ShareThisSecretary of State Hon. Jesse White to speak at the PWC Gala Night
The Philippine Week Committee (PWC) marks this year’s 115th anniversary of Philippine Independence with a triple celebration: a beauty pageant on June 8th, dinner ball gala on June 15th both at the Hilton in Rosemont, IL and a community picnic to cap the celebrations on Sunday, June 23rd at Lake Opeka, Des Plaines, IL.
This year’s set of officers led by Over All Chairman, Elizabeth “Liza” Vasich consists of: Florentino Leong – Chairman Elect, Silvy Fernandez – Vice Chair, Merly Perricone – Secretary, Emilia Fernandez – Treasurer, Nell Frias – Asst. Treasurer, Delfin Masangcay – Auditor, Jun Fajardo – Business Manager and Millisa C. Vasich, PRO. The Board of Directors are led by Chairman Thelma T. Fuentes, Mac “Jun” Ramos-Secretary, Adeline Fajardo – Treasurer ; Advisory Council: Merly Perricone, Cornelio Natividad, Rebecca Sy, Alice Ramos, Evelyn Natividad, Dr. Nunilo Rubio, Norma Manankil.
Meanwhile, five talented youth will vie for the plum title of Miss Philippines on June 8 at the Rosemont O’Hare, viz: Isabelle Gail Amponin, Katelyn Jankowiak, Rosemary Perez, Hannah Marigomen and Ardelle Tolentino. The lucky winner will be crowned on that night and presented, along with her court, at the gala night on June 15. Here’s a glimpse of the 5 candidates:
Isabelle Gail Amponin
Isabelle is a junior at Hinsdale South High School in Darien, Illinois. She is a consistent Honor Roll student, member of the National Honors Society, and awarded as the Most Improved Musician in the band in her freshman year. Isabelle is one of the only two sophomores to be a part of Hinsdale South’s Madrigals, a renaissance style acapella group for 11th and 12th graders. Isabelle’s talent in music, namely singing and playing the trumpet finds its greatest use in the Praise and Worship Ministry of the IPJM Church. Isabelle’s dream is to become a voice actress and singer but she also wants to a career in the medical field. Isabelle, daughter of Chalee and Ruth Amponin, has two very supportive siblings, viz. Emily Grace and Justin Lloyd.
Katelynn Valdez-Jankowiak
Katelyn is a freshman at Walter Payton College Prep. Throughout junior high she received awards for Outstanding Student Athlete, Presidential Fitness and High Honors each year. She was Student Council President in 8th grade. As a student athlete, she continues to keep her 4.0+ GPA being on the freshman volleyball team and Varsity track. Katelyn performs with the Filipino Transfiguration Dance Troupe and has been actively involved in her community and church. She loves to draw, paint, do photography, play the flute and learn the guitar. Katelyn’s only sibling is 19-year-old, Zach. aspires be a Photojournalist. Their parents are Mike Jankowiak and Doris Valdez-Jankowiak
Hannah Marigomen
Hannah is a sixteen-year-old Junior at Plainfield East High School. A consistent honor student since she was in 6th grade, Hannah also does outstanding social and community work. An active member of at the Couples for Christ Youth Group, volunteer at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora, IL and a member of the Orchessis Dance group, Hannah also enjoys playing sports such as badminton and tennis and playing the piano as well. Hannah’s love for dancing inspired her to form a dance club in her school. Hannah’s goal is to dance with famous dance groups but she also wants to pursue Nursing at Chamberlain College and then, pursue her Master’s degree after her college graduation. Hannah has a 14-year-old brother named Christian. Their parents are Lucita and Glenn Marigomen.
Rosemary Fajardo Perez
Rosemary Fajardo Perez was born in Illinois on December 27, 1997 to Julianna Fajardo and Raymond Perez. Her maternal grandparents are Adelina and the late Juventino Fajardo. She lives in Carol Stream, IL with her parents and two younger sisters, Serena 11 and Ariana 6. Rose is a freshman honors student at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois. Someday she would like to become a biochemical engineer. She plays on the high school softball team. Rose has volunteered at animal shelters and elementary schools tutoring children. She enjoys playing the flute. She has won two 1st place solo ensemble medals and a 1st place duet medal. She also enjoys dancing and hanging out with her friends. Rose has been an active member in the Philippine American Cultural Foundation.
Ardelle Tolentino
Ardelle Tolentino was born on July 24, 1996 in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. She currently lives with her step-father, Tom Ferguson, her mother, Malou Ferguson, and her two sisters named Alyssa, 18, and Alaina, 9. She is a junior in Batavia High School, where she moved after finishing her freshman and sophomore years at West Aurora High School with a 4.0 GPA. Having the passion for cooking, she took Culinary Arts 1 on her sophomore year and won with her team the Golden Spoon award in a mini Top Chef show in school. Ardelle hopes to get into University of Illinois at Chicago or College of DuPage to get a nursing degree then study some more and train to become a great anesthesiologist.