23 April 2015 - The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) headed by this year’s President, Mr. Paul Alimbuyao, had its 25th Trade Mission to the Philippines from February 08 to 17.
The delegation was co-headed by Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui, Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin and FCCH President Paul Alimbuyao.
The delegation, composed of more than 30 Hawaii businessmen and associates includes County of Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. Their itinerary includes Metro Manila, the municipalities of Daet and Labo, Camarines Norte, Cebu and Palawan.
Represenratives from the Department of Tourism and Rajah Travel welcomed the delegation upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Also present to meet the delegation are Manila representatives Ambassador Antonio Villamayor and Hon. Daniel Victoria.
Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui who co-led the Trade Mission arrived in the late evening of the same day together with Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. They were met at the airport by FCCH President Paul Alimbuyao, the Consulate General’s Protocol Officer Jeffrey de Mesa and Trade Mission member Joey Alcantara. Lt. Governor Tsutsui and Mayor Carvalho were also welcomed at the Dignitaries Lounge by representatives of the airport’s Public Affairs Office and the Department of Tourism.
The delegates were billeted at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati.
On behalf of the delegation, Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui offered a wreath at the Dr. Jose Rizal shrine on February 09 at the Luneta Park hosted by the City of Manila represented by Councilor Edward Maceda.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the City of Manila hosted a luncheon inside the walled city of Intramuros, together with Councilor Maceda, Ambassador Antonio Villamayor and Hon. Daniel Victoria.
The delegation also visited Consuelo Foundation, an organization that has invested more than $75 million dollars in over 125 organizations/groups for programs for children, youth, families in the Philippines and Hawaii, especially for disaster victims.
In the afternoon, the group called on Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay at the Coconut Palace, and toured the whole complex. The Vice President also hosted a dinner at the Coconut Palace and designated his daughter, Senator Nancy Binay to represent him. Also with the Senator is her spouse, Mr. Pepito Angeles.
On February 10, the group toured the Malacañan Palace Museum. Chief of Presidential Protocol, Ambassador Celia Anna Feria facilitated the museum tour. The delegates, who are mostly first timers at the museum, expressed their awe and appreciation of the tour.
After the tour at the Palace, the delegates went shopping at the famous Greenhills Shopping Center located at Ortigas Avenue.
The FCCH and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held a business forum and a welcome dinner reception for the delegates at the Grand Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel. The forum was an opportunity for the participants to interact and network with their counterparts and further strengthen the business links between the Philippines and Hawaii. Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV was a guest speaker of the event.
Daet Mayor Tito Sarion hosted the delegation on February 11 with his remarkable hospitality. A parade and excellent performances of cultural dancers greeted the group upon arrival, along with hundreds of flag waving students lined up the streets.
The delegation also participated in a business workshop organized by the municipality, which was attended by businessmen, politicians and friends from Daet and neighboring municipalities. Lt. Governor Tsutsui was also formally inducted as an adopted son of Daet.
Labo Mayor Joseph Ascutia greeted the delegation with a barrage of bands playing their masterpieces and students and townfolks flooded the streets and compound of the municipal hall to greet the trade mission delegates.
During the business workshop at the municipal hall, Mayor Ascutia gave a briefing to the group regarding products and services available in his jurisdiction. Labo’s rich natural resources include gold, iron, nickel, magnetic sand, copper, lead, manganese, forest and high value agricultural products. Labo is a first class municipality and have the potential for investment purposes due to its strategic location being at the center of the province of Camarines Norte. Labo is the most populated town of the province. It is also the agricultural center as well as potential investment destination and promotion center for trade, business and commerce.
The day was capped by a dinner with cultural dances hosted by Mayor Ascutia at the municipality’s convention center. The guests were treated to a tinikling dance performance by Hawaii’s Lt. Governor Tsutsui and Consul General Jamoralin.
The 25th Trade Mission delegates also visited Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes with Rotary Club of Mandaue East President Lorna Carteciano at the Mandaue City Hall on February 13. It was followed by a dinner reception hosted by the Rotary Club of Mandaue East. During the reception, Lt. Governor Tsutsui, Consul General Jamoralin and Mr. Paul Alimbuyao witnessed the turnover of 12,000 books donated throught the “Book 4 Kids” project initiated by Mr. James Handsel of the Rotary Club of Kapolei East, Honolulu, Hawaii with its counterpart, the Rotary Club of Mandaue East.
Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale hosted a dinner reception for the delegates on behalf of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III at the Provincial Capitol of Cebu. Also present during the reception were former Chief Justice and Ambassador Hilario Davide, Jr. and Madam Gigi Davide.
After the Cebu visit, Hawaii Lt. Governor Tsutsui returned to Manila for his departure going back to Hawaii.
A meeting between Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez and the 25th Trade Mission delegates took place at the Governor’s office. Also to share Cebu’s business insights and opportunities is Mr. Bart Duff, President of the Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. The highlight of the meeting was a formal signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the FCCH and Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Governor Alvarez and Consul General Jamoralin witnessed the signing.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron hosted a dinner for the delegates at the Hotel Centro. Topics discussed during the dinner were tourism and trade opportunities for the people of Hawaii and Puerto Princesa. END