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COMMUNITY NEWS - APRIL '26
LENTEN reflection and community report of the NAFCON humanitarian mission held last December 2025 in Pampanga. It was held in partnership with non-profit organizations, Council for Health and Development in the Philippines, the Consortium for People’s Development and Disaster Response, and the Vicariate of Blessed Trinity of the Diocese of Pampanga.
A fundraiser will be held during the community report to raise funds for the ongoing NAFCON humanitarian missions.
Join us at Chicken Ati Atihan on April 14, 5PM to 8PM. Donation $40. To RSVP contact Nerissa Allegretti at (312) 532-2940
COMMUNITY NEWS - MAY 2026
Skokie Festival of Culture, May 16-17
ConGen Diano meets with Wisconsin Fil-Am leaders, State Rep. Angelito Tenorio
ConGen Diano meets with Wisconsin Fil-Am leaders, State Rep. Angelito Tenorio
The 35th year of the Skokie Festival of Culture is scheduled on Saturday and Sunday of May 16 and 17 at Oakton Park, corner Knox Ave and Oakton street in Skokie with the opening ceremony at 1 pm participated by the local FilAm Community. Events starts at 11 am and closes at 6 pm on both days.
Since 1991, the event, held at Skokie’s 19-acre Oakton Park, has grown over nearly three decades from 14 cultures with 1,000 attendees, to more than 30 cultures and 25,000 visitors, annually. Over two days in May, visitors enjoy ethnic folk music and dance, arts and crafts, international children's games, food and drinks, cultural booths, vendors displays and the festival’s iconic flag display.
Native art, handicrafts and informational materials will be on display at the Philippine booth. To volunteer, call Jelly at
ConGen Diano meets with Wisconsin Fil-Am leaders, State Rep. Angelito Tenorio
ConGen Diano meets with Wisconsin Fil-Am leaders, State Rep. Angelito Tenorio
ConGen Diano meets with Wisconsin Fil-Am leaders, State Rep. Angelito Tenorio
MADISON, WISCONSIN— Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with Wisconsin State Representative Angelito Tenorio at the Wisconsin State Capitol on April 17, in line with its continuing efforts to strengthen engagement with Filipino-American leaders and communities in the U.S. Midwest.
During the meeting, the Consul General briefed Representative Tenorio on the Consulate’s key initiatives for 2026, including activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of Philippines-United States diplomatic relations. The Consul General also highlighted major programs such as the 2026 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour and the U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines, and extended an invitation to Representative Tenorio to participate in these initiatives.
The Consul General likewise discussed with Representative Tenorio various issues and opportunities concerning the Filipino-American community in the U.S. Midwest. For his part, Representative Tenorio briefed the Consul General on his key advocacies and priorities, which include his strong focus on clean energy and climate action.
Representative Tenorio holds the distinction of being the first Filipino-American elected to public office in the State of Wisconsin.
Following the meeting, the Consul General and the Consulate team joined Representative Tenorio at the State Capitol’s North Hearing Room for a Meet and Greet with leaders and members of Filipino community organizations from across Wisconsin. The gathering provided a valuable platform for dialogue, enabling the Consulate to listen to the concerns of the community and to share updates on its programs and services.
Consul General Diano also took the opportunity to reaffirm the Consulate’s commitment to working closely with Filipino-American leaders and organizations to promote community welfare, civic participation, and stronger Philippines-United States relations.
DAY of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) commemorating the fall of Bataan, April 9, 1942, was marked by the Philippine consular officers of Chicago led by ConGen Melanie Rita Diano, Filipino and American War Veterans, Knights of Rizal and leaders of the FilAm Community April 10 at the Bataan-Corregidor Bridge on State Street and Chicago River followed by a recognition luncheon at the Consulate's Kalayaan Hall at 220 S. Michigan Ave. (PINOY Photo)
NAFCON Midwest held a dinner fundraiser April 14 at Chicken Ati Atihan. Nerissa Allegretti (seated, center) and Phil Pascua (4th fr L) reported on the humanitarian mission and community based learning outreach held December 2025 in areas affected by permanent flooding due to ghost flood control projects and those affected by development aggression in Pampanga. Local partners were the Roman Catholic Vicariate of Blessed Trinity, Bigkis Pampanga, Council for Health and Development, and Consortium for People’s Development and Disaster Response. There were 28 cohorts in the mission who came from different parts of the US. They were nurses, health workers, public health professionals, health students and community advocates.
