PHILIPPINE CULTURAL AND CIVIC CENTER FOUNDATION INC.

"SERVING THE FILIPINO AND AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN SINCE 2000"

Home

The Faces of PCCCF

Executive Director

Articles

PCCCF Updates

Donate to PCCCF

Free Medical Clinic (FMC)

Free Clinic Editorials

FMC Images

Programs

Munting Tinig Choir

Children's Workshop

Children's Literacy

Community and Outreach

PCCCF Annual Health Fair

2014 MacArthur Brunch

2016 Bridging the Gap

2017 Adobo Fest

2021 Backpack Day

Historic Events

2012 PCCCF Gala Night

Contract Signing

Demolition & Construction

Flag Raising Ceremony

Official Signage

2018 Independence Day

Consular Outreach

Fundraising Events

PCCCF Color Run

Annual Golf Tournament

Pancake Breakfast

Awards

Woman of the Year

Classic Woman Awards

MANDI Awards

An Evening with Champions

PCCCF Year End Appeal

 
An Evening With Champions
Dr. Violeta A. Singson, photographed next to a framed picture of herself and the other awardees, at the Johnson and Johnson National Champions Among Us Awards Ceremony.
Milwaukee Woman of the Year
by Audrey Hoffer

6th Annual Classic Woman Awards

9th Annual MANDI Awards
by Erlinda Ramos

An Evening with Champions
by Erlinda Ramos

By Erlinda Ramos

On Wednesday, May 9, 2007, I was in New York City, to attend a reception to honor the Meredith Children's Champion Awards of 2007. Every year, Meredith Corporation, the publisher of popular children's magazines, honors several big name movers and shakers who have made a difference in children's' lives across the nation. This year, for the first time, they partnered with Johnson & Johnson to salute at the same time three Champions Among Us, celebrating the efforts of everyday people who spend their time, energy and talent to improve the lives of children in their community. When the Champions Among Us contest was announced, the Johnson & Johnson Ad executive told us that they were swamped with nominees. The entries were whittled down to 100 that were reviewed by the Meredith Corporation Child magazine editorial group. They, in turn, picked their top 10 choices and presented them to J&J, who then picked the three winners to honor. Amazingly, for a nationwide contest, two of the three winners were from Wisconsin. Of course, from my viewpoint, the most important winner is our very own, Dr. Violeta Singson! The prizes that came with the honor were relatively modest: transportation, accommodations, invitation to the Champions Award event (which I gather is pretty exclusive), and $1000 to the charity of her choice, the Free Medical Clinic, of course. However, recognition of Dr. Singson and publicity for the Clinic – priceless!

     At the Tribeca Rooftop hall, the first thing that greets one's eyes is a wall with the portraits and bios of the three Champions Among Us. While Dr. Violeta Singson was being photographed and interviewed, Dr. Johnny Singson and I occupied ourselves with food, drinks, and gawking. Pretty soon, the celebrities started arriving - Bradley Whitford (very approachable, good looking and another Wisconsin native); Henry Winkler (the Fonz was very generous with his hugs and kisses; Volette and I were both recipients of this generosity); and the very beautiful Elisabeth Hasselbeck (one of the co-hosts of ABC's The View). After "formal" photo ops, they amiably posed and circulated among the guests. Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld were the last celebrities to arrive (with their 6-year-old daughter, Sascha) but did not pose for pictures with the public.

    It was very gratifying to witness and listen to all the efforts expended on behalf of children, both on a national scale by the Children's Champion Honorees, and on a daily basis by everyday people like the Champions Among Us. It was also very eye opening to experience a "celebrity affair" – masses of exotic, beautiful flowers (even the hors d'oeuvres trays were decorated with fresh orchids); lots and lots of food and drink (thinking of all the excess food, my thrifty Filipino/Midwestern soul was wishing for Ziploc bags for "pauwi"); and the media attention and representatives of print media, cable TV, and Ad agencies, (supposedly even Access Hollywood).

     Anyway, it was very definitely an event to remember, and to applaud the winners.
We salute you – Dr. Violeta Singson, congratulations!


NEXT>

Milwaukee Woman of the Year    !    6th Annual Classic Woman Awards 
9th Annual MANDI Awards    !    An Evening with Champions


The website has been donated by the Singson Family
Design and maintenance by Mario Ballesteros and Camille-Rose A. Ramos Rhodes
TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO THE PHILIPPINE CENTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE
 
For current information: 
Facebook - Philippine Cultural and Civic Center at Zablocki Park
Instagram - @philippinecentermkewi