FEATURED BASAYNON: 2008 Hermano/ Hermana

The countdown clock is definitely up on the BlogSpot for Fiesta 2008, so I (Abba), thought that as we get closer to this year's celebration, its only right that we get to know Mr. and Mrs. Boy & Gilda Vilches as they serve as this year's Hermano/ Hermana. You might have received all the mailers from the Vilches family in the last couple of months, but lets take the time to get to know them better, as well as the preparations they have been busy with for Fiesta 2008! And I'm sure your curious as well as excited just like I am on what all of us should be expecting hini nga aton Pamatron!


Abba: We've received the announcement about Patron 2008 last year in Fairfield, CA, as well as the official invitation and numerous mailers from you about Patron 2008, and we all know that its being hosted by the Tabao- Vilches Family, so who makes up the Tabao- Vilches Family of Carpentersville, Illinois? And how long has your family been living in Illinois?

Boy & Gilda:
The Tabao-Vilches Family includes Felipe, Gilda, Andrew, and Nigel. We have lived in Illinois for eight years now. Our first home upon moving to the United States from the Philippines in 1987 was in Syracuse, New York.
Felipe graduated from Divine Word University in Tacloban City with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Education from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and an MS degree in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. He is currently the Sr. Manager of Software Quality Assurance at Life Fitness in Franklin Park, IL.
Gilda is a Registered Nurse with a graduate degree in Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing from the University of the Philippines, Manila. She is currently Director of Staff Development at Chicago Read Mental Health Center.
Andrew is a senior in Marketing at the School of Business, Loyola University Chicago. Nigel just graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Neihoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago.

Abba: Wow! Congratulations on all the achievements for you and your family! What kind of hobbies or maybe past time activities keeps you and your family busy (when not working, going to school or preparing for Fiesta 2008)?

Boy & Gilda:
We like to travel and visit various places both in the US and abroad. We love movies and the theater. We watch ball games live and on TV. We pursue quiet activities like reading and listening to music.

Abba:
A couple of this year's novenas have been held in Illinois. There is definitely the presence of support from the Basaynon members of the Mid-West Chapter. How have the novenas been so far?

Boy & Gilda:
All the novenas held in the Chicagoland area went well. Basaynon Katig-uban members who live around here were able to participate. Food was always good and the chance to gather together was even better.

Abba: How are the prepartions coming along as we get closer to the dates of Patron 2008? Has it been easy or quite challenging than what you first expected last year when the passing of the Hermanidad responsibilities were officially transferred to you ?

Boy & Gilda:
We are happy to host the Basaynon Katig-uban Fiesta 2008. We anticipated the time and effort the preparations would call for and we are glad everything seems to be coming along just fine. We want to thank everyone for responding to the mailers and all the email messages. Abba and Rosanna have been most helpful with getting the BK Blogspot out and including information about the fiesta celebration in the newsletters.

Abba:Speaking of preparations, what are some tips that you can share with Basaynons that are visiting Chicago for the Fiesta? (Traveling, clothing, weather, transportation tips, etc)

Boy & Gilda:The weather is getting warmer now so bring your summer clothes. In the suburbs where the hotel is located, transportation is mostly by private vehicle or by cab. There is a shopping strip within walking distance from the hotel. There are also some restaurants in this area.

Abba:What is one thing that Visiting Basaynons shouldn't pass up during their stay in the "Windy City" ?

Boy & Gilda:
When in Chicago, don’t pass up the opportunity of going up to the Sears Tower Skydeck. It’s located on the 103rd floor of the tower and is 1,353 feet above the ground. There you can see far over the plains of Illinois and across Lake Michigan to Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin on a clear day. The ride up the Skydeck in either of two special elevators takes about 45 seconds.

Abba:Do you have any local tips, maybe a Chicago must have?

Boy & Gilda:
If you love shopping, don’t miss the Magnificent Mile. There, shoppers can enjoy magnificent department stores and boutiques comprising a diverse mix of American and international style. With over 460 retail stores, there is something to offer everyone. The Navy Pier is another Chicago “must visit” destination. It is home to many attractions the most eye-catching of which is the 148 ft. Ferris wheel. It features 2 museums, a 7-story Shakespeare theater complex, an 19-hole miniature golf course, a funhouse maze, a 40-ft high wave swinger, and an IMAX theater. The Navy Pier is also a starting point for all boat trips and romantic dinner cruises. If you still have ample time in your hands, visit the museum campus along Lake Shore Drive. The campus is made up of the Shedd Aquarium (home of the Wild Reef exhibit featuring the Philippine Coral Reef), Field Museum (home of Sue – the largest, most complete, best preserved T-Rex), Adler Planetarium (the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest in existence today), and Soldier Field (home of the Chicago Bears).

