ShareThisNineteen outstanding Filipino Americans and Friends were inducted into the 2011 Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame’s successful 17th gala event last April 23, 2011 at Chicago Hyatt Regency Hotel Downtown.
Highlighted by the parade of VIA (Vision, Insights & Achievements) Man of the Year Billy Dec, Emmy-awardee and owner of Rockit Productions and Sunda Restaurant, and the VIA Woman of the Year, multi-talented and community leader, Norma Manankil, It also featured a mini-fashion show by the Akira fashion, co-owned by Jon Cotay, awardee in Fashion Leadership. The Healing Music Series Opus 143 for piano, composed and performed by awardee in Music, Cleofe Guangko Casambre, offered an understated virtuosity in the service of helping to restore inner music among its listeners.
This year’s batch of awardees was headed by the Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations, Libran N. Cabactulan, who was awarded the International Award in Public Service and also served as the guest speaker. The other inductees included: HONORIO BENZON, M.D. (Excellence in Medicine-Education); ROEL CAMPOS (Community Leadership); JAMES CLELAND (Friend of the Filipino); LYNN FUNKHOUSER (Friend of the Filipino); SALLY HUNTER (Human Spirit); VALLAPA KONGSRI (Outstanding Asian American-Thailand); CENON MORALES (Sports-Bowling); FLORENCE NICOL (Altruisim & Innovation in Healthcare Technology); FLORENCE PALMAIRA (Excellence in Nursing); NENA MONDONEDO PEREZ (Young Entrepreneur); LOLITA RANCHERO (Home Health Care Leadership); DRS. NUNILO & ELENITA RUBIO FAMILY (Model Family); RAYMOND VELASCO (Financial Leadership); and NARNI THERESE ILAGAN YODER (Advertising & Technology).
CFA HOF 2011 sponsors are: DEVRY UNIVERSITY, AKIRA FASHION, MANGO TOURS, METLIFE, GOLDEN COUNTRY, UNITED HOME HEALTH and SPARKS TECHNOLOGY. The Philippinde Department of Tourism’s special video presentation was projected before the start of the awardees’ parade and program.
About 600 guests were treated to Hyatt’s best chefs’ culinary expertise, complemented by sumptuous entrees before dinner and ice cream bar after dinner.
The music of the Ladies’ Choice Band kept the guests dancing until one o’clock in the morning. The entertaining emceeing was ably handled by Ms. Ma. Girlie Pascual.