Piyesta Pinoy draws record crowd again!

Piyesta Pinoy draws record crowd again!
Year two and stronger than ever!

Bolingbrook, IL — One of Chicagoland’s biggest celebrations of the Philippine culture returned to Bolingbrook for the 2nd year on Saturday, June 20, 2015 and it was a huge success. “Official attendance reported by Bolingbrook Event Production estimated the crowd at about 7,500, up by 3,000 from last year’s attendance. Everything was going well until another thunderstorm hit the area at around 8pm and spoiled the rest of the evening. We had to cancel the rest of the events at about 8:30pm for the safety of everyone as more thunderstorms and lightning were expected” said Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) cultural director and Piyesta Pinoy committee chair Ruben Salazar.

“We are proud 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 participation in the celebration of our 117th Philippine Independence Day.  We are proud to partner with the Philippine Consulate and the Village of Bolingbrook …and to appreciate our TFC guests’ artists, and Corporate/Media/ individual sponsors.  We have just proven that we, Filipino Americans can hold a huge, unified and safe Philippine Independence Day celebration” said PACF President Adeline Fajardo

Last year’s festival was already a history maker with regards to attendance by Filipino Americans for Filipino American events. This year’s festival beat the attendance record by attracting Pinoys from all over the Midwest including Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa and even Arkansas. Many thanks to The Filipino Channel for bringing celebrity actor/singer Sam Milby and actress/singer Geneva Cruz along with Ron Bilaro, Gelo and Don Tagala.

Special thanks go to the Illinois state officials Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Leslie Munger and Senator Pat Mc Guire and the Village of Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar, the village board members and the staff and Consul Ricarte Abejuela who came and joined us at the Piyesta as we celebrate the 117th Philippine Independence Day and the 50th anniversary of the Village of Bolingbrook. Festival organizers with the Philippine American Cultural Foundation, the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago, and the Village of Bolingbrook would like to thank the following for their continued support: The Filipino Channel, Three Horses Jasmin Rice, and SM Development Corporation for platinum sponsorship. Comcast/Xfinity, the Filipino American Network, Signature Event Designs, and Creative Impressions Plus for gold sponsorship. Galloping Ghost Arcade, JC Balloon Creations and Photo booth, LBC Mundial Corporation, Mark A. Tan – Thrivent Financial, and Max Madsen Mitsubishi for silver sponsorship. Globe, Global Cargo Movers, Yum Cha Dimsum and Real Auto Haus for bronze sponsorship.

Maraming salamat to The Bugle, MegaScene, One Philippines, PINOY News, and VIA Times/CPR TV for media sponsorship. Maraming salamat to product donors  Three Horses Rice, Costco, Fiesta Market, FOCO Coconut Water, Magnolia, Val’s Asian Mart, Mabuhay Restaurant and Gamesa, Muller, Quaker.

Maraming salamat to partners BIBBAK Illinois, Chicago Suburban Christian Church, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, CIRCA-Pintig, Circulo Capampangan, Couples for Christ-Families for Life, Dagupenos of the Midwest, The Field Museum, FAASD, FACHIC, the Filipino American Network, Gawad Kalinga, Hana Hou Hula, Holy Trinity Simbang Gabi, Hearts for Humanity, ILPRO – League of Volunteers for Relief Expeditions (LOVE), Kampilan/Eskrima, the Legion of Mary, the Midwest Longitudinal Study of Asian American Families, NaFFAA, the Nueva Vizcaya Association of Chicago, the Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois, Tita Brady, Lea Rivera, UPAAGC, VNA Health Care, and Watts of Love.

Maraming salamat to our food vendors Bojo’s, Chef Romel, Chick-Fil-A, Kusinang Pinoy, Mang Juan, 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 booth vendors, sponsored by Cindy Lopez with Signature Event Designs, AIG, Javita, Avon, Beachbody, Bolingbrook Family Chiropractic, Light Up Decal, Inc., CJC Services Unlimited, Inc., CMK Healthcare, Darlene’s Boutique, D’Olivia’s Boutique, ENERI Communications, I Rock Fashions, Limu, Love Fetish Cosmetics, Mary Kay, Medulla, New York Life, Origami Owl, Philippine Themed Novelty T-shirts by Carlo Samonte, Pink Zebra, Premier Jewelry, PST Gear, Manifesting My Destiny, Suburban Oral Surgeons, Summit Chiropractic, Tocara, Tupperware, Unique Jewelry Designs, WFG, and Younique.

