HOUSE OF NURSES

House of Nurses:

An American Journey

A collective memoir of three Filipino sisters who helped mold the fledgling profession of nursing, while at the same time, quietly weaving a new American tapestry. With the history of Filipinos living as U.S. citizens being overlooked in mainstream media, this sprawling memoir stands as a reminder of the depth and breadth of this cultural melting pot, and offers new meaning into the American identity.

FUTURE READINGS:

History of Filipino Nurses in the U.S. Exhibit featuring 'House of Nurses' Display

CLOSING TOURS - Sat., Jan. 17, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ida B. Wells Gallery, main floor, Harold Washington Library, 400 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60605. Free to the public.

Part of a Filipino cultural exhibit of artwork and history from local artists called "The Halo-Halo Project," the display draws from the book, "House of Nurses: An American Journey."

Author Angel Abcede will be available at the "closing tours" from 2-4 p.m.

Also visit www.halohaloproject.org.

Keep connected here at houseofnurses.org for dates and times of future readings. For more information, click the “Gather” tab above.

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FEATURE: Filipino Nurses Display Ending in Downtown Chicago

The Halo-Halo Project exhibit, featuring Filipino-American artwork and displays of cultural and historic significance at the Harold Washington Library downtown, will draw to a close with a ceremony of artist-led tours and community celebration on Sat., January 17, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The closing ceremony is free and open to the public. The exhibit will officially close on Sun., January 18, 2026.

Contributing artists and creators of the exhibit, which opened in October 2025, will be available to discuss their work, which range from paintings and sculpture to displays depicting cultural garments and the history of Filipino nurses. The display about Filipino nurses is based on the book, "House of Nurses: An American Journey," by author Angel Abcede. Activities on Sat., January 17 will be held in the Ida B. Wells Gallery on the main floor of the library at 400 S. State Street in Chicago.

Halo-Halo, meaning “mixed-mixed” in Tagalog (a primary dialect of the Filipino language), draws inspiration from the beloved Filipino dessert and symbolizes the vibrant blending of Filipino heritage with American culture. This project is a celebration of the Filipino-American experience, its traditions, its evolution in the diaspora, and its contributions to the cultural fabric of Chicago.

Halo-Halo brings together visual art, performance, community storytelling, and cultural aesthetics to create a welcoming and meaningful public celebration. In addition to an opening ceremony held on October 2, 2025, the larger Halo-Halo Project included a full day of music, presentations and book readings on October 11, 2025, at the Sulzer Library in Chicago.

For more information, contact Oliver Agular aguilaroliverb@gmail.com or visit halohaloproject.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Angel Garcia Abcede Jr. was born in Guam, a North Pacific island territory of the United States on November 25, 1963. His parents were Angel Chato Abcede and Luz Garcia Abcede. Angel Jr. graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, with a degree in journalism. He has worked as a writer for trade press and in marketing positions for over 30 years. READ MORE

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