The Filipino Community Center, a source of pride.

Vol. V, No. 1 Jan – Mar 2011

by Jun Colmenares

The 19th edition of the Annual Filipino Fiesta, sponsored by Hawaiian

Airlines and scheduled on Saturday, May 7, 2011, will have as its theme “Ang

Pilipino… Noon at Ngayon” (Filipinos… Then and Now). The event will

showcase the historical development of Filipinos as a people— from the Pre-

Spanish period to the present, and in the case of Hawaii’s Filipino, from the

lowly sakadas to top-ranking Filipinos of the present day. It will showcase the

development of the Filipino culture– exemplified in clothing, dances, songs and

other art forms, from the traditional to the modern.

This year’s Fiesta is made possible through the generosity of the following

sponsors: Hawaiian Airlines (Maharlika or Title Sponsor), the City & County of

Honolulu and Hawai'i Tourism Agency (Kaibigan Sponsor), Hawai'i Community

Foundation’s Hawaii Filipino Heritage Fund (Mabuhay Sponsor), Western Union

(Mabuhay Sponsor), Renato & Maria A.F. Etrata Foundation (Bayanihan Sponsor)

and Island Insurance Foundation (Bayanihan Sponsor).

The parade, which starts at 9:00AM, is organized jointly by the United

Filipino Council of Hawai'i (UFCH) and the Oahu Filipino Community

(OFCC). It will be led by the Royal Hawaiian Band, with Governor Neil

Abercrombie, FilCom Board Chair Abelina Shaw and Philippine Consul

General Leoncio Cardenas, Jr., as parade marshals. There will be six floats, each

depicting a particular era in Philippine History— Pre-Spanish Period, Spanish

Period, Reform & Revolutionary Period, American Period, Post-American

Period, and the Contemporary Period. The Congress of Visayan Organizations

(COVO), UFCH, Filipino American League of Engineers and Architects

(FALEA), and other organizations will be constructing the floats. Our parade

vehicles showcasing Filipino beauties, high school bands as well as

To be continued on Page 4

Celebrating the 19th Annual Filipino Fiesta

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Roland Casamina, President EmeritusEddie Flores, Chair EmeritusAbelina Madrid-Shaw, ChairLito Alcantra, Vice ChairTheresia McMurdo, Vice ChairBryan Andaya, SecretaryDonnie Juan, Treasurer

MembersEdmund AczonBobby AgpaoaScott ArakakiClem BautistaSerafin Colmenares, Jr.Maria A.F. EtrataBennette MisaluchaRaymund LiongsonCecilia VillafuerteLynne Gutierrez, Ex OfficioJane Clement, Ex OfficioMaria A.F. Etrata, Ex Officio

PRESIDENT

Geminiano Q. Arre, Jr.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Honorary ChairRobin Campaniano, Vice Chair

MembersSteven AiSenator Daniel K. AkakaGeorge K. AriyoshiJohn C. BroganDavid P.W. CareyBenjamin CayetanoMark DunkerleyTerri FujiiMark FukunagaDavid HeenanRobert HiamStanley HongDon HornerTim JohnsChris KanazawaAi LandonDaniel LauWarren LukeGeri MarulloMichael MayRonald K. MigitaNick Ng PackRamon Sy, M.D.Walter TagawaBarry K. TaniguchiEric TemaFranklin M. TakiokaEmme TomimbangAlan TomonariNoel G. TrainorKeith VierraGulab WatamullTom WelmanPerfecto YasayGary Yoshioka

From the President

you also to COVO, UFCH and OFCC for their assistance

in staging the Filipino Fiesta and Pasko sa FilCom.

Thank you also to our sponsors and donors whose

invaluable support, financially or otherwise, enabled the

Center to provide community programs and services.

Last but certainly not the least is the Consuelo

Foundation for their generous donation that paid for all

the brand new outdoor furniture in the courtyard.

Mabuhay and Aloha.

Geminiano “Toy” Q. Arre, Jr.

First, I would like to thank the members of the Board whose two-year term expired

last December 31, 2010 but have all agreed to continue to serve another term. They

are Bobby Agpaoa, Edmund Aczon, Bryan Andaya, Clement Bautista, Donnie Juan,

Maria A.F. Etrata, Theresia McMurdo and Bennette Misalucha.

