Chicago Hall of Famers


The annual Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame project (now on its 16th year of celebration) is a very prestigious awards ceremony in the Filipino American community of Chicago and the Midwest. It recognizes outstanding individuals for demonstrating uncommon, innovative, and civic responsibility, and who have excelled and achieved so much for the encouragement and betterment of the Filipino/Filipino American community.


It is an inspiring project that highlights the best in the Filipino and Filipino-Americans --- a joint effort of the 20-year-old Chicago Philippine Reports TV and the 25-year-old VIA Times Newsmagazine -- an outstanding annual community event that benefits a locally produced (and original) television show in Chicago, the Chicago Philippine Reports TV?(CPRTV). This event's other charitable recipients have included the TAHANAN Philippine Museum, the Bantay Bata Foundation, the Knowledge Channel, the University of the Philippines Centennial Committee, and the Pilipino American Social Service (PASS).


It honors high-achieving Filipinos/Filipino Americans & Friends, focusing on their achievements in their own field of interest or profession, and in their abilities and capabilities to promote the positive image of the Filipino not only in Chicago, but also in the entire United States of America, the Philippines, and throughout the world.


For this gala event, it awards symbolic crystal hall of fame trophies to its deserving recipients at a black-tie dinner-dance event being held at five-star hotels in Chicago every year. Attendance numbers about 700 to 1,000 annually, composed mostly of community and civic leaders and celebrities from Chicago and abroad.



RECIPIENTS OF THE 15TH ANNUAL CHICAGO FILIPINO AMERICAN HALL OF FAME 2008 HELD DECEMBER 27, 2008 AT HYATT REGENCY HOTEL CHICAGO DOWNTOWN SPONSORED BY VIA TIMES NEWSMAGAZINE & CHICAGO PHILIPPINE REPORTS TV (CPRTV)


NELIA LAUREL-LADLAD


WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2008


Nelia was born in the Philippines to the late Mr. Santos Guinsatao of Ilocos Norte and Mrs. Pacita Alegado of Cagayan. She is married to Dr. Eduardo Ladlad who hails from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, a graduate of UST College of Medicine. Her previous marriage to Mr. Amado Laurel Jr. blessed her with two beautiful children. Daughter Arica graduated from Loyola Academy with cum laude honors and currently studying to become a TV Broadcast Journalist from University of Missouri, and her son, Lester, is a sophomore at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, in high honors class.


She had a vision and a dream when she was growing up that someday she would be a successful entrepreneur and make a difference in other people's lives. Honors and accolades are not alien to her, being a consistent honor student from grade school until her graduation with honors from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor Science in Mathematics & Statistics, Major in Financial Management. Her pursuit for higher education and knowledge also got her Master's in Business Administration (MBA) in Business Finance and Marketing from the University of Illinois and MBA in Healthcare Management from North Park University.


After college, she became a successful International Trader but was lured by the adventure of traveling, so she joined the exclusive crew of the Saudi Arabian Airlines as an International Flight Stewardess traveling even with the Monarchy of Saudi Arabia around the world. She continued at United Airlines upon immigrating to the United States until becoming a successful financial planner at Metlife.


But her dream of being a successful entrepreneur was still burning inside her. Being a woman and a minority did not deter her determination. When she met Dr. Eduardo Ladlad, a successful OB-GYNE practitioner, another dreamer and planner, they established a diversified healthcare company together. The vision was to offer quality services to seniors and the disabled, as well as provide a decent livelihood for the minority and under-privileged. They also envisioned the company as instrumental in encouraging education and training for the non-professionals and new immigrants, giving them hope and a chance to improve their opportunities in America.


Today, such vision and dream have come to fruition. Omega Group of Companies is at the forefront of healthcare industry and is deemed as one of the top contenders in the healthcare business. Under its umbrella are Omega Technical School, offering allied courses and training to produce competent health care personnel; Omega Home Healthcare, staffing agency sending skilled nurses and other medical professionals at home, including home makers to support and promote wellness of seniors; Omega Community Healthcare Organization, a non-profit company that has helped countless seniors remain in their own homes, live independently and with dignity.


All these companies have opened jobs and opportunities for the underprivileged, new immigrants and minorities of different ethnicity. Now, Omega Group has a pool of employees representing about dozen ethnic groups gaining for itself recognition from Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) as the most diversified agency with more employees speaking different languages, which is necessary in serving the increasing number of elderly minorities.


She was also awarded two grants by IDOA. Operating at present is the Homemaker services and in the first quarter of 2009, the opening of the Adult Day and Senior Center which will be the first Filipino-oriented center in Chicago area. However, the center is also open to serve different race, culture and ethnic communities. The programs are designed to ward off isolation of the elderly, help the less-privileged and offer more meaningful lives to the disabled.


In 2007, Illinois Department on Aging also honored Nelia with the Employer of the Year award, handed over by the Director of IDOA, Mr. Charles Johnson. Such gathering was celebrated in Springfield, Illinois and was witnessed by 2000 healthcare providers all across Illinois.


On the same year, she was appointed Member of Advisory Board Member in Community Care Program, a small group of selected individuals recognized in healthcare industry where they meet every other month to deliberate new rules and/or services for seniors prior the implementation of Illinois Department on Aging. This connection with IDOA also led to her appointment as a Member of Advisory Board of the Illinois Association of Senior Centers.


Other recognition of achievement includes her former appointment as Treasurer of the Norwegian American Hospital Lions Club and Ginang Kalayaan 2007.


Omega Group of Companies continues to grow and prosper under Nelia's leadership. Realizing her lifelong dream, she remains to inspire all immigrants with her belief that "Dreams do come true in America!". Anyone with the desire, determination and willingness to work hard can make it Big in this "Land of Opportunities".


CONSUL GENERAL BLESILA CABRERA


Outstanding Service to the Filipino American Community of Chicago & Midwest


Consul General Cabrera is a career diplomat. Her career began when she was appointed as Foreign Service Officer after passing the Foreign Service Officers Examination and taking the oath of office. Prior to her present assignment in Chicago, she served in various offices at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila including the following:


* Director - Office of ASEAN Affairs
* Director - Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs
* Senior Special Assistant - Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs
* Executive Director & Deputy Chief of Protocol - Office of Protocol and State Visits


Her previous postings in the Philippine Foreign Service include being assigned as Vice Consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam, Consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Canada and as Deputy Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California.


She has attended training, seminars and workshop at the Foreign Service Institute in Manila, in the United States and in Canada. She has participated in various regional meetings and conferences in Southeast Asia, Europe, United States, New Zealand and Canada.


Consul General Cabrera finished her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service at the University of the Philippines. She also attended the European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht, The Netherlands and the Center for International Understanding in Nova Scotia, Canada.


She is married to Mr. Gil C. Cabrera. Their daughter, Marianne, graduated from Loyola University with a Master of Arts in Political Science.


The Consulate General has Consular Jurisdiction over sixteen states, namely: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin.


DR. CARLOS JIMENEZ


MAN OF THE YEAR 2008


Dr. Carlos Jimenez has been in Private Practice in Glen Dale, West Virginia for more than thirty years. He is affiliated with Ohio Valley Medical Center, Reynolds Memorial Hospital, and the Wheeling Hospital. He has served and continues to serve in many capacities throughout his medical career. He was a member of the Board of Trustees at Reynolds Memorial Hospital since 1977. He has served as President of the Medical Staff, Chief of Internal Medicine, Director of Outpatient Services, Director of Quality Assurance and the Continuing Medical Education Program, which has been recognized for excellence in West Virginia. He is credited for establishing the first School for Respiratory Therapy in West Virginia.


He was the first Filipino to serve as President of the Ohio County Medical Society in its 165 year history. During his tenure he was responsible for the change in the composition of the Supreme Court Justices in West Virginia that resulted in an improved medico-legal climate. This year, the physicians in West Virginia are the beneficiary of a 30% decrease in medical liability. Recognizing his efforts, the physicians elected him to the West Virginia Medical Association and he will assume the Presidency in August 2009 at the Greenbrier.


It is Dr. Jimenez interest in teaching and mentoring that sets him apart. Dr. Jimenez's legacy is his dedication to education. He has given lectures in the local, statewide, national and international arena. His publications have been included in Circulations, The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, The Endocrine Society, and the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Jimenez has mentored many physicians in his capacity as clinical associate of the West Virginia School of Medicine and as faculty for the academic staff of the Ohio Valley Medical Center. For his efforts, he was given the Best Teacher's Award by the students and medical residents in 1997. He has established the Scholarship Fund for the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia Tri-State Filipino Association. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding high school students who have achieved academic, athletic, and school governance excellence.


Dr. Jimenez is equally recognized as a leading steward for his community. He served on the Board of Trustees for Mercantile Bank and has overseen its growth until it was acquired by BB&T in 2000. Disenchanted with their fee policies, he and eleven of his peers started Main Street Bank, Incorporated of Wheeling, a de Nova Bank, on West Virginia Day June 21, 2001. From a shoestring capital of 5 million, it has grown to three branches and almost 200 million dollars in equity in several years by respecting the little guy and providing for the needs of small business.


