| Virgilio R. Pilapil, MD, FAAP, FACCP Springfield, Illinois Super Dynamic Filipino-American Professional Leader |
In 1990, the Daughters of American Revolution, a prestigious
national organization, launched a statewide search in the State
of Illinois to award its "Americanism Medal." The search
dramatically ended in Springfield, southern part of Illinois where
President Abraham Lincoln's home and the Tomb of President
Lincoln are the major tourist attractions. The Daughters of
American Revolution had found its most deserving individual for
"community services and concerned for others." The recipient, Dr.
Virgilio R. Pilapil, is a Filipino-American who acquired his U.S.
citizenship in 1969. Up to the present time, the "Americanism
Medal" has not been awarded to anyone.
The accolade above, however, is just one of the major honors and
awards that Dr. Pilapil, originally from Bacoor, Cavite have been
receiving since he first came to this country in 1963. A highly
educated person in the medical field, he has been visibly active in
civic, professional, cultural and political organizations. But in spite
of his full-schedule, Dr. Pilapil has not failed to generously
allocate his time, efforts and financial assistance to the
mainstream America as well as to the Filipino-American
communities not only in Illinois but other areas as well..
national organization, launched a statewide search in the State
of Illinois to award its "Americanism Medal." The search
dramatically ended in Springfield, southern part of Illinois where
President Abraham Lincoln's home and the Tomb of President
Lincoln are the major tourist attractions. The Daughters of
American Revolution had found its most deserving individual for
"community services and concerned for others." The recipient, Dr.
Virgilio R. Pilapil, is a Filipino-American who acquired his U.S.
citizenship in 1969. Up to the present time, the "Americanism
Medal" has not been awarded to anyone.
The accolade above, however, is just one of the major honors and
awards that Dr. Pilapil, originally from Bacoor, Cavite have been
receiving since he first came to this country in 1963. A highly
educated person in the medical field, he has been visibly active in
civic, professional, cultural and political organizations. But in spite
of his full-schedule, Dr. Pilapil has not failed to generously
allocate his time, efforts and financial assistance to the
mainstream America as well as to the Filipino-American
communities not only in Illinois but other areas as well..
ONE OF THE HIGHEST RANKING MILITARY OFFICERS
Promoted in 1980 by the United States Navy to the rank of Captain with continued assignment in G-5 Station
Hospital , Dr. Pilapil is considered to be one of the few Filipinos who hold one of the highest ranks in the
United States Armed Forces. In 1984, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, G-5 Station Hospital 118,
Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center in St. Louis, Missourri. He is currently a Medical Officer, N&MCRC
attached with VTU 1813.
"I love to serve the U.S. Navy. It is just a minute way that I can repay America for giving me so many
wonderful opportunities," confided Dr. Pilapil.
Dr. Pilapil came to Springfield in 1971 when he became a Clinical Associate wih the Southern Illinois
University School of Medicine. In 1975, he was promoted as Clinical Assistant Professor in Pediatrics. Since
1980, he has been a Clinical Associate Professor of the University. Active for more than two decades both
with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Sangamon County Heart Association, Dr. Pilapil has
been elected to various elective positions, and served as chairman of various community projects of both
organizations. He served as president of the SC Heart Association in 1973-74, and chairman of Community
Service and Public Education Committee. For almost a decade, he was Editor of the Springfield Clinic Medical
Bulletin. From 1975, he was a Medical Consultant to the Federal Disability Program of Springfield.
Published in both in the "Personalities of the South" and the "Dictionary of International Biography," Dr.
Pilapil served as President of the Reserve Officers Association of Sprngfield in 1987 to 1989, and as Editor
of of the ROA-GRAM Newsletter. He is currently the editor of the FAMMOS Newsletter of the recently organized
Filipino-American Military Medical Officers Society.
In 1988, Dr. Pilapil became the founding president and editor of the Filipino American Historical Society of
Springfield. From 1990 to '94, he was elected president of the Filipino American National Historical Society of
the Midwest chapter and was elected for the same period Board of Trustees of the Filipino American National
Historical Society with a home based in Seattle, Washington. He is now serving as national president for the
year 1994-96 of FANHS.