Financially, FilCom ended 2010 on a positive note. Total revenues of $1,021,000 was

15% more than the budget primarily due to higher rental increase and food service

commission as well as additional grants obtained in the latter part of the year. Net

income were sufficient to pay for debt services.

I would also like to thank the many individuals who serve as instructors, grant

writers, participants and volunteers who make it possible for FilCom to provide the

NCLEX and U.S. Citizenship classes, Filipino for Kids and other programs. Thank

Atty. Abelina Madrid-Shaw

We are staying on course in adding to our already rich culture and history as

contributors, participants, volunteers and sponsors— all involved in caring and being

concerned. This is the mission of the Filipino Community Center, to promote and

perpetuate our culture and customs, a mission which we all share as Filipinos, as builders

of our community.

Appropriately, this year’s theme chosen by the Fiesta Committee headed by Darwin

Arellano and Serafin Colmenares, Jr., FilCom Board representative, “Ang Pilipino…

Noon at Ngayon” is an attempt to capture the developments and advancement that has led

us to where we are right now. A few months ago, we had a successful FilCom Gala at the

Hilton Hawaiian Village attended by Filipinos and non-Filipinos, a well-attended Pasko

during the holidays, and last month, through live broadcast & television coverage,

fundraised for the Japanese tsunami victims where adults and young children eagerly

participated in the Banda Kawayan to learn how to play the bamboo instruments. These

were just a few of the many significant events and

gatherings that promote our culture and contribute to the

future of this generation.

On behalf of the staff of the FilCom Center under the

excellent leadership of President Toy Arre, the members of

the Board of Directors and the Board of Governors, we

thank you, our Community. We have much to be proud of

and excited about, as we continue to do more to promote our

culture and customs. And to all our sponsors who share in

our efforts and dreams for our future, Mabuhay!

From the Chair

Hawaiian Airlines2010 HonoreeBlaine Miyasato accepted the

award for Hawaiian Airlines Patti J. LyonsBOD, Consuelo Foundation2010 Honoree

Anacleto “Lito” AlcantraPresident, Group Builders, Inc.2010 Honoree

Highlighting the Bayanihan Gala last December 3, 2010 was the conferment

of the first ever FilCom Bayanihan Award to two individuals and a corporate

entity in recognition for their commitment and support to the FilCom Center,

the Filipinos in Hawai'i and the Philippines.

• Engr. Anacleto “Lito” Alcantra is the President of Group Builders, Inc.,

the largest Filipino-owned contractor in the State of Hawai'i, which employs

hundreds, many of whom are Filipinos. A recipient of various awards and

recognitions for his professional excellence and humanitarian efforts, Engr.

Alcantra continues to share his blessings not only to the Filipinos of Hawai'i

but also to his hometown in Ilocos Sur— making investments, creating work

opportunities and even serving as a benefactor to his elementary and high

school alma mater among others. But notable as those contributions may be,

the Filipino Community Center remains to be his life-long vision that, to his

joy, became a reality. It was during his presidency of the Filipino Chamber of

Commerce that the FilCom Center project was adopted. Since then, he

continues to support the Center, financially and in-kind. Engr. Alcantra

currently serves in the FilCom Board.

• Patti J. Lyons served the Child and Family Service for twenty-three years

before joining the Consuelo Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at

serving the less fortunate and disadvantaged groups of the State of Hawaii

and the Philippines, as its President and Chief Executive Officer for many

years. She currently serves as a board member, historian and secretary to the

Foundation. During her time at the Child and Family Service, she was

involved in establishing a shelter for street children in Baguio City,

Philippines. Ms. Lyons has received numerous honors including a Doctor of

Humanities, Honoris Causa conferred by the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

• Hawaiian Airlines offers not only direct flights from Hawaii to Manila

but serves the Filipino Community in various ways. Free of charge, it

airlifted materials and supplies for trade & medical missions and victims of

natural calamities; and flew 450 pounds of bamboo instruments for the

FilCom Banda Kawayan from Manila. Hawaiian Airlines (HA) is a consistent

supporter to FilCom’s community service programs including the Filipino

Fiesta, Pasko sa FilCom, Filipino Flavors and the Bayanihan Dinner. In

addition, Hawaiian Airlines opened its own call center in Baguio, Philippines,

creating hundreds of jobs for their ground operations. As the company

slogan goes ―Only one Airline is Hawaiian,‖ truly, HA is the airline that

To be continued on Page 6

Guest Performers:

Ms. Lani MisaluchaMr. Albert Maligmat

2010 Gold Sponsor

Silver SponsorsConsuelo FoundationFirst Hawaiian BankHouse of Finance, Inc.

