PAGE 2 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • JULY 1-15, 2016 THE FIL-AM COURIER • JULY 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 3 Bennette Espineli Misalucha SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1987 PUBLISHER Mary Llanos Cordero MANAGING EDITOR Bennette Espineli Misalucha WHERE ARE OUR YOUNG LEADERS? DIRECTOR OF DESIGN Armando Dela Cruz Busmente “The secret message communicated to most young people today by the society PRODUCTION MANAGER around them is that they are not needed, that the society will run itself quite nicely Alice Llanos Busmente until they — at some distant point in the future — will take over the reigns. Yet the ASSISTANT EDITOR fact is that the society is not running itself nicely… because the rest of us need all Radiant Cordero the energy, brains, imagination and talent that young people can bring to bear down COPY EDITOR on our difficulties. For society to attempt to solve its desperate problems without the Danielle Evangelista full participation of even very young people is imbecile.” — Alvin Toffler PHOTOGRAPHERS/GRAPHICS Brandon dela Cruz The Philippine Consulate Noah Felipe lanai was the venue for this Gabe de Liso Jeff Orig year’s annual Oahu Filipino James Ramos Community Council (OFCC) COLUMNISTS convention. Edna Alikpala Alex Vergara, the current Rhoda Yabez Alvarez, Esq. Jesse Bacon II President kept the Nancy Bernal convention’s official matters Cesar Bonilla Alice Llanos Busmente on point as the conferees Amelia Casamina Cabatu eagerly listened to the issues Anabel Gasmen Cabebe Dr. Rickie Camara presented. This was the end Dr. Patricia Halagao of Manong Alex’s two year Zeny Muyot Angie Santiago term, but as the deliberations Perfecto Yasay Jr. continued, one could not tell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS his era was ending as his Conrad Abuel enthusiasm did not seem to Ric Agnes Paul Alimbuyao wane. As many can agree, Ria Baldevia Manong Alex has done a good Eriza Bareng Marnelli Joy Basilio job. Bernie Caalim I looked around and Randy Cortez Radiant Cordero spotted many recognizable Mary Cruzada faces in the audience. There Jaime de Jesus Brandon dela Cruz was Nana Maggie Domingo, Christian Evangelista the iconic octogenarian whose Imelda Gasmen The Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) during one of their meetings. Veronika Geronimo incredible influence in this Leo Gozar community stems from her a beehive of activity as he I know that we have of Bernadette Fajardo, who Ben Gutierrez Kathleen Lee radio broadcasting roots ably represented his group promising young people who will be installed during a Carmela Minaya dating more than fifty years. while serenading attendees are very capable. I see them banquet on July 16th. Written Gladys Quinto Marrone Gladys Menor There was Cecilia to the OFCC convention with on social media doing by our Courier contributing John Pagaragan Villafuerte, the indefatigable his smooth rendition of amazing things and even writer Jaco Gallarde, the Paola Rodelas Judy Relosimon community volunteer who is romantic standards. There going on quests to discover article maps out Bernadette’s Sandra Sagisi great at organizing major were so many others that their Filipino roots. I am even path to leadership. Nicole Velasco Jason Ubay events despite being busy day—each of them are inspired by the tremendous As Bernadette will tell you, MichiVillaruz with her real job as a leaders in their own unit efforts they expend to make I had something to do with NEIGHBOR ISLAND BUREAU mortgage banker. I saw Letty organizations—and as I the world a better place, as her start in the Filipino Maui Saban who blazed the trails smiled and nodded in their most millennials are inclined community. It was during my Kit Zulueta Jeremy Zane as a travel agent in the years direction, they acknowledged to do. term as President of the before Expedia became me with a smile. With every But why were they not at Filipino Chamber (1999-2000) Big Island Mil Asuncion popular, and who continues to smile, my heart swelled with the OFCC Convention? Why that I invited her to get Jane Clement get excited about forming warmth and aloha. It was as don’t I see them involved in involved. That year, she Dr. Margarita Hopkins women’s groups. I had a if their faces blurred into a other Filipino organizations? immersed herself in the Kauai chance to chat with Edna general feeling of positive What is that “divide” all Chamber and I even surprised Virgie Cruzada Liza Trinidad Alikpala, whose role as a vibes, and somehow I felt about? And is being Filipino her when I gave her the Marynell Valenzuela new grandma takes her away enveloped in a feeling of enough to bridge the gap award for the Most ADVERTISING SALES to Oregon for long periods of familiarity. between those born in the US