamat to our program booklet advertisers: GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV, Creative Impressions Plus, UMAC, Mark Tan with T Capital Management LLC, Susan Sivano (Artist), Futurity First and The Filipino Channel (TFC), PACF Performing Arts, Salerno’s Rosedale Funeral Chapels, RJ Jewelry, Asian American Law Enforcement Association.

Maraming salamat from the volunteers of the 2016 Piyesta Pinoy (Philippine Fest) sa Chicago: overall chairperson Ruben Salazar; PACF president Adeline Fajardo; PACF directors Evelyn & Ely Natividad, Letty Eclavea, Merle Perricone, Rudy & Carmen Garcia, production and stage manager Michelle Delson; program booklet AnnaGina Millan; programme/emcees Alpha Nicolasin and Mark Dinglasan; social media committee Iris Kay Strauss and Mark Tan;  food vendor coordinator Jan Paul Ferrer, VIP coordinator Michelle Lura White, and food committee Merle Salazar, Angie Malonzo, and Brenda Vins, Jocelyn Ho, Christine Yang, Norma Albiola; parade committee Emil Nicolasin, vendors/exhibitors committee and all-around volunteer/model Cindy Lopez; volunteer coordinator and all-around volunteer/model Telly Yumping; photographers Frank O. Armea, Ihman Basas Esturco and Rudy Garcia.  Maraming salamat to our student volunteers from Northside College Preparatory High School headed by Christian Luciano and our security volunteers headed by Allen Desiderio.

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The 2016 Battle of the Bamboos winners lead the 2016 performance lineup for the 2016 Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago on March 20, 2016. The first place winner University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and second place winner Loyola University Kapwa Cultural will be re-creating their winning performance. Lane Tech Kapamilya Habang Buhay will also be performing their exhibition dance. In addition, the PACF Performing Arts and the Divine Rhythm will be back for the 5th year in a row to do their signature cultural dances.

Several talented ladies lead the pack of vocal performers. Fashion model and actress Jovie Calma, University of the Philippines College of Music faculty and soprano Alegria Ferrer,Mary Ann Van Der Horst from the Voice in Australia and Chicago suburbs teenage sensation Kayla Tejero will be first time performers at Piyesta in Chicago. In addition, returning singers Divine Aleonar, Paul Aquino and Emil Nicolasin will also be entertaining us with Philippine music.

The Chicago Angklung Rondalla Ensemble will once in provide the opening musical program. New this year will be a  fashion in fashion show by the models of fashion designer Victor Miller to end the afternoon program.

The masters of ceremonies are the very talented duo of Alpha Nicolasin and Mark Dinglasan.

Click here for the complete lineup.

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) and the White House Office of Public Engagement (OPE) hosted a Celebration of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) on Friday, October 2, 2015 at the White House Click here to view President Obama’s message delivered by FANHS Executive Director Dorothy Cordova at the FAHM celebration at the White House on October 2, 2015. Click here to view the video of the message. The Celebration kicked off FAHM in October and featured discussions with Administration officials and prominent Filipino Americans, as well as performances by distinguished Filipino American artists.

In 2015 thru the efforts of the Philippine Consulate in Chicago and the leaders of the Filipino community, the following proclamations were issued to declare and celebrate October as the Filipino American History Month.

Illinois Governor Bill Rauner “proclaims October 2015 as Filipino American History of Filipino Americans to our state and to our nation, and in recognition of Filipino Americans who call Illinois home.” Click here to view the 2015 proclamation from Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel “encourage all Chicagoans to acknowledge the enduring legacy and ongoing impact of the Filipino American community and join with them in celebrating this auspicious month.” Click here to view the 2015 proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Click here to view the 2015 proclamation from the Village of Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar.

Click here to view the 2015 proclamation from the Village of Morton Grove Mayor Daniel Di Maria.

Chicago, Il. – In 2009, the US Congress thru the House of Senate and House of Representatives respectively passed H. Res. 780 recognizing October 2011 and every October thereafter as Filipino American History Month (FAHM) to celebrate the history and culture of Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the Nation. Starting in 2011, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) spearheaded an invitation to many Filipino American organizations in Chicago and suburbs to organize a variety of events to celebrate FAHM every October.  Since 2011, Filipino American community groups in Chicago and suburbs have been working and partnering together to consolidate and promote the various events in celebration of FAHM every October.

This year, we are commemorating 2 significant milestones in the Filipino American History – the 50th anniversary of the Immigration Act of 1965 and the 50th anniversary of the grape strike in Delano, CA.

