chicago filipino news & events

so, i've been totally slacking off on the whole chicago filipino event thing and it's asian pacific american heritage month...


ha ha ha, filipino time, ha ha ha...

yeah. don't go there. don't make me eat your dog.

4/20/07 - kama sutra the musical opened at the royal george theatre. Kama Sutra: The Musical is the story of sexually-frustrated young couple, Dick & Gina, and how their lust life is revitalized by the mysterious arrival of the 1800 year old creator of the Kama Sutra, Swami Comonawannagetonya, who reveals to Dick & Gina the titillating secrets of how any couple can experience all the joys of a totally fulfilling sex life. Gina is played by filipina Jillian Jocson. Royal George Theatre1633 North Halsted Chicago Tickets: 312-988-9000 or ticketmaster.com Showtimes: Friday 8pm, Saturday 8 & 10:30pm


5/12/07 - pinoy show 2007 - Northwestern University's Filipino student association, Kaibigan, is hosting a show at 7:00 PM Ryan (Tech) Auditorium 2145 Sheridan Rd. Evanston, IL 60208 Tickets are $5. here's some footage of some students performing a traditional filipino dance at a local competition called "battle of the bamboo". their youtube channel also has footage from last year's pinoy show.


5/19/07 - fil-amthrophy - The Philippine Student Association (PSA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign organizes programs and events that show not only a common love and interest in Filipino American identity, but also a rising passion for political activism. Our mission since the beginning has been to foster and support relationships, through the education and promotion of Filipino culture, offering support to our community through awareness as well as to encourage the development of the academic, leadership and social skill of our members.

This year is our second annual Fil-Amthropy event entitled “Isang Pangarap, Isang Pangako, Isang Bayan” meaning “One Dream, One Promise, One Country” on Saturday, May 19th, 2007. This year, we will be continuing our efforts and support to gawad kalinga (GK) translated in English means to “to give care”, and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world. GK's vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino. It is a great time for family and friends to get together in a night full of delicious, authentic Filipino food and a showcase of various talented performances exhibiting our own student members dedicated entirely to our cultural heritage. It is through this event that we can bond together under one dream, one promise, and one country for a better tomorrow.

Simkus Recreation Center 849 Lies Road Carol Stream, IL 60188, $25 adults, $15 kids age 12 and under.

(incidentally, gawad kalinga reminded me of another filipino organization i heard about while i was in manila - children's hour: "Children's Hour is a fundraising and grant-giving organization that taps individuals and companies to donate one hour's worth of earnings to programs committed to the welfare of marginalized Filipino Children. The nationwide campaign is managed by Children's Hour Philippines, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). Since 1999, Children's Hour has raised over P134M in cash and services and has supported over 191 projects nationwide, directly improving the lives of over 188,623 Filipino Children.")

5/19/2007 - 11am Oakton Park, 4701 West Oakton St., Skokie, Illinois Festival of Cultures. Since its inception in 1991, the Skokie Festival of Cultures has become one of the premier ethnic festivals in Illinois, attracting more than 300,000 visitors and dozens of cultures, all representing Skokie's tremendous diversity. one of the last performers on the 19th is a local groups called samahang kapatid that offers classes in filipino language and dance.

5/20/07 - Santacruzan, St Thomas the Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Rd. Naperville, IL. procession at 2 pm. The Santacruzan or May Crowning is a traditional Roman Catholic ritual that is held every year by the faithful during the month of May. An image or likeness of the Blesssed Virgin Mary is ceremonially crowned as Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God.

lastly, can i just say how disappointed i am with how little attention is being paid to this month in chicago. the few programs that do exist (thanks to the silk road project and the chicago public library events) are not nearly as diverse as they should be considering the diversity of this city.

(btw - i took that picture above at the tiendesitas outdoor mall, this was one of the hundreds of antique booths. in the foreground is an antique kalesa. in the background, an antique handcarved four poster bed.)