BENILDA HIZON, R.N.


Nursing Volunteerism & Leadership


This very dynamic Florence Nightingale of the Filipino community is the current President of the Illinois State Medical Society Alliance, a unified force formed by the American Medical Society Alliance, the Illinois State Medical Society Alliance, and County. It also represents the largest organization of families of medicine in the Unites States, and a network composed of physicians, physician spouses, resident physician spouses, and medical students representing all stages of the medical families. Prior to her role as Illinois Medical Alliance State President, she had first served in various capacitie in the county level as Secretary, member of the Board of Directors, Nominating Committee member,=2 01st Vice President, and in 2000-2001 served as the President of the Kankakee County Medical Society Alliance. As President, her Alliance theme for the year, "Joining Hands for Better Health for Life" is a journey..a connection..a celebration.


Growing up in Cadacad, a barrio surrounded by agricultural fields, in a town called Burgos in the province of Ilocos Sur, her father, Fiscal Isabel Degracia ,Sr. was a lawyer and a respected member of the community. Her mother, Magdalena Filart-Degracia, was a land and business owner, both of whom were much involved in the town's civic, social and religious activities. She is the eldest of seven children (one deceased), with three sisters who work as directors of nurses in southern California, and three brothers, two are licensed civil engineers and one, a businessman. The whole family gives recognition to their doting grandmother (they called "Inang"), who served as the family's beacon of strength and ambition, and "inspired all of us to reach for our "Stars"", said Benny. .


Beny was a grade school Valedictorian a nd finished her high school among the top ten in St. Mary's College, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. She was very much involved in her school activities in dance, music, arts, academics, and, most of all, community projects and volunteerism. As a young and energetic teen-ager, community involvement was always a passion for her. She was instrumental in leading the Cadacad Youth group in launching the local "Operation Pinggan," which means "Plate for the Poor," wherein they raised money through social dances, selling ripe bananas, and collecting left-over harvests from the farmers, so that in time of need there would be something to distribute when harvest season was not profitable for the farmers. She was the President of the Burgos Youth Organization, a group of college students from her hometown, whose mission was both philanthropic and social.


A graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center, College of Nursing class 1979, Benny was also very actively involved in "Singing Nightingale" group called the "Out of Keys" and the Nursing Student Council Body. After graduation from Nursing, she participated in the Rural Health Nursing Program, a requirement for the Philippine Nurses licensure. She was the President of the Ilocos Sur Nurses Northern Chapter, leading a group of 500 young nurses. Her signature theme as President was Mother and Child Health for the 80's, wherein they went to all the barangays and towns of Ilocos Sur to educate and teach parents on good nutrition and well-planned parenthood, partnering with local town health clinics, community health nurses, midwives, and the Ilocos Sur Public Health office and personnel. She added, "It was during those times of serving that I had encountered the grim realities of health care in the rural Philippines. Those vivid pictures of people I served in the past will forever be my guiding light to enable me and my family to share my little gifts to the little people in any way I can."


In 1981, she immigrated to the U.S, and went to work at the Long Beach Community Hospital in Long Beach, California, training in Medical Intensive Care nursing. Her medical intensive skills were furhter polished when she moved to St. Joseph Medical Center, Chicago Illinois.


She is happily married to Dr. Miguel Hizon, a nephrologist and her college sweetheart. (also a graduate of UERM College of Medicine, 1980). They have two beautiful and intelligent daughters, oldest Sarah Mae is a junior at Indiana University majoring in Optometry, and youngest daughter, Sophia, is a freshman in general studies at University of Illinois Champaign, and a loving and brilliant son, Steven, a pre-med student at University of Illinois in Champaign. He is also an American Eagle Scout, receiving the most honorable award in August, 2008.


Beny's beautiful family remains committed in helping in any way they can to improve the lives of their fellow Filipino citizens back home. In 2002, her sisters, brothers, and her Auntie Siony, also an RN, and generous donors, built the "Our Lady of Cadacad Catholic Chapel," a spectacular chapel overlooking the farm lands of Burgos. It has now been serving the Cadacad townspeople for their weddings, baptisms, funerals, and other religious events and other town celebrations. She and her husband also foumded the local Burgos National High School annual DEGRACIA-HIZON Leadership Award, giving monetary awards to highly deserving senior students based on academics and community service.


Beny's personal zeal to volunteerism and sharing her knowledge about her nursing skills know no boundaries. She has held various positions while her children were growing up as PTA Vice President, judge of the Annual Junior high science fair contests, both local and regional levels, fundraising committee chair, and, at the same time, involving herself in the local Catholic Church Eucharistic Ministry. In 2000-2006, she was a member of the Provena St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Board in Kankakee, Illinois. In between her role as a wife and mother, she was also employed by the Kidney Associates of Kankakee.


EMER DUCDUC


Engineering & Science


Emer Ducduc was born in Sampaloc, Manila on January 23, 1946 to Juan and Josefa Ducduc. His education began in Manila's public school system, where he attended Juan Luna Elementary and Ramon Magsaysay High School. Emer continued his studies at National University, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. A consistent academic scholar, Emer served as President of both the National University Chemical Engineering & Chemistry Association and the Student Mathematics Club. Emer also held a position as a student instructor, aiding several professors in teaching basic engineering classes and offering assistance to fellow students needing help with math problems.


After graduation, Emer took a position as an engineering professor at National University. He passed the chemical engineering board examination, ranking 10th out of thousands of examinees nationwide. Emer's success on the board exam not only earned him a citation for excellence from the University but also led to a position handling board reviews at LaSalle College of Engineering in 1968, where he later became a permanent member of the faculty. In 1972 Emer was hired by 3M to take the role of Chemical Plant Engineer for a new plant in the Philippines, but the declaration of martial law led him to immigrate to the United States in late December that year.


Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Emer took an entry level position with Sargent & Lundy (S&L), a Chicago-based engineering and design company specializing in the electric power industry. In 1983 he was involved in the development of a reference design for a coal-fired power plant. In 1986 Emer led the mechanical design of S&L's first project in China, traveling to Beijing to present the proposed arrangement of the plant. By 1990, Emer was the project supervisor for most of S&L's international projects, heading the mechanical design development for new generation of power plants. Emer participated in the development of a coal-fired power plant in Canada, a combined-cycle plant in England, a co-generation plant in Mexico, and several coal-fired plants in China. He represented Sargent & Lundy in meetings and gave presentations in several countries such as England, Japan, Canada, Mexico, India and China. In 2000 Emer returned to domestic projects, heading the mechanical design initiatives to upgrade several existing coal-fired power plants to meet the Clean Air Act's environmental standards.


Known as "Mercer" to fellow employees, Emer is currently the manager of Sargent & Lundy's Mechanical Design Division. Emer has always presented himself professionally, and is well-respected by his peers. He prides himself on his Filipino heritage, and has been an advocate for fellow Filipino engineers at S&L. He has hired several Filipino engineers who are graduates of the Philippines. Emer is a member of the Philippine Engineers and Scientists Organization (PESO). He is also an active member of the Filipino Families of Skokie (FFOS), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Filipino Catholic traditions. Emer is married to Zenaida, a chemical engineer who worked as an analytical chemist for Pfizer International. His oldest daughter, Elaine, is a registered nurse in the ICU at Good Shepherd Hospital, and is married to John Wuerffel, a director of finance at AT&T. His son, Emer John, is a Sr. project manager at Schawk Digital Solutions, and is married to Christabel, a Sr. financial analyst at Abbot Laboratories. His youngest daughter, Eleanore, is a physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and is married to Jamie Newton, an associate attorney at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP. Emer has two grandchildren, Jason and Elyssa Wuerffel.


RANDY GENER


Journalism/Theatre Arts


Randy Gener was born in Manila in 1967 and grew up in the Santa Ana district. After studying at Paco Catholic School and Ateneo de Manila University, he moved to the U.S. in 1986 to join his mother Columbia Driessler and his father John Driessler. He is the eldest of two brothers (Michael and Manny Lagunsad), and a sister, Jessica Driessler. In 1992 he received a liberal-arts undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Reno. After moving to New York, he began writing for American Theatre as a 1995-96 Jerome Foundation Fellow, was named the associate editor in 2002, was made the senior editor in 2003 and has curated at least seven special theme issues on world theater for the magazine, published monthly by Theatre Communications Group.


A playwright and visual artist, Randy has directed and written many plays, including his own Love Seats for Virginia Woolf (produced by Item Design Laboratory and National Asian American Theatre Company) and Wait for Me at the Bottom of the Pool in collaboration with the actor Stephen Nisbet (HERE Arts Center). Randy's latest work-in-progress, A Parliament of the Streets, was developed La MaMa Umbria International in Spoleto, Italy. Randy's floral photography installation, In the Garden of One World (with the Romanian stage designer Nic Ularu), was on view from May to June 2008 at La MaMa La Galleria in New York City. Randy is presently working on creating Positively No Filipinos Allowed, a large-scale multimedia installation about U.S.-Philippine immigration, which he hopes to tour in Filipino-American arts center, libraries and museums across the U.S. Previous versions of this oral-history/photography exhibition, created with designer Eric Ting and Filipino American National Historical Society, were displayed at the Culture Project in New York in 2007 and Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Conn., in 2006.


