Happy Father’s Day! Thank You Dads for All Your Love and Support

Out of all the important roles in society, many would put fatherhood among the top. Glorious, inglorious, loaded with selflessness, pressure and responsibility – fatherhood is a tough job of a lifetime. How a father fulfils this role, there must always be context to consider. For many in our Filipino community, our fathers are immigrants dealing with transition, assimilation and often experience discrimination because of their accent. The immigrant status adds extra stress onto fathers, who also must be a financial provider in Hawaii, one of the most expensive states in the nation.

Fathers are our security blanket growing up. He is usually tasked to bring order to the family as the prime disciplinarian. But especially in contemporary times, the disciplinarian father must find a reasonable balance between enforcing rules strictly and instead inspiring our children to do what’s best. In the latter, our father is a teacher of life who guides his children to understanding the big important things that matter like love, justice, fairness, truth. And on practical matters like how to earn a living that can be both satisfying and prosperous.

For most fathers, their parental guidance is truly rooted in love. But as imperfect as human beings are, fathers often do not communicate as effectively as they should; and children often misinterpret or get confused about what is expected of them.

In the older traditional ways, a father might have been raised to believe that parents do not owe their children an explanation on certain matters. To them, too much talking or questions from their children is an act of defiance and entitlement. For their children, particularly among the youngest generation, such thinking by their fathers is archaic, a cause of friction, even perceived as abusive.

Most households still have both parents present

Without a doubt, households with two parents sharing responsibilities and resources contribute to a more stable and secure environment for their children.

Data from the 2016 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement shows of the 11 million families with children under age 18, and no spouse present, the majority are single mothers (8.5 million). Single fathers comprise the remaining 2.5 million single parent families. Married couples make up 68 percent of all families with children under age 18, compared to 93 percent in 1950.

Using data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 2018 five-year estimates, Stacker ranks Hawaii as a state among the lowest rates of single-parent households. The total of single-parent households is 30,418 (6.7% of all households), single mom households: 21,225 (4.6% of all households, #50 highest among states), single dad households: 9,193 (2.0% of all households, #43 highest).

Stacker did not break down data of single parenting by race in Hawaii. But we can infer that Filipinos follow the overall trend of less single parenting in Hawaii compared to the mainland, which is encouraging for the family unit.

Higher rates of single parenting in other studies Black and Hispanics have higher rates of single parenting, which could explain or at least contribute to both these groups lower educational attainment. Generally, students from stable households tend to go on to college. And higher levels of education usually correlate to higher income earning potential and a host of other socio-economic benchmarks.

Therefore, going forward the active presence of a fa-

From The Publisher

It t feels like we were just welcoming 2023 but here we are already halfway into the year. At this mark, two significant events come to mind in late June: 1) the beginning of summer, and 2) Father’s Day celebration.

For our cover story this issue we interviewed three Filipino families who are well recognized in our community – the Joaquins, the Casaminas and Judy Ilar to see how they typically celebrate Father’s Day. Dr. Nicanor Joaquin and his family prefer celebrating earlier in the day by attending church, followed by a poolside luncheon and video conference with his children living on the mainland. For Roland Casamina (President of House of Finance) and his family, Father’s Day is an all-day affair from breakfast to dinner. Judy Ilar, daughter of Jerry Ilar, said her father likes to keep things simple and is contented with a phone call or brief visit from his children. What’s special about this article is the stories told of these community leader-dads. From all of us at the Chronicle, Happy Father’s Day to all our dads. Thank you for all that you do.

To complement our cover story, HFC columnist Seneca Moraleda-Puguan submits “Honor Thy Father.” HFC’s Carlota Hufana-Ader contributes a special Father’s Day Chronicle pulse. Ader also wrote a feature on a new Filipino Radio Station. Award-winning entrepreneur Imelda “Emmie” Collado Ortega Anderson launched 104.7 FM in April 2023. Best of luck to our fellow Filipino ethnic media in Hawaii.

HFC columnist Elpidio Estioko submits an important article “Philippine Independence: A Must Lesson for Everyone.” The Philippine Independence Day traces back over a century ago when the Philippines – after three centuries under Spain’s rule –declared independence on June 12, 1898. Then, it took years for the Philippines to gain independence from the United States, on July 4, 1946 through the Treaty of Manila.

HFC’s Rose Cruz Churma reviews “A MAN AND HIS MUSIC, An Autobiography of Angel Pena.” Angel Pena joined the Honolulu Symphony in 1969 and for the next 20 years played as a double bassist, becoming the musical arranger for the symphony’s Starlight Concert Series.

The big national news is on new legal charges against former President Donald Trump. HFC columnist Emil Guillermo submits “The Trump Indictments Unsealed and Why Won’t Waltine Nauta Flip?” Waltine Nauta, Jr. works for Trump at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club and could be involved in the top classified files case.

In local news, Gov. Josh Green signed a new law that strengthens keiki health protection against unlawful tobacco products which includes electronic smoking devices and e-liquids under the term “tobacco products.” Kudos to Gov. Green, lawmakers, the Department of Health and all advocates who pushed for this important legislation.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Remember HFC is published online at www.thefilipinochronicle.com for your convenience. Thank you for supporting the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle. Until the next issue,warmest Aloha and Mabuhay!

ther-and-mother household bodes well for our Filipino community.

Father’s Day

Typically, when asked specifically what people are thankful for on Father’s Day, often we hear something like, “My father was my role model growing up. He taught me by example how to overcome challenges, how to be strong, to believe in myself, and that I could do and be anything I want.”

We commonly hear children expressing a desire to be like their father and mother in most cases. However, often it takes maturity before children can fully understand and appreciate effective parenting.

This Father’s Day we encourage our community to cele-

Publisher & Executive Editor

Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.

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Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

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