Five hundred families were recipients of the relief goods and 158 individuals from flooded areas were assisted in the medical mission. The humanitarian mission is a component of NAFCON’s Bayanihan Disaster Response. Present were Gemma Esmalla (Chicago Nightingale), Lodi Po (PIWC, 5th fr L), Evelyn Tolledo (BUSAM, 2nd fr R), Yoly Tubalinal (Gintong Pamana, seated R), Joe and Ellen Balmadrid (St John Brebeuf Filipino Group, 2nd & 3rd fr L), Pastor Sam Dado (R), Juliet Tolledo, and Rocco Allegretti (L). Others not in photo were Ernie Tolledo, Nicky Nicholas, Mariano A. Santos of PINOY Newsmagazine, Don, Holly and Ezekiel Santarinala.
The participants pointed out that the humanitarian missions they conduct in the Philippines are concentrated in specific areas while NAFCON is unique as it responds to areas identified by their local partner organizations and churches in different parts of the Philippines. Donations are welcome, contact Nerissa or Phil at 312-532-2940; email: nafconmw@gmail.com; and website at www.nafconusa.org
COMMUNITY NEWS - JUNE 2026
Philippine Independence Week 2026 Events
June 7, Sunday, 9 am-5 pm, PIWC Picnic/Health-O-Rama, Bunker Hill Forest Preserve, W. Harts Road, South of Touhy Ave., Niles, IL., FREE, call Robert Chavez or Dr. Daisy Andaleon for details, 312-835-5061
June 10, Wednesday, Independence Day Flag Ceremony/Cultural Show, Daley Center, 50 W. Washington (Corner Dearborn and Clark Streets), Chicago, FREE, call Brenda Stevens for details, 630-728-7533
June 12, Friday, 6 pm, Independence Day Reception of the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago, to mark the 128th year of the the Proclamation of the PH Independence and the 80th Year of Ph-USA Friendship Day, Red Lacquer Room, Palmer House, Chicago. By Invitation Only.
June 13, Saturday, 11 am-7 pm, PIYESTA PINOY, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center. 375 W. Briarcliff Rd, Bolingbrook, IL., FREE, festival of art, fashion, food, culture, music, dance and live performances. Features 30 food and non-food vendors and 30 non-profit exhibitors. Call Cindy Lopez 630-336-0511/ Ruben Salazar, 630-379-9636, visit www.piyestapinoy.com
June 19, Friday, 9:15 am, Tribute to PH National Hero, Jose Rizal’s 165th Birthday, Rizal Monument, Margate Park, 4600 N. Clarendon (Between Wilson & Lawrence Avenues), Chicago, FREE, Coordinated by the Chicago area Knights of and Ladies for Rizal and PH Consulate General. For details, call Mariano A. Santos 847-528-4991/ Amando Boncales 773-225-9460.
June 20, Saturday, 5 pm-12 mn, PIWC Gala Night, Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency O’Hare Rosemont, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., & River Rd., Beauty Queens Coronation, celebration of the 128th Year PH Proclamation of Independence, $95 prepaid/person. Lodi Po, Event Chair, to reserve, call 630-248-3480. Reynel Espiritu, Overall Chair.
COMMUNITY NEWS - JUNE 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS - JUNE 2026
GENEVIEVE Galang (R), master gardener for Northern Cook County, joins Nancy Kim Phillips of the Skokie Public Library and other volunteers in the plant swap event at Lee Wright Park, May 23, and also to showcase the new bookmobile in time for the village Summer Reading 2026 beginning June 1st when readers of all ages and all reading counts to win prizes. You are invited to pick up a booklet at the Library or on the bookmobile.
Summer hours: 10am-6pm Sun & Sat; 9am-9pm Mon-Fri thru Oct 25.
Learn more: www.Skokielibrary.info/summer-reading
SKOKIE Mayor Anne Tennes (L) hails the FilAm group in the May 16 opening ceremonies of the Festival of Cultures at village’s Oakton Park as the biggest contingent in the parade of colors led by Consular Cultural attache, MJ Duran. The two-day annual event features100+ booths of different ethnic groups, cultural presentation, commercial exhibit, food and various entertainment including that from the local Filipino community headed by Jelly Carandang. (PINOY Photo by Anong)
PIWC SENIORS annual Appreciation Day, May 16 at the Jose Rizal Center in Chicago pictured with attendees, volunteers and organizers after the day’s activities that included wellness checkup, giveaways, entertainment including Lions Club nurses vs, diabetes, Rhey Adriano, Myrna Cordero, Ann Teano, Ginelene Lopez, Malou Tabo, Hermie Espiritu, Mar Crome and Lindy Tan.
FILIPINO Nurses in America exhibit co-curator, Angel Abcede of the Filipino American National Historical Society of Greater Chicago is shown May 15 with portion of the current “Unheard Voices of Care” exhibit exploring the largest migration story never told at the International Museum of Srgical Science, 1524 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago 60610 that runs through Aug. 2, 2026. (For schedule and details, call Angel at (773) 459-6775/ Ruben Salazar (630) 379-9636 email at angelchgo@gmail.com (Pinoy photo by Anong)