In December 2007, Randy received a Trust for Mutual Understanding grant for his cultural exchange work in Romania. In January 2008, he produced and directed a program of conversations and staged readings on Lars Noren, one of Europe's most produced contemporary playwrights, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Sweden. In February 2008, he presented his Prague Quadrennial lecture, Storytelling by Digital Design, at a conference organized by NoPassport, an online collective and press devoted to expanding cross-cultural diversity in the arts. In March 2008, Cambridge University Press published Cambridge Guide to the American Theater, for which he contributed the first-ever encyclopedia entry on the historical contributions of Filipino-American theatre artists in the U.S. In April 2008, he was a U.S. delegate to the world congress of the International Association of American Theatre Critics in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he also delivered a lecture on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on U.S. stages.


From May to June 2008, he served as a producer and cultural exchange consultant for the European tour of the Filipino-American production The Romance of Magno Rubio, which performed in two Romanian cities. A September 3, 2008 article in the New York Daily News named Randy "a dedicated internationalist" and "a champion of cultural exchange and dialogue." In November 2008, he served as a jury member of the Fifth International Theatre Festival "Teatralny Koufar" in Minsk in the former soviet Republic of Belarus.


In December 2008, Randy was named the 2007-08 winner of the George Jean Nathan Award, the highest accolade in the U.S. for dramatic criticism. Given out annually since 1958 by the heads of the English departments of Cornell, Yale and Princeton universities, along with theatre experts from their departments, the Nathan Award is given to "the American who has written the best piece of drama criticism during the theatrical year, whether it is an article, an essay, treatise or book."


EMILIE GABORNE DEARING


Community & Civic Leadership (National Award)


Emilie was taught early that community service and helping others are a way of life. Born in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Philippines, Emilie is the youngest of three girls in a family of four surviving children of six. Her parents attained their Masters degrees in Education during the 1960s and worked as educators. They instilled in their children the following guiding principles: belief in God, the power of the individual to make a difference, the importance of education, the value of service, compassion for others, dignity and integrity of hard work.

For many years Emilie volunteered her time on the local, state and federal government levels as a leader, educator and advocate for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and especially Filipino Americans to improve mental health, substance abuse and addiction. Her persistence, perseverance and quiet diplomacy in addressing unmet health needs have resulted in significant achievements. For over twenty years she volunteered with the National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, an organization dedicated to strengthening families and promoting culturally competent substance abuse and related services. She served as the first national secretary during its 1987 inception, as past chair for six years and currently serves as an executive board member. As the volunteer executive director and fundraiser for the Grace D. Pedery Foundation, Emilie helps guide a non-profit organization that serves the most vulnerable segments of the Filipino community in the Washington D.C. area and the Philippines through its charitable and educational programs. In 2005, she was one of five co-founders of the Migrant Heritage Commission, a non- profit group that seeks to empower and address the growing needs of Filipino migrants.


Since the mid-1980s Emilie has funded needy high school and college students and hosted holiday gatherings for indigents in her hometown. In 1999, Emilie established the Stuart Dearing Endowment Scholarship Fund for deserving students in the field of Science at the Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Virginia. For the last three years, Emilie has funded youth projects in sports, nutrition, and family life education.


Emilie has been an adjunct professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, and Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Virginia and a community consultant to a Georgetown University NIH-funded Southeast Health survey. She established a national quality care management program, the first HCFA funded project for Asian Pacific Islander Medicare Beneficiaries nationwide. Additionally she implemented the first Hospital Corporation of America Employee Assistance Program in the DC area, and was one of three nurses to establish and implement the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Emergency Services, Inner City Community Mental Health in Baltimore, Maryland. Emilie continues to offer private consultation services in Fairfax, Virginia.


Emilie was honored in Washington, D.C. in 2004 as one of "Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans" in the United States of America and Canada by the publisher of the Fil-Am Image Magazine. She is a contributing author to a book, Filipino Americans: Transformation and Identity. Further, she presented a research paper "Asian American and Pacific Islander Identity and Classification" to an audience of Asian American and Pacific Islander Health Organizational leaders at the first National Health Summit, a conference organized by the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services. The paper was later published in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Journal of Health.


In 1967 Emilie was one of just twenty-nine nursing students in the first graduating class of La Concordia College to graduate with a BSN degree. She earned her MS in Nursing from the University of Maryland in 1980. A health practitioner for over 40 years, she is an advanced practice registered nurse and a board certified nurse specialist in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health with a multi-ethnic clinical practice.


MAR DUREZA


Entertainment


As a young boy, Mar was extremely shy but had a rather irritating habit of belting out snippets of songs to show off his fairly nice voice. To straighten him out, Dad Primo gave him the good old -fashioned whacking in his fanny to force him to stand up and do a complete no-nonsense performance. With tears running down his cheeks Mar did manage through a full version of "An Affair to Remember" to the delight of his father and his friends. This unforgettable moment in Mar's life would be his big push in showbiz and (as the old adage goes), the rest was history.


Mariano Nelson Doreza (a.k.a. Mar Dureza) was born in Jaro, Iloilo City to parents Primo and Lilia. The five siblings, Edsel. Mar, Linda, Essy and Rex, for some reason, were very musical. It was evident when they were young as they harmonized their voices in songs and played musical instruments at the same time. Venturing out to the local radio shows that were broadcast all over Western Visayas, the Doreza brothers made quite a name for themselves during the combo festival era. Mar, along with his friend, Rene Gabaleo, founded an organization called the "Limelighters," the primary goal of which was to produce variety shows that would bring radio personalities to the town and barrios. A vast number of musicians, singers, radio soap opera stars, and comedians joined in bringing happiness to the region for many years.


At age nineteen, Mar crooned ala-Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett with the "San-Lop Orchestra" under the leadership of its owner, Don Mayo Lopez-Carillo. The orchestra was very popular then with the elite society of Iloilo, assisting in all their ballroom dances and their town fiestas. They also did concerts and guest performances in places like "The Nichols Air Base" and "The Capri International" in Makati.


While busy singing his heart out, Mar was also enrolled at the University of San Agustin College of Architecture and somewhat faltered in this regard. So, Dad Primo decided to send him off to the University of Santo Tomas in Manila to concentrate on his chosen course, then moved later to National University..Even then, the call of the stage proved to be irresistible to Mar. The first chance he got, he joined the very popular talent show, "Tawag ng Tanghalan," and won, garnering the recognition of being a twelve-week undefeated champion.


Before long, he found himself performing professionally in the big night spots and hotels in the country. Taking a respite from his busy night life, in 1971 Mar went back home to Iloilo to fulfill his promise to Dad Primo that he would finish his degree in Architecture, at any cost. This time, he enrolled at the University of San Agustin to resume his final year in college. Just days before the graduation ceremonies, Mar flew to Bangkok. Thailand to accept a job offer as an apprentice in a large construction company based in Vientiane, Laos. For two years, young Mar Dureza worked as a draftsman by day and singer by night. From there, he performed in Japan for six months before coming back to the Philippines where he became a mainstay performer in places like "Nonesuch," "Astral Villa," and "The Manila Garden."


In 1981, Mar finally came to America and conveniently adapted to the Chicago night life. While performing in about a dozen different places in Chicago and its suburbs, Mar met Bella Bacatan whom he married in November, 1988. Together, they formed the "Kampana Enterprises" under which they were able to produce some of the most successful concerts featuring MAR DUREZA and the many local talents of Chicago. In 1998, the couple decided to move to Florida for the warm weather and for a three-year singing contract at the "Spinner" revolving restaurant at the top of the St. Pete Beach Holiday Inn by the Gulf of Mexico.


Mar presently devotes most of his time drawing portraits in pencil which he enjoys very much. He is also promoting his newly released CD of the Philippines' most cherished love songs which is being heard and sold all over the world through CD Baby, itunes, Amazon, and Digstation. Mar and Bella could not be happier with the thousands of positive responses that the CD has generated, hopefully, millions someday. God willing.


JUAN (JOHNNY) FRANCISCO


Business Leadership-Travel Industry


A very well-known and established Filipino businessman in the travel industry, both here in the United States and abroad, is Juan (Johnny) Francisco, Jr. He founded Travelfast International, Inc. in 1978 in San Francisco, which became the only Filipino-operated airline consolidator for Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and the Philippine Airlines servicing major airports of origins from the US to key Philippine cities and most of Asian city destinations. This travel business is the only Filipino accredited by the Philippine Department of Tourism and Philippine Tour Operators Association in the Philippines. It maintains and operates its own dynamic booking engine for both air and hotel segments of the travel. It also powers the Philippine DOT's website among others.


Born with entrepreneurial talent, Johnny started his stint as a management trainee at the San Miguel Corporation in 1975. He stayed with the company briefly, did resign, and founded the St. John Traders in Makati City in 1976. This company exported abaca wall covering to the USA. In the midst of unpallatable political and economic conditions in the Philippines at that time, Johnny moved to the US in 1978 and started his own travel business. Within a short period of time, Johnny was able to gain an appointment of an airline consolidator from several US-based airline companies that service the US-Manila traffic.


