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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