Maraming salamat to our Parade of Costumes 2015 participants: Hermano Mayor Flo Villegas, Hermana Mayor Marilyn Liwanag, Hermanos Consul Ricarte Abejuela, Mr. Douglas Tayengco, Mr. Conrad Manankil, and Mr. Ed Ranchero. Hermanas Mrs. Geraldine Gaden, Mrs. Lita Villegas, Mrs. Norma Manankil, and Mrs. Lolita Ranchero. Ninongs Dr. Amador Acosta, Mr. George Boerema, Dr. Virgilio Jonson, Atty. Vicente Benig, and Mr. Ruben Salazar. Ninangs Mrs. Zenen Acosta, Mrs. Margie Boerema, Mrs. Leticia Eclavea, Mrs. Adeline Fajardo, Mrs. Merle Salazar, and Ms. Melody Dizon.

Maraming salamat to Miss Illinois US Supra National 2015 Nicole Tuquilar, Miss Philippine Independence PWC 2015 Gillian Mora, Miss Luzon PWC 2015 Charlene DeGuzman, Miss Visayas PWC 2015 Amanda Brockmeier, Miss Mindanao PWC 2015 Feliz DeGuzman, Miss Manila PWC 2015 Mary Grace Macafe, Miss Circulo Capampangan 2015 Nikki Cajigal.

Maraming salamat to the chefs of our Fil-Am Chefs Cooking Exhibition: Johanna M. Cook, Ron Bilaro, and Rampelle Aguilar.

Maraming salamat to our performers: Above & Beyond, BIBBAK Illinois, PACF Performing Arts, Kayla Tejero, Chicago Anklung and Rondalla Ensemble, UIUC PSA Barkada, the Filipino Cultural Dance Group of Iowa, CFC Carinosa Dancers, The Future Kingz, Hi5ive, Hana Hou Hula, DJ Tony, DJ Shawn Sebastian, DJ Nikki Gruezo, Divine Rhythm, CFC House Band, David Wycoco, Pax Minstrels, Samasama Project, and Emcees Marc Rita, Ginger Leopoldo, Ma. Girlie Pascual, and James Delacruz.

Maraming salamat to providers of our childrens’ activities: FACHIC, Village of Bolingbrook Park District Train and Rock Climbing, Galloping Ghost Arcade, Holy Trinity Simbang Gabi, Fountaindale Public Library, Village of Boligbrook Fire Department, Hana Hou Hula, Hearts for Humanity, Eskrima Martial Arts/

Maraming salamat to our program booklet sponsors: Three Horses Jasmin Rice, Signature Event Designs, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Xfinity, LBC Chicago, RJ Jewelry, Salerno’s Rosedale Funeral Chapels, Mark Tan – Thrivent, Circulo Capampangan, Galloping Ghost Arcade, Nueva Vizcaya Association of Chicago, Advocate Travel Service, Ltd., Bugle Newspapers, Real Complete Automotive Service, Globe, Global Cargo Movers, Max Madsen Mitsubishi, Platinum Care Group, Bigby’s Pour House, Frias Family, Creative Impressions Plus, Aprari Bible Seminary and the Good Shepherd Children’s Home, NaFFAA Illinois Circle of Empowered Women, Fajardo Family, JC Balloons, SM Development Corporation, and The Filipino Channel.

Maraming salamat to the 2015 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/logistics Cindy Lopez, food concessions/volunteers food Merle Salazar, partners/cultural/games Michelle Delson, partners/raffle/passport RaeJoyce Baguilat, BPD Train/Rock Climbing Wall/Library bus/Fire truck Isabella Cerdan, VIP Seatng/Sponsors Tent Telly Yumping, Mayor/Village Officials Contact Romy Balcita, Finance/raffle/fundraising Pia Natividad, Production/stage manager Rian Mari Francisco, Program book/stage manager Anna Gina Millan, Performers check-in/stage manager Alma Reed, Programme Emcees Ginger Leopoldo, Marc Rita, Ms. Girlie Pascual and James Delacruz, Food cooking demo Rome Nichols and Donna Reyes, Cooking demo tent coordinator Almira Gilles, Logistics Ron Salazar, Volunteer coordinators Jeff Cruz and Michelle White, Communications/news release Yvonne Hortillo, Security Joon Bautista and Allan Desiderio, AV Tech Sound Baron Cabalona, and website administrators John Parrish and Jeffrey Javate.

Lastly, maraming salamat to all our kababayans and friends who had attended this year’s festival! We hope to see you again next year! MABUHAY!