Roland & Evelyn Casamina

Bronze SponsorsBank of HawaiiHawaii Carpenters UnionPacific Resource PartnershipSSFM International, Inc.

Norman Kawachika

Pearl SponsorsAndres & Sandra AlbanoAlexander & Baldwin, Inc. /A & B FoundationAshley Arch, LLCBill Mills Development Co., Inc.Creations in CateringFilipino Express RestaurantGroup Builders, Inc.Hawaii Filipino Lawyers AssociationHMSAHilton Hawaiian Village Hotel & SpaHimig at IndakIron Workers Union Local 625Island Insurance Co. Ltd.James Campbell Company, LLCL & L Hawaiian BarbecuePlantation Town Apartment, LLCCuyler & Abelina ShawServco FoundationDr. Ramon & Elizabeth SyUH System / UH at Manoa / UH FoundationUnited Laundry Services, Inc.

Filipino Flavors 2009 Gold Sponsor

The Bayanihan Gala

FilCom News Vol. V, No. 1 January – March 2011 Page 3

Ang Pilipino… (From Page 1)

marching groups from schools, businesses,

civic groups, sports associations, unions,

alumni groups and community organizations

will join the parade as it snakes through

Waikiki from Fort DeRussy to Kapi'olani Park.

The Fiesta at Kapi'olani Park will start at

10:00AM and end at 4:00PM. The Fiesta,

which is again being organized by the

Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of

Commerce or Filipino Jaycees, will once more

feature various business booths exhibiting their

products as well as community and nonprofit

booths showcasing their services. Ten food

vendors will provide attendees with a variety of

food. In addition, regional cultural booths put

up by various organizations representing

different regions in the Philippines— Ilocos

(UH Timpuyog), Cagayan Valley (Cagayan

Association), Cordillera (BIBAK), Southern

Tagalog (UH Katipunan), Metro Manila (LCC

Kasama), Bicol (Bicol Club), Visayas and

Mindanao (COVO), will provide information

and showcase arts and crafts representing their

respective regions. A keiki booth will provide

fun activities for the kids. There will also be a

keiki I.D. tent where parents can get free

identification cards for their children , a child

protective service provided by the Grand

Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of

Hawai'i.

A day-long entertainment program spiced

by local and out-of-state talents including a

concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band and

presentations by the FilCom’s Banda Kawayan

(an orchestra playing bamboo instruments), the

Philippine Consulate Chorale and the

Mahalohalo Kolintang Ensemble will give

visitors an enjoyable experience. The highlight

of the Fiesta will be the performance of two

Philippine-based celebrity performers— Dennis

Trillo and Iza Calzado, courtesy of GMA Pinoy

TV, Philippines. Culminating the Fiesta will be

the drawing of six (6) round trip tickets to

Manila, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines.

It will surely be a fun-filled 19th Annual

Filipino Fiesta at the Kapi'olani Park on May 7,

2011. Join us as we bring to you the

Filipino… then and now.

• Royal Hawaiian Band• Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Parade Marshal

• Philippine Consul General• GMA Network• Western Union• Hawaiian Airlines• Unite Here Local 5• Knights of Columbus• BIBAK• ANCART• Himig at Indak• Congress of Visayan Organization• Farrington HS Fil-Am Club• Filipino American League of

Engineers & Architects• and many other participating groups

2011 Filipino Fiesta & Parade

Mid-Morning Events:• Invocation• Singing of the National Anthems• Welcome Remarks• Entertainment: Royal Hawaiian Band FilCom Banda Kawayan BIBAK Sinulog Dancers Mahalohalo Kolintang Ensemble

• Message from the Governor of the State of Hawai'i

Afternoon Events: Entertainment: The Philippine Consulate

Chorale with Mr. Paul Cortes• Message from the Consul General of the Philippines Entertainment: Former Member of the

Society of Seven (S.O.S.), Mr. Albert Maligmat• Message from the Mayor of the C&C of Honolulu Entertainment: Featured Artists from

GMA Pinoy TV• Raffle Draw: Six (6) Round-Trip Tickets to

Manila courtesy of Hawaiian AirlinesIMPORTANT: Winners must be present to claim the prize.