• The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) of 1965 was signed by President Lynden B. Johnson on October 3, 1965. It dramatically changed the demographic landscape of America. The law abolished the National Origins Quota System; made family-based immigration the basis for U.S. immigration policy; and established a preference system for people with special occupational skills to become permanent residents.
• The Philippines, after Mexico, has been the largest beneficiary of the liberalized immigration law. According to U.S. Census and Homeland Security sources: in 2008 there were in the U.S. approximately 1.7 million foreign born Filipinos; and approximately 1.4 million native born Filipinos, most who were the children or grandchildren of one or both parents who arrived after 1965.
• 50 years ago today, elderly Filipino men working in grape fields in Delano,CA decided to go on strike to fight for better wages and working conditions. That courageous decision would have effects far beyond the grape fields. In fact, ALL Filipino-Americans owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to these men. If not for the kind of bravery they displayed, we would not be able to enjoy the lives we lead today. If you didn’t already know this (it’s not your fault, until AB123 is fully implemented, this is a history few of us have the privilege of learning), take some time to educate yourself today. One good resource is https://welgadigitalarchive.omeka.net/.

The Philippine Consulate General 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 the Midwest. The schedule of events/activities is listed below. Let us take pride of our Filipino heritage and history.  Let us come together and make every October celebration – a meaningful and memorable month.

Click here to view the 2015 FAHM Newsletter.

FAHM planned events in 2015

Oct 1, Thursday On view through October 19** – We are Family Exhibits at The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. (Contact Tito Ruben at [email protected], Sponsor – FAHSC)

Oct 2, Friday (10:00 A.M. Opening) to October 30, 2015 – “ART IS PASSION . AGELESS . SOCIAL . SERVICE” is an Art Exhibit featuring watercolor paintings done by volunteers and clients of the Pilipino American Social Services and Human Resources (PASS), a 501 ( c ) 3 not for profit organization which distributes food weekly to qualified families. Venue at Pilipino American Social Services and Human Resources (PASS) 1511 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613 (Contact Susan Alforque Silvano Email: [email protected] Sponsor – PASS)

Oct. 13, Tuesday to Oct. 16 Friday 10:00 am – 4:00pm – Silip/Sulyap 2 – Art Exhibits by 3 Filipino Artists – Bueno Silva, Eulalio Silva and Willi Buhay in celebration of the Chicago Artists Month and FAHM  at the Philippine Consulate 122 S Michigan Ave #1600, Chicago, IL 60603 (Contact Willi Buhay at [email protected], Sponsor – Philippine Consulate)

Oct. 18, Sunday 11 am – 4 pm**- FAHM Luncheon Honoring the  Outstanding Fil-AM Seniors at Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O’Hare Airport 10249 West Irving Park Road Schiller Park, IL (Contact Adeline Fajardo at [email protected] Evelyn Natividad, Ph.D.  773 457-3402 Sponsor – PACF)

Oct 24, Saturday 2pm  – Film showing of “The Gift of Barong” at Fountaindale Public Library District 300 W Briarcliff Rd, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (Contact Tito Ruben at [email protected], Sponsor – FANHS-GC)

Oct 24, Saturday 7:30pm** – Voice of the Nightingale Lani Misalucha and Arnel Pineda at Portage Theater4050 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60641 (Sponsor – Red Ink and Reliable Document)

Oct 24 to January 29, 2016** – We are Family Exhibits at Trickster Art Gallery, Schaumburg, IL (Contact Tito Ruben at [email protected], Sponsor – FAHSC)

Oct. 25 Sunday 12 noon – FAHM celebration in Mundelein. Mass in the chapel at St. Maria del Popolo, 116 North Lake Street, Mundelein, IL (Contact Yolly Rodrigo 847-951-0148)

Oct. 26 Monday and Oct. 28, Wednesday at 8:30pm** – Screening of an indie film  “ARI – MY LIFE WITH A KING” by Carlo Encisco Catu, Philippine Entry to the 51st Chicago International Film Festival at the AMC River East 21 located at 322 E. Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Oct 30 to Nov 7** –   Art and Anthropology: Portrait of the Object as Filipino. Display of 10 paintings and creation of collaborative mural by 5 Fil-Am artists from Chicago and 5 artists from the Philippines. Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, 1400 S. Lakeshore Dr. Events take place during museum hours. (Almira Gilles [email protected])

For the latest updates, please visit the

Philippine American Cultural Foundation website http://pacfmidwest.org/2015/09/fahm2015/ and the Filipino American Network  website – http://fan-chicago.org/2015fahm/

For more information, please contact

ANNA LIZA ALCANTARA, Cultural Officer at 312-583-0621 ext 13. or email the Consulate at [email protected] or

RUBEN SALAZAR  at (630)969-2971 or email [email protected]

** Ticketed Event

Glendale Heights, IL – Mikey “Pinoyboy” Bustos and Nanette “Dona Buding” Inventor rocked the McAninch Arts Center at College of Du Page last Sunday, August 30, 2015 with a very entertaining program of comedy and music, Pinoy style. The Philippine-American Cultural Foundation (PACF) and Piyesta Pinoy are proud to have sponsored the first ever Pinoy comedy concert featuring a very good combination of two very talented and funny singers/comedians to Illinois – You Tube sensation Mikey attracted the younger generation while veteran actress/comedian/singer Nanette Inventor attracted the baby boomers. “We were blessed to have two good entertaining comedians and a receptive audience.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the show. What a great relief!  If we had more time, we could have filled the 780 capacity theater. Thank you all for contributing to the success of Pinoy Comedy Concert.” said Adeline Fajardo, PACF president.