2015 Piyesta Pinoy Split-the-Pot Raffle Winners

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2015 Piyesta Pinoy Split-the-Pot Winners

We are happy to announce the 2015 Piyesta Pinoy “Split the Pot Raffle” drawing winners.  This is a fund raising effort to benefit the humanitarian projects of the Philippine American Cultural Foundation in collaboration with Watts of Love and the Illinois Philippine Relief Operations League of Volunteers for relief Expeditions. For more info about the PACF’s humanitarian missions – Click Here

Due to the thunderstorm that hit the Bolingbrook Performing Arts on June 20, 2015 at around 8pm, the rest of the festival events was cancelled including the raffle drawing. The raffle drawing was done during the Piyesta Pinoy Planning meeting on Friday, June 26, 2015  at the Rivers Casino Canopy Buffet witnessed by at least 25 committee members. The raffle winners are

1st Prize  – $381.25   Juliet Mangalindan of Gurnee, IL
2nd Prize – $228.75   Liza McDinnes of Waukegan, IL
3rd Prize – $152.50    Scott Ferguson of Champaign, IL

 50% $762.50 goes to PACF’s humanitarian efforts in partnership with Watts of Love and the Illinois Philippine Relief Operations League of Volunteers for relief Expeditions.
Total Raffle Sales : $1,525.00

 

2nd Piyesta Pinoy in Bolingbrook on June 20!

Sam Milby and Geneva Cruz will be performing

IMG_1444 (1)Geneva 3

Chefs Ron Bilaro, Joanna M. Cook and Rampelle Aguilar will be cooking

Chef_RonBilaroChef Johanna M CookChef Rampelle Aguilar w Team Oxtail

CHICAGO — One of Chicagoland’s biggest celebrations of the Philippine culture is coming back to Bolingbrook. The Piyesta Pinoy planning committee worked very hard since last year to make this year’s festival to be even bigger, more fun, more entertaining, offering more food, arts & crafts vendors  and more performances including TFC artists Sam Milby and Geneva Cruz! We are now looking forward to the largest festival put together by our community, open to all, and showcasing the best that we can offer.

Celebrate Philippine Independence Day at Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook, Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Bolingbrook Village Hall and Town Center, 375 W. Braircliff Ave., Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Admission is free.

Bolingbrook mayor Roger C. Claar is scheduled to give remarks at 12:30 p.m.  The Filipino American community joins the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Village of Bolingbrook.

A Parade of costumes opens the celebration at 11:00 a.m., featuring a Santacruzan-like procession we call Flores de Hunyo to be led by  Bloomingdale Township Board Member Robert Tolentino as the 2015 Hermano Mayor, Vice Consul Ricarte “Butchie” Abejuela III representing the Philippine Consulate and the beauty queens Miss Illinois US  Supranational 2015  Nicole Tuquilar, Dance Lovers Club Queen 2015 Chaz Patron and the 2015 beauties from the Philippine Week Committee and the Philippine Independence Week Committee.

Like last year, the festival will feature cultural music and dances to start the performances at the beautiful main stage of the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center. The mainstays Chicago Angklung Rondalla Ensemble, the PACF Performing Arts, BIBBAK Illinois PSA UIUC Barkada and Divine Rhythm will be performing with newcomers Filipino Cultural Dance Troupe of Iowa and the Couples for Christ Carinosa dancers.

There will be several new performers this year featuring singers Kayla Tejero, David Wycoco and the Pax Minstrels, dance group The Future Kingz, the CFC House Band and returning bands SamaSama Project and Above and Beyond Band rocking until closing. There will also be new program emcees this year – Ginger Leopoldo from Circa/Pintig, Maria Girlie Pascual from Via Times and Theater actor/director Marc Rita.

This year, Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook is expecting to attract an even bigger crowd as we welcome The Filipino Channel as our exclusive Philippines media partner and sponsor. Fil-Am actor Sam Milby and Filipina actress/singer Geneva Cruz along with Gelo and Don Tagala will be coming to town and will be performing during the TFC hour portion of the festival. The Philippines’ ‘Rockcoustic Heartthrob’, Sam Milby is an established actor and multi-awarded singer who became very popular as a Pinoy Big Brother housemate, a singer with several sold-out concerts and Platinum albums, an actor of top-rating TV soaps (including Maging Sino Ka Man with John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo and Anne Curtis, which launched his career as a dramatic television actor), blockbuster movies and big product endorsements to his name.  Geneva Cruz is an award winning actress and singer. Cruz began her career in 1989 as one of the lead singers of the popular group Smokey Mountain. She was also the very first Grand Prize winner (and the youngest) of “The Voice of Asia” in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, Russia in 1992. Jelo is the host/ producer/ writer of Barangay USA and Barangay USA Supershow on TFC. Don Tagala is the news reporter/videographer from ABS/CBN International and a former resident from Chicago.

