{"id":21887,"date":"2024-04-08T09:47:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-08T14:47:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/?p=21887"},"modified":"2025-10-09T10:27:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T15:27:01","slug":"chicago-filipino-rizal-center-filipinas-lakeview-community-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/","title":{"rendered":"El renacimiento del Centro Filipino Americano Rizal de Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e3468166648\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inside the walls of the unassuming, tan-brick Rizal Center on Irving Park Road, a pristine wooden floor supports the weight of dozens of Filipino seniors as they dance, sing and share food for the twice-monthly kapihan, or coffee hour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immersed in the enthusiasm of the center\u2019s main programming room, one might never have guessed that less than two years ago, it was on the verge of collapse. The brown wooden floors were splintered and lay haphazardly across the room. The walls, now filled with art from local Filipino artists, were empty, and the halls silent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Rizal Center, run by the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC), has survived years of challenges, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rizalcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Judge-Ruling-8192022.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ownership battles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to financial hardships. But with a new board \u2014 and inspiration from a younger generation of Filipino Americans \u2014 the center is slowly being restored to its former glory as a pillar of the Filipino community in Chicago.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\">\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e3468167c26\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle small\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_color_909090 border_style_solid \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e3468168726\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle large top_margin_20px bottom_margin_20px\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"true\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row-bg-overlay row-bg-layer\" style=\"background: #FFFFFF; background: linear-gradient(90deg,#FFFFFF 0%,#FFFFFF 100%);  opacity: 1; \"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent force-phone-text-align-center inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_top_desktop_1px border_bottom_desktop_1px border_color_FFFFFF border_style_solid \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e3468168da8\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-7 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h4 id=\"news-that-puts-power-under-the-spotlight-and-communities-at-the-center\"><strong>News that puts power under the spotlight and communities at the center.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates twice a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div style=\"margin-top: -20px; \" class=\"vc_col-sm-5 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column neg-marg no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_raw_html wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"_form_1\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.bluelena.io\/f\/embed.php?id=1\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With events like the kapihan, a children\u2019s library installation and martial arts classes, the Rizal Center is once again becoming a home away from home for the community. The Filipino and Filipino American volunteers restoring the center\u2019s programming have two main goals: promote and preserve their cultural values and strengthen generational ties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019re rebuilding the center one tile at a time and building the community one person at a time,\u201d said Jerry Clarito, chairman of the FACGC.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chicago is home to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/social-trends\/fact-sheet\/asian-americans-filipinos-in-the-u-s\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seventh-largest Filipino population<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the country, according to a 2019 analysis by Pew Research Center. As of 2024, at least <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apiavote.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Illinois-2024-State-Fact-Sheet.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">169,000 Filipinos were living in Illinois<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has gradually increased since <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apiavote.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016-AAPI-Numbers-and-Facts-by-State.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2016<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aapidata.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AAPI Data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and APIA Vote.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FACGC board member Mae Dawn Gaoat-Lant said community buildings like the Rizal Center are essential to unite and empower the Filipino community in Chicago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immigrating to another country can make preserving one\u2019s cultural values difficult. Still, Gaoat-Lant believes the Rizal Center can make it easier by fostering connections for all who come through its doors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat we are trying to do right now is to unite the community,\u201d Gaoat-Lant said. \u201cWe need to\u2026unite with each other because that&#8217;s where [our] strength is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-once-bustling-and-thriving-community-center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A once bustling and thriving community center<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Established in 1974, the Rizal Center was named after Dr. Jose Rizal, a leader of the Philippine independence movement who opposed Spanish colonial rule in the country. For decades, the center was a community hub for Filipinos, offering food distributions, hot lunches for seniors, religious services and various community events.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But between 2017 and 2022, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/usa.inquirer.net\/109006\/judge-evicts-self-appointed-exec-director-from-chicago-filipino-community-center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">protracted legal battle over the building\u2019s ownership<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plagued its halls, and the once bustling community center lay quiet as the building was closed to the public.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In August 2022, a judge ruled the building had to be turned over to the current <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rizalcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Judge-Ruling-8192022.