Outstanding Member! That MarivicAldaya time, but whose heart is In short, I was with family. and those born in the was almost twenty years ago, Mary Cordero Annabel Cabebe always in the right place in I have been involved in Philippines? and to her credit, she Florence Tan McCollom Hawaii so by that token, has the Filipino community as a Have we made an effort continued on that path Lydia Kamiya Joni Redick-Yundt always been a reliable volunteer for thirty years, and to invite the young people to culminating in her present Rudy Bautista community work horse. Also had the opportunity to work our events? Or are we waiting Chamber’s role. Marynel Valenzuela present was business wiz with a number of these for them to come on their own Cultivating the next CIRCULATION Maria Etrata, current people. For many, our free will to participate in the generation of leaders is what Florence Tan (Oahu) Ron Oshiro(Leeward Oahu) President of the United community ties have led to task of community building? a leader does. David Cordero (Maui) Filipino Community Council more intimate bonds and I I dare say this is I challenge our community Marynel Valenzuela (Kauai) Milli Asuncion (Big Island) (and many other have invested personal important: during every leaders to cultivate relationships with many of event, every initiative, we relationships with our young LEGAL COUNSEL organizations, too many to Alfredo Evangelista, Esq. mention) and whose these folks, who are my need to ask the question: people. Do not be afraid to Atty. Ernesto Urbano (Phils.) generosity to community manongs and manangs. Have we as community reach out to the locals (those THE FIL-AM COURIER needs also make her one of But a nagging feeling still leaders INVITED our young born here) – these young is published twice a month by the most sought after persisted. people to have a seat at the people may not necessarily OAHU RELOCATION SERVICES located at 2221 Liliha St. attendee in every Filipino Then it hit me. Where are table? As my mom used to share our immigrant Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 function. I scanned the room our young people? Why are say, whoever is the adult experiences, but it is up to us Opinions expressed by the columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Fil-Am and my eyes fell on Nancy they noticeably absent at the needs to be the one to to make them aware of our Courier. Publisher reserves the right to edit letters to the editor and other material submitted. Repro- Walch, who has the energy convention? initiate. issues. duction of material and ads appearing in the Fil-Am courier is forbidden without written permission. All of three people, as she tries With the exception of One group that has a But it takes two to make photos submitted become the property of the Fil- Zhoydell Magaoay, a past history of reaching out to the this work. We need the young Am Courier. to juggle academic work, her Telephone: 808.595.8787 successful business and President of the Filipino young people is the Filipino people to also step into the Facsimile: 808.595.6883 community commitments. Jaycees and Raisa Polido, Chamber. In fact, I am glad light, and be willing to E-Mail: [email protected] past Miss Young Teen Filipina, to note that their incoming participate. www.filamcourier.net Close to where I was sitting, and the new Miss Oahu President, Bernadette The collaboration MEMBER I spoke with Lynn Guttierez, the retired school teacher Filipina, there was no one Fajardo will be reaching out between the young and the HFAMC Federation of Filipino American Media Associations who is finding her new normal there who could be to integrate them as part of experienced always makes for of the United States and Canada as a widow. That day, Ramon characterized as the future of her program of work. a better outcome. FFAMAS Sumibcay, President of a our community. In this issue of the Hawaii Filipino American Media Council nurses association, was also Courier, we feature a profile All rights reserved printed in the u.s.a © PAGE 4 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • JULY 1-15, 2016 By JACO GALLARDE Our cover.... This elegant photo of Bernadette Fajardo, the incoming President of the Filipino Chamber was taken during the 2014 Maria Clara Ball. Photo Credit: DAR RAMOS PHOTOGRAPHY/ABS-ABN of Pasig Rizal, Philippines Cover Concept by Noah Felipe of Orig Media. Mahalo to Jeff Orig of Orig Media. Both Jeff and Noah can be reached at www.origmedia.com or by calling (808)447-9559. Relevant. Impactful. has been a driving force in “Imagine a wave Sustainable. Transparent. the community and the coasting down the ocean,” These are the driving Chamber, commitments she offered Fajardo, “and the words of Bernadette attributes to her love of wave has an energy that Fajardo, who will be installed serving humanity.