With the success of Travelfast International, Johnny organized Mango Tours, Inc. as a tour operator that sells outbound tours to the Philippines. In 2002, Mango Tours and Travel Philippines became the arms that supplement the tour operation of the travel business. A TFI Call Center and a Team of Information System and Development were created to provide support in sustaining the operation and the overwhelming volume of inbound calls. At this time, Travelfast International maintains various websites for its clients: flytomanila.com, iflypal.com, flytoasia.com, mangotours.com, Travelfast.com, among others.


Johnny's success in business is centered in his philosophical belief, which he states, " doing your best to succeed, and designing your own product can only take you so far. In business and in life, what is most important is building your credibility in the community and honesty to yourself."


Johnny was born and raised in Manila. He attended the San Beda College from pre-school to high school. He graduated from De La Salle University in 1975, with the degree in BS in Commerce, Major in Accounting. Johnny is married to Teresita Javier Francisco. They are blessed with a daughter, Joanne Therese Francisco and son, Juan Francisco III.


Johnny continues to support all religious and civic organizations that benefit the Filipino people back in the Philippines. He promotes discounted rates for group travels, and special incentives to civic organizations travelling to the Philippines with special missions to help our fellow Filipinos. Johnny has been a recipient of numerous Top Sales Awards in the travel industry both here in the US and abroad. An account of his reputable business success was published in the Filipinas Magazine issue in January 2008. The 2008 Chicago Hall of Fame welcomes Johnny Francisco for his exemplary leadership in the travel business industry.


OLIVA ENRIQUEZ


Community Leadership


Oliva Enriquez is the pride of the Filipino-American community in the City of Peoria, and its neighboring areas. Her great compassion for Filipinos and her desire to promote Filipino culture have gained her an outstanding honor in leadership and community service. Olive, as she is fondly called in Peoria welcomes every newly-arrived Filipino either in her house, through her church, or through the organization that she is involved with. In 2005, while she was the president of the Filipino American Historical Society, Olive launched the concept of "Coming to America" - an idea that created a venue to account the living testimony of Filipinos immigrating to the United States, specifically in Peoria. This concept has encouraged other Filipinos to come out, and tell their stories, which at this time provides a historical account of successful and not-so-successful migration and settlement of Filipinos in the City of Peoria. Truly inspirational, Coming to America, has become a quarterly discussion in the Filipino-American Historical Society. The goal of the society is to inculcate the value of preserving and taking pride in our history as a cultural group, and to share this value for integration into the American society.


Because of her popularity, Olive blasted Peoria's local television channels and newspapers over the last three years, as the Philippines is represented each year in the WorldFest Events in Peoria. WorldFest is an annual celebration of cultural displays from various countries. This is organized by the Peoria Civic Center Authority, Cultural Diversity Committee, where Olive sits as one of the committee members. Olive has been singled out among the select few Filipino leaders in Peoria to represent the Fil-Am community in the Cultural Diversity Committee. Each year, Olive brings honor by organizing various Fil-Am communities in Peoria, Springfield, the Bloomington-Normal and the Quad Cities areas to showcase our popular cultural dances, introduction of tasty Filipino food and Filipino-made products, and promoting favorite tourist destinations in the Philippine Islands. As a result of this representation in the Committee, Olive has elevated the awareness of the American public about our culture. This initiative is well-supported by Fil-Am leaders because they share with Olive the idea of making each and every Filipino proud of their origins in this cultural displays.


Looking back in the past, Olive humbles herself with a simple living in the farmlands of Hagonoy, Bulacan. Her mother taught her the values of hardwork, dedication, and the love of the Creator. Olive's outstanding traits and personal sacrifices have motivated her to earning th priceless education, finishing Magna Cum Laude in her class, at the Manila Central University, with the degree in Pharmacy. She worked as a Junior Research Scientist at Pascual Laboratories in Manila before migrating to the United States as an exchange student. She, then, finished school in the field of Medical Technology, here in the United States.


Olive is currently working as Medical Technologist at Asthma and Allergy of Illinois in Peoria. She is married to another outstanding Fil-Am leader, Erick Enriquez. They have two sons: Erick Joseph (deceased) and Erwin John. Olive, in her personal time, serves as the Lector and a Eucharistic Minister at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Peoria. Olive continues to find her simple ways of letting other Filipinos in Peoria know that they could always come to her for help or just plain friendship. Olive truly exemplifies a Filipino who cares for others and the community.


MICHAEL LERNER


Friend of the Filipino


Founded in 1985 by President Michael Lerner, MCZ Development has become one of America's premier real estate developers, generating annual revenues that total over $1.6 billion. MCZ Development has become a national powerhouse developer with strong roots in construction and general contracting. MCZ specializes in high-density, infill projects, namely adaptive re-use urban lofts and new high-rise condo buildings. With its substantial resources and extensive experience, MCZ is able to purchase a variety of projects and older buildings, turning them around into successful developments. Inc. magazine named MCZ to be one of the fastest growing companies in 2007.


In 2006, MCZ was named by Crain's Chicago Business as the 17th largest privately-held company in Illinois with over $1.4 billion in sales.


Michael Lerner has been very active with the Filipino Community, whom he has almost adopted as his second family. He has donated sizeable contributions to ABS-CBN's Bantay Bata Foundation.


The show "Citizen Pinoy," about Filipino concerns in immigration issues & being watched by millions of Filipinos all over the world, was taped this year at his property in Miami Beach, Florida.


Mike Lerner has traveled to the Philippines and has partnered with some local Filipino developers and is now building low-income to mid-income homes in the surrounding areas of Manila & outlying provinces. One of the first US developers to make a large investment in the Philippines, MCZ's projected investment in real-estate is about $500 million dollars. His frst Philippine development project is called Espana in Manila, an affordable 4000-unit, residential and commercial-unit project.


His development projects in the Philippines will be providing jobs for thousands of Filipinos. Mike Lerner's impact in the Philippine community will be paramount, earning him the title of "Friend of the Filipino." His vision of building 30,000 affordable homes over the projected next six years will provide jobs and food on the tables of many Filipinos.


It is also one of Mike Lerner's missions & visions to establish an Educational Foundation in the Philippines that will provide scholarships for Filipino children's education in the very near future.


LOURDES CORBO LIVAS


Spirit of Excellence in Woman


What makes a Woman, wonderful? Or what's in her that makes her Beautiful, likeable, respectable, intriguing, humble, and lovable? Friends who know Lourdes Corbo Livas would agree that she comes very close as the Woman possessing the following qualities -- Wonderful, Beautiful, Very Likable, Respectable, Intriguing, Humble, and Lovable!


A very accomplished Woman -- as a wife, mom, and as a professional -- at first encounter, Lourdes exudes an impression of humility sparked by her smiling, happy face.


What made her the 2008 Hall of Fame as a Woman with Soirit of Excellence? Everything that she is! The sweetness and respectability in Lourdes may have been influenced by her being the youngest of the nine children born to the late Mr. Lope and Mr. Anatolia (Ramas) Corbo of Cebu City, known as the "Queen City of the South." Mr. Corbo was a school principal and his wife was one of his teachers. (They were assigned in Lanao del Norte when Lourdes was born.) Raised by parent-educators, Mr. and Mrs. Lope Corbo saw to it that all their children were on the right track to their future. Charming and beautiful, starting from her teens, the queenly young Lourdes was already enjoying the regal treatment, first as First Princess of the town fiesta; muse of the Cardona, Rizal basketball team, and as first-runner-up beauty queen of the University of the Southern Philippines (USP). As a prominent college student at USP, Lourdes was muse of the ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps), a prestigious campus military arm. Oh, yes, Lourdes also descended from a family of politicians, starting with her uncle, former Mayor of Liloan, Cebu.


Lourdes obtained her Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in banking and finance, from Southwestern University in Cebu Cty. Then she met Dr. Bernardo Livas, a psychiatrist from Cardona, Rizal. To Lourdes, "my husband is the most humble, loving, and quiet person. The old adage which says, 'opposite poles attract each other,' speaks well of me and my husband. He lets me do the things that make me happy. He does not dance, but he allows me to party with friends. He's the best husband in the world," she added smiling from ear to ear.


Happy, indeed! Dr. Bernie and Lourdes have been married for, how long?, I asked Lourdes. "Oh, 35 years!" Lourdes exclaimed in jubilation. "Time really flies, and here I am, still feeling like I am a college coed," she added laughing.


The Livas couple is blessed with two now grown up children, Gavino, who holds a bachelor's degree in business, and with his Mom (Lourdes), manages the Livas real estate properties; and Kim, who took up ballet lessons and still pursuing her love for the Arts.


Lourdes' earlier life in America was devoted to raising her family consisting of her physician-hubby and their two children, at the same time practicing her banking profession by working with the American National Bank for 11 years. When their children have grown, she shifted gears by "working for myself," Lourdes said. She did all that by managing her husband's medical office and their real investments consisting of rental apartments in Chicago, Schiller Park, Mount Prospect and New York. Never has she been proud on being her own "boss" and she takes pride of her professional business acumen!


