COMMUNITY NEWS

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PIWC (Philippine Independence Week Committee) 2025 adds a parade at the Chicago Loop on June 12 to mark its Golden Anniversary, with its overall chairperson, Dr. Nida B. Hernaez, confirming that it has gotten the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate General to boost the participation for this special event.

ConGen Melanie Rita Diano has actively urged various community groups to participate in the celebration of the 127th year of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence. Sources said that no fewer than 300 have so far signified their participation as a show of Filipino pride and unity.

This new event will start at 1:15 pm on Thursday, June 12, following the traditional cultural and fashion show at the Daley Plaza at the corner of Washington and Dearborn Streets in downtown Chicago.  A flag raising ceremony is scheduled at noon to open the day’s activities.

The parade route starts at the aforesaid corner and move east on Washington Street toward the Bean at the Millennium Park and turn south to end at the Buckingham Fountain. Groups and individuals who plan to join are asked to wear Filipiniana attire with the national colors. For more info, call Robert Chavez (312) 835-5061.

PIWC PICNIC is on Sunday, June 15, will open at 9 a.m. with a walkathon, follow by a mass celebration.  A Health-O-Rama will follow lunch. The venue will be the Labagh Woods at the northeast corner of Cicero and Foster Avenues. Free but donations are welcome, call Majorie Q. Llanes, (224) 805-0223.

GALA Night is on Saturday, June 28, 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosemont, ticket is $95/per. The coronation of the beauty queens and awarding of outstanding members of the community will take place along with the recognition of the winners of the youth essay contest and the raffle is also on the program. 

Proceeds from all the fundraising projects will go to a medical and dental mission to the Philippines. For more info, call Dr. Nida B. Hernaez (847) 668-7385.

A floral offering at the Rizal Monument at Margate Park, at Clarendon Road between Wilson and Lawrence Avenues in Chicago will take place on June 19, 9:30 am to commemorate the 164th birthday of the Philippine National Hero with the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago and the Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal of Chicago leading the ceremonies. For more details call Mariano Santos, KoR Area Commander at 847-528-4991.

Meanwhile, The Jose Rizal Chicago Lions will hold open forum on Sunday, June 22, 2 p.m. at the Rizal Center on the “Living legacies of Rizal life and death”. For details call Vangie Sipple 773-744-1079 or Bishop Eli Pascua at 630-608-9793.

SIR Wilfredo Red Buhay, a Knight of the Grand Order of Rizal, former commander of the KOR Chicago Chapter died May 20, at the Cook County Hospital, at age, 76. He was also a member of the board of directors at the Rizal Heritage Center and an active member of the Chicago Historical Society

Willy was a painter, writer and fashion designer and the curator of the now-defunct Filipino American Museum at the Chicago North side. Willy’s family roots went back to that of Jose Rizal’s mother, Teodora Alonzo, of Paete, Laguna. 

A necrological service is scheduled on Wednesday, June 4, 10 a.m. at Rizal Center, 1332 W. Irving Park, Chicago with a memorial mass to be celebrated by Fr. Carlos Llagas to be followed by the Chicago Area Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal traditional funeral rites. A power point presentation of Willy’s life will conclude the program.

He is survived by his siblings—Wildivino, Winivinie and Waldomar. 

NEWLY elected Skokie Mayor Ann Tennes will issue a proclamation celebrating Aisan American Pacific Islander Month on May 5th at the 7:30pm Board of Trustee meeting at the Village Hall. An advanced copy of the proclamation was provided to PINOY, (as follows)

WHEREAS, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community constitutes the fastest growing minority group in the United States and is an important element of our unique Skokie mosaic; and

WHEREAS, the achievements of Asian American. Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders have contributed to our nation’s and Skokie’s progress and prosperity in a wide range of fields, including art, architecture, literature, education, government, law, industry, commerce, medicine, science, and technology, thus having contributed to the quality of life for everyone; and

WHEREAS, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders and all those who journeyed to the United States in pursuit of freedom and liberty, are an important part of our nation’s foundation; and

WHEREAS, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community is visible and active as its members make significant strides toward full participation and equal opportunity in all walks of life.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANN TENNES, Mayor of the Village of Skokie, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2025 as ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, and PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH and urge all residents to join this celebration recognizing their infinite contributions to our great Village.

Dated this 5th day of May 2025

Signed Ann Tennes 

CHICAGO Area Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal will mark the Asian American Pacific Islander Month on Monday, May 5th, 5pm to 7pm at the Cosmos Meeting Room of the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St. Skokie, IL. 

The American experience of Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, will be the focus of a discussion on the Asian Heritage in the U.S. 

After the installation of officers the group will join the AAPI proclamation by Skokie Mayor Ann Tennes at the Village Hall.