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CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE CHICAGO

PRESS RELEASE No. 119-2019

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE LAUDS COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR SUCCESSFUL FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH AND FILIPINO RESTAURANT WEEK IN CHICAGO

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (middle) poses with (L-R) Cultural Officer Noly Dulay, Philippine American Cultural Foundation Cultural Director Ruben Salazar, International Society of in Finance and Accounting – Chicago President Jan Paul Ferrer, and Consul Ryan Gener. (Chicago PCG/Joseph Alcantara)

21 November 2019 – In a simple ceremony at the Kalayaan Hall on 14 November 2019, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago thanked Filipino-American partner community organizations for their significant contributions to the successful holding of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) events and the first-ever Chicago Filipino Restaurant Week last October.

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin lauded the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF), represented by Cultural Director Ruben Salazar, for co-organizing with the Consulate the FAHM -Off Ceremony on 3 October 2019. She also commended the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA) – Chicago Chapter, led by President Jan Paul Ferrer, for organizing with the Consulate the first-ever Chicago Filipino Restaurant Week on 6-27 October 2019.

122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60603, USA Tel. No. 1(312) 583-0621; Fax No. 1(312) 583-0647 www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, [email protected]

The FAHM Kick-Off Ceremony, which was attended by close to 200 participants, was graced by keynote speaker Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban, Filipino-American President of De Paul University. Consul General Jamoralin and Dr. Esteban also awarded three (3) Filipina visionaries – Ms. Venus Veronica B. Leighton, Ms. Adeline A. Fajardo, and Ms. Estrella R. Alamar – for their significant contributions to history and for paving the way for the Filipino American community in the Midwest. Consul General Jamoralin also expressed appreciation to the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) for organizing a film showing of the award-winning Philippine movie “SIGNAL ROCK”, directed by Filipino director Chito Roño and with the presence of lead actor Christian Bable, right after the kick-off ceremony.

The Chicago Filipino Restaurant Week (FRW) was capped by a block party at Mora Asian Kitchen in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The block party was well-attended by diners of participating restaurants, who were awarded by ISFFA and the Consulate raffle prizes courtesy of the restaurants and partner enterprises. Participants danced the afternoon away to the live upbeat music of Filipino-American band SamaSama Project, which also flawlessly performed OPM songs. World Academy USA also delighted the crowd with an electrifying arnis demonstration.

Twenty-two (22) participating restaurants offered prix-fixe menus and other to their diners during the FRW, which is a cultural diplomacy initiative of Consul General Jamoralin. FRW originated in New York and has expanded to other cities such as Washington and Honolulu, through the initiative of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in those jurisdictions. Consul General Jamoralin thanked FRW partner companies – Mama Sita’s, Tanduay Rhum, GMA TV, Adelfia LLC, Madrid Crost Law Group, Crowe, Morgan Stanley, and Megaworld International. The Consulate also thanked partner organizations – Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), Gawad USA, Philippine American Cultural Foundation – Midwest, Philippine Medical Association in Chicago, and SamaSama Project.

The following were participating restaurants: Mora Asian Kitchen (Oak Park and Bolingbrook), Mora Asian Fusion (Plainsfield), Yelo (Geneva), Kusina de (Des Plaines), Pinoy Grill (Arlington Heights), Chicken Ati-Atihan (Niles), Lola Tining’s (Oak Park), Bacolod Chicken Haus (Lincoln Ave), Uncle Mike’s Place (W Grand), Unimart One Stop Shopping (Woodbridge), Meat on the Street, (Milwaukee, WI), and Jennivee’s Bakery (N Sheffield Ave). Partner restaurants were the following: (W Montrose Ave), Sunda (W Illinois St), Isla Pilipina (W Lawrence Ave), Grand Café (Bloomington), Finley Dunne’s Tavern (N Lincoln Ave), Mesa Manila (Naperville), and Kawayan (N Milwaukee Ave).

Consul General Jamoralin also thanked PACF and other community partners (including the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Alliance, Asian Pop-Up Cinema, Filipino American National Historical Society, National Federation of Filipino American Associations Midwest, ISFFA, Joy Dance , BIBBAK, AFIRE, CIRCA/Pintig, Fil-Am Group of Mundelein, Filipino American Association of South Du Page, and Santacruzan Group) for organizing other events throughout October. These included the film showing of Miss Granny and Call Her Ganda, participation in the Southeast Asian Film Festival through three short films (Jodilerks Defa Cruz, Employee of the Month; Baguio Address No. 10; and We Still Have to Close Our Eyes), book launch of Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong, carbo-loading and meet-and-greet with Chicago Marathon Filipino runners, cheering of said runners during the marathon, Santacruzan at Columbus Day parade, indigenous dance celebration, parol making, and Mass celebration. END

SamaSama Project performed to loud cheers and joyful dancing at the Filipino Restaurant Week Block Party (FRW) held at Mora Asian Kitchen in Bolingbrook, IL on 27 October 2019. (Jason dela Rosa)

World Martial Arts Academy USA in action during an Arnis demonstration at the FRW Block Party.

FRW Block Party-goers (L-R: Ryan Gener, Ruben Salazar, Noly Dulay, Mariano Santos, Almira Gilles, Alvar Rosales) enjoying Tanduay Rum cocktails.

Consul Ryan Gener (right) receives from Mr. Luis Ferrer, President of the Filipino American Association of South Du Page, a copy of the Proclamation from Darien, IL Mayor Joseph A. Marchese declaring the month of October 2019 Filipino American History Month.

Consulate officials (L-R: Atty. Alvar Rosales, Noly Dulay, Consul Ryan Gener, Fritz de Jesus) pose beside a shelf of Filipiniana books, including” Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong”, displayed at the Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien, IL on 27 October 2019.