April162013 Issue

YEAR 25 N O . 11

APRIL 1-15, 2012

Serving • Oahu • Maui • Big Island • Kauai • Molokai • Lanai

PAGE 2 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • APRIL 16-30, 2012

APRIL 16-30, 2012 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • PAGE 3

BY MARY LLANOS CORDERO

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1987 PUBLISHER / EDITOR MARY LLANOS CORDERO ASSOCIATE EDITOR ATTY. PHILMUND LEE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR LEO ROJAS GOZAR DIRECTOR OF DESIGN ARMAND BUSMENTE PRODUCTION MANAGERS J. ESPIRITU ALICE LLANOS BUSMENTE PHOTOGRAPHERS AMANDA T. BUSMENTE ATTY. PHILMUND LEE WEB DESIGNERS MITZI GAY BUSMENTE MARIVIC ARCEO ADVERTISING MARY L. CORDERO ANABEL G. CABEBE FLORENCE TAN MCCOLLOM LYDIA KAMIYA JONI REDICK-YUNDT RUDY BAUTISTA MARYNEL VALENZUELA PHILIPPINE BUREAU MINDA GALANG MERCEDITA URBANO ERNIE URBANO, ESQ. C

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ABOUT LAST NIGHT ALICE LLANOS BUSMENTE AROUND TOWN ZENY MUYOT ISLAND MOMENTS EMME TOMIMBANG ISLAND SCOOP ANABEL GASMEN CABEBE THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! NANCY BERNAL ENTERTAINMENT JUNETTE DIAZ ILOCO SECTION RAFAEL ALIMBUYUGUEN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DARRELL ASATO CESAR G. BONILLA SILAYAN LAARHOVEN CASINO ROSE CHURMA RADIANT MARIE CORDERO BRANDON DELA CRUZ ELLICE FLORES IMELDA GASMEN LEO ROJAS GOZAR GREG MACABENTA GLADYS MENOR BENNETTE MISALUCHA JENNY QUEZON ABELINA MADRID SHAW MARYNEL VALENZUELA CIRCULATION MANAGERS FLORENCE TAN (OAHU) RON OSHIRO (LEEWARD OAHU) DAVID CORDERO, SR. (MAUI) ALLAN CLORES (KAUAI) MARYNEL VALENZUELA (KAUAI) MILLI ASUNCION (BIG ISLAND) LEGAL COUNSEL ALFREDO G. EVANGELISTA, ESQ.

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Kudos to the House of Finance!

In his recent “State of the State” address before a joint session of the Hawaii State Legislature, Governor Neil Abercrombie reported a favorable fiscal outlook compared with the past year when the state faced an enormous deficit. The good governor reported that we can now boast of a balanced budget and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, certainly a step forward despite the looming global uncertainties that continue to hound the nation as well as the global economy.

One other good news for Hawaii is the 3.4 percent growth in visitor arrivals resulting in an additional $5 billion to our economy.

Still, the nation as a whole has not escaped from the repercussions of the financial crisis that spawned threats of recession and high unemployment rates, further aggravated by the sovereign debt crisis in Europe that paint a gloomy global scenario in the years to come. The US economy remains burdened by slow growth, runaway budget deficits of more than $1 trillion, and a still sluggish housing market.

It cannot be overemphasized that there is an urgent necessity to perk up the economy and thwart off the threat of recession. Certainly there is a need for initiatives that have a substantial multiplier effect on the economy if we are to move towards higher growth rates. One such option is to step up construction activities.

And because there seems to be a dearth of private investment and construction, the government must prioritize construction projects and public infrastructure that would provide jobs for a good number of people, thus spurring economic growth.

And yet despite the prevailing gloomy national and global scenario, we are certainly pleased when we hear of businesses that are able to rise above all these challenges.

Certainly, the House of Finance can proudly declare that “From day one, House of Finance has always been profitable.” No, these are not merely empty words, as Mr. Roland Casamina, president and owner of House of Finance has time and again proven.

We are not surprised to hear that the House of Finance owes its long-standing success

House of Finance staff with Roland Casamina. to another Filipino-American who has made a name for himself in the financial world.

As an indication of his business acumen, Mr. Casamina tells us that “there has never been a bad month for us even during the recession in the 90s and in 2008.” As a licensed nondepository financial institution, the House of Finance was included in the 2011 listing of ranked residential loan

companies in the Pacific Business News, landing in No.15 in the entire state of Hawaii, and competing successfully against all mid-size banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers and hundreds of lenders. Now that it has moved to a new and bigger office building, it is hoped that this will open more doors and opportunities for the House of Finance in today’s highly competitive world of

financing. No doubt, with the strong support system from his wife Evelyn and his son Matthew, House of Finance will continue to prosper and rise above any adversities for many more years to come!