New this year, Mango Rice Productions proudly presents the “ Fil-Am Chefs Cooking Exhibition” at the Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook. This event will feature prominent Fiipino-American chefs who will present easy-to-prepare, Filipino-inspired dishes with modern twists and presentations. The exhibitions are scheduled at 2pm,5pm, and 8pm. Members of the audience will be able to taste the chefs’ creations, get copies of recipes and free samples of food items. Featured Fil-Am chefs are Chef Ron Bilaro – host of “ Eat and Ron” , “ Oohlalam” and “ Katok Patok”, Chef Johanna M. Cook –  has captured audiences as Momma Cuisine since 2009, with her mission to get families across America making Great Everyday Meals with simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques and Chef Rampelle Aguilar – a consultant for start-up businesses and behind Oxtail Filipino Inspired, the latest arrival in the Filipino food scene via pop-up events.

Join the “Split the Pot” raffle: 50% of proceeds benefit the Watts of Love and the IL-PRO League Of Volunteers for relief Expeditions. Tickets are $5 each. The other half of proceeds will go to three winners: First place, 25%, second place, 15% and third place, 10%.

There are a gamut of activities at the Cultural Tent! Learn to play the “gangsa” with BIBBAK Illinois, make a “parol” with Holy Trinity Simbang Gabi group, an arts display and exhibit from local Fil-Am artists Lea Rivera, Trisha Martin, Tita R. Brady and others, and traditional children’s games with the Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago and Nueva Vizcaya Association of Chicago. The Philippine American Cultural Foundation and the Filipino American Historical Society will have arts, culture and historical artifacts on display. New this year will be video/computer games from Galloping Ghost Arcade.

Browse shirts, bags, goods and services featured at the Craft and Vendors Tent! Try out party ideas, boutiques, henna tattoos; shop for beauty, health care and pet needs from locally-owned Chicagoland and a few out-of-town businesses.

Hungry for adobo, pancit, lechon, barbecue, halo-halo, puto, Goldilocks, try a famous Philippine entree or desert served by established Chicagoland businesses such as Uni-Mart, Val’s Asian Mart, Kusinang Pinoy, Mang Juan; popular festival foods such as hot dogs, fries, polish sausage, chicken sandwich, ribs, sno-cones and lemonade from Chef Romel/Jasper Meats, Bojo’s, Chick Fill-A, Kitty’s Irish Ice and the Concession stand.

Other activities include a Philippine martial arts workshop from Eskrima, rock climbing, train ride, fire department truck, library bus, photo booth from JC Balloon Creations & Photo Booth, and a Hula dance exhibition and workshop from Hana Hou Hula!

Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook is presented by the Philippine American Cultural Foundation in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General’s office and the Village of Bolingbrook. Maraming salamat to our platinum sponsors TFC, SMDC and Three Horses Jasmine Rice, gold sponsors Signature Event Designs, Filipino American Network and Comcast/Xfinity, silver and bronze sponsors Galloping Ghost Arcade, JC Balloon Creations, Creative Imprints & Creative Impressions, Globe Telecom, LBC, Mark Tan, Max Madsen Mitsubishi, Global Cargo Movers, Real Auto Haus and Yum Cha. Special thanks go to our media sponsors – Bolingbrook Bugle, Via Times / CPR TV, Mega Scenes, One Philippines and Pinoy. Many thanks as well to Mayor Roger C. Claar and the Village of Bolingbrook for use of the Performing Arts Center grounds.

Come celebrate Chicagoland’s biggest Philippine festival! For a complete listing of performers, booths, activities and sponsorship, please visit http://piyestapinoy.net.

Kitakits sa June 20 sa Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook!

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TFC will join Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook !

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TFC will join Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook!
Sam Milby and Geneva Cruz will be performing   

CHICAGO, Apr. 24 – The greater Chicago’s biggest Filipino American festival in celebration of the Philippine Independence Day returns to Bolingbrook for the second year this summer. Join us for a massive 12-hour festival, Saturday, June 20, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the sprawling Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center, next to the Bolingbrook Village Hall and Town Center.

Piyesta Pinoy aims to provide a special forum for artists, vendors and performers to share their music, arts and crafts, works, businesses and talents in promoting the Filipino American arts, music, cuisine and cultural heritage; to unite the Filipino American communities in and around the greater Chicago area; to promote and preserve the Filipino culture and heritage and to foster collaboration amongst different groups, organizations, clubs, businesses and individuals. Last year’s official attendance is 4,500 over a 12 hour non-stop entertainment schedule that featured a famous celebrity artist from the Philippines (Dingdong Dantes), four musical bands plus a main stream country singer (Andrew Salgado), several local cultural music and dance groups among the performers. Mayor Roger Claar of Bolingbrook and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White along with the Jesse White tumblers were also in attendance.

