CHICAGO, IL, Nov. 4 (PGON) - Five TOFA Past Awardees were inducted last night to the
Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame in a successful gala night attended by more than 700
guests at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Downtown Hotel in this city.
“Chicago is the proud beneficiary of a strong Filipino American community that has played
a significant role in the history of our city and continues to make important contributions to the
collective good of all citizens,” wrote the very popular and well-loved City Mayor Richard M.
Daley.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commented in her special message: “I also
wish to extend my sincerest congratulations to the awardees of this year’s event for bringing
honor and pride to our beloved country.”
Twenty-five honored guests were inducted to the Hall of Fame which is on its 14th annual
sponsored by the Chicago Philippine Reports TV and the VIA Times Newsmagazine, headed by
the dynamic Ms. Veronica Batacan Leighton, Producer/Chief Editor of VIA Times Newsmagazine
and Executive Producer of CPRTV. Ms. Leighton is also herself a TOFA Past Awardee (TOFA
1992). The (Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad) TOFA Past Awardees were cited for
their accomplishments nationally.
The TOFA group was headed by Gerry Austria (TOFA 2007) of Jersey City, New Jersey for
Business Leadership-National; Charles Castro (TOFA 1995) of Daytona, Ohio for
Engineering/Community Service-National; Vicente O. Enciso, MD (TOFA 2004) of Phoenix,
Arizona for Medicine-National; Aida Ramiscal-Martin (TOFA 2007) of Honolulu, Hawaii for
Education-National ; and Isagani C. Puertollano (TOFA 2004) of Union City, New Jersey for
Community Dedication-National.
Heading the distinguish lineup of honorees was the well-respected and admired by the
Filipino community across the country, His Excellency, the Philippine Ambassador to the United
States Willy Gaa. Ambassador Gaa was honored for Public Service-International. Other
awardees were Diosdado Banatao, Tita Racometa-Brady, Marissa V. Carido, Lydia Salcedo-
Espino, Flordeliza S. Kramer, Nancy Loo, Czarina Mirami, Eden Olarte, Rev. Noah Reyes Panlilio.
Lorelei S. Paradero, Alma Reed, Edmundo Relucio, Manuel M. Sanchez, Drs. Greg & Melinda
Tolentino and Family, Dante Raul (DR) Teodoro, Leonor Alviz Tsai, Ron Vergara and Sam
Villanueva. #
The 14th Annual Chicago Filipino American HALL OF FAME 2007
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| Five TOFA Past Awardees Inducted to Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame By Tony Garcia PGON Staffwriter |
SOUVENIR PHOTO OF THE 2007 HALL OF FAME AWARDEES
TOFA Past Awardees With Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa. Dr. Vicente “Vic” Enciso, Chuck Castro, Dr. Aida Ramiscal-
Martin, Ambassador Willy Gaa, Gerry Austria and Isagani “Gani” Puertollano.
Martin, Ambassador Willy Gaa, Gerry Austria and Isagani “Gani” Puertollano.
MEDIA PERSONALITIES: From left: Cynthia J. Conroy, newly
designated representative for the Midwestern States for
FILIPINO IMAGE MAGAZINE (FILIM) and the PINOY GLOBAL
ONLINE NEWS (PGON);
Mrs. Aida J. Mendoza of FILIM and PGON; Ms. Nancy Loo,
Emmy Award-winning Anchor of FOX News Chicago and Hall
of Fame 2007 - Friend of the Filipino in Media; and her pretty
daughter, Audrey. #
designated representative for the Midwestern States for
FILIPINO IMAGE MAGAZINE (FILIM) and the PINOY GLOBAL
ONLINE NEWS (PGON);
Mrs. Aida J. Mendoza of FILIM and PGON; Ms. Nancy Loo,
Emmy Award-winning Anchor of FOX News Chicago and Hall
of Fame 2007 - Friend of the Filipino in Media; and her pretty
daughter, Audrey. #
Posing for souvenir photo, from letf: Mrs. Norma Castro Baja,
Philippine Special Envoy Ambassador Lauro L. Baja who
was one of the Special Guests of Honor at the Chicago
Filipino American Hall of Fame gala banquet and ball;
Chuck Castro of Dayton, Ohio; and Mrs. Ludy Castro,
charming wife of Chuck Castro. #
Philippine Special Envoy Ambassador Lauro L. Baja who
was one of the Special Guests of Honor at the Chicago
Filipino American Hall of Fame gala banquet and ball;
Chuck Castro of Dayton, Ohio; and Mrs. Ludy Castro,
charming wife of Chuck Castro. #