Author: Ginger Leopoldo
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The Power of Nursing, the Spirit of Bayanihan: San Francisco Nurses Celebrate in Chicago
From a historic nursing distinction to a family homecoming at the Rizal Center, a visit to Chicago becomes a celebration of heritage, community, and belonging. Thirty-two nurses and healthcare colleagues from the San Francisco Bay Area recently visited Chicago for the 2026 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet & Pathway Conference. For the team from…
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Making Space for Our Stories: CIRCA Pintig Celebrates Two Theatre Festivals at the Rizal Center
CIRCA Pintig | November 2026 Six Filipino American plays, four Asian American solo performances, and a community united through storytelling. What happens when artists are given the space to tell their stories, celebrate their identities, and connect with their communities? For CIRCA Pintig, the answer came alive this fall through two celebrations of Asian American…
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DEBUT
A Filipino Debut, Reimagined—And Coming Home to Rizal Center CHICAGO — CIRCA Pintig presents Debut: Coming of Age in Filipino America, a new one-act comedy by Nate Cozens, directed by RJ Silva. A Filipino drag queen approaching 30 throws himself a traditional debut party—and discovers that family love may prove more transformative than a perfect…
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Rooted in Community, Connected Through Our Stories
Celebrating Filipino American History Month Across Chicago and the Midwest An archive can inspire a performance. A performance can open a conversation between generations. A family story can become a learning resource. These connections are at the heart of the community work I am grateful to share with so many of you. This October, the…
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Together We Belong: Circa Pintig at Rizal Center
This summer and fall, Rizal Center continues to be a vibrant home for Filipino American arts, culture, and community gathering through Circa Pintig’s ongoing work. From storytelling workshops to new theater festivals, Circa Pintig is helping activate the space as a creative hub where artists, elders, youth, families, and community members can come together through…
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Arts & Culture Features June 2026
Riksha Returns: Reviving Asian American Stories at the Rizal Center By Ginger Leopoldo The Rizal Center was filled to the brim for Riksha Returns, an evening that brought together multi-generational Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists, writers, and community members for live performance and shared reflection. Emceed by Ginger Leopoldo of CIRCA Pintig,…
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Night Out with Filipino School of Chicago
Join us for our first-ever fundraiser – Night Out with FSC! This is a ’90s/’00s-inspired fundraising event supporting FSC’s Filipino language and culture programs for the next generation. Mingle with other families, enjoy light bites and drinks, dance, and sing your heart out at karaoke – all while supporting our mission. After covering event costs,…
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Champions of Culture: PSA Barkada Takes 1st at Battle of the Bamboo 2026
The spirit of Bayanihan was vibrant at the Copernicus Center on February 21st during the 2026 Battle of the Bamboo. We are overjoyed to announce that PSA Barkada from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign took home the 1st Place trophy! Their winning piece, Semgulang Tawan Sohul (Semgulang Afflicted by Madness), was a breathtaking epic…
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Cultivating Belonging: A Night of Storytelling with Dr. Ada Cheng
The Rizal Center is proud to host a transformative community event on Tuesday, March 3, focused on the power of the human narrative. “Us Together: Cultivating Belonging, Trust & Connection via Storytelling” invites neighbors and friends to explore how sharing our personal histories can bridge gaps and build a stronger, more empathetic community. Hosted by…
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Art Meets Advocacy
This presentation is especially significant as it aligns with CIRCA Pintig’s project with the Asian Health Coalition. While the workshop is open to all stories, it is designed to support breast cancer awareness and screening within our community, demonstrating how storytelling can be a lifeline for health education and support. Event Details: “Come to listen,…