There was also a mini-palengke at the lobby with Pinoy food favorites from Manila Fiesta, Goldilocks, Titus Frozen Bangus , Val’s Asian Mart and merchandise for sale from Darlene’s Boutique.

Mikey Bustos, originally from Canada and now residing in the Philippines, is well known for his videos uploaded on video website YouTube and for placing seventh runner-up in the finals of first season of Canadian Idol in August 2003. He performed many of his latest and popular You Tube videos such as Palengke, Sanggol the Pig, Balut, Pinoy Time, Opo Pinoystyle and Adobo accompanied by the backup dancers Ciana Jao, Meghan and Nina Cedro, Gabrielle Calabasas, Hope Caoagas and Jeremy Marcelo from Michigan and 2 local dancers Joy Saballa and Nate Porcalla. Mikey ended his set with the audience participating in the Pinoy dance craze shaving ice and making Halo-Halo.

Nanette Inventor is presently esteemed as the Philippines’ FUNNY LADY OF SONGS- on live shows and online social network.  …. Catch her on The Filipino Channel’s   Young Love television series titled   “ON THE WINGS OF LOVE “. Nanette opened the show with the nice song rendition of Salamat Musika followed by stand-up comedy materials on various topics on How do we Identify the Pinoys. She ended her set with a medley of the Original Philippine Music and joined by Mikey in a finale duet singing the classic Pinoy rock Manila.

Backstage with Jan Paul Ferrer, Mikey Bustos, Maria Girlie Pascual, James Dela Cruz and Telly Yumping  

The concert lasted over two hours followed by the Meet And Chat reception and autograph signing by Mikey and Nanette. Thanks a lot to the show’s emcees who did the fantastic job – Maria Girlie Pascual, from Via Times who writes the G-Mail column and James Dela Cruz from CPR-TV who hosts and directs the LOL segment of the program. Many thanks to the Concert Planning and production team – Adeline Fajardo, Ruben Salazar, Michelle Delson, Cindy Lopez, Maria Girlie Pascual, James Dela Cruz, Jan Paul Ferrer, Telly Yumping and RJ Garcia (Mikey’s PA) and Gabi Delson (PACF’s youth ambassador).
Thanks to our sponsors – the GMA networks GPTV, GLTV and GNTV as the exclusive media sponsors, silver sponsors – Creative Impressions, Madrid Crost Law Group, Mark A. Tan – Thrivent Financial, bronze sponsors – R+M Photography, National Theraphy Staffing, Ely & Evelyn Natividad and Flo & Lita Villegas and the following local media sponsors CPR TV, Mega Scene, One Philippines Pinoy News Magazine and Via Times.
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 Photo Credits to R+M Photography

Pinoy Comedy Concert on Sunday 8/30
Featuring Mikey Bustos and Nanette Inventor!

Glendale Heights, IL – The Philippine-American Cultural Foundation (PACF) and Piyesta Pinoy are proud to bring two very talented and funny singers/comedians, Mikey “Pinoyboy” Bustos and Nanette “Dona Buding” Inventor to Illinois!

Join us for a great time and plenty of laughs at the Pinoy Comedy Concert on

Sunday, August 30, 2015
BELUSHI PERFORMANCE HALL
McAninch Arts Center at College of Du Page
425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL

Concert Starts @ 4PM
Mini-Palengke (Philippine Market featuring food, drinks and merchandise vendors) open from 2PM-8PM

Full price ticket prices after August 17 – VIP* $84/ RESERVED $54/ GENERAL ADMISSION $30

*VIP includes Meet & Greet Reception and Reserved Seating in Front Row Sections.

Purchase your VIP and Reserved tickets with seat selection on-line at Event Brite. Enter promotional code PACF to get 15% discount.

Thanks to the GMA networks GPTV, GLTV and GNTV as the exclusive media sponsors, Creative Impressions and the following local media sponsors CPR TV, Mega Scene, One Philippines and  Via Times.

For more information on the event, contact:  Adeline (630) 886-0701, Cindy (630) 336-0511,
Girlie (847) 912 3997, Michelle (630) 327-6789, JP (708) 692-0393, or Tito Ruben (630) 969-2971