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Meanwhile in Chicago: A Fourth of July Reflection on Street Art, Superman, and the Struggle of Immigrants

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A powerful piece of street art recently appeared in Chicago, capturing the tension and urgency of today’s immigration climate. Painted boldly on a wall, the mural shows Superman—a symbol of justice and the American ideal—punching an ICE officer labeled “POLICE ICE.” The caption above reads, “Meanwhile in Chicago…,” setting the scene as both a specific local event and a national moment. Signed by the artist “The Mouse” and “Viril,” this mural isn’t just graffiti—it’s protest, commentary, and cultural critique rolled into one. The timing of the mural is no accident. In 2025, ICE raids and immigration enforcement have surged again, particularly in cities with large immigrant populations like Chicago. Filipino immigrants—both documented and undocumented—are among those directly affected. And while immigration policy debates often dominate headlines, what’s missing from those discussions is historical context. Why are so many Filipinos, Latinos, and other immigrant groups in the...
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Warren N. Barr Sr. Tower, our home in Chicago

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Not 'Bye Chicago'; See you soon. June 3, 1979. Sunday. Chicago, IL. My parents lived here for four years; Joy and I called Barr Tower home for three years. At first, we lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Apt. 805. After my lola, Joy and I joined my parents, we moved into Apt. 1202, a two-bedroom apartment. June 3 was our last day at Barr Tower & Chicago. We were moving west to Cali. We took our time, making it a 5-day trip/vacation from Illinois to California. On my lap, I carried a fishbowl with our 6 goldfish the whole way. 📷 Tito Narding Photo credit again to Tito Narding. My dad commented in our family chat: When we were crossing the Mississippi, I felt sad. Looking at the rear view mirror I whispered thank you Chicago. We will be back. I would move back by myself in April 1989.  Promise kept. I recently found my April 1989 photos (last ones in Vallejo, and first ones in Chicago). I'll scan and upload as time allows. Warren N. Barr Sr Tower in 2018 Below i...
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July morning: United Airlines Terminal

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July 6 morning in ORD, Chicago, IL Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 10000 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60666, USA Cheers Chicagoland Fil-Ams! Join us & help build our Fil-Am online community. Please leave a comment, and  click to follow our website   IL.pinoybuilt.com . Join one of our sites in California: Los Angeles , Sacramento ,  San Diego , San Francisco ,  San Jose  or Vallejo . Click on a tag below to browse. illinois,chicago,chicagoland,fil-am,filipino-american,
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When we left Chicago for California

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Posing in front of our 1976 Cutlass Supreme June 3, 1979. Sunday. Chicago, IL. Thanks to timeanddate.com , I can confirm it was a Sunday when we drove off from Chicago.  Photo credit goes to Tito Narding. He was there when Joy, my Lola and I arrived in Chicago three years earlier; he was the only one there to see us off. I distinctly also remember Joy and I had one more week at school at St. Sebastian School (so we missed the last five days of school). Maybe I told one friend, Brian, that we were moving. I should have said bye to Mrs. Martha Schreiber, my 5th grade teacher. At least, Mrs. Goldader (my first ever teacher in the USA) is my friend on Facebook. I uploaded this to Facebook in 2012. I'll have to re-scan for better resolution when I come upon the original. Across the street from Warren Barr Tower, where we lived, my mom just had to cross the street to go to work back then. Good times! In front of Illinois Masonic Hospital where my mom worked. 1976 Oldsmobile Cutla...
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Frances & Liza in California

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Flashback Summer of 1985 Daly City, CA. I drove Frances & Liza (and their Tita Myrna) to Daly City after they had stayed at my parents' house. That's where Liza and I met. Frances and I had been classmates in sixth grade in St. Sebastian School in Chicago. Frances was 18; Liza was 19. Frances Pacis, their niece, Liza Franco.
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Congratulations Kadence Rivera & Jacobs Class of 2022

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Chesca & I arrived at Kadence's High School Graduation Party July 9, 2022. Algonquin, IL. Alaina and Arvin were helping set up in the front lawn when we arrived early afternoon. Congratulations Kadence Rivera & Jacobs Class of 2022! Join us & help build our Fil-Am online community. Please leave a comment, and  click to follow our website   IL.pinoybuilt.com . Join one of our sites in California: Los Angeles , Sacramento ,  San Diego , San Francisco ,  San Jose  or Vallejo . Click on a tag below to browse.
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