This year, Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook is expecting to attract an even bigger crowd as we welcome The Filipino Channel as our exclusive Philippines media partner and sponsor. Fil-Am actor Sam Milby and Filipina actress/singer Geneva Cruz will be coming to town and will be performing during the TFC hour portion of the festival. The Philippines’ ‘Rockcoustic Heartthrob’, Sam Milby is an established actor and multi-awarded singer who became very popular as a Pinoy Big Brother housemate, a singer with several sold-out concerts and Platinum albums, an actor of top-rating TV soaps (including Maging Sino Ka Man with John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo and Anne Curtis, which launched his career as a dramatic television actor), blockbuster movies and big product endorsements to his name.  Geneva Cruz is an award winning actress and singer. Cruz began her career in 1989 as one of the lead singers of the popular group Smokey Mountain. She was also the very first Grand Prize winner (and the youngest) of “The Voice of Asia” in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, Russia in 1992.

In addition to the TFC hour, there will be many other local singers, dancers, musicians and artists who will be performing at the beautiful state-of-the-art Bolingbrook performing arts stage. We are also calling on all group dancers of all dance styles!  We are looking for Chicagoland’s Best PP Dance Crew!  If your group has what it takes to live up to the title, register now and submit a video for review.  Please visit our website for the dance contest rules, the complete lineup of entertainers and the schedule of performances. There will also be more vendors who are joining the piyesta this year; we will have at least ten food vendors selling all sorts of Filipino favorite foods from adobo and pansit to halo halo, Magnolia ice cream and Goldilocks ensaymada.

Applications for sponsors, partners, donors, business and cultural booth tables are now open. We are also looking for lots of volunteers to help with logistics, security, first aid, children’s activities and other miscellaneous tasks during the day of the event. Please visit us online at http://piyestapinoy.org/ and http://www.piyestapinoy.net/ for details. Kitakits po tayo doon! Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook (Philippine Fest) is bring brought to you by the Philippine American Cultural Foundation in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago and the Village of Bolingbrook.  ###

Light + LOVE + HOPE + Medical Missions

LIGHT + LOVE + HOPE +Medical Missions

Chicago, Il. – The Philippine American Cultural Foundation’s 2015 humanitarian missions in the Philippines brought some love and hope to the people of Occidental Mindoro during the month of February. This year, PACF partnered with the Samasama Project and the League Of Volunteer for Relief Expeditions (LOVE) project of the Illinois Philippine Recovery Operations (IL-PRO)  in support of their medical and dental missions headed by Project Directors Doctor Ariel Tolentino, Baron and Louella Cabalona.  The dates and areas of services are – Jan 28 in Bukidnon, Feb 1 in Lipa, Batangas, Feb 3 in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro and February 20-22 in Devils Mountain, Alaminos, San Jose, Mindoro.

PACF also supported the Watts of Love organization founded and headed by 2014 Fil-Am Hall of Famer Nancy Economou. Nancy and her brother Kevin Kuster, Watts of Love’s Creative Director and photographer, returned to the Philippines with a travel team of compassionate and concerned supporters who took part in the organization’s first-ever group distribution trip to Ilin Island in Occidental Mindoro, just South of San Jose, deemed Project HOPE  (Health, Opportunity, Power and Education). Once there, the Project HOPE team distributed1,000 solar LED lanterns, which allowed recipients to charge small electronic devices like cell phones, tablets and radios, enabling them to begin their own solar micro-business charging others’ devices for a profit. They also carried headlamps onto the island which they distributed to midwives and school teachers and trained each recipient individually as to the proper operation and maintenance of their units.

 

The Watts Of Love Project Hope team together with the PACF, Samasama Project and the Illinois Philippine Recovery Operations Project HOPE team delivered light, medical mission, LOVE and HOPE to two other sites in the Philippines in addition to the Ilin Island. Together, the two teams hiked and climbed their way up to what used to be referred to as the Devil’s Mountain near San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Feb 21-22 and to what used to be referred to as the Smokey Mountain in Manila on Feb 23. Project HOPE delivered more solar lights and Project LOVE provided basic medical checkup and support and distributed basic medicines and prescriptions to the Mangyan villages in Mindoro and to the poor families making a living in the waste dumpsite in Manila. It was truly a blessing to have the support of volunteers and donors from the United States to be able to help the poor people of our country the Philippines.

 

THANK YOU very much to the Watts of Love organization headed by Nancy Economou. Check out this amazing front-page feature of the work the Watts of Love do and the people they serve that was published in the Daily Herald on March 23, 2015! http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150323/news/150329893/

THANK YOU too to the League Of Volunteers Expeditions (LOVE) led by Dr. Ariel Tolentino, Baron and Lou Cabalona for organizing and executing the medical and dental missions.