Abba: Yes! I definitely do love Shopping! =) And I must say the Navy Piere is always a lot of fun! Chicago is known for Blues and Jazz music, so is this the type of entertainment Basaynons should look forward to during the Fiesta? If not, what kind of music can we envision ourself dancing to on July 26 ?

Boy & Gilda:
We contracted with a DJ who has a wide selection of music including Blues and Jazz if some folks would like to sample those. We made sure we mentioned to the DJ that there is going to be a mix of the young and the very young in the Basaynon Katig-uban group who will be looking for the right tunes to dance to, and he assured us that he can assemble the right music for the evening. We will be providing the DJ a waray-waray version of the kuratsa mayor and the la jota mayor music for the enjoyment of everyone.

Abba: Wonderful! So the music will definitely cater to everyone! Attire is stated as formal for the event, and formal can mean different things so here are couple of scenarios, and let us know if its a Do or a Don't:

A.) Long gown, Do or Don't? – DO
B.) Barong Tagalog for Men, Do or Don't? – DO
C.) Filipiniana Dress for Women, Do or Don't? – DO
D.) Sandoh and Tsinelas, Do or Don't? – DON’T
E.) Knee Length or Mid Length Silk Dress, Do or Don't? – DO
F.) Jeans and My Basaynon T-Shirt, Do or Don't? – DON’T
G.) Slacks, Shirt and Tie for Men, Do or Don't? – DO
H.) Duster and Bakya, Do or Don't? – DON’T
I.) Khaki shorts and Hawaiian Shirt, Do or Don't? – DON’T

Abba: Well I hope that we see all "Do's" and no "Don'ts" in the attire department that night! What should we look for in the Marriott Ballroom, will there be assigned seating? Assigned Buffet? First Come, First Serve Basis?

Boy & Gilda:
There will be assigned seating. We have received requests from folks to sit with other folks they know and we try to accommodate these requests as much as we could. The names of those seating together will be placed on each table. A seating list will also be available at the registration table for easy reference.

Abba: Lastly, what would you like to share with those who have already purchased their tickets, made hotel reservations, and are ready for Patron 2008?

Boy & Gilda:
We would like to thank you all for your participation in this year’s Patron for Sr. San Miguel. We look forward to having you here in Chicago.

Abba: Thank you to you and your family for preparing for this wonderful celebration that will be celebrated by all Basaynons! I know I can speak for everyone that we're excited for this Chicago/ Basaynon weekend! If you had one last time to convince those who are still indecisive or still on the fence about being able to make arrangements to go out to Chicago for Fiesta 2008, what would it be?

Boy & Gilda:
We thank all of those who have committed to come to Chicago and join us in our celebration of Fiesta 2008 in honor of St. Michael The Archangel. For those who are still undecided, think about the Chicago attractions that you will miss, the comfortable weather you will enjoy, the fine Chicago dinning you will love to taste, and most of all the fun and camaraderie with your fellow Basaynons who are celebrating fiesta away from home. We would like to say, “Hala, pamatron na kamo!”

Abba: Well you heard it from the Hermano and the Hermana.... Hala Na Pamatron na Kamo! I have my tickets, and made all my reservations; this isn't my first time in Chicago, but i'm still excited like its my first visit to this very unique Mid-Western City! Thank you Mano Boy & Mana Gilda, I'm sure the event will definitely turn out to be a success! See you all in Chicago!

PS>> its not too late to make plans!!!! there are last minute deals out there that works with everyone's budget!

Chicagoland!

CHICAGO BUS

if you are interested in taking part of the Chicago Bus Tour on July 26, 2008, as a day activity, before Fiesta 2008, get in contact ASAP to the Hermano/ Hermana, to RSVP so you and your family can be included in the headcount.

$20.00 per person, due prior to boarding and will run from 8:00AM (meeting at the front lobby of the hotel) and will be heading back to Hoffman Estates at 1:30PM.