"True, landlording is not an easy business, you've got to be tough, and yet good-hearted. Before taking in the applicants, I check their credit record and call their employer(s). I want to make sure they are employed and can afford to pay the rent. I am not a slumloard, a slang for sleazy apartment owners. I tell my tenants to report to me any problems in their unit and I get those problems resolved as soon as possible. It's a two-way street," Lourdes explained.


Lourdes' inner beauty and regal bearing did not remain unnoticed for long. Fundraisers invited Lourdes to grace their fashion show dinner balls. She modeled for fashion designer Ramon Lazaro, and from thereon, she has become his signature model. Lourdes was "hot" on the Filipino American social scenes. To Lourdes, true happiness is helping other people especially those in dire need as a Thanksgiving to God for all the blessings given to her family. Following are some of Lourdes' humanitarian donations: the Columban Mission medical misson to Catanduanes, Philippines; scholarship for a seminarian who was already ordained as a priest; scholarship program for future teachers in the Philippines under the administration of Father Rudy Galenzoga of Tubod, Lanao del Norte; generous donor to Lions International; sponsor and as fashion model at furndraisers such as -- the National Federation of Filipino American Asso ciation (NAFFAA); the Philippine American Cultural Foundation; the Filipino American Council of Chicago (FACC) Health Services for Seniors; donor to ANCOP USA, nonprofit fundraising arm of Gawad Kalinga; chair of the Pilipino American Social Services (PASS) Fundraiser 2006, and a charitable donor - in the form of advertisement and cash prizes -- to various community, professional and non-profit organizations.


Lourdes is a recipient of several awards in recognition of her humanitarian activities and spirit of volunteerism. Here are some of her awards: most prestigious Melvin Jones Award, Lions International; 2006 Hall of Fame Award for Community Service; Dance Arts 2007; Prism Award 2007, Fil-Am Megascene; Most Fashionable Woman of the Year 2007, Red Hot Dance Club, Inc.; High Profile Women 2006 by Fashion in Fashion; Most Outstanding Women in the Midwest, Rhoton Foundation; "Calendar Moms 2005" from PASS.


She undoubtedly gave sparks to the crown when she accepted the honor from the Philippine Independence Week Committee to be the "Mrs. Philippines PIWC 2005." This beauty title, added prominence to this beauty queen, no pun intended to her other titles as follows: Mrs. FACC Valentine 2004; Mutya ng Silangan, NAFFAA 2004; Queen of Joy 2004-2006, Joy Dance Club; "Calendar Mom 2005, PASS.


An elegant dresser that she is, Lourdes loves fashion modeling and to be with friends who enjoy Dancing with a capital D! Currently, she is the 2nd Vice President of the Chicago Filipino American Lions Club and director of the Joy Dance Club of Chicago.


"Dancing keeps me healthy, happy and strong. It's a good form of exercise. It's good for the heart. Dancing, especially ballroom dancing, is Art! It allows me to express the artistic sensibility from within. I enjoy dancing very much!" Lourdes said with glitters in her eyes.


(by Elsie Sy-Niebar)


REMY DELA CRUZ, R.N.


Nursing Service & Leadership


Remy dela Cruz is the current President of the Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois. (PNAI) Her mission and vision is to uphold the image of Filipino nurses as an embodiment of a true professional, role models for excellence and integrity in healthcare service. She plans to continue to serve the Filipino American nurses by pursuing to promote the high nursing standards and to preserve the Filipino cultural heritage at the same time.


Remy graduated with a Diploma in Nursing from San Juan de Dios Hospital College of Nursing in the Philippines. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and Master's degree in Health Administration from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois.


She came to the U.S. in 1971 and worked as a Staff Nurse in the Medical/Surgical department at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago until 1974. She joined the Cook County Hospital in the same year 1974 as a staff nurse in Labor and Delivery. She then transferred to the Adult Emergency Services and was promoted as a Nurse Coordinator and later transferred to the Central Nursing Office responsible for computerized staffing system. She held this position for eight years until she retired.


She is a member of the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Board member of the West Suburban Philippine Civic Group and member of the National Federation of Filipino American Association. (NAFFA). She is a parishioner of St Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Plainfield and a member of the Mother Eucharist and Grace Prayer Group Chicago Chapter. She serves as the secretary of the Eastern Cluster Simbang Gabi in the Diocese of Joliet.


As the current President of the Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois, her projects include the following: to increase PNAI chapter membership, including the student nurses; to continue to provide educational offering with CEU; to increase collaboration and networking with nursing and other community organization; to continue to support the PNAA in promoting and in influencing the legislative issues that affect nursing practices in this country.


Her upcoming projects for this coming year as PNAI President is the Awards Night for Nurses' Excellence in Leadership on April 11, 2009, and the Election of new officers on November 2009.


A very religious person and active in her parish church, Remy's future plans for her and her family include traveling to religious places. She is happily enjoying her retirement with her husband, Cris dela Cruz, whom she married 46 years ago. They are blessed with three children, Anabel and Arlene, who both followed in her footsteps as nurses, and son, Erwin, who is a mechanical engineer. A grandma full of pride and joy, she is blessed with five grandchildren, Sarah, Beth, Matt, Allison and Kyle.


ESTER HANA


Music


Born Esther Silerio Buenconsejo and the eldest of 8 children of Pedro Senajon Buenconsejo, a lawyer, and Nenita Salvador Silerio, a school teacher. in Dalaguete,

Cebu, Ester Hana had her first piano lessons at the age of five and her first regular singing at St. William' Church. At 11, she helped music productions in her high school, Annunciation Academy, and the neighboring St. Mary's Academy of Oslob, Cebu. At that early age, she also taught piano to family members and some townmates, a few of whom were school teachers, and helped out as the regular organist in her church.


While a third year medical technology student, she had her first city-engagement with a 10-piece orchestra led by her uncle, "Maestro Didong" Selerio, at the then highest Diamond Tower. From then on, she played with different ensembles for choirs at her school, Southwestern University, at the Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos' Broadway shows, and with dance groups at the University of Southern Philippines.


Her marriage to Arpong Hanviriyapunt, a Thai national who studied at the University of San Carlos, took her and her two children, Kathleen and Robert, to Bangkok, Thailand where she pursued her career in music. Her work at Siam Korakhan for Yamaha's Music Division brought her in contact with musicians, patrons, and music lovers, many of whom became her students. Ester Hana did Yamaha-sponsored concerts and appeared on Thai television. In 1974, the couple made their first trip to Europe for Ester Hana's engagement in Switzerland. From there, they flew to the US for her husband's MBA studies at Roosevelt University.


She finished undergraduate and graduate studies majoring in Piano Performance at Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, studying with Prof. Saul Dorfman, a student of Arthur Schnabel, and with Dr. Felix Ganz.


Her music work in Chicago at the supper club Europe of Night with its clientele of mostly Jewish and European immigrants immersed her in international music. There, she absorbed folk and classic repertoires of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and from the rest of the continent. Her contribution of French Cabaret and Broadway selections, light classical pieces, Spanish songs and her introductions of Filipino and other Asian music rounded up the club's fare. From 1974 to 1984 she established herself in Chicago and the Midwest working in clubs, concert venues and restaurants, also traveling to Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Texas, San Francisco, and New York.


Ester resumed her work in Europe with a contract at the Hotel Hermitage in Monte Carlo. Summertime engagements in Monaco, Gstaad, and Geneva, where she did a live radio performance, were alternated with winter performances in Stockholm and Berlin, late-spring invitations to the British Virgin Islands and concerts in Paris, Arezzo (Italy), and Bangkok.


Besides the early children's choir she trained and brought to nursing homes, a Filipino music group she thoroughly enjoys to continue directing is the CIM-SWU medical choir. They perform during PMAC's winter fundraising festival.


In 1996 Ester joined the Rotary Club, and actively participated in its many service projects. The 2005 Centennial Celebration in Chicago had its smorgasbord of Chicago Performers Talents, with the help of Ester Hana who chaired the HOF Entertainment Committee for the 5-day event.


A personal project which has had the help of family, brothers, sisters and townmates, is the DALAGUETE MUSIC FOUNDATION she founded in late 1999. Among its projects is rondalla music preservation in Chicago and in her hometown. DMF also sends instruments and all-year-round financial support to teachers, to provide children, especially underprivileged ones, music instruction.


DMF's PHILIPPINE RONDALLA OF CHICAGO, in its 5-year span, brought rondalla music to Chicago, the Midwest, San Francisco, San Jose, and vicinities, and produced U.N.A. CD of Philippine folk songs and light western classical pieces played on rondalla instruments.


She has 4 rcecordings, all of which show an eclectic taste. A new one, due in early 2009, will include original compositions.


Besides her high interest in reading, Ester Hana advocates respect for nature. She is graduated from Building Environmental Technology (sustainability, energy-efficiency and GREEN design), with the vision of constructing a 0-carbon footprint Music Auditorium in her hometown.


She concertizes and does cabaret work at Maxim's, the Lakeview Theater, and in clubs, with scheduled 2009 concerts at Skokie Theatre, the Drury Lane on Michigan Avenue, and public libraries. She has had her second invitation to play at Lake Las Vegas and currently appears at the restaurant Cornelia's.


