Kauai Filipino Centennial Celebrates
"Filipinos in Hawaii - 100 Years and Beyond"
Created Feb 2006 Kauai Filipino Centennial Copyright 2006 ã
Last UPDATED Aug 22, 2006
Kauai Filipino Centennial
Oscar Portugal - Kauai Community Liaison
P.O. Box 3054 Lihue, HI 96766
res: (808) 245-6566 wk: (808) 241-6630
Webpage Publisher
A Fabulous Filipino Fiesta Parade
The Centennial observation of Filipinos in Hawaii, the Kauai Filipino Fiesta opened with a PARADE on Rice Street starting at 9 am on Saturday, May 6 from the Historic County Building to the War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue. With an array of floats, decorated vehicles, walking units, special guests, and the usual components that are part and parcel of a Parade, the festivities will continue for two days, highlighted by the Miss Kauai-Filipina Pageant and a Concert by the original and legendary SOCIETY OF SEVEN for a "once-in-a-lifetime" blockbuster of entertainment. Thank you Kauai for supporting and coming out to the Filipino Fiesta. Mahbuhay!
Kumusta! or Komosta! ~ Which ever is the precisely correct way to spell it, this means, "Greetings!" which comes from the Filipinos across the State of Hawaii commemorating our Centennial Celebration in the year 2006. We here on Kauai have planned our own series of events to showcase the heritage and history of our Filipinos that are interwoven into the tapestry of Hawaii's multi-ethnic society.
Our music and dances are fascinating to hear and watch by the sheer wealth of variations that have influenced the Philippines. Our arts and our crafts have been described as phenomenally exquisite, especially in the workmanship that is evident. There will be moments, events, festivities, and occasions which will be presented both formally and informally and through formats of infinite variety. Some things will come from the grass-roots right here on Kauai, and from our talents and abilities to bring before you the finest and best we have to offer. We will also look to sources from our motherland, the Philippines, to augment our presentations with their artistry.
This Centennial is more than the highlight of a "once-in-a-lifetime" moment for us who are here at this point in time in our lives. There is that part of our state-wide theme that refers to "and beyond…" which inspires us to provide opportunities for us to invite and encourage our youth to step beyond watching from the sidelines. Likewise, we have also turned our attention to the elderly in tribute to their contributions, their sacrifice, and their willingness to pave the way for others to become masters of their own destiny.
In the process we have marshaled our energies to meet, to rehearse, to envision, and to create.
May we now take this means to invite you to be a part of our process, our dream, our vision, and our plan?
There will be functions to attend. There will be tickets to be purchased. There will be opportunities to stand up and be counted, to take stock of your heritage and your background, and to assess what you have done as a Filipino for yourself, your family, your friends and associates, and your community.
Come, and be a part of our efforts. Come, and be a part of the Filipino Centennial Celebration here…on Kauai!
Sincerely,
The Executive Officers and Board Members of
Oscar Portugal, Chairman Jose Bulatao, Jr., Vice-chairman
Allan Villaflor, Secretary Sonia Topenio, Treasurer
Ernest Pasion, Auditor
To watch press the PLAY > button.
News & Letters
Amado's 2006 Centennial Journal - Kauai Centennial Opening
Rubber Slippers in Italy - Some one nice posted this on their blog.
International conference committee calls - for papers on the Filipino Centennial in Hawaii
Labor Migration in Hawaii - Learn about how the Filipino's came to Hawaii and the United States.
Wikipedia on Filipino-Americans well definition on who we are in the USA..
Visitor as of June 5, 2006
Honolulu Filipino Jaycees - an inspiring young men and women on Oahu.
Kauai Filipino Centennial Gala Event
Visual format honoring the Centennial Awardees will serve as the centerpiece of the GALA's program in terms of the tributes being made to Kauai's Filipinos. The recipients are "representative and symbolic" of the outstanding achievements and accomplishments of all Filipinos who are a part of the Centennial history will each receive Centennial medalions.
A unique opening of the program, which will be host-narrated by Scott Lopez, Diane Melchor, Jiji Sandrowski, and J Robertson, will be the Welcome Chant which will be flashed on the video screens in English. The spoken words, however, will be in Hawaiian by Leina'ala Pavao and in Tagalog by Virgie Cruzada.
