October is Fil-Am history month in Illinois

October is the Filipino-American History Month in Illinois, after proclamations by the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago. The Philippine Consulate General reported Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recognized the contribution of Filipino Americans to the state in a proclamation last month. "Together with the Filipino-American community, the Philippine Consulate General will be celebrating the first Filipino-American History Month in Chicago by virtue of Senate Resolution 298 House Resolution 780, both recognizing October as Filipino-American History Month," the Consulate General said in a report posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs website. It said Quinn recognized in the proclamation the contributions Filipino Americans made to the state and to the nation as a whole. Quinn's proclamation also recognizes the Filipino-Americans who call Illinois home, the Consulate General added. For his part, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley encouraged all Chicago residents to appreciate the contributions Filipino-Americans made to the city and nation in the city's Proclamation. During the month-long celebration, the Filipino-American community in Chicago will offer Chicago folk various activities such as art exhibit and workshop, cultural exhibit and display, film showing, community picnic, sports activities, and cultural presentations in different venues around the city. The highlights of this year's celebration will be a month-long art exhibit by seven Filipino American artists — Susan Silvano, Eulalio Bueno, Fabie de Silva, Cesar Conde, Jun-Jun Sta. Ana, Willi Buhay and Wivinne Eve Red Buhay — at the Consulate's Kalayaan Hall. Another highlight is a Philippine Movie Night featuring the award-winning film "Magnifico" on October 4 at the Skokie Public Library in Skokie, Illinois. - JA/KBK, GMANews.TV