Rep. Salvador Belaro to speak at PH Independence Day gala in Chicago

Rep. Salvador Belaro (Party List, Education). CONTRIBUTED

CHICAGO— Festive events highlighted by the 42nd gala-dinner of the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) will mark the 119^th year of the June 12, 1898 declaration of Philippine Independence.

The gala dinner will be Saturday, June 17 at the Marriott O’Hare, Chicago, PIWC 2017 Chair Lourdes Livas confirmed recently.

Meanwhile, PIWC Board of Trustee head Del Villalon announced that PH Congressman Salvador Belaro (Party List, Education) will be joining outgoing Consul General in Chicago Generoso Calonge as guest speaker at the gala wherei 2017 beauty queens will be crowned.

On June 12, Monday, a flag raising ceremony is scheduled at 9 a.m. at the Daley Civic Center in the Chicago Loop to be followed by a cultural show at 12 noon. This following a community picnic on Sunday, June 11 at the Labagh Woods, corner Foster and Cicero Avenues, Chicago, from 10 a.m. to sundown.

PIWC Beauty queens chair Nerissa Pineda also revealed the names of the incoming beauty queen led by Geraldin Gaden (Mrs. Philippines, Rosalind Garner (Mrs. PIWC), Joi Rufina Hunter (Miss Philippines), Kimberly Agus (Miss PIWC), Doreen Magbanua (Mrs Illinois), Mhelencia Tolledo (Mrs. Chicago PIWC), Noami Polinta (Little Miss Philippines and Alpha Julianne Ramos (Little Princess PIWC).

Villalon also announced the PIWC participation in the July 4^th US Independence parades in the Villages of Skokie and Morton Grove with the beauty queens gracing the float with a US-Philippine Friendship  theme, a Seniors Day at Levy Center in Chicago on June 15, an essay writing contest for the Fil-Am students and a bowling tournament.

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