15 April 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu concluded a commemoration of the 2015 Araw ng Kagitingan at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, better known as Punchbowl National Cemetery, in Honolulu. In attendance were representatives from various service branches of the US military, led by Navy Rear Admiral John Aquilino, who represented US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr.
Hawaii Government representatives were led by Governor and Mrs. David Ige, Representative Mark Takai, Hawaii Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, and Vice Speaker John Mizuno.
In her welcome remarks, Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin thanked the US federal and Hawaii state governments for their steadfast support for Filipino war veterans. She also cited several bills pending in the US Legislature such as HR 315, or the “Filipino Veterans Promise Act,” introduced by Representative Grace Meng of New York; the Senate version of HR 483, which is S.733, introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono and co-sponsored by Senator Brian Schatz; and HB 1119 introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature by Representative Romy Cachola, which provides funds for burial grants and repatriation of the veterans’ remains to the Philippines.
During the commemorative event, Representative Takai remarked, “This day is also a time to renew the historical bonds of friendship and commitment that have brought us together. It is through our shared history and remembrances like this that we strengthen our relationship.”
The Consular Corps of Hawaii was represented by Consul General Jeff Robinson of Australia, Consul General Robert Kaiwai of New Zealand, Deputy Consul General Koichi Maruyama of Japan, Capt. Yong Mo Yang of the South Korean Consulate General, Honorary Consul William Paupe of Kiribati, Honorary Consul Annie Kaneshiro of Tonga and Honorary Consul Jeffrey Lau of Belgium.
The Filipino-American veterans of the second World War (WWII), represented by Mr. Art Caleda, Mr. Ben Acohido, Mr. Bernard Jacang, and their families, were acknowledged by Consul General Jamoralin and Representative Takai in their speeches.
Governor Ige, in his speech, acknowledged the great contributions of the Filipinos in Hawaii.
He also recognized the sacrifices of the Filipino WWII soldiers in one of the bloodiest battle in history.
Mayor Ericson G. Singson, the main speaker, talked about his contribution to Philippines- Hawaii relations in the form of a formal Sister City Agreement between the City of Candon, Ilocos Sur, and Honolulu, which will be signed on May 07. END