The House of Finance exhorts us to “Let our house be your foundation.” We say "AMEN" to that and moreover, let that foundation contribute to nation building in this time of global financial turmoil.

PAGE 8 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • APRIL 16-30, 2012

APRIL 16-30, 2012 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • PAGE 9

Reducing Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

By DAVID SAYEN

Lion Dance Troupe entering open space.

The House of Finance Grand Opening On Saturday, January 21st House of Finance hosted a Grand Opening for their new home, welcoming about 500 guests. The visitors started arriving around 3 pm. The ribbon-cutting took place around 4 p.m., followed by a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Present for

the ribbon-cutting were Roland and Evelyn Casamina, Eddie Flores, Lt. Governor Brian Schatz, Mayor Peter Carlisle, Mrs. Chieno Sugihara, and Caesar Casamina, also a board member.

All eyes turned when the lion dance troupe arrived.

Two lions danced throughout the building, covering all the rooms and both floors. Guests were handed

little red envelopes to place fortune money into, which were then “fed” to the lions.

Kids who experienced this for the first time had mixed emotions, some crying, others laughing.

In the adjacent empty office space, people were mingling and standing in the buffet lines for Hawaiian and local food, fresh made sushi, and a chocolate foun-

Evelyn Casamina and former Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

Roland with his proud parents, Santos and Flora Casamina.

tain with fresh fruit.

Outside under the tent, tables and chairs were set up, as well as a bar at the back of the tent. Over the course of the afternoon, the program included several segments. During one part, Roland expressed his gratitude to his many real estate agents and brokers with whom House of Finance has been working over the years. Also, his eldest daughter, Clarisse, was instrumental in designing a new logo for House of Finance. She had flown in from Washington D.C. just to assist her Dad in unveiling it at the Grand Opening.

As the sun set and evening approached, some guests stayed to continue the celebration. Congressional candidate and former mayor, Mufi Hannemann, graced the party with a few

songs. Roland’s good friend, Stan Olayan, also took the mic, accompanied by Leoncio “King” Casamina and his band with Joel Tolentino as the DJ. A few friends from the FilCom Center community stayed to dance the night away.

The future plan for House of Finance is to continue the quality of service and excellent interest rates, for which it is known. The personal touch in servicing his clients seems to go a long way. They want to ensure clients keep coming back and continue referring new customers.

As a new season begins, please join the Fil-Am Courier in extending House of Finance best wishes for continued vitality and growth.

Heart disease and stroke have reached epidemic levels in our country. Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans; stroke is the fourth leading killer. One of every three deaths in this county is caused by cardiovascular disease.

That’s why Medicare is helping to lead the Million Hearts campaign, a national initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions. The most

common one in the United States is coronary artery disease, which can trigger heart attack, severe chest pain, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat. Genetics, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise can contribute to heart disease.

Stroke is a brain attack that occurs when blood flow to the brain becomes blocked. This can be caused either by a blood clot or by a burst blood vessel in or around the brain. Lack of blood flow during stroke can cause portions of the brain to become damaged, often beyond repair.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare recently began covering new preventive health services to help people with Medicare

reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Starting this year, Medicare will pay for one faceto-face visit each year so that Medicare beneficiaries can discuss with their care providers the best ways to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

The visit must be with your primary care provider, such as your family practice doctor, internal medicine doctor, or a nurse practitioner. And it has to take place in settings such as your primary care provider’s office.

During the visit, your doctor can screen you for high blood pressure and give you advice on how to eat a healthy diet. The idea is to empower people with Medicare to make heart-healthy lifestyle changes.

Medicare also now

covers counseling to help people with Medicare lose weight if they’re obese. An estimated 30 percent of the men and women with Medicare are obese.

If you’re obese based on your body mass index, you’re eligible for face-toface counseling sessions with your primary-care provider for up to a year.

In addition to the above services, Medicare pays for counseling to help people with Medicare stop smoking and to manage diabetes, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The good news is that most major risk factors for heart disease and stroke are preventable and controllable. These factors include inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and high

cholesterol.

What can you do to reduce your risk? A good first step is talking to your doctor about your heart health and getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Many other lifestyle choices—including eating healthy, exercising regularly, and following your doctor's instructions about your medications—can help protect your heart and brain health.

Ask your doctor, too, if taking an aspirin each day is right for you.

For more information about the Million Hearts campaign, and about Medicare’s healthy-heart and other preventive health benefits, go to www.Medicare. gov.

PAGE 10 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • APRIL 16-30, 2012

Rose Cruz Churma

HONOLULU—The Filipino Community Center (FilCom) has selected Rose Cruz Churma as its new president and CEO, effective March 16, Edmund Aczon, Chairman of the FilCom board of directors announced today. Churma takes the place of Geminiano “Toy” Q. Arre, who retired after seven years at the helm of the FilCom Center, the largest

facility of its kind in the country.

