Illinois governor hosts Fil-Am History Month awards

CHICAGO– Governor Bruce Rauner (R) hosted the Illinois Filipino American History Month (FAHM) celebration on October 6 at the James R. Thompson Center in this city.

Rauner presented awards to Filipino Americans Jasmine Hernandez, Edgar Jimenez, Michelle Lura-White and Ronal Bongat for community service, business leadership, emerging leader and lifetime achievement, respectively. A social service award was given to the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago.

In 2009 the U.S. Congress passed H. Res. 780 recognizing October 2011 and every October thereafter as Filipino American History Month (FAHM). It is a time to celebrate the history and culture of Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the U.S.

“Filipino American History Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the contributions Filipino Americans have made to our state and country, including the Filipino veterans of WWII,” Rauner remarked.

Also, the governor presented a surprise special honorary award to Consul General Calonge for his outstanding leadership in and distinguished service to the community.

The celebration of FAHM will be observed in cooperation with the Filipino American communities in Chicago, suburban Illinois and the Midwest.

One of the dozens of activities celebrating FAHM is a film showing in Skokie on October 28 of “Amigo,” which is about the Philippine–American War. Its director, John Sayles, filmed parts of the movie in Bohol.

The Millete Silverio and Friends in Concert, with UP Madrigal alumni performed at Central United Methodist Church October 6.