FILAM

March 1, 2013
It was a very cold, snowy wet January 28, 2013 when Leticia asked the Freihauts and their intimate circle of friends to gather at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison, IL for a surprise 70th birthday celebration of Bart, her husband of 40 years. The lousy weather notwithstanding, everyone who showed up for the party was ready was happy they did. It was a joyful party and both the celebrant and the hostess were in great spirits and so were the invited guests. Continue reading →

March 1, 2013
New Orleans, Louisiana – Fifty years since civil rights actions began in Birmingham, Alabama, activists from all over the U.S. convened in New Orleans to support Filipino workers continuing to struggle against modern day slavery. The first day of the Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission organized by the Justice for Grand Isle Shipyard Filipino Workers campaign resulted in the formation of a new Filipino workers organization and solidifying of support from key organizations and communities within the New Orleans area. Continue reading →

February 16, 2013
NEW YORK, NY (February 4, 2013) – Filipina-American businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis today expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Philippine and Saudi Arabian governments and to the thousands of Filipino diaspora members and others who made monetary contributions that helped secure the freedom of OFW Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza after 12 years of imprisonment in Saudi Arabia. Lewis singled out Philippine President Benigno Aquino Jr., Vice President Jejomar Binay, Secretary Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario, major donors Manuel V. Pangilinan, judy Araneta Roxas, Tessie Sy Coson, JJ and Minette Soriano, Quintin and Linnette San Diego, Virginia Co, and Manny Tordesillas for their assistance in the cause. Continue reading →

February 16, 2013
On Sunday, February 10, the Word of Grace held its 9th Annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Israel at their Worship Center located at 3901 N Whipple, Chicago, IL 60618. Representing Israel was Mr. Bob Schwartz – Senior Policy Advisor of the General Consulate of Israel in Chicago for the Midwest along with Ms. Cindy Iglitzen – Marketing Director for the Israel Ministry of Tourism for the Midwest of the U.S.A. Continue reading →

January 16, 2013
20 January 2013 – On Sunday, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs. Maria Victoria Cuisia hosted a reception in honor of Filipino-Americans who actively participated in the US elections last year. Many came from different parts of the US to witness the inauguration of US President Barack Obama and join in inaugural festivities in the nation’s capital. Continue reading →

January 1, 2013
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December 16, 2012
She’s got style. She’s got class. And she has beauty and brains. She is in a league of her own – apart from the other ladies we’ve met in the Filipino community here in Chicago.
When she competed and won the title Mrs. Philippines in 2006, the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, Inc. (FACC) knew that she will carry her title with grace and dignity. She will go down in history as the longest reigning Mrs. Philippines of FACC. Rizza was the last to be crowned as Mrs. Philippines under the banner of FACC. Continue reading →

December 16, 2012
Niles, IL. Fresh from her recent Philippine vacation, Lydia Rhoton summoned her Chicago family and friends to a dinner at Lone Tree Manor in Niles, IL on December 1st to celebrate the 1st anniversary of her husband Don Rhoton’s passing. Continue reading →

December 16, 2012
A saying goes, “Life begins at forty.” If fifty is the new forty, then sixty is the new fifty. Following this line of thinking then, life for retirees has only just begun! I’d like to think, it is, too, for Leticia Birao Freihaut, whose work as a Chicago Public School teacher at George Armstrong School of International Studies has come to a full stop just recently. Having thus retired, Leticia must now be looking at a leisurely life, a time away with her husband Bart in a familiar island with its serene beaches and fresh air, where time stands still and people cast their cares and worries to the wind. Continue reading →

December 16, 2012
A woman of style and achievement. Elegant with a lot of class. Madame Fe has graced the covers of our local magazines quite a few times but every time she does, she brings something new to it. I have featured her a number of times in a few outlets, yet, she continues to amaze readers with her grace and elegance. Going over her well organized and journalized mementos in her home always reminds me of the need to have our own Philippine museum here in Chicago. Her compilation of early pictures and stories of their life – from their humble beginnings to the present – arranged in chronological order is priceless. Continue reading →