Last but not the least, we also want to thank our hosts, the government and church groups, the security forces, and the many volunteers in the Philippines who helped and supported our missions for without them, we will not be able to reach out to the people who are really in need. Together, we are able to bring smiles, love and some hope and relief to the needy and the poorest of the poor.

Founded in 1996 as a Not-For-Profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, PACF is highly dependent on the goodwill and generosity of its supporters, its volunteers and friends like you. We need your assistance in our fundraising activities to promote our Filipino culture to Filipinos and Non-Filipinos in Illinois thru music, dance & exhibits;  sponsor our youth PACF Performing Arts Group;  co-sponsor cultural projects such as Philippine Fests (Piyesta Pinoy) in Bolingbrook & Navy Pier locations; recognize FAHM Outstanding Filipino American Seniors;  showcase the Philippines in Asian & International Fest;  expand its educational/cultural/social services programs and intensify its humanitarian efforts; collaborate with various cultural groups and community organizations in several cultural and humanitarian projects.
Your participation and support are always valuable and critical to the survival of PACF and its programs. Your help in any capacity is greatly appreciated. To donate to PACF and to get more information on Piyesta Pinoy, the humanitarian missions and all other PACF events and to join next year’s Piyesta Pinoy celebration, please visit the newly designed Philippine American Cultural Foundation website –  http://pacfmidwest.org/.

Sharing our pictures from the Mangyan villages in San Jose Mindoro with the Watts of Love’s Project Hope and the League Of Volunteers for Relief Expeditons (LOVE), PACF and SamaSama Project’s Medical Mission

Piyesta Pinoy returns to Navy Pier in CHICAGO for a 4th year!

 

Piyesta Pinoy returns for a fourth year!
Mainstream event a mainstay for Chicago Filipinos

CHICAGO, Mar. 26 — Chicago’s favorite Filipino American festival returned to Navy Pier for a smashing fourth year. Sunday. Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago is Philippine Celebration for Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series, filling Crystal Gardens with Filipino song, dance, businesses, food and crafts; attracting record crowds and bringing the Philippines closer to immigrants and expatriates.
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 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 from all stripes are immediately transported to the Philippines, where communities spend the year looking forward to the fiestas.
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 four dances – Binasuan, Itikitik, Tiklos and Tinikling.
Lane Tech High School graduates Divine Rhythm kept in touch despite attending various colleges currently, and returned with 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.
The festival’s dance component would not be complete without college groups fresh from the 2015 Battle of the Bamboo: Loyola Kapwa Cultural placed second with the eight-minute Yakan Suite, depicting daily routines and a wedding dance from the Basilan tribe, in Mindanao.
Battle of the Bamboo hosts UIC Filipinos in Alliance Cultural rendered two traditional dances as well: The stately walk Katsudoratan from the Maranao tribe of Lake Lanao, and the lunar ceremonial dance Pagdiwata from Tagbanua, Palawan.
The dances that come from Battle of the Bamboo and showcased at Piyesta Pinoy are always highly-anticipated, and often the only opportunity non-collegiate audience ever get to see Philippine indigenous dance rendered outside their province and home communities.
The festival would not have been complete without our singers: 13-year-old James and his sister Jannae Agena, a tender 8; a heart-rendering duet from mom and daughter team Bless and Isabella Peterson; 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.
Visitors were treated to Polynesian dance as well, specifically Tahitian, from a group of islands a mere stone’s throw away from the Philippines. Ross Rodrigo is director of Moku`aina Hula (“island dance”), featuring i is (pronounced EEE EEEs, bamboo sticks), grass skirts and fast hip movements. All seven dancers from the troupe are Filipina-American.
The event could not have been complete without another group of festival mainstays, Samasama Project, with versatile musician Baron Cabalona fulfilling a New Year’s challenge from wife and front woman Louella Cabalona by playing a double bass for the first time. Louella showed off jazz scat chops and Ranran Sevilla’s inventive guitar rounded out the trio acoustic set of folk favorites and OPM (Original Pilipino Music) in the style distinctly Samasama Project, 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.

Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago returns in the summer with Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook! Join us for a massive 12-hour festival, Saturday, June 20, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 11 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 festival volunteers would like to thank the following groups for their table booth participation and display: Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment Chicago, the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, CIRCA-Pintig, Coast 22, Creative Impressions Plus, Darlene’s Boutique, the Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago, the Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago, the Filipino American Network, The Field Museum, The Filipino American Community Builder, the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, Futurity First, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, Gawad Kalinga, Mark Tan, MegaScene, Nueva Viscaya Association, One Philippines, PepsiCo, The Philippine Consulate General’s office, Pinoy Newsmagazine, Robinson’s Land Corporation, StateFarm, The Filipino Channel, The University of Chicago Midwest Longitudinal Study of Asian American Families (ML-SAAF), The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Chicago, VIA Times, and Zamboanga del Norte Association of Illinois.