• Closing Remarks

Parade starts at 9:00AM from Fort DeRussy to Kapi’olani Park

Ms. Iza Calzado

Mr. Dennis Trillo

The Bayanihan… from Page 3

exemplifies the true Spirit of Aloha far

and beyond. Blaine Miyasato accepted

the award on behalf of Hawaiian

Airlines.

Mark Dunkerley and Former

Governor Ben and Vicky Cayetano

were co-chairs of the FilCom

Bayanihan Gala with TV personality,

Ms. Emme Tomimbang, as the Mistress

of Ceremonies. Featured guest

performers were Asia’s Nightingale, Ms.

Lani Misalucha, and former member of

S.O.S., Mr. Albert Maligmat. The newly

formed Banda Kawayan of the FilCom

Center also wowed the audience with

their repertoire.

Arsenia Bulacan of San Diego, CA was visiting the FilCom Center when she was invited to listen to the Banda Kawayan’s regular Sunday rehearsal. Enthralled and touched by what she experienced, she surprised the FilCom Center with a check of $800, enough to cover the cost of one marimba. As far as FilCom president Toy Arre Jr. can remember, the gift is the largest donation ever received yet from someone who was just dropping by to see the FilCom Center.

The generous gesture is going a long way in meeting unintended challenges resulting from Banda Kawayan’s surprising growth and success. Under the direction of Maestro Rafael “Pike” Velasco, the Banda Kawayan now has more than fifty members whose ages span three generations. It has also developed a repertoire of forty songs/medleys and played in twenty public performances since December 2009.

The FilCom Center is discovering that Banda Kawayan’s success is creating musical instrument shortages, higher than anticipated wear and tear due to intensive six hours per week practice, and frequent transport of the instruments to and from performance sites across the islands.

The original set of bamboo instruments was designed for 25-30 members. Part of the instrument shortage has been solved when the families of two young performers, Melissa Pasion and Kate Cachola, ordered their own marimbas. The two instruments were not only used for home-based practices but often used at performances.

A major opportunity to address the instrument shortage came along when the City and County of Honolulu awarded the FilCom Center a Culture and Arts grant of $5,000.00 for expanding Banda Kawayan’s“Mabuhay to Aloha” repertoire of

Banda Kawayan Wows!By Carolyn W. Hildebrand

Filipino and Hawaiian songs. The grant enabled the FilCom Center to use part of its U.S. Department of Education Cultural and Historical Organizations (ECHO) grant to purchase another complete set of bamboo instruments.

The future of FilCom’s Banda Kawayan is bright and will continue to be celebrated. There are and will be unexpected challenges but there will be creative solutions.

1. Come to a FilCom Event. Send your email address to filcom@filcom.org to receive event notices or visit our website for announcements.

2. Volunteer. Are you interested in teaching ESL or a class? Or perhaps help us in the office or during functions? Call us.

3. Give a Tax-Deductible Donation. Your donation will help the Center continue its programs and preserve a rich cultural heritage. In lieu of gifts or flowers to honor friends or loved ones on important occasions, consider giving to FilCom. It will be a gift that keeps on giving.

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FilCom News Vol. V, No. 1 January – March 2011 Page 6

Kimo Collins & Associates, LLC (AIL)Kimo Collins, Regional ManagerSuite 303Office: 626-5290 Mobile: 341-2013Fax: 862-7930ailwaipahu@clear.net

Milltown Dental ClinicDr. Marilou CababatSuite 104Office: 678-8300 Fax: 678-8303mcc@aol.com

PrimericaIrene Brakenridge, PresidentLyle Brakenridge, ManagerSuite 103Office: 635-4310Mobile: 206-9559

Waipahu Family Health CenterDonna DomingoSuites 108 & 305Office: 676-7233 Fax: 677-7991ddomingosilva@wcchc.com

West Oahu RealtyGuy TamashiroSuites 105 & 214Office: 676-8858 Mobile: 375-8300Fax: 676-8872westoahu@pixi.com