"Dr. Pilapil is truly an avid firm believer of preserving and recording the history of Filipino-Americans in this
country," confided one of the key leaders of CIPAS. "He sincerely assists the Filipinos in the area. When
Dr. Pilapil served in 1973-74 as President of CIPAS, - Central Illinois Philippine American Society - he patiently
and meticulously gathered the names and addresses of the Filipinos in the region, and produced the first
directory of Filipinos in the area."
Married to the former Elena L. Esguerra of Manila, herself a dynamic community leader who is currently
serving as the national president of the Auxiliary to the APPA (Association of Philippine Physicians in
America), Dr. Pilapil acquired his Associate in Arts degree from the University of the Philippines. He finished
his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Far Eastern University in 1962. The following year, he took up his
Rotating Internship at Bristol Hospital in Bristol, Connecticut. Joining St. Vincent Hopsital in Jacksonville,
Florida as a Pediatric Resident in 1964, he later became Chief Pediatric Resident before affiliating with the
University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi where he completed his Fellow in Pediatric
Cardiology in 1967.
The Pilapils have three children: Catherine, 33; Caroline, 31; Virgilio, Jr., 28; and, Raymond, 26. They reside
in the fashionable residential area of Springfield.
Promoted in 1980 by the United States Navy to the rank of Captain with continued assignment in G-5 Station
Hospital , Dr. Pilapil is considered to be one of the few Filipinos who hold one of the highest ranks in the
United States Armed Forces. In 1984, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, G-5 Station Hospital 118,
Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center in St. Louis, Missourri. He is currently a Medical Officer, N&MCRC
attached with VTU 1813.
"I love to serve the U.S. Navy. It is just a minute way that I can repay America for giving me so many
wonderful opportunities," confided Dr. Pilapil.
Dr. Pilapil came to Springfield in 1971 when he became a Clinical Associate wih the Southern Illinois
University School of Medicine. In 1975, he was promoted as Clinical Assistant Professor in Pediatrics. Since
1980, he has been a Clinical Associate Professor of the University. Active for more than two decades both
with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Sangamon County Heart Association, Dr. Pilapil has
been elected to various elective positions, and served as chairman of various community projects of both
organizations. He served as president of the SC Heart Association in 1973-74, and chairman of Community
Service and Public Education Committee. For almost a decade, he was Editor of the Springfield Clinic Medical
Bulletin. From 1975, he was a Medical Consultant to the Federal Disability Program of Springfield.
Published in both in the "Personalities of the South" and the "Dictionary of International Biography," Dr.
Pilapil served as President of the Reserve Officers Association of Sprngfield in 1987 to 1989, and as Editor
of of the ROA-GRAM Newsletter. He is currently the editor of the FAMMOS Newsletter of the recently organized
Filipino-American Military Medical Officers Society.
In 1988, Dr. Pilapil became the founding president and editor of the Filipino American Historical Society of
Springfield. From 1990 to '94, he was elected president of the Filipino American National Historical Society of
the Midwest chapter and was elected for the same period Board of Trustees of the Filipino American National
Historical Society with a home based in Seattle, Washington. He is now serving as national president for the
year 1994-96 of FANHS.
"Dr. Pilapil is truly an avid firm believer of preserving and recording the history of Filipino-Americans in this
country," confided one of the key leaders of CIPAS. "He sincerely assists the Filipinos in the area. When
Dr. Pilapil served in 1973-74 as President of CIPAS, - Central Illinois Philippine American Society - he patiently
and meticulously gathered the names and addresses of the Filipinos in the region, and produced the first
directory of Filipinos in the area."
Married to the former Elena L. Esguerra of Manila, herself a dynamic community leader who is currently
serving as the national president of the Auxiliary to the APPA (Association of Philippine Physicians in
America), Dr. Pilapil acquired his Associate in Arts degree from the University of the Philippines. He finished
his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Far Eastern University in 1962. The following year, he took up his
Rotating Internship at Bristol Hospital in Bristol, Connecticut. Joining St. Vincent Hopsital in Jacksonville,
Florida as a Pediatric Resident in 1964, he later became Chief Pediatric Resident before affiliating with the
University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi where he completed his Fellow in Pediatric
Cardiology in 1967.
The Pilapils have three children: Catherine, 33; Caroline, 31; Virgilio, Jr., 28; and, Raymond, 26. They reside
in the fashionable residential area of Springfield.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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