The 2015 Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago could not have been possible without our Hermano Mayor Consul General Generoso Calonge, our Hermana Mayor Judge Jessica O’Brien, Hermana and Hermanos Vice Consul Ricarte Abejuela III, Vice Consul Alena Grace Borra, Alex and Josie Cirera, DCG Romulo Victor Israel, Jr., Veronica Leighton, Joe Mauricio, Darwin & Imelda Posadas, Mariano & Merlinda Santos, and Bert & Yoly Tubalinal.

We would also like to thank our Ninongs and Ninangs: Imelda Cuevo, Nestor Evaristo (NVAI President), Adeline Fajardo (PACF President), Rudy Garcia, Edgar Jimenez (FAN President), Ruben & Merle Salazar, and Douglas Tayengco.

Festival volunteers would also like to thank the following for their partnership: Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment Chicago, the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, CIRCA-Pintig, 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, Nueva Viscaya Association, The University of Chicago ML-SAAF, The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Chicago, and the Zamboanga del Norte Association of Illinois.

Maraming salamat to our performers: John and Jannae Agena, Divine Aleonar, the Chicago Angklung Rondalla Ensemble, Divine Rhythm, Loyola Kapwa Cultural, Moku`aina Hula, PACF Performing Arts, Bless and Isabella Peterson, Samasama Project, UIC Filipinos in Alliance Cultural, emcees Alpha Nicolasin and Mark Dinglasan.

Maraming salamat to our program booklet advertisers: GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV, The Angelos Concert (sponsored by the Palawenos of the Midwest, Chicago and St. Martha Fil-Am), State Farm, The University of Chicago ML-SAAF, Gawad Kalinga, Mark Tan with Thrivent Financial, Salerno’s Rosedale Funeral Chapels, RJ Jewelry, Comcast/Xinity.

Maraming salamat to our student volunteers from Niles West High School and Northside College Preparatory High School headed by William Su.

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; Gold – Comcast/Xfinity; Silver – Creative Impressions Plus, Mark A. Tan with Thrivent Financial, Glenda Tolentino with State Farm; Bronze – Robinson Land; Media sponsors – The Filipino American Community Builder, MegaScene, One Philippines, PINOY News, VIA Times; and Food donors – Hong Ning, Isla Pilipina, Pepsico (Gamesa, Dole, Muller, Quaker, Tropicana), Simple Delights, and Val’s Asian Mart. Navy Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series is sponsored by ComEd.

Maraming salamat from the volunteers of the 2015 Piyesta Pinoy (Philippine Fest) sa Chicago: overall chairperson Ruben Salazar; sponsors Adeline Fajardo and Edgar Jimenez; production and stage manager Rian Mari Francisco; program booklet AnnaGina Millan; programme/emcees Alpha Nicolasin and Mark Dinglasan; communication/press release writer Yvonne T. Hortillo; cultural committee chair Michelle Delson; finance, raffles and passport booklet committee Pia Natividad and Telly Yumping; food committee Merle Salazar, Rome Nichols, Angie Malonzo, and Brenda Vins; graphic designer Lea Rivera; parade committee Emil Nicolasin, Michelle Delson, Louella and Baron Cabalona; performers check-in table staffer Alma Reed; security coordinator John Parrish; vendors/exhibitors committee Cindy Lopez and Almira Gilles; volunteer coordinator Jeff Cruz; and website editors Jeffrey Javate and John Parrish.

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Support the Medical/Dental Missions and Project HOPE

Ad Med Mission IMAGE 2015IL-PRO

Jan 13, 2015. – We are so happy to announce the Philippine American Cultural Foundation’s 2015 humanitarian missions in the Philippines. This year, PACF is partnering with the Samasama Project and the Illinois Philippine Recovery Operations (IL-PRO)  in support of their medical and dental missions headed by Project Directors Doctor Ariel Tolentino, Baron and Louella Cabalona. The dates and areas of services are – Jan 28 in Bukidnon, Feb 1 in Lipa, Batangas, Feb 3 in Paluan, Occidental Minodro and February 20-22 in Devils Mountain, Alaminos, San Jose, Mindoro. Click here to view the full schedule of the mission.