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FACGC board. <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the time, the empty, dust-ridden Rizal Center sharply contrasted the vibrance of its former life. In the early \u201890s, the center\u2019s basement had a dance floor with a bar where people would gather for drinks, ballroom dance, bingo nights and food distribution for community members.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"fws_69e346816a42f\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_bottom_desktop_1px border_color_000000 border_style_solid \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_separator wpb_content_element vc_separator_align_center vc_sep_width_100 vc_sep_pos_align_center vc_sep_color_black wpb_content_element vc_separator-has-text\" ><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_l\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span><h4 id=\"read-more-of-our-coverage\">Read More of Our Coverage<\/h4><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_r\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-inline-posts\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-inline-posts-container pk-inline-posts-template-list\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-columns=\"1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-21727\" class=\"post-21727 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-arts-culture tag-mira\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-outer\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-overlay pk-overlay-ratio pk-ratio-landscape\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-overlay-background\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/03\/15\/chicago-middle-eastern-immigrant-refugee-alliance-womens-empowerment\/\" class=\"pk-overlay-link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_01-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-pk-thumbnail size-pk-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<header>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"pk-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/03\/15\/chicago-middle-eastern-immigrant-refugee-alliance-womens-empowerment\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">How a Chicago Nonprofit Creates Community To Empower Middle Eastern and Arab Women<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pk-meta-author meta-author\"><span class=\"author vcard\"><a class=\"url fn n\" href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/author\/diane-bou-khalil\/\" title=\"View all posts by Diane Bou Khalil\">Diane Bou Khalil<\/a><\/span><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sep\">\u00b7<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pk-meta-date meta-date\"><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/03\/15\/chicago-middle-eastern-immigrant-refugee-alliance-womens-empowerment\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">marzo 15, 2024<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .post-inner -->\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .post-outer -->\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fellow board member Corazon Sopena first came to the Rizal Center in 1996. She was part of the \u201cMiss Philippines\u201d pageant hosted by the FACGC. That year, Sopena won the title of \u201cMiss Philippines-Chicago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the center no longer has a bar or a \u201cMiss Philippines\u201d contest, Sopena has enjoyed returning to dance and interact with friends and other community members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI especially enjoy talking to and entertaining the seniors,\u201d Sopena said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I enjoy coming here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e346816e3ff\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1438\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02-1536x1150.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02-801x600.jpg 801w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02-1108x830.jpg 1108w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_02-1709x1280.jpg 1709w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Corazon Sopena has been coming to Rizal Center since 1996.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Jack X. Li for Borderless Magazine<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e346816f158\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sopena hopes those who used to come to the center return despite the five-year-long hiatus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s taking a while, but it&#8217;s kind of coming back,\u201d Sopena said. \u201cI wish [those who came in the past would] come back again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"revitalizing-efforts-aim-to-preserve-cultural-values\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revitalizing efforts aim to preserve cultural values<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paula Alcaraz, a second-generation Filipino American, got involved with the center after seeing the FACGC board post a callout on its website seeking volunteers to help with its reconstruction and renewal. Alcaraz had passed by the center in the past and was interested in learning more about it, which is what led her to check out its website.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She was among the first volunteers to help revitalize the center in 2022, and currently runs its social media accounts. While touring the center two years ago, she recalls seeing the center\u2019s floors in disarray and layers of dust coating the floors and walls. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e34681700f5\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\"  style=\"margin-top: 3%; margin-bottom: 3%; \">\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"768\" width=\"1024\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_05.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_05.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_05-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_05-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_05-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">In 2022, the wooden floors at the Rizal Center were splintered and lay haphazardly across the room.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Photo courtesy of Jerry Clarito<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e34681713c6\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt was really heartbreaking to see because this was a center for the whole community,\u201d Alcaraz said. \u201cWhen it opened up\u2026many years ago, this was a place for Filipinos to come and have fun, get together\u2026and they weren&#8217;t able to have it anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Volunteers from the community were crucial in making building repairs at the center. Chicago Filipino community members banded together to offer free services to redo the wooden floors in the auditorium and install new lighting fixtures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slowly, Alcaraz said she saw the center coming back to life.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e346817225a\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1440\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03-1107x830.jpg 1107w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_03-1707x1280.