ARUN SAMPANTHAVIVAT


Outstanding Asian American


As executive chef/owner of Arun's, Arun Sampanthavivat directs all day-to-day operations and sets long-term goals for his restaurant. His responsibilities include recipe creation and menu development, staff training on an individual and collective basis, and customer relations.


Although Arun did not plan on a restaurant career, various events in his life have led to his present status as one of Chicago's most celebrated restaurateurs. Born and raised in Trang, a southern province in Thailand, Arun grew up on his parents' rubber plantation with his eight brothers and sisters. Arun attended the distinguished Chulalongkorn University and graduated with a degree in literature and foreign languages. Further studies took Arun to Germany where he attended the Institute of Languages in Hamburg, and later, to Japan, where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations at Sophia International University.


From Tokyo, Arun traveled to the United States to continue his academic career at the University of Chicago, where he received a Master's Degree in Political Science. In 1985, while working toward a doctorate in Asian affairs, Arun was asked by friends to collaborate on a joint restaurant venture. Arun accepted the challenge. However, just before the restaurant was to open, his friends abandoned the project--leaving Arun on his own. And so, the idealistic scholar became a working restaurateur. He had no formal training as a chef, but his experience of student cafeterias had driven him to learn to cook for himself and his friends. That experience, and his knowledge of Thai cuisine, helped him create Thai dishes that satisfied his own demanding tastes and those of his customers.


With the discipline of an academic, Arun designed the restaurant's interior, created an imaginative menu, further developed his intuitive flair for cooking, purchased the food, greeted guests, waited on tables, and balanced the books. This valuable hands-on experience taught him all aspects of the food service business.


Arun's original Thai restaurant on Irving Park Road was such a success that he relocated to larger quarters on North Kedzie in 1988. His initial success encouraged him to continually refine and recreate his cuisine. Arun continues to own and operate Arun's Thai Restaurant, which has been acclaimed locally and nationally for its exquisite setting and sophisticated Thai cuisine. Arun has recently added a private dining area, and completed renovations of the main dining area.


In spare moments, Arun enjoys designing the layout, furnishings and decorative motifs of the restaurant. For relaxation, he composes Thai poetry.


TERESITA RICAFORT CALDERON-ALARCON


Humanitarian & Civic Service (National Award)


Teresita "Tessie" Ricafort Calderon-Alarcon is as petite as they come but one human dynamo in living up to the credo that one person can indeed make a difference in the lives of so many others especially the poorest of the poor in the Philippines. She has dedicated her entire life to causes greater than her own. If there were a "volunteerism gene," Tessie has it to an overflowing degree as evidenced by her many humanitarian and civic involvements and array of awards and accomplishments, so numerous; it's a challenge to keep count of them, spanning several decades, either as a founder, President, Vice-President or simply as a volunteer.


Tessie made a life for herself and her young family after moving to the US working in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the offices of the power brokers of this prestigious world body. Despite her personal challenges as a young widow (the late Aurelio Calderon), she found time to dedicate herself to become the President of the World Bank/IMF Filipino Association from 1991-1993 where she was voted the first awardee of the Most Outstanding Member of the World Bank Group /IMF Filipino Association from 1986-1988 before she became its President. It was also during this stint that the organization received the highest Presidential LINGKAPIL (Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino) award in 1993 from President Fidel Ramos in the Malacanang Palace, Philippines for the many humanitarian and civic initiatives implemented during her Presidency. This was a feat she would repeat in 1988 when another organization she co-founded in 1992 with her soul-mate and husband Pablito Alarcon, known as Feed the Hungry, Inc.(FtH) received the LINKAPIL AWARD, for the organization this time by Philippine President, Joseph Estrada.


The jewel in the crown of Tessie's many accomplishments is the FtH and none that is her pride and joy the most, an organization that was born out of her vision to share the blessings of the fortunate with the least fortunate. For starters, with a budget of only $6,500.00 then, its mission was to distribute gifts and food bags to Filipino street children and orphans. 16 years later, the FtH, with its legions of volunteers in the US and in the Philippines who spend their own resources to go on FtH missions, has evolved into a formally organized 501(c) (3) tax exempt non-profit charitable organization with a reach of 78 out of 81 Philippine provinces and continues to impact the lives of a million Filipinos reaching $1.64 million in donations. Tessie, representing the FtH was a finalist in the prestigious Bayaning Filipino sa America of the Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr. -ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation/Ugat Foundation, Inc.


FtH has established 30 feeding centers from Aparri to Jolo; educated 101 indigent scholars in 39 public, private, university schools in 30 provinces, 54 of whom have graduated; shipped 8 cargo containers of library books, Braille machines, computers, typewriters, microscopes, video tapes, audio visuals, etc. It has funded livelihood projects in the form of handicrafts, micro-financing, broom making, trisikad; hog fattening; upgrading native chicken poultry and loom weaving. FtH provides calamity and medical emergency relief assistance to areas devastated by typhoons and earthquakes. Its classroom building program, was considered as "wake up call" to the Philippine Government to start building classrooms and became a project involving the whole country and communities in the U.S. FtH alone has now 52 classrooms completed; 6 in the pipeline; 2 under construction; and to be constructed 13, a total of 72 all over the country, most of which are donated by members of the Washington community members. FtH is also building artesian wells where there is no water supply and public toilets in remote areas.


Other humanitarian and civic awards that have been bestowed on Tessie include, a Special recognition for her role in cementing Philippine-American Relations by the Prince George's County, MD in 1991;


Special Recognition Award from the Marinduque Asso. of the Capital Area in 1997; named one of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos in the US and Canada in 2004 and a Dakila Awardee in 2005 as Outstanding Community Leader for more than 20 years. The list of accomplishments goes on and on.


It has been a purpose-driven life, a life lived humbly in the service of others and for which countless are grateful and left inspired by the woman called simply as Tessie who has come into their lives.


JENITA P. JULIAN & FAMILY


Model Family


Jenita P. Julian is an outstanding innovator and compassionate educator, a great civic leader, and an excellent role model as a loving, caring, and supportive mother of eight children. Together with her ever-supportive husband, Pediong, they were able to raise and nurture their children to serve as good citizens and role models for the community. Pediong is the Vice President of Finance of the Northwestern Institute of Health & Technology. He takes care of the finance management with three staff members, Financial Aid Officer, Accounting Officer and the Bookkeeper.


Jenita Julian was already a young faculty member of the University of the East, Adamson University, and Far Eastern University teaching Marketing, Economics, and Management courses at the critical time of political chaos in the Philippines (when President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law). She took advantage of the Martial Law's political situation by personally approaching the Office of the President of the Philippines at Malacanang Palace, requesting assistance for the 3,000 families living in shanty houses along the Malabon River banks (a suburb of Metro Manila). Her consistent writing and daily follow-ups resulted in the signing of Declaration No. 1081 by the President of the Philippines, granting land for the homeless squatters of Barrio Tanong, Malabon, Metro Manila. She then established not only the housing projects, but also a small preparatory school and adult school in the community. She presented her academic credentials to the Secretary of Education and Secretary of Finance in order for these two important government offices to support her education, employment, and housing projects for the poor people. She was asked to prepare a feasibility study. She sought the assistance of her co-faculty members, saying, "What good it is to have a house but people living therein are not educated enough to earn a decent living?" Her co-faculty members in the University of the East assisted her in preparing the budget for housing, a pre-school education, and adult education school projects.


When she migrated to the United States in 1982, she managed a seafood business distributing different seafood products all over Chicago land and some cities in Illinois. In 1991, she once again engaged herself in powering students through education by accepting teaching position at Malcolm X College. The President of the College of Office Technology talked her to consider a management position as the Director f the Evening Program. The challenge was so inviting that she accepted the job. She assisted in students' recruitment and job placement. She not only increased the enrollment of the college but also contributed to the immediate employment of the graduates.


Dr. Wasi Khan, the President of East-West University on Michigan Ave., in Chicago, invited Ms. Julian to join the University as Admissions Officer, after meeting her at an education seminar. She accepted, and she was eventually promoted as the Director of Cooperative Education, a Title VIII project. Once again, She was instrumental in obtaining practical training ground for the graduating students of the College of Business Administration, Computer, and ENDT (a sleep disorder study). ElectroneuroDiagnostic Technology Program.


When Ms. Julian's husband got ill, suffering from spinal lumbar stenosis, she decided to take good care of him and quit her most-loved education job. However, at this critical point in her life, her passion to education inspired her to establish her own career school. She made use of her 3-story building on Clark and Montrose Streets in Chicago by converting the two levels as the classroom and administration office, She named the school "Information Technical Institute, and started accepting students. The Illinois State Board of Education granted approval for the operating authority to offer courses in computer repair, MCSE Oracle and Database Management. She started with only twenty (20) students. Yet, the devastating 9/11 event in 2001 affected her and she was about to close the ITI school. Her supportive husband then gave her the idea to continue and divert her educational purpose, that is the health care education. She then started writing curriculum in health care courses. Her experience as a teacher and administrator gave her the knowledge to run the school using the standards and tools, test and materials to develop an excellent quality education for her new line of education in health care. She offered Basic Nurse Aide Training Programs, Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Billing and Coding, EKG Technician and Fundamentals of Computer and finally, the birth of the Practical Nursing program. The IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation) approved her feasibility and curriculum for the Practical Nursing Program in 2006. She started the school with only two 2 employees. Now, the Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology has twenty four full-time administrative employees, four (4) full-time faculty members, thirty (30) part-time teachers and a Director of Nursing Education.


