PH Consulate General in Honolulu Hawaii Celebrates Filipino-American History Month
Vice Consul Andrea Christina Caymo (second from left) together with Entrepinayship founder Anna Marie Cruz (leftmost) and students of Waialua High and Intermediate School during the panel discussion, “Pinay Visionaries: Celebrating Filipina-American Women” . (Honolulu PCG photo)
HONOLULU 17 October 2019 —The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu held several activities in October as celebration of the Filipino-American History month.
To kickstart the festive month, the Consulate participated in a panel discussion with the theme, “Pinay Visionaries: Celebrating Filipina-American Women,” on 01 October 2019 at Waialua High and Intermediate School.
Vice Consul Andrea Christina Q. Caymo spoke to the students about Filipinos in the foreign service and the contribution of the Philippines in international affairs. She was joined by Anna Marie Cruz, founder of Entrepinayship, a mission-driven social enterprise that seeks to empower Fil-Am women to pursue business and professional development.
The two speakers served as examples and inspiration to the students to succeed in their academic and professional lives, regardless of their ethnic background. Furthermore, Vice Consul Caymo encouraged all students, not only those with Filipino roots, to celebrate Filipino-American History Month as understanding and appreciating other peoples’ culture helps one to become more well-rounded and open to other points of view.
Hawaii is ethnically diverse in developing openness and appreciation to various cultures among the youth, ensuring that the State remains a warm and a welcoming place. The event was spearheaded by Elizabeth Obod-Frilles, one of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) delegates from Hawaii.
On the same day, the Consulate participated in the livestreaming of “FAHM.ILY Matters: Filipino American History Month (FAHM) Signal Rock Chicago Premiere” organized by FYLPRO, Entrepinayship, Subtle Filipino Traits, and Sama-Sama Project.
A group of panelists from all over the U.S. and the Philippines came together to discuss about the issues and potentials of the Filipino-American diaspora as well as the various initiatives across the U.S. to promote culture and pride of Filipino heritage. The panelists were joined by the writer and the actor of the film “Signal Rock,” a movie that explores the multi-faceted lives of Filipinos overseas and the family they left behind. The film is the Philippines’ official submission to the “Best Foreign Language Film” category of the 91st Academy Awards.
As part of the celebration of FAHM, the Consulate together with the University of the Philippines (UP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and in partnership with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Hawaii (UPAAH), brought the UP Rondalla (UPR) to Hawaii for a series of performances from 03 to 07 October 2019 with the aim to introduce the unique music produced by a rondalla, or ensemble of string instruments, to audiences in the island.
The Consulate also hosted a series of activities from 21 to 25 October in connection with the visit of Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Francisco P. Acosta to reach out to Filipinos in Hawaii and discuss ways to promote their welfare and interests. Filipinos and Filipino-Americans comprise one-fourth of the population of Hawaii and have contributed to the culture, political, and economic development of the State.
Apart from these, various Filipino community organizations also conducted their own activities to celebrate the Filipino-American History month. Throughout October, different groups held events to bring exposure to Filipino culture, language, dances, cuisine, arts, and music. These presentations shed light on the culture of the Filipino-Americans who, over time, have imbibed the lifestyle of their new homeland but at the same time, retained the roots of their ancestors.
LAING Hawaii, a local non-profit organization, held on 05 October 2019 the second run of its Ilocano language classes this year. The group also organized a tour of the Hawaii Plantation Village on 12 October 2019 as homage to many of the first Filipino migrants in Hawaii who worked in the agricultural sector.
Tekniqlingz continued their free tinikling lessons held on 12 October for adults, 19 October for teens, and 26 October for kids. The group also performed at the Magnolia Ice Cream FAHMily Treat on 05 October at the Seafood City Supermarket in Waipahu.
Meanwhile, Pusong Filipinx organized “Pusong Filipinx, The Market” on 26 October 2019. The event featured the products and artworks of Fil-Am entrepreneurs in Hawaii. The organizers of the event also collaborated with Minasa to create a kamayan event on the same date.
On the same date, the Honolulu Museum of Art did a back-to-back screening of two Filipino films, “Ma” and “Eerie.”
Outside of Oahu, the University of Hawai’i held its annual Pamantasan Conference on 18 October 2019 at the Hawai’i Community College Manono Campus in Hilo, Hawai’i. Pamantasan is a University-wide conference which seeks to gather together students, academics, and professionals and generate discussions on how to address the needs and advance the interests of students and teachers with Filipino descent in Hawaii.
In Maui, Star Noodle held a kamayan dinner in celebration of Filipino food and its contribution to Hawaii’s culinary landscape. The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted its annual Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival on 12 October at the Queen Kaahumanu Center, featuring the popular Master Pinoy Chef contest, balut speed eating, parol making, and more. The County of Maui has committed again to raise the Philippine flag throughout the whole month of October to honor FAHM. They held a flag raising on 01 October to celebrate the start of FAHM. END
Promotional poster on the activities of the UP Rondalla in Hawaii. (Honolulu PCG photo)
Banner of the Kapihan sa Consulado with Secretary Francisco Acosta which is one of the event in celebration of FAHM. (Honolulu PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippineshonolulu.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu/.