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Vangie Sipple leads community members in line dancing as part of the kapihan activities at Rizal Center on March 13th, 2024.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Jack X. Li for Borderless Magazine<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e3468172ee8\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a part of the Rizal Center has been a large part of Alcaraz\u2019s journey to stay in touch with her heritage as a second-generation Filipino American. Like many other Filipinos in Chicago, her parents and family have left the city for the surrounding suburbs or moved to another state entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcaraz has high hopes for the center. She wants to see the center expand its work promoting Filipino culture and heritage through programs like its children\u2019s library. She pointed toward opportunities for the center to host Tagalog lessons, cooking classes and cultural dance practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI miss the food because I don&#8217;t know how to cook it and all these other things,\u201d Alcaraz said of her Lolo and Lola\u2019s, or grandparent\u2019s, cooking. \u201cWhenever I&#8217;m around Filipinos, to be honest, I feel like I&#8217;m home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-new-generation-of-leadership\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new generation of leadership<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On a rainy day last fall, 20-year-old Celina Anama, alongside her friends and younger brother,\u00a0 took refuge under the Rizal Center\u2019s awning. She had previously passed the building but never ventured inside \u2014 yet it had always piqued her interest, especially as a recent arrival from the Philippines. The center reminded her of the community clubhouses she would see back home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the time, a man cleaning the windows invited the group inside to wait out the rain. Anama walked in brimming with intrigue but thought: \u201cWhat if there&#8217;s just one person coming in to clean, and that\u2019s all there is to it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But inside, the FACGC board, serendipitously having a board meeting at the time, eagerly greeted the newcomers. The center came to life before her eyes. Board members urged Anama to address them as uncles and aunties as they gathered snacks and refreshments before giving them a tour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anama felt connected and reassured after being greeted with open arms and the familiarity of her home and community in the Philippines \u2014 especially after uprooting her entire life to live in a foreign country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen I first got here\u2026 I was walking outside, and although nobody would make you feel different, you feel it inside you,\u201d Anama said. \u201cBecause you don&#8217;t see anyone that looks like you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Board member Gaoat-Lant looks to younger Filipino community members like Alcaraz and Anama to do the work preserving the Rizal Center and the community\u2019s connections to their Filipino heritage. She hopes that building these relationships will empower the entire community to enact change and improvements for more people in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e3468173ee1\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1438\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04-1536x1150.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04-801x600.jpg 801w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04-1108x830.jpg 1108w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_04-1709x1280.jpg 1709w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Mae Dawn Gaoat-Lant at Rizal Center on March 13th, 2024.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Jack X. Li for Borderless Magazine<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69e3468174b0b\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FACGC board is composed of first-generation Filipino immigrants, most over 70 years old. Gaoat-Lant believes the next generation of Filipino Americans and Rizal Center newcomers will continue rebuilding the center and the community\u2019s collective power for years to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMy knees are already weak, and I\u2019m no longer strong,\u201d Gaoat-Lant said with a slight smile. \u201cThe youth should carry the torch from now on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Younger Filipino community members, like Anama, agree.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She hopes to continue spreading the kindness offered to her by those who welcomed her to the Rizal Center and to get more involved with the center\u2019s programming in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWho knows?\u201d Anama said with a chuckle. \u201cI could, if I get to stay here for a while, be one of those seventy-year-olds asking to be called an auntie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tras una prolongada batalla legal sobre la propiedad del edificio, inmigrantes filipinos y filipino-estadounidenses se han unido para devolver a un centro comunitario su antiguo esplendor.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":140,"featured_media":21890,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[318,152,324],"tags":[563],"coauthors":[471],"class_list":{"0":"post-21887","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-culture","8":"category-organizing","9":"category-visuals","10":"tag-rizal"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Filipino Immigrants Are Rebuilding A Community Hub &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Chicago\u2019s Filipino community has banded together to restore the Rizal Center to its former glory after a period of uncertainty.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-filipinas-lakeview-community-center\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_MX\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Revival of Chicago\u2019s Filipino American Rizal Center &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Revival of Chicago\u2019s Filipino American Rizal Center &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-filipinas-lakeview-community-center\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Borderless Magazine NFP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BorderlessMagazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-04-08T14:47:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-09T15:27:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01-1707x1280.