She established a fourteen (14) hospital bed laboratory with all the equipment required for teaching, a school library, an Accounting Office, a good-sized faculty room, a Research and Curriculum Development Office, an excellent office for Career, Employment and Guidance Counseling, a Student Services Department and of course, a separate office for her as President and CEO.


She has received numerous awards from the community & from her service in the education field, too numerous to mention.. Lastly, the Julian's famous awards are their children: Amijane, an Assistant Senior Accountant of Quinta Chain Hotels; Jonjon, President of Americare Institute, a healthcare school; Arman, Senior Computer Administrator at PEPSICO, America, Arthur, MSN, RN; Allen, Computer Systems Administrator - AMOCO; Elbert, a successful businessman and realtor; MaryAnn, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Jenrek, Legal Secretary in a Law Firm in downtown Chicago; Elenita, Registered Nurse, Resurrection Hospital; and Athena, Director of Human Resources, Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology.


ARLENE MARIE A. LORICA, M.D., F.A.A.P.


Medical Diplomacy


Arlene Marie "Bambi" Antonio-Lorica, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician who is passionately committed to giving back to the community. Having been a government scholar since high school, Dr. Lorica was raised by parents dedicated to service, with bishops & nuns in the immediate family, who instilled in her the desire to give back & serve with all that you have. In college at the UP Diliman, Dr. Lorica participated in local medical missions & nutritional programs for malnourished children through the Sunshine City Lions Club. After graduating from the UP College of Medicine in 1989, she worked as a physician for a depressed area in Paranaque serving a local orphanage. As a Pediatric Resident at Georgetown, Dr. Lorica served as resource speaker at the "Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko" public service broadcast.


In 1999, Dr. Lorica successfully spearheaded the Jubilee 2000 initiative at the affluent Our Lady of Mercy Parish (OLOM) in Potomac, MD, working with parishioners as part of an international coalition. By creating awareness, the group's efforts helped give rise to offshoot global Jubilee Debt Campaigns, which continues to advocate for forgiveness of crushing third world debt. Dr. Lorica took on this project because of her interest in the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which she followed closely during her high school years as managing editor of the 'Science Scholar' at the Philippine Science High School.(Of note, the $2.3B dollar debt incurred in 1977 for the construction of the plant was just paid off by Filipinos in April 2007, at a cost of $155,000/day for 30 yrs).


Dr. Lorica continues to undertake national advocacy work with the OLOM social justice ministry and the FilAm Community in support of the Filipino Veteran's Equity Bill. In the past, Dr. Lorica has served as a child advocate for the American Academy of Pediatrics & the Potomac chapter of National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR). Dr. Lorica also helped start the Mercy Free Clinic in Gaithersburg, MD. For her work with children, Dr. Lorica was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Care for Kids Program in Montgomery County, MD in 2001.


When fighting broke out in Mindanao in late August, soon after the collapse of the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Lorica served as medical adviser & accompanied Asia America Initiative President Al Santoli to Manila, on a humanitarian mission to the areas of conflict to assist some of the 500,000 refugees, 300,000 of whom were children. Among the needs identified, aside from basic necessities like food, clean water & medical care were trauma counseling & healing, especially for children who were exposed to extreme violence, such as the killing of family members.


In cooperation with the Embassy of the Philippines, Dr. Lorica organized a Concert for Peace for AAI on September 24, 2008. This concert was the start of a campaign to create awareness among Filipinos and Americans about the delicate and volatile situation in Mindanao, and how we all can help in the global war against terror. One of the goals of this initiative was to highlight the fact that peace in Mindanao is possible through sustained economic development & education, by targeting the poverty & hopelessness that lead to religious extremism, fanaticism & terrorism.


Dr. Lorica also participates annually in medical missions to the Philippines. As a board member of the UPMASA-BW Chapter, she helps raise funds for the PGH-TB DOTS Program, providing medical care to children afflicted with tuberculosis. Early this year, Dr. Lorica chaired the successful UP Med Choir Concert in Washington, DC, which raised funds & created awareness about the burdensome but treatable condition of TB in children. In 2001, Dr. Lorica helped initiate the formation (brainchild) of the Center for TB in Children, Philippines (CTCP), Metro Washington, DC Chapter with Dr. Fe del Mundo, & was appointed as the first PRO. CTCP is now the Alliance for the Control of TB in Children (ACTC).


As Overall Chair of the 2006 Philippine Festival Committee of Washington, DC, with nephrologist husband, Dr. Victor G. Lorica, both Drs. Lorica raised the bar with the "100 years: Proud History, Lasting Legacy" celebration, dedicating the festival to our FilAm children, who will shape our global society in the next 100 years. As chair, Dr. Lorica also conceived of the FilAm Centennial Idol, the first Pinoy Idol Singing Competition in Washington, DC, in order to showcase Filipino singing talent. (This is in recognition of the fact that Filipinos are among the best singers in the world.)

Drs. Victor & Bambi Lorica are blessed with 4 caring children. Michelle, the eldest, recently graduated from Georgetown with a degree in Biology and Science, Technology & International Affairs. She is currently a Teaching Fellow with Teach for America in NYC. Leia, the second, is graduating early from Stanford with a degree in Psychology. She has been offered a position at Morgan Stanley on Wall Sreet. When Typhoon Durian hit Daraga, Albay in Dec of 2006, & mudslides engulfed entire villages, the "Lorica children, led by the 2 younger children, Christine and Andrew, would not buckle to disaster. For their father's 43rd birthday, they, along with their older siblings organized a surprise birthday party & asked the guests, in lieu of presents, for donations to the typhoon victims of Daraga, their grandfather's hometown, which they channeled through Feed the Hungry, Inc".

A classically trained Coloratura Soprano, Dr. Lorica has performed under the direction of award winning directors & shared the stage with International & Filipino talents like Pilita, Martin Nieverra, Nonoy Zuniga, among others. She was privileged to perform for 4 Philippine Presidents. Among her solo stints include SRO performances at the Warner Theater, DAR Constitution Hall, the US Congress & Embassies in Washington, DC. She has also given back to the community with her music by conducting Church based children's choirs, as well as organizing UPAA & PMA choral groups. As a parent, Dr. Lorica helped the Holton-Arms Parents Assn by serving as chair of Fine & Performing Arts . Dr. Lorica is an avid ballroom dancer & showcases Filipino culture by performing dances like the tinikling & binasuan. The Lorica family believes that "the family that sings together, stays together". As a family, their diverse repertoire ranges from Kundiman to Broadway, to pop & classical music. Aside from singing, the Loricas, as a family also enjoy playing golf, scuba diving, kayaking, dancing & traveling together.


As a physician & social activist, Dr. Lorica helps initiate & drive innovative solutions on globally-oriented issues, including health, & development. Honored by the Filipina Women's Network as one of the100 Most Influential Filipina in the US, she has dedicated herself to serve others. This multitalented & energetic physician remains well grounded by her devotion to family & deep religious faith. She is always pushing the envelope with innovative ideas & forward thinking, and is truly a role model for our youth. Her positive influence will continue to be felt for years to come.



Previous Hall of Famers

2008:

TERESITA RICAFORT CALDERON-ALARCON
Humanitarian & Civic Service-National

CONSUL GENERAL BLESILA CABRERA
Outstanding Service to the Filipino American
Community of Chicago.

