03 November 2016 – The oldest umbrella Filipino-American organization in  Hawaii, the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) founded in 1959, held its Re-Affirmation Ceremony and 2016 UFCH Progress Awards Program to honor 15 outstanding Filipino community leaders and Hawaii State officials at the Pacific Beach Hotel Grand Ballroom in Honolulu on October 22.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, was awarded the “Ating Kaibigan” Award by the UFCH for his longstanding friendship and support for the Filipino community in Hawaii. UFCH awarded members of the Filipino community for their contribution and achievements in the fields of agriculture, education, government service, community service, labor & construction,  travel & hospitality, arts & entertainment, entrepreneurship, healthcare &  medicine, law & jurisprudence, and media & communication. The other two major awards presented were the “Lifetime Achievement Award” and the “Juan Dionisio, Sr. Lifetime Service Award”, the latter in honor of former Philippine Consul General to Hawaii, Juan Dionisio Sr.

Philippine Consul General to Honolulu Gina Jamoralin delivered her inspirational message for the community. Mayor of Kauai County, Bernard Carvalho, officiated the re-affirmation ceremonies for the new set of UFCH officers led by it new President, Mr. Jimmy Iloreta. END