Filipino Professionals in Illinois

Artists from the regional Filipino theater company, CIRCA Pintig, will give readings and provide discussion about dramatic pieces. Unheard Voices of Care Lecture Series: Reliving Our Stories July 17, 2026 6:00-8:00pm Doors at 5:45pm Free and open to the public About the Lecture: The regional Filipino theater company, CIRCA Pintig, will be collecting and developing stories from current and retired nurses to create a series of monologues and short plays. The ongoing project will feature company members enacting selected stories for an evening of live performance. CIRCA-Pintig's roots trace back to the early 1980s when its founders, newly arrived from the Philippines, found support and inspiration in the immigrant communities of Chicago. Born from the experiences of political refugees and economic migrants, the organization embodies the resilience, creativity, and communal spirit of immigrant communities. The name "Pintig," meaning "heartbeat" or "pulse" in Filipino, reflects our commitment to keeping the vibrant pulse of immigrant cultures alive and strong in America's multicultural landscape. For over three decades, CIRCA-Pintig has been dedicated to empowering immigrant communities, honoring their founders' experiences, and paying forward the gifts of life and love that sustained them in their early years. Giovanni Ortega (Dramatist Guild, SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA) has been working professionally for over a decade as a proponent of the performing arts as a multidisciplinary artist and educator. Playwright credits: The Butterfly of Chula Vista (San Diego Rep commission); Sama Sama: Solidarity in the Fields, Criers for Hire and Allos – the Story of Carlos Bulosan (East West Players commissioned production). Criers for Hire has been performed in Chicago, Sydney and San Francisco. ALLOS has toured Chicago, Honolulu, Austria, Uganda (Kampala Theatre Festival), Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Francisco and Singapore. Director credits include: Nicky, a modernized adaptation of Chekhov’s Ivanov, We Are Nothing Without Hantu Hantu (Hollywood Fringe) Halo Halo (Third Culture Theatre), Angel from Manila (Echo Theater), Lena Passes (Pasadena Playhouse) Scrimmage (East West Players), The Hotel Play (A.D., Center Theatre Group/ Playwrights’ Arena), La Madre de Todos los Exilios (La Casa Tercer Acto, Bogotá), Cabaret, Spring Awakening – The Musical, Urinetown. In Singapore, Giovanni directed The Body Series, Evolution, Kabaret Singapura and worked with Poetry Festival Singapore to create Benches and Palindromes (Theatre) followed by Belonging, Atlas and Nomads (Films). As a performer, he starred in San-San Onglatco’s film Zenaida (AFI Film Festival )and Dreams, A Musical at the Hawaii Theater. Additional credits: President Marcos in Imelda, The Musical (East West Players), Romance of Magno Rubio (Inside the Ford – LA Weekly award nomination), Dogeaters, The Refugee Hotel (Center Theatre Group) and Conjunto. R.J. Silva is a writer and creative producer. Born and raised in Manila, he moved to America at 13 years old and has lived in Phoenix, Orlando, and Chicago. Starting with CIRCA Pintig in 2013 during his years at Loyola University Chicago, he graduated with a BA in Theatre and worked in the themed entertainment industry as a producer for Walt Disney Imagineering. Now back in Chicago, he is the producing associate for CIRCA Pintig, assisting in planning and productions, and has performed for CIRCA Pintig in ‘ALLOS: The Story of Carlos Bulosan’ and ‘Daryo’s All-American Diner.’ Outside of CIRCA Pintig, RJ is a co-founder and producer of The Ampliverse, a multimedia channel that celebrates pop culture without the toxicity of exclusivity through podcasts and writing. RJ is also a writer for the screen and stage. This project is partially supported by a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The International Museum of Surgical Science acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

The Asian Pacific American Law Students Association at Chicago-Kent College of Law represents a community-driven initiative dedicated to supporting and amplifying the voices of Asian Pacific American students within the legal profession. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this student organization serves as a gathering place for individuals passionate about advancing representation and understanding within the law school community. Operating under the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law, the association embodies the values of inclusion, cultural awareness, and peer support. The organization recognizes the importance of creating spaces where Asian Pacific American law students can build meaningful relationships, share experiences, and develop professional networks that extend beyond their time in law school. Through collaborative efforts and shared commitment, members work to foster a sense of belonging and community. As part of Chicago-Kent's diverse array of student organizations, this group contributes to the rich tapestry of student life at the institution. The association's presence on campus reflects Chicago-Kent's dedication to supporting student-led initiatives that celebrate diversity and promote cross-cultural understanding among the law school community. Students involved in the organization benefit from connections with peers, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to contribute to meaningful conversations about representation in the legal field. For Asian Pacific American law students attending Chicago-Kent in Chicago, IL, or those interested in supporting this community, the association provides an important platform for connection and growth. The organization continues to evolve as Chicago-Kent enhances its student organization infrastructure, ensuring that vital community spaces remain accessible and impactful for current and future students.

The Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) represents a vibrant community within Loyola University Chicago School of Law, serving as a home for students from South, Southeast, and East Asia as well as anyone passionate about advancing Asian Pacific American representation in the legal profession. Established in 1988, APALSA has grown into a cornerstone organization that celebrates cultural diversity while fostering professional development and meaningful friendships among law students in Chicago. At its core, APALSA's mission centers on building community and providing support for Asian Pacific American law students navigating law school and early careers. The organization recognizes the unique experiences of students from countries including India, China, Pakistan, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea, creating an inclusive space where members feel valued and supported. Rather than limiting membership to students of Asian descent, APALSA welcomes all law students interested in understanding and supporting AAPI perspectives within the legal community. The organization's programming reflects its commitment to both celebration and professional growth. Annual events like the Diwali celebration highlight cultural traditions, while the Career Development Forum provides practical guidance from accomplished attorneys and recent graduates. The APALSA Alumni Award honors the achievements of former members, strengthening the bond between current students and the broader Loyola alumni network across Chicago. First-year students find immediate pathways to involvement through 1L Liaison roles and mentorship programs that connect them with experienced peers. APALSA's relationships with prominent bar associations—including the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago, South Asian Bar Association, and others—extend the organization's reach beyond the law school, creating a robust network of support throughout Chicago's legal community. By joining APALSA, students become part of a close-knit community dedicated to increasing the visibility and success of Asian American interests at Loyola and throughout Chicago.

Located at the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois, the Philippine Student Association represents a dedicated community of student members committed to celebrating and sharing Philippine culture with their peers. This student-led organization embodies the spirit of cultural preservation and community building, serving as a home away from home for Filipino students and an educational resource for those curious about Philippine traditions and contemporary culture. The association operates within the dynamic student life ecosystem of UIUC, where it fulfills an important role in supporting Filipino and Filipino-American students throughout their academic journey. Members gather to celebrate important cultural events, share traditional foods and customs, and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. The organization recognizes the importance of maintaining cultural connections while embracing the diversity of the UIUC community in Champaign. As a student organization at the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, the Philippine Student Association demonstrates the university's commitment to fostering diverse student communities and supporting cultural expression on campus. The group's activities and programs reflect the values of solidarity, cultural pride, and mutual support that define the student experience in Champaign. Through meaningful engagement and authentic community building, the association creates lasting bonds among members and contributes to a more inclusive and culturally aware campus environment at UIUC.