EMILIE GABORNE DEARING
Community & Civic Leadership-National

REMEDIOS DELA CRUZ, R.N.
Nursing Service & Leadership

EMER DUCDUC
Engineering & Science

MAR DUREZA
Entertainment

OLIVA ENRIQUEZ
Community Leadership

JUAN (JOHNNY) FRANCISCO
Business Leadership-Travel Industry

RANDY GENER
Journalism/Theatre Arts

ESTER HANA
Music

BENILDA HIZON, R.N.
Nursing Volunteerism & Leadership

CARLOS JIMENEZ, M.D.
Man of the Year 2008

JENITA & ELPIDIO JULIAN & FAMILY
Model Family

NELIA LAUREL-LADLAD
Woman of the Year 2008

MICHAEL LERNER
Friend of the Filipino

LOURDES CORBO LIVAS
Spirit of Excellence in Woman

ARLENE MARIE A. LORICA, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Medical Diplomacy

ARUN SAMPANTHAVIVAT
Outstanding Asian American

2007:

GERRY AUSTRIA - Business Leadership-National
DIOSDADO P. BANATAO - Entrepreneurial Leadership-International
TITA RECOMETA-BRADY - Visual Arts
MARISSA V. CARIDO - Woman in Business
VICENTE O. ENCISO, M.D. - Medicine-National
LYDIA ESPINO, M.D. - Sports-Golf
AMBASSADOR WILLY GAA - Public Service-International
FLORDELIZ S. KRAMER - Spirit of Excellence in Woman
NANCY LOO - Friend of the Filipino in Media
AIDA R. MARTIN, PH.D.- Education-National
CZARINA MIRANI - Performing/Entertainment Art
EDEN OLARTE - Nursing
REV. NOAH PANLILIO - Religion
LORELEI S. PARADERO - Home Health Nursing Executive
ISAGANI C. PUERTOLLANO - Community Dedication
ALMA REED - Community Service-National
EDMUNDO F. RELUCIO - M.D VIA Man of the Year
MANUEL M. SANCHEZ, M.D. - Medicine/Medical Missionary
DANTE RAUL TEODORO - Humanitarian-National
DRS. GREG & MELINDA TOLENTINO & FAMILY - Model Family
LEONOR ALVIZ TSAI - VIA Woman of the Year
RON VERGARA - Entrepreneur
SAM VILLANUEVA - Engineering Leadership

2006:

DESIREE ECHAVEZ-ALFON - Heritage/Cultural Art
NORMA BAJA - International Woman of Goodwill
RINA LOPEZ-BAUTISTA (Peace Builder - International Award
VIC C. CAMUA, JR. - Community Leadership-National
EDIZON R. DAYAO - Music/Entertainment
TOTI FUENTES - International Award in Music Entertainment (*Dec.)
ROBERT GARD - Friend of the Filipino in Immigration Law
DR. CHRISTOPHER GUERRERO - Medicine
LILY LIU - Most Outstanding Asian
TERRY MISTICA MAGDONGON - Education
NONOY MENDOZA - VIA Man of the Year
JOSEF QUIROZ - Business
DR. FELICITAS RAMOS - VIA Woman of the Year
JOE REYES - Broadcast Media
RICK RODRIGUEZ - Ballroom Dance Education
MARIE ROSETE - Nursing
RUBEN SALAZAR - Community Leadership
SHERIE SLOANE - Young Achiever in Visual Art
ROMEO TABUENA - International Award in Visual Art
LARRY WERT - Friend of the Filipino in Media.

2005:

JUDY AGNO - Home Health Care Nursing Executive
GINA ALEXANDER - Fashion /Design National Award
FIDES CUYUGAN-ASENSIO - International Award in Music
Y. JUDD AZULAY, ESQ. - Friend of the Filipino
RYAN CAYABYAB - International Award in Music
DR. & MRS. CESAR CUMBA & FAMILY - Model Family
DRS. NIDA & EDWARD HERNAEZ - Medicine/Medical Mission
ALMA G. JAROMAHUM - Nursing
GENE LEE - Most Outstanding Asian
REV. DR. RICHARD MIRPURI - Religion
TILLIE MORENO - Entertainment
CELESTINA NAVAL - Aesthetic Art
EDDY OCAMPO - Dance Art
ROGER ODIAMAR - VIA Man of the Year
JOSE H. OMILA - National Award in Community Service
CORA PASTRANA - National Award in Media
DR. CESAR PURAY - Humanitarian Leadership
DR. MILA DILOY PURAY - VIA Woman of the Year
RODNEY TO - National Award in Performing Art
MILLISA VASICH - Young Achiever
JOSEFINA ABAYA-WEE SIT - Community Leadership

2004:

Joe Ahern - Friend of the Filipino in Media
Adrian Atizado - Community Service
Bernardo Bernardo - Entertainment
Corazon Calma - Education
Amelia Bamba Delfin - Fashion
Adele Diploma - Nursing Education
Marcel Esguerra - Dance Education
Eugene A. Dizon - Music
Dr. S. Sol Flores - Dentistry
Dan Gawat - VIA Man of the Year
Carolina Hernandez, Ph.D.- International Award
Lina Jonson - VIA Woman of the Year
Regina Paz Lopez - Human Spirit International Award
Carmen Manuel - Executive Leadership
Bernardo C. Marigmen III - Visual Art
Lourdes Cruz Matters, Esq,- Women's Advocacy (National Law)
Jessica Arong O'Brien, Esq. - Law
Felix Padlan - Business
Nieves Plurad Mayor - Aesthetic Art
Dr. Nunilo Rubio - Medicine
Joy Manuel - Community Service
Danny Tinimbang - Entertainment Production
Edwin Tumlos - Young Achiever

2003:

Emir Abinion - VIA Man of the Year
Manny Aguja, Esq. - Law
Lourdes Anonuevo, DDS - Dentistry
Rocky Aoki - Friend of the Filipino
Ambassador Lauro Baja. Jr. - International Award in Public Service
Juanito Bartolome, MD - Medicine
Edith Bilang - Visual Art
Robert Chavez - Aesthetic Art
Anna Fermin - Music
Dan Gawat - Entrepreneur
Maura Gonzalo - Religion
IBU Group - Entertainment
Wilfredo Imperial - Fashion
Raffy Lopez - Media Executive
Jesus Manalo - Sports (Bowling)
Neneth Miranda - Dance Art
Charles Mortel - Art (Photography)
Max Norte - Community Service
Jenita Julian - Education
Gloria O. Simon - Nursing
Drs. Reynaldo & Dalisay Sulit - Model Family
Rebecca Sy - VIA Woman of the Year
Fred Tsai - Engineering Executive
Eric Tsai - Executive Leadership
Crispina Unabia - Business
Eliseo Zerrudo - Accounting

2002:

Jonathan N. Abera, DMD - Dentistry
Ted A. Beatie - Friend of the Filipino
Drs, Tristan & Belba Briones & Family - Model Family
Lolita B. Compas - Nursing National Award
Aristotle dela Cruz - Business
Andy Gaston - Young Achiever
Arcadio Joaquin, Jr. , Esq.- Community Service
Lina Jonson - Community Service
Marilyn Liwanag - Public Service
Gigi Mapes - Dance Art
Consuelo Molano - Religion
Mario Patdu - Visual Art
Mila Pura, MD - Medicine
Roderick Relucio - Sports (Volleyball)
Glenn Rivera - Esthetic Art
Amabel delara Sizer - Executive Leadership
Elizabeth Vasich - Education
Romeo Vincoy - Entertainment
Luzviminda Wasseluck - Nursing (*DEC)
Angelene Youngman - Architecture
Cris Zamora - Music

2001:

May Buenafe Afante - Dance Entertainment
Joe Aldeguer - Business
Dennis Bermejo - Computer Technology
Willi Red Buhay - Visual Art
Perla Cudal - Music
Israel Desierto, Esq, - Law
Nilo Francia - Sports
Ramon Lazaro - Fashion
Chito Macatual - Song Entertainment
Dr, Rupert Mayuga - Medicine
Nonoy Mendoza - Media, National Award
Soledad Munoz - Education
Teofil M. Nayan, DDS - Dentistry (*DEC)
Angelina Policarpio - Business
Jacinto Regalado, Ph.D. - Science & Technology
Rosalina Robles, DDS - Dentistry
Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan - Friend of the Filipino
Rey Sapnu - Community Service
Gerry Tolentino III - Young Achiever
Crispina Unabia - Nursing
Rev. Fr. Anthony J. Vader - Religion & Friend of the Filipino
Dr, Raymond Verzosa & Family - Model Family
Consul General Emelinda Pineda - Outstanding Service
2000:

Ron Cabildo - Entertainment
Nestor & Elsa Castillo - Dance Art
Maricar Madrid Crost, Esq. - Law
Exequiel dela Cruz - Science
Basil Glenn de Venecia - Fashion
Richard A. Devine, Esq. - Friend of the Filipino
Jose D. Flores, Jr. - Business
Patricia E. Johnson - Accounting, National Award
Maw Dawn Lant - Community Service
Rufino Licos & Family - Model Family
Bishop Ray Llarena - Religion
Leonardo C. Malalis, MD - Medicine
Arnez M. Nisperos - Young Achiever
Cornelio SJ Obordo - Nursing
Gerardo A. Oconer - Engineering
Reynaldo V. Pascua - Education (*DEC)
Benjamin M. Rigor, MD - Medicine, National Award
James "Jojo" Stagen - Sports (Martial Arts)
Zeny D. Suansing - Business
Nimrod B. Tabang - Music
Lt. Gov. Corinne B. Wood - Friend of the Filipino

1999:

Olivia Rocha Aliga - Music
Violeta Beltran, MD - Model Family
JR Cadawas - Arts (wood-carving)
Daisy Cajigal - Community Service
Tita Delo - Nursing (*DEC)
Carmen Estacio - Fashion
Lilia Gaurano - Dance Art
Olegario Ignacio, Jr. . MD - Medicine, National Award
Alfonso Lanceta - Community Service, National
Gerardo Liwanag - Community Service
Sid Manalo - Sports
Cornelio Natividad - Business
Arturo Nisperos - Science & Technology
Ron Salazar - Young Achiever
Neddie P. Santos - Religion
Linda Simunek - Education
Patricia C. Spedale - Public Service
Enrique Villalon, MD - Medicine
Sec of State Jesse White - Friend of the Filipino