Year two and stronger than ever! - Philippine American Cultural

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Yvonne Hortillo 773-817-3495
Adeline Fajardo 630-886-0701
Ruben Salazar, 630-969-2971 and
Email – [email protected]
July 8, 2015
Piyesta Pinoy draws record crowd again!
Year two and stronger than ever!
Bolingbrook, IL -- One of Chicagoland's biggest celebrations of the Philippine culture returned to
Bolingbrook for the 2nd year on Saturday, June 20, 2015 and it was a huge success. "Official attendance
reported by Bolingbrook Event Production estimated the crowd at about 7,500, up by 3,000 from last
year’s attendance. Everything was going well until another thunderstorm hit the area at around 8pm and
spoiled the rest of the evening. We had to cancel the rest of the events at about 8:30pm for the safety of
everyone as more thunderstorms and lightning were expected" said Philippine American Cultural
Foundation (PACF) cultural director and Piyesta Pinoy committee chair Ruben Salazar.
“We are proud to showcase our cultural heritage and traditions …to strive for unity in the community… and
to share our moral values with our youth through community participation in the celebration of our 117th
Philippine Independence Day. We are proud to partner with the Philippine Consulate and the Village of
Bolingbrook …and to appreciate our TFC guests’ artists, and Corporate/Media/ individual sponsors. We
have just proven that we, Filipino Americans can hold a huge, unified and safe Philippine Independence
Day celebration” said PACF President Adeline Fajardo
Last year's festival was already a history maker with regards to attendance by Filipino Americans for
Filipino American events. This year’s festival beat the attendance record by attracting Pinoys from all over
the Midwest including Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa and even Arkansas. Many thanks to The
Filipino Channel for bringing celebrity actor/singer Sam Milby and actress/singer Geneva Cruz along with
Ron Bilaro, Gelo and Don Tagala.
Special thanks go to the Illinois state officials Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Leslie Munger
and Senator Pat Mc Guire and the Village of Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar, the village board members
and the staff and Consul Ricarte Abejuela who came and joined us at the Piyesta as we celebrate the 117 th
Philippine Independence Day and the 50th anniversary of the Village of Bolingbrook. Festival organizers
with the Philippine American Cultural Foundation, the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago, and the
Village of Bolingbrook would like to thank the following for their continued support: The Filipino Channel,
Three Horses Jasmin Rice, and SM Development Corporation for platinum sponsorship. Comcast/Xfinity,
the Filipino American Network, Signature Event Designs, and Creative Impressions Plus for gold
sponsorship. Galloping Ghost Arcade, JC Balloon Creations and Photo booth, LBC Mundial Corporation,
Mark A. Tan - Thrivent Financial, and Max Madsen Mitsubishi for silver sponsorship. Globe, Global Cargo
Movers, Yum Cha Dimsum and Real Auto Haus for bronze sponsorship.
Maraming salamat to The Bugle, MegaScene, One Philippines, PINOY News, and VIA Times/CPR TV for
media sponsorship. Maraming salamat to product donors Three Horses Rice, Costco, Fiesta Market, FOCO
Coconut Water, Magnolia, Val’s Asian Mart, Mabuhay Restaurant and Gamesa, Muller, Quaker.
Maraming salamat to partners BIBBAK Illinois, Chicago Suburban Christian Church, Chinese Mutual Aid
Association, CIRCA-Pintig, Circulo Capampangan, Couples for Christ-Families for Life, Dagupenos of the
Midwest, The Field Museum, FAASD, FACHIC, the Filipino American Network, Gawad Kalinga, Hana Hou
Hula, Holy Trinity Simbang Gabi, Hearts for Humanity, ILPRO - League of Volunteers for Relief Expeditions
(LOVE), Kampilan/Eskrima, the Legion of Mary, the Midwest Longitudinal Study of Asian American
Families, NaFFAA, the Nueva Vizcaya Association of Chicago, the Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois,
Tita Brady, Lea Rivera, UPAAGC, VNA Health Care, and Watts of Love.
