CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES CHICAGO

Press Release No.____

LINKING PHILIPPINE HISTORY, CULTURE AND TRADITION: A GALA NIGHT FOR THE AGES

In inimitable fashion, Filipinos love to showcase their living traditions by reliving their history through their signature food, dance and attire.

Guest scholars and resource persons to the first-ever symposium on Filipino migration to the U.S., as part of a two-day Filipino American History Month celebration, witnessed a cornucopia of Filipino-style Southern hospitality in a gala night held at the Hilton Hotel in New Orleans.

Leaders and members of Filipino community organizations came down from various parts of Louisiana in their colorful Barong Tagalog and baro't saya to celebrate the unique Filipino heritage upon the invitation of Honorary Consul Roberto Romero.

The warm and lively evening proved perfect for the symposium guests and partiCipants as well as members of the Consular Corps of New Orleans to meet and mingle

with Filipino immigrants who have taken roots in the Pelican State, many of whom, like the first Filipino settlers in the Barataria Bay, have intermarried with native born Americans.

Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge in his remarks noted how history has shaped and formed Filipino culture into a distinct mix of foreign influences and homegrown customs. He called on Filipino Americans in Louisiana to bring their proud identity and wisdom of their forebears to have a meaningful impact on their continuing integration into

mainstream society. He also took the opportunity to offer a humble donation to the victims

of the recent flooding from the voluntary contributions of the officers and staff of the

Philippine Consulate General in Chicago.

For her part, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin thanked the community as partners of the Philippine government in preserving Filipino culture and urged them to participate

more actively in their local affairs.

Honorary Consul Romero and Consul General Calonge handed certificates of recognition to the resource persons for the symposium as well as the officers and members

of the Philippine-Louisiana Historical Society, which served as the backbone of the historic effort of celebrating Filipino American History Month in New Orleans in a groundbreaking

and in a truly and inimitably Filipino fashion. END

122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60603, USA Tel. No. 1(312) 583-0621 ; Fax No. 1(312) 583-0647 www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph. chicagopcg@att.net

PHOTO RELEASE:

Filipino American History Month Celebration Gala Night Hilton Hotel, New Orleans – 08 October 2016

Southern Hospitality Filipino Style. Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin from Honululu, Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge from Chicago, and Dr. Sharon Delmendo from Rochester, NY (seated from left to right) are warmly welcomed by leaders and members of the Filipino community in Louisiana led by Mdme. Lita Romero, wife of Honorary Consul Roberto Romero at the start of the Gala Night of the Filipino American History Month celebration at Hilton Hotel, New Orleans.

(Clockwise from left) Honorary Consul Roberto Romero delivering his welcome remarks at the Gala Night; Consul General Calonge handing over a cash donation from officers and members of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago to Ms. Eva Adolfo, Vice President of the Filipino Community in Greater Baton Rouge and President of the Filipino Educators Federation of Louisiana, with the assistance of Honorary Consul Romero; and Mdme. Lita Romero (left) with Princess Emraida Kiram and Ms. Jelly Carandang from the Filipino American National Historical Society of the Midwest reflecting the multi-ethnic Filipino tradition with their colorful attire and beautiful smiles.

A Cultural and Diplomatic Reception. Photo above shows (from left to right) Mdme. Lita Romero, Honorary Consul Roberto Romero, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin, Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge, Honorary Consul of Uruguay Cesar and Mdme. Veronica Lurapi, who is also a Chilean diplomat based in Washington DC, at the Gala Night. Shown below, with the same historic mural as the background, are Dr. Delmendo, Consul General Jamoralin, Dr. Almira Gilles, Consul General Calonge, Honorary Consul Roberto and Mdme. Lita Romero, and Deputy Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr.

Filipino American Brain-Gain. In this combo of photos (clockwise from top left), Consul General Calonge hands a certificate and token of appreciation to the speakers and facilitators at the symposium held in the morning at Xavier University of Louisiana each to Dr. Randy Gonzales, Dr. Jose Bautista, Dr. Alvaro Alcazar, Dr. Sharon Delmendo and Dr. Almira Gilles.

A Gala Night for the Ages and all Ages. Officers and members of the Philippine-Louisiana Historical Society and leaders of other Filipino community organizations introduced by Honorary Consul Romero (top) stand before and acknowledge the applause of the assembly as the final part of the evening program. Bottom: A busy dance floor is filled with Filipino Americans in their fashionable and traditional yet versatile Filipino attire that goes along with the times (Note: All photos in this release are courtesy of Mr. Roberto Romero Jr.)