PACF will also be supporting the Watts of Love organization founded and headed by 2014 Fil-Am Hall of Famer Nancy Economou. Next month, Nancy and her brother Kevin Kuster, Watts of Love’s Creative Director and photographer, will be returning to the Philippines with a travel team of compassionate and concerned supporters who are taking part in the organization’s first-ever group distribution trip to Ilin Island in Occidental Mindoro, just South of San Jose, deemed Project HOPE  (Health, Opportunity, Power and Education) – Project HOPE Handout. Once there, the Project HOPE team will distribute 1,000 solar LED lanterns, which allow recipients to charge small electronic devices like cell phones, tablets and radios, enabling them to begin their own solar micro-business charging others’ devices for a profit. They will also be carrying headlamps onto the island to distribute to midwives and school teachers and training each recipient individually as to the proper operation and maintenance of their units.   The team will be delivering light, love and HOPE to this region of the Philippines from Feb. 13-23, 2015, with plans to distribute solar lanterns to locals living in what is widely considered to be a dumpsite for waste outside of Manila. They will also reach locals living in the remote Devil’s Mountain region of Mindoro, commonly referred to as “Mangyan” villages, where they will be joined by the PACF, Samasama Project and the IL-PRO volunteers.

 

On behalf of the PACF Family, we extend our very best wishes for a Happy New Year to all! Let us continue to promote and share our rich Filipino cultural heritage and traditions in America, so our children, grandkids and future generations will remain proud of their Filipino cultural identity and heritage as Filipino Americans.
Founded in 1996 as a Not-For-Profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, PACF is highly dependent on the goodwill and generosity of its supporters, its volunteers and friends like you. We need your assistance in our fundraising activities to promote our Filipino culture to Filipinos and Non-Filipinos in Illinois thru music, dance & exhibits;  sponsor our youth PACF Performing Arts Group;  co-sponsor cultural projects such as Philippine Fests (Piyesta Pinoy) in Bolingbrook & Navy Pier locations; recognize FAHM Outstanding Filipino American Seniors;  showcase the Philippines in Asian & International Fest;  expand its educational/cultural/social services programs and intensify its humanitarian efforts; collaborate with various cultural groups and community organizations in several cultural and humanitarian projects.
Your participation and support are always valuable and critical to the survival of PACF and its programs. Your help in any capacity is greatly appreciated. To donate to PACF and to get more information on Piyesta Pinoy, the humanitarian missions  and all other PACF events and to join next year’s Piyesta Pinoy celebration, please visit the newly designed Philippine American Cultural Foundation website –  http://pacfmidwest.org/.

2015 Piyesta Pinoy – Save the Dates

 Save The Date Poster copy (1)

Dec 12, 2014. – We are so happy to announce that two of the biggest Filipino American events in the Chicago area will both be back next year – the Piyesta Pinoy in Chicago will be indoors during spring time while the Piyesta Pinoy in Bolingbrook will be outdoors during summer time in Bolingbrook Once again, both events will be coordinated by the Philippine American Cultural Foundation in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago.

Save the Date in the spring – Sunday, March 15, 2015 for the Philippine Celebration (Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago) as part of the Neighborhoods of the World series Sundays February 8 to March 29, 2015  at Navy Pier’s Crystal Gardens. Chicago is famous for its ethnic neighborhoods – and Navy Pier is proud to honor the city’s Filipino community with this cultural celebration for all ages. Join us for a lively afternoon of music, dance, colorful costumes, food and local vendors selling folk arts.  The Filipino community is so glad to have been invited to participate for the 4th year in a row in this wonderful opportunity to showcase our culture and to share them with the people of Chicago as well as the guests  and visitors that go to the Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most visited tourist attractions.

Save the Date in the summer – Saturday, June 20, 2015 for the Philippine Fest Celebration (Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook) at the beautiful Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center in Bolingbrook.  This year’s event attracted about 4500 people in attendance, 6 food vendors, 25 merchandise and service vendors and 10 non-for-profit organizations. It featured 12 hours of music and dance entertainment including super star Dingdong Dantes from the Philippines plus several other interactive activities and children’s games. With your support and participation, we hope to make next year an even bigger event.

On behalf of the PACF Family, we extend our very best wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Yearto all! Let us continue to promote and share our rich Filipino cultural heritage and traditions in America, so our children, grandkids and future generations will remain proud of their Filipino cultural identity and heritage as Filipino Americans.

Your participation and support are always valuable and critical to the survival of PACF and its programs. Your help in any capacity is greatly appreciated. To donate to PACF and to get more information on Piyesta Pinoy and all other PACF events and to join next year’s Piyesta Pinoy celebration, please visit the newly designed Philippine American Cultural Foundation website –  http://pacfmidwest.org/.