17 June 2016 - Led by Hon. Generoso D.G. Calonge and Madame Gloria Calonge, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago held a diplomatic reception to commemorate the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the JW Marriott Hotel last Monday evening.
Official proclamations from Hon. Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, and Hon. Bruce Rauner, Governor of the State of Illinois, read by their representatives, called for the celebration of Philippine Independence Day as a special occasion to be observed all over the city and the state in honor of the significant contributions of Filipino-Americans.
Special congratulatory messages from Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger and Attorney General Lisa Madigan were likewise delivered by their respective community outreach coordinators. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, who is running for the U.S. Senate, also sent a representative to convey her felicitations.
Departing from tradition, Consul General introduced the Guest of Honor, who for the first time comes from the judiciary, Hon. Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. In his speech, Chief Judge Evans thanked and congratulated the Consul General and all Filipino Americans for the excellence and diversity they have brought into American society.
Reiterating the fine examples of Filipino-American contributions pointed out by the Consul General, Chief Judge Evans praised Judge Jessica Arong O’Brien and mentioned how Judge O’Brien adeptly managed the projects of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) as their first-ever Filipino and Asian American president.
Chief Judge Evans also commended Judge Israel Desierto and announced that Judge Desierto would be leading the Illinois Judges Association with over 1,250 members as their next president.
Judge O’Brien took the opportunity to also thank Consul General Calonge for all his support during her term as president of WBAI.
After the assembly was treated to melodious kundiman medley played on bandurias by the talented Villaroel family, Consul General Calonge offered the traditional toast to Chief Judge Evans for lasting friendship and cooperation between the two nations and peoples in the preservation of freedom and democracy. END
