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ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUNG FIL-AMS RECOGNIZED IN DR. JOSE RIZAL YOUTH AWARDS

21 December 2015 - Thirteen young, outstanding Filipino-Americans were recognized for their academic excellence and community service during the Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards on December 17 at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Now on its 23^rd year, the annual award recognizes students from the elementary, high school, and undergraduate levels in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area who epitomize the values of the Philippine National Hero.

This year’s awardees were the following (grade levels during AY 2014-2015):

·               Trina Sophia LaFortune – 3^rd grade, Holy Spirit School
·               Rebecca Verba Honigford – 4^th grade, Our Lady of Good Counsel School
·               Gerard Gonzaga – 6^th grade, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School
·               Regina Verba Honigford – 6^th grade, Our Lady of Good Counsel School
·               Arianne Arizala – 7^th grade, Redland Middle School
·               Adeline Christelle Baban – 8^th grade, St. John Academy
·               Justin Francis T. Bustamante – 8^th grade, St. Peter’s School
·               Janelle Gonzaga – 9^th grade, Freedom High School
·               Nicholas T. Mañalac – 9^th grade, Fairfax High School
·               Jed Paolo Dela Torre – 10^th grade, Benjamin Banneker High School
·               Joseph Brandon B. Gopiao – 10^th grade, Lake Braddock Secondary School
·               Allan James Phillips – 11^th grade, Oakton High School
·               Jenniber Marie R. Palo – graduate level, Bowie State University

In his keynote address, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. talked about Rizal’s life and urged the awardees to continue learning more about the hero after whom the award is named.

“Jose Rizal’s accomplishments were never achieved before by a Filipino during that time. He realized his potential and he never allowed life’s hardships to stop him from serving his family, fellow men and country. His poem ‘To the Filipino Youth’ appeals to the youth of the past, the present and the future to realize their dreams and be the best that they can be in the service of the greater good,” said Ambassador Cuisia.

He added, “I strongly encourage all of you, especially as Rizal Youth Awardees, to learn more about our national hero by studying his life and reading his works.”

Col. Shirley S. Raguindin, Chief of NGB Diversity at the National Guard Bureau, offered inspirational words to the awardees. In her address, she shared how she aimed high in her studies and career and shared a quote from 11-year-old Nkosi Johnson from South Africa, encouraging the young individuals to make the most out of what they have.

“Do what you can in the time that you have, in the place that you are,” said Col. Raguindin.

Three of the awardees shared essays they wrote which were used in the selection process.

Now a 5^th grader, Rebecca Verba Honigford from Our Lady of Good Counsel School read her response to the question “If Dr. Jose Rizal could don his Batman suit, what would be his first big task?”

Meanwhile, 7^th grader Regina Verba Honigford responded to the question, "Can you describe how the Filipinos lived during Dr. Jose Rizal's time?"

 Nicholas T. Manalac, now in 11^th grade at Fairfax High School answered the question, “Ever the man of peace, how would Dr. Jose Rizal resolve the issue of gun violence in the US?” Jenniber Marie Palo of Bowie State University read her essay on Rizal’s opposing views regarding the Katipunan.

Awardees and guests were also treated to a violin performance by the Baban Trio made up of siblings Ace, Troy, and Adie Baban.

The Dr. Rizal Youth Awards is a joint project of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC) and the Embassy of the Philippines.

PAFC is a non-profit organization formed in 1996 which sponsors charitable, educational, cultural, and emergency assistance projects to help improve the quality of lives of people in the community.

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HISTORIC INAUGURAL SAKADA DAY PAYS TRIBUTE TO LIVING SAKADAS IN HAWAII

23 December 2015 - Before an audience of nearly 350 individuals comprising of US and Philippine government officials, Hawaii legislators, military officials and members of the Filipino community in Hawaii, 14 living sakadas, who were in their late eighties to nineties, were honored during the inaugural Sakada Day Celebration held at the Hawaii State Capitol on December 20, 109 years after the first arrival of sakadas, or plantation workers, in Hawaii in 1946.

House Bill 604, “Relating to Sakada Day” was signed on 09 April 2015 by Hawaii Governor David Ige. The said bill, which designates December 20 of every year as “Sakada Day”, recognizes and honors the pioneering achievements and courage of the first Filipino sakadas and their contributions to the history and development of Hawaii.  An enactment ceremony of H.B. 604’s signing was held last May 22.

Hawaii Vice Speaker John Mizuno authored HB 604 in 2014 with inputs from Dr. Belinda Aquino, Professor Emeritus of the University of Hawaii, at the initiative of Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin who first suggested the idea of a special “Sakada Day” in Hawaii to Hawaii House Speaker Joseph Souki. The said bill received unanimous support from both the Hawaii State Senate and House of Representatives which led to its signing into a bill.

The Sakada Day celebration was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and the major Filipino community organizations Congress of Visayan Organizations (COVO), Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH), Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC), United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH), the Filipino Community Center, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) and the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Hawaii Chapter and other sponsors.

During the Sakada Day celebration, Consul General Jamoralin, Hawaii Governor David Ige, US Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Representative Eric Singson of the 2^nd District Ilocos Sur gave remarks expounding the significance of the occasion and highlighting the contributions of the sakadas to a modern, multicultural and multi-ethnic Hawaii society.

Ms. Emme Tomimbang, a multi-awarded broadcast journalist, herself a sakada descendant, showed excerpts of her film “Aloha with Mabuhay” which described the history of sakada migration in Hawaii.

To honor of the living sakadas, certificates were given to each sakada by the Philippine Consulate General, the Government of the State of Hawaii, the Offices of US Senators Brian Schatz Mazie Hirono and Representative Gabbard,  the Hawaii Legislature, the Office of the Mayor of Honolulu and City Council of Honolulu.  In addition, the descendants of sakadas, who attended the program were also recognized.

The 110^th celebration of the arrival of sakadas in Hawaii is being planned for 20 December 2016.