Along with featured headliner, Les Ceballos, the entertainment line up includes soloists Natalie Capino, Jovita Garces, and Chazz Sasil. The Kauai Filipino Centennial Chorale and EH, under the direction of Helen Sina will also have their go on stage as will the Kasibulan Filipino Dance Company.
A hip-hop presentation will bring contemporary moves on the stage coordinated by J.R. Longboy. Even moments for audience participation in sing-along moments, a presentation of poetry reading, and the recognition of Filipino groups and awards are also among the highlights of the Kauai Centennial GALA which features the theme: "Entertainment Extraordinaire, Kauai-style!"
GALA attendees are urged to show up at the Kauai Marriott EARLY to avoid the traffic snarls and tie ups with the huge number of people expected. Opening amenities start at 5:30 pm with buffet dinner beginning at 5:45 pm. The entertainment portion will start promptly at 7 pm.
The program also features a special rendition of an original composition entitled "O Maile Lei" which will be performed by Rhoda Libre and a contingent of Miss Kauai-Filipina title holders.
Filipinos’ roots run deep in island community
by Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden Island
Posted: Sunday, Aug 20, 2006 - 09:18:38 pm HST
Gala honors contributions
NAWILIWILI — Lynne Nagaoka, normally the human resources director at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club, donned the food and beverage uniform for Saturday night’s Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Gala.
“I’m working tonight,” Nagaoka said as she monitored the flow of people working through the buffet lines.
About 750 people turned out to celebrate one of the signature events hosted by the Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Committee.
“The highlight of this event is the recognition of the tremendous contributions made to our community by outstanding Filipino citizens,” states Kaua‘i mayor Bryan Baptiste in a printed message. “These ‘Centennial Award’ recipients truly deserve the honor they are receiving for they have had a positive influence on all our lives.”
Over 60 of Kaua‘i’s Filipino residents were honored for their contributions to the community in a range of services, from government to the arts.
Ariel Abadilla, consul general of the Philippines, states in a written statement, “The dedicated men and women of the KFCCC are to be commended for organizing this momentous centennial event in order to give honor to the legacy of the Filipino sakadas who were the pioneers of the Filipino community in Hawai‘i. This is a celebration of the hard work and sacrifices of the sakadas — a fitting example to the new generation of Filipinos in Hawai‘i to nurture and be proud of their cultural heritage and identity as a people.”
Oscar Portugal, chairman of the KFCCC, said the event was designed to showcase some of the talented Filipinos who live here and have gone on to make their mark in the field of entertainment.
“This is an evening in which we have prepared some moments of nostalgia, some moments for reflection, and even some moments for audience participation when you, too, must become a part of the essence of ‘things Filipino,’ ” Portugal said.
Gov. Linda Lingle said in her proclamation that the first 15 sakadas came to Hawai‘i on Dec. 20, 1906, to work the sugar cane fields.
The sakadas became instrumental not only in the growth of the plantation industry, but in the success of the labor movement in Hawai‘i.
Today, the Filipino community makes up approximately 24 percent of the state’s population with nearly 5,000 immigrants arriving to Hawai‘i annually, Lingle said. Filipinos contribute immensely to the social, cultural, political and economic life of Hawai‘i and their infinite vision and dedication makes them one of the most successful ethnic communities, the governor added.
Bryan Andaya, president of the United Filipino Council of Hawai‘i, said the story of Filipinos on Kaua‘i continues to inspire people.
“Over 80 years ago, Pablo Manlapit began a struggle to improve conditions for Filipino plantation workers,” Andaya states in his message.
“In 1924, Manlapit organized a strike in Hanapepe to further the struggle for Filipinos. Although it ended tragically with the deaths of 16 Filipino workers who were shot, the spirit of those who gave their lives would inspire future generations to strive for the empowerment of Filipinos.”
Andaya said exactly 50 years later in 1970, Eduardo Malapit of Kaua‘i became the first mayor of Filipino descent in the nation, solidifying the legacy of Manlapit’s struggle to empower Filipinos.
The Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Chorale, under the direction of Helen Sina, opened the festivities hosted by a variety of people including J. Robertson, Diane Andres Melchor, Jennifer Sandrowski and Scott Lopez.
Anabel Portugal, chairwoman of the souvenir book committee, said the next event in the year-long celebration will be the Terno Ball in September.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
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