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Diane Bou Khalil\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Escrito por\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katrina Pham\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Tiempo de lectura\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"22 minutos\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label3\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data3\" content=\"Diane Bou Khalil\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Katrina Pham\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/bc9a5fb04ea9648eccfe947e70e83171\"},\"headline\":\"The Revival of Chicago\u2019s Filipino American Rizal Center\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-04-08T14:47:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-09T15:27:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":4430,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Rizal\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Arts &amp; Culture\",\"Organizing\",\"Visuals\"],\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2024\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/es\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/\",\"name\":\"How Filipino Immigrants Are Rebuilding A Community Hub &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-04-08T14:47:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-09T15:27:01+00:00\",\"description\":\"Chicago\u2019s Filipino community has banded together to restore the Rizal Center to its former glory after a period of uncertainty.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/08\\\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1440,\"caption\":\"Leile Uy and Dely Dreyvilla share a moment during a pause in the line dancing festivities at the kapihan in the Rizal Center on March 13th, 2024.\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"Borderless Magazine NFP\",\"description\":\"Stories about immigration and immigrants\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"Borderless\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Borderless Magazine NFP\",\"alternateName\":\"Borderless Mag\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg\",\"width\":696,\"height\":696,\"caption\":\"Borderless Magazine NFP\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/BorderlessMagazine\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/borderless_mag\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@borderless_mag\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/bc9a5fb04ea9648eccfe947e70e83171\",\"name\":\"Katrina Pham\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db79236ec9c3e42ea92b47ca58769b8e175f2c0be1a97ab0180670a84a2436a9?s=96&d=mm&r=gfd4f73a4dc7d6d85f2e9ce7dbfa9d5de\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db79236ec9c3e42ea92b47ca58769b8e175f2c0be1a97ab0180670a84a2436a9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db79236ec9c3e42ea92b47ca58769b8e175f2c0be1a97ab0180670a84a2436a9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Katrina Pham\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/es\\\/author\\\/katrina\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"C\u00f3mo los inmigrantes filipinos est\u00e1n reconstruyendo un centro comunitario - Borderless Magazine NFP","description":"La comunidad filipina de Chicago se ha unido para devolver al Centro Rizal su antiguo esplendor tras un periodo de incertidumbre.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-filipinas-lakeview-community-center\/","og_locale":"es_MX","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Revival of Chicago\u2019s Filipino American Rizal Center &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP","og_description":"The Revival of Chicago\u2019s Filipino American Rizal Center &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP","og_url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-filipinas-lakeview-community-center\/","og_site_name":"Borderless Magazine NFP","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BorderlessMagazine","article_published_time":"2024-04-08T14:47:46+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-09T15:27:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1707,"height":1280,"url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01-1707x1280.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Diane Bou Khalil","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Escrito por":"Katrina Pham","Tiempo de lectura":"22 minutos","Written by":"Diane Bou Khalil"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/"},"author":{"name":"Katrina Pham","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/person\/bc9a5fb04ea9648eccfe947e70e83171"},"headline":"The Revival of Chicago\u2019s Filipino American Rizal Center","datePublished":"2024-04-08T14:47:46+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-09T15:27:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/"},"wordCount":4430,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg","keywords":["Rizal"],"articleSection":["Arts &amp; Culture","Organizing","Visuals"],"inLanguage":"es","copyrightYear":"2024","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/","name":"C\u00f3mo los inmigrantes filipinos est\u00e1n reconstruyendo un centro comunitario - Borderless Magazine NFP","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg","datePublished":"2024-04-08T14:47:46+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-09T15:27:01+00:00","description":"La comunidad filipina de Chicago se ha unido para devolver al Centro Rizal su antiguo esplendor tras un periodo de incertidumbre.","inLanguage":"es","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2024\/04\/08\/chicago-filipino-rizal-center-philippines-lakeview-community-center\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024_04_01_RizalCenter_Web_01.jpg","width":1920,"height":1440,"caption":"Leile Uy and Dely Dreyvilla share a moment during a pause in the line dancing festivities at the kapihan in the Rizal Center on March 13th, 2024."},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/","name":"Revista Borderless NFP","description":"Historias sobre inmigraci\u00f3n e inmigrantes","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Borderless","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#organization","name":"Revista Borderless NFP","alternateName":"Borderless Mag","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg","width":696,"height":696,"caption":"Borderless Magazine NFP"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BorderlessMagazine","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/borderless_mag\/","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@borderless_mag"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/person\/bc9a5fb04ea9648eccfe947e70e83171","name":"Katrina Pham","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db79236ec9c3e42ea92b47ca58769b8e175f2c0be1a97ab0180670a84a2436a9?s=96&d=mm&r=gfd4f73a4dc7d6d85f2e9ce7dbfa9d5de","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db79236ec9c3e42ea92b47ca58769b8e175f2c0be1a97ab0180670a84a2436a9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db79236ec9c3e42ea92b47ca58769b8e175f2c0be1a97ab0180670a84a2436a9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Katrina Pham"},"url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/author\/katrina\/"}]}},"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":"Leile Uy and Dely Dreyvilla share a moment during a pause in the line dancing festivities at the kapihan in the Rizal Center on March 13th, 2024.","source_text":"","source_url":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/140"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21887"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29820,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21887\/revisions\/29820"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21887"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=21887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}