Maraming salamat to our food vendors Bojo's, Chef Romel, Chick-Fil-A, Kusinang Pinoy, Mang Juan, Manila
Fiesta, Uni-Mart, Val's Asian Mart, Kitty's Irish Ice, and the concession stand at the venue, Bolingbrook
Performing Arts Center.
Maraming salamat to our booth vendors, sponsored by Cindy Lopez with Signature Event Designs, AIG,
Javita, Avon, Beachbody, Bolingbrook Family Chiropractic, Light Up Decal, Inc., CJC Services Unlimited,
Inc., CMK Healthcare, Darlene's Boutique, D'Olivia's Boutique, ENERI Communications, I Rock Fashions,
Limu, Love Fetish Cosmetics, Mary Kay, Medulla, New York Life, Origami Owl, Philippine Themed Novelty
T-shirts by Carlo Samonte, Pink Zebra, Premier Jewelry, PST Gear, Manifesting My Destiny, Suburban Oral
Surgeons, Summit Chiropractic, Tocara, Tupperware, Unique Jewelry Designs, WFG, and Younique.
Maraming salamat to our Parade of Costumes 2015 participants: Hermano Mayor Flo Villegas, Hermana
Mayor Marilyn Liwanag, Hermanos Consul Ricarte Abejuela, Mr. Douglas Tayengco, Mr. Conrad Manankil,
and Mr. Ed Ranchero. Hermanas Mrs. Geraldine Gaden, Mrs. Lita Villegas, Mrs. Norma Manankil, and Mrs.
Lolita Ranchero. Ninongs Dr. Amador Acosta, Mr. George Boerema, Dr. Virgilio Jonson, Atty. Vicente
Benig, and Mr. Ruben Salazar. Ninangs Mrs. Zenen Acosta, Mrs. Margie Boerema, Mrs. Leticia Eclavea,
Mrs. Adeline Fajardo, Mrs. Merle Salazar, and Ms. Melody Dizon.
Maraming salamat to Miss Illinois US Supra National 2015 Nicole Tuquilar, Miss Philippine Independence
PWC 2015 Gillian Mora, Miss Luzon PWC 2015 Charlene DeGuzman, Miss Visayas PWC 2015 Amanda
Brockmeier, Miss Mindanao PWC 2015 Feliz DeGuzman, Miss Manila PWC 2015 Mary Grace Macafe, Miss
Circulo Capampangan 2015 Nikki Cajigal.
Maraming salamat to the chefs of our Fil-Am Chefs Cooking Exhibition: Johanna M. Cook, Ron Bilaro, and
Rampelle Aguilar.
Maraming salamat to our performers: Above & Beyond, BIBBAK Illinois, PACF Performing Arts, Kayla
Tejero, Chicago Anklung and Rondalla Ensemble, UIUC PSA Barkada, the Filipino Cultural Dance Group of
Iowa, CFC Carinosa Dancers, The Future Kingz, Hi5ive, Hana Hou Hula, DJ Tony, DJ Shawn Sebastian, DJ
Nikki Gruezo, Divine Rhythm, CFC House Band, David Wycoco, Pax Minstrels, Samasama Project, and
Emcees Marc Rita, Ginger Leopoldo, Ma. Girlie Pascual, and James Delacruz.