Ap

pro

ved

Cat

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rs Creations In CateringMike Rabe, PresidentOffice: 521-7101; Mobile: 389-6610Fax: 538-8741mikerabe@hawaiicaterers.comwww.hawaiicaterers.com

Golden Coin RestaurantJoseph UyOffice: 848-0802; Mobile: 853-1002Fax: 847-8473josephuy@goldencoinfood.comwewe317@yahoo.com

Loulen’s RestaurantLouie Butay, PresidentOffice: 853-2212; Mobile: 853-2212Fax: 931-2725loulen.inc@gmail.com

Marian’s CateringScott Harada, Catering ManagerOffice: 621-6758; Fax: 621-3670marians@hawaiian.netwww.marianscatering.com

FilC

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Ce

nte

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aff Geminiano “Toy” Q. Arre, Jr.

President & Chief Operating Officer

Sterling LeongAccountant

Tess QuemadoAdministrative Assistant

Arceli RebollidoIT - Office Assistant

Eric VictoriaFacilities Officer

Phone (808) 680-0451; Fax (808) 680-7510

www.filcom.org

E-FilClement BautistaSuite 301Office: 734-1136Mobile: 256-4380Fax: 956-4622www:efilarchives.org

FilCom Tax Service, LLCMerla BalubarSuite 101Office: 671-1800 Mobile: 389-6610Fax: 676-8118merlbal@hawaiiantel.net

Filipino Community Center, Inc.Geminiano Q. Arre, Jr. PresidentSuite 302Office: 680-0451 Mobile: 520-1450Fax: 680-7510gqajunior@filcom.org

Filipino Community Vision CenterDr. Calvin AlonzoSuite 102Office: 677-7222 Mobile: 497-5446Fax: 677-3300dalonzo@yahoo.com

Hawaii Energy Connection, LLC Suite 213 Chris DeBone, Managing Partner Mobile: 352-7828 Fax: 524-7365 chris@hawaiienergyconnection.com

Ten

ants

FilCom News Vol. V, No. 1 January – March 2011 Page 7

FilCom News StaffersJan – Mar 2011

Contributing Writers

Serafin “Jun” Colmenares, Jr.Carolyn W. Hildebrand

Layout and Design

Corie O. Fulgencio-Arre

Circulation

Tess QuemadoArceli Rebollido

The Filipino Community Center, Inc.94-428 Mokuola Street, Suite 302Waipahu, Hawaii 96797 Place

Stamp Here

Filipinos for

Japan

In pours generosity from various

parts of the world for Japan as the

country strives to survive from the

devastation brought by two of nature’s

wrath— the devastating earthquake and

the terrifying tsunami, and man’s deadly

legacy— the radioactive fallout.

A stranger not to the hardships and

torment disasters bring to their victims,

the spirit of Bayanihan readily sprung

from the hearts of Filipinos, who, in

their humblest of ways, shared whatever

they could, believing that no one is too

poor not to give, or rich enough not to

receive.

Fellow Filipinos and brothers of

different ethnic origins were able to

raise approximately $5,000 during a

disaster relief fundraising effort

facilitated by the FilCom Center last

March 19, 2011. The funds will be

given to the Japanese Red Cross via the

American Red Cross after the Filipino

Fiesta and Parade this May 2011, with

the hope of raising more for Japan.

Many thanks to all who responded.

Now let us pray, unceasingly.

FilCom Mission Statement

Our mission is to develop, own and operate a community center that provides

social, economic and education services, and to promote and perpetuate

Filipino culture and customs in the State of Hawai'i.

Community Programs

• NCLEX Review Classes

Conducted by the Nursing

Advocates and Mentors, Inc. (NAMI)

• Smart Seniors Program

• Computer Classes

- Basic Computing

- Word Processing

- Spreadsheet

- Digital presentation

- Internet/Web Surfing

• Himig at Indak Ballroom

Dancing

• Banda Kawayan

• Filipino Folk Dancing

• Martial Arts: Karate & Escrima

• Filipino Fiesta and Parade

• Pasko sa FilCom

• Filipino for Kids Summer

Program

• U.S. Citizenship Classes

For program details, please call

(808) 680-0451