Midwest Fil-Am History Month ’19 to pay tribute to ‘Pinay visionaries’

CHICAGO – October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM) and for this year’s celebration in this city and the Midwest, there is a bit of everything—a book launching and discussion, an extended food fair, participation in the Bank of America marathon, ethnic dancing fest and showings of films that matter.

The Filipino American National Historical Society adopted the 2019 theme, “Pinay Visionaries – Celebrating Filipina American Women”– honoring Filipino American women, the backbone of the Filipino American community.

Events celebrating women like Dorothy Cordova, FANHS founder and director, and the late Dawn Bohulano-Mabalon, a passionate activist who dedicated her life to chronicling the rich Filipino American history in California and the U.S, are part of the month-long program of activities.

In 2009, the US Congress thru the House of Senate and House of Representatives respectively passed H.R. 780 recognizing October 2011 and every October thereafter as Filipino American History Month (FAHM) to celebrate the history and culture of Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the nation.

Starting in 2011, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) spearheaded an invitation to many Filipino American organizations in Chicago and suburbs to organize a variety of events to celebrate FAHM every October.

Since then, Filipino American community groups in Chicago and suburbs have been working together to consolidate and promote the various events in celebration of FAHM every October.

“Let us take pride in our Filipino heritage and history.  Let us come together and make every October celebration a meaningful and memorable month,” implored PACF president Ruben Salazar.

“I also remind everyone that the month is HISTORY month, not ‘Heritage’ month. “History” encompasses the experiences and events that have shaped our lives, as well as culture and heritage,” emphasized Salazar

The schedule of 2019 FAHM events/activities in Chicago and Midwest:

Oct 1, Tuesday at 12 noon to 1:00pm – 2019 FAHM Celebration Kickoff.  Venue TBA.

Oct 3, Thursday at 7pm to 10:30pm – Film showing of award winning movie “Signal Rock Movie,”  in cooperation with Asian Pop-Up Cinema by Sophia’s Choice at Alliance Française de Chicago, 810 N Dearborn St Chicago, IL. Contact Louella Cabalona [email protected]. Sponsor – Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO).

Oct 6, Sunday to Oct 21, Monday – 1st Filipino Restaurant Week in Chicago. The event will run for two weeks. 10/6-10/21.  Each restaurant will promote a dish which qualify a patron for a sticker to collect onto a passport.  Each qualifying passport will qualify the patron for raffle prizes at a block party at Mora Asian Kitchen in Bolingbrook, IL on Saturday, 10/26/19, from 1-4pm.Contact Jan Paul Ferrer [email protected]. Sponsor – International Society of Filipinos in Finance in Accounting (ISFFA).

Oct 8, Tuesday at 6pm – Film showing of the movie “Miss Granny.” “Signal Rock” movie ticket holders are eligible to claim reserved seats for a free-admission-first-come-first-served Filipino film, “Miss Granny” starring Sarah Geronimo on Tuesday Oct 8 at 6pm at the Harold Washington Public Library. Contact Louella Cabalona [email protected]. Sponsor – Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO).

Oct 11, Friday, 5pm to 8pm – Journey for Justice: Untold Filipino-American History at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum 800 S Halsted St, Chicago, Illinois 60607. Meet the co-author of “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong,” Gayle Romasanta in this social justice driven family program. Contact Tito Ruben [email protected]. Sponsor – Chicago Cultural Alliance, CIRCA/Pintig, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum and Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago

Oct 12, Saturday, 9am to 12noon – FAHM Celebration plus Journey for Justice Book Launch at Seafood City, Cor. Elston and Cicero Avenues, Chicago. Contact Tito Ruben [email protected]. Sponsor – FANHS Greater Chicago Chapter, AFIRE, APALA, FALA

 Oct 12, Saturday, 1pm to 4pm – Journey for Justice: Untold Filipino-American History at Budlong Chicago Public Library  5630 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60659. Contact Tito Ruben [email protected]. Sponsor – Chicago Cultural Alliance, Chicago Public Library, CIRCA/Pintig and Philippine American Cultural Foundation.

Oct 12, Saturday, Time and Place TBA – Carbo-Loading, meet and greet the Filipino and Filipino American runners participating at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Contact Jan Paul Ferrer [email protected]. Sponsor – International Society of Filipinos in Finance in Accounting (ISFFA).

Oct 13, Sunday, 7am to Noon – Cheer the Filipino and Filipino American runners participating at the Chicago Marathon. We invite the community to cheer the runners at various locations in the route of the marathon. Contact Tito Ruben [email protected] and Malou Tabo [email protected]. Sponsor – Philippine American Cultural Foundation and Joy Dance Club.

Oct 19, Saturday, 2pm to 5pm – Indigenous Dance Celebration at Trickster Art Gallery 190 South Roselle Rd. Schaumburg, IL.Celebrate traditional dances and enjoy the beautiful regalia from the native communities of the Trickster Art Gallery, along with other ingenious dancers from the Filipino, Japanese, Aztec and Maori communities. Contact Tito Ruben [email protected]. Sponsor – Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, BIBBAK, IL

Oct 20, Sunday, 12pm to 3pm – Fil Am History Month Mass at SMDP Catholic Church, Mundelein Illinois. 116 N Lake St, Mundelein, Illinois 60060. Sponsor – Fil-Am Group of Mundelein.

Oct 26, Saturday, 1pm to 4pm – Filipino Restaurant Week block party at Mora Asian Kitchen in Bolingbrook, IL. Contact Jan Paul Ferrer [email protected]. Sponsor – International Society of Filipinos in Finance in Accounting (ISFFA).