Maraming salamat to providers of our childrens' activities: FACHIC, Village of Bolingbrook Park District
Train and Rock Climbing, Galloping Ghost Arcade, Holy Trinity Simbang Gabi, Fountaindale Public Library,
Village of Boligbrook Fire Department, Hana Hou Hula, Hearts for Humanity, Eskrima Martial Arts/
Maraming salamat to our program booklet sponsors: Three Horses Jasmin Rice, Signature Event Designs,
Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Xfinity, LBC Chicago, RJ Jewelry, Salerno's Rosedale Funeral Chapels,
Mark Tan - Thrivent, Circulo Capampangan, Galloping Ghost Arcade, Nueva Vizcaya Association of
Chicago, Advocate Travel Service, Ltd., Bugle Newspapers, Real Complete Automotive Service, Globe,
Global Cargo Movers, Max Madsen Mitsubishi, Platinum Care Group, Bigby's Pour House, Frias Family,
Creative Impressions Plus, Aprari Bible Seminary and the Good Shepherd Children's Home, NaFFAA Illinois
Circle of Empowered Women, Fajardo Family, JC Balloons, SM Development Corporation, and The Filipino
Channel.
Maraming salamat to the 2015 Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook Committee who worked very hard since last
year to make this year’s festival a huge success.: Overall chair Ruben Salazar, sponsors/VIPs/First Aid
Adeline Fajardo, vendors/logistics Cindy Lopez, food concessions/volunteers food Merle Salazar,
partners/cultural/games Michelle Delson, partners/raffle/passport RaeJoyce Baguilat, BPD Train/Rock
Climbing Wall/Library bus/Fire truck Isabella Cerdan, VIP Seatng/Sponsors Tent Telly Yumping,
Mayor/Village Officials Contact Romy Balcita, Finance/raffle/fundraising Pia Natividad, Production/stage
manager Rian Mari Francisco, Program book/stage manager Anna Gina Millan, Performers check-in/stage
manager Alma Reed, Programme Emcees Ginger Leopoldo, Marc Rita, Ms. Girlie Pascual and James
Delacruz, Food cooking demo Rome Nichols and Donna Reyes, Cooking demo tent coordinator Almira
Gilles, Logistics Ron Salazar, Volunteer coordinators Jeff Cruz and Michelle White, Communications/news
release Yvonne Hortillo, Security Joon Bautista and Allan Desiderio, AV Tech Sound Baron Cabalona, and
website administrators John Parrish and Jeffrey Javate.
Lastly, maraming salamat to all our kababayans and friends who had attended this year’s festival! We
hope to see you again next year! MABUHAY!
The 2015 Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook Planning Committee
PHOTO CREDITS to Rudy Garcia, Mark Morales.
===========================================================
Sam Milby
and
Geneva Cruz
TFC Celebrities Ron Bilaro, Don Tagala and Gelo
Leading the Parade – Consul Ricarte Abejuela, PACF President Adeline Fajardo, Miss Illinois
Supranational Nicole Tuquilar and Piyesta Pinoy Overall Chair Ruben Salazar
Hermano Mayor Flo Villegas, Hermana Mayor Marilyn Liwanag, Hermanos & Hermanas Conrad
& Norma Manankil, Douglas Tayengco and Lita Villegas
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White with Ninangs Margie Boerema, Adeline Fajardo Geraldine
Gaden and Ninong George Boerema and Ruben Salazar.
Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar and staff, Comptroller Leslie Munger and Senator Pat McGuire.
Dance Lovers Club Santacruzan Queens.
BIBBAK Illinois has the largest number of parade participants.
Philippine Week Committee 2015 Miss Philippine Independence Gillian Mora, Miss Luzon
Charlene DeGuzman, Miss Visayas Amanda Brockmeier, and Miss Mindanao Feliz DeGuzman
with their escorts.
Nueva Vizcaya Association of Chicago, USA. Filipino Cultural Dance Troupe of Iowa.
Chicago Angklung Rondalla Ensemble.
Pax Minstrels.
Emcees James DelaCruz, Girlie Pascual, Ginger Leopoldo and Marc Rita
Hana Hou Hula
High5ive and The Future Kingz
Piyesta Pinoy draws record crowd, estimate of 7,500.
The crowd came prepared with umbrellas and tents to shield from the sun, the heat, the rain
and thunderstorm at the 2nd Piyesta Pinoy.
There were plenty of other activities for children, shoppers, arts & crafts enthusiasts, Karaoke
singers, dance lovers and foodies.