Churma, who heads her own architectural firm, DesignLab, and was most recently a contract administrator at the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, rejoins FilCom where she had served as executive director in 19982001. She was instrumental in shepherding the Center’s building process, acting as project manager and overall administrator for public and private grants that provided the majority of construction funding. Churma has also served on the FilCom Board and has been a past president of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, where she has chaired several trade missions to the Philippines.

She also serves as the volunteer executive director of the Hawaii-Philippines Business & Economic Council, an affiliate of the Filipino Chamber. She was recently

APRIL 16-30, 2012 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • PAGE 11

elected to serve on the board of the Filipino Association of University Women.

“As the FilCom nears its tenth anniversary this June, we thank Toy for his strong leadership that has brought financial and operational stability to FilCom,” said Edmund Aczon, chair of the Filcom Board of Directors.

“He has been invaluable to the Center and to the community it serves and we wish him the best in his retirement years.”

“Rose brings to the FilCom creativity, enthusiasm and determination to take the Center to the next level,” said Toy Arre. “I want to thank her in advance for launching our next 10 years with the many people who have supported the FilCom Center during our

first decade.”

“I look forward to working with our many partners to strengthen our services and programs for young people, the elderly, and the general community; increase the involvement of our valuable volunteers; and provide more opportunities for cultural, educational, and business growth for our communities,” said Churma.

Churma lives in Kaneohe with her husband Tomas, daughter Grace, and grandchildren Makana and Isaiah.

She is a graduate of St. Theresa’s College and Saint Louis University in Baguio City, Philippines. After immigrating to Hawaii in 1976, she taught math at Saint Louis High School and worked as a planner for Space Man-

agement Consultants and Aotani & Associates, Inc. At DesignLab, which she founded in 1987, she completed more than a hundred projects for institutions and government agencies in Hawaii, the US Mainland, and Pacific Rim nations including the Philippines.

The FilCom Center, the largest facility of its kind in the country and outside of the Philippines, opened on June 11, 2002 as a long-awaited symbol of Filipinos’ presence and contributions to Hawaii.

The FilCom Center serves thousands of people through its programs and events each year. For more information, visit www.filcom.org.

PAGE 12 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • APRIL 16-30, 2012

APRIL 16-30, 2012 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • PAGE 13

Western Union Introduces

“$50 for $5" A Convenient Gift-Giving Solution for the Philippines To facilitate long-distance gift giving solutions, The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, recently introduced “$50 for $5,” its new promotion from the United States to the Philippines.

Starting today, consumers can send up to $50 from participating U.S. Agent locations to loved ones in the Philippines for a $5 transfer fee.* As part of the Western Union Moving Money for Better global program, the new transfer fees help facilitate gifting solutions for consumers who send money more often and to more loved ones, no matter the occasion or how small the amount, to the Philippines.

“Moving Money for Better” branding concepts focus on Western Union® products and services as solutions to create ‘moments of better.’ While sustaining the company's 160-year history of innovation and helping people improve lives, the new branding elements depict visual timelines that invite consumers to be a part of the worldwide campaign.

Shirleen Velasquez, director of product management, Western Union, said, “The Filipino market is very family-focused and with the new Western Union money transfer fees, consumers can send the gift of cash more often to celebrate life’s milestones — from birthdays and baptisms, to school fees, regular support or emergency situations, and even graduations, weddings, and anniversaries.”

The gift of cash through

Western Union is the perfect present for all occasions.

This new pricing also enables consumers to send the gift of cash and show their love to more family members and friends — whether for a graduation present to a niece, a birthday present to an aunt, a wedding gift to a high school friend or a gift to a younger brother to buy clothes for his first day at work. With more than 44,000 Agent® locations in the U.S. and more than 8,000 Agent locations in the Philippines, Western Union is close to loved ones who want the gift of cash.

For more information or current exchange rates, call 1-877-PERA-ITO or visit www.westernunion.com.

ABOUT WESTERN UNION The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of December 31, 2011, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of 485,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2011, The Western Union Company completed 226 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $81 billion of principal between consumers, and 425 million business payments.

For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

By GORDON ROBERTSON

Philippians 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything; instead, p ra y a b o u t e ve r y t h i n g . Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all that He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

The dictionary defines peace as: the absence of conflict or hostilities, harmony, good will, unity, tranquility, rest, comfort, quietness, and stillness.

Yet peace seems to be in short supply in our world today. Whether we're thinking about the headlines from around the globe, or the needs in our own life — peace can be scarce, while worry, fear and concern seem to easily take over our thinking.

God has not left us to struggle with anxiety and hopelessness. He has made a very simple way for us to enjoy true peace. We find this peace when we come to Him and rest quietly in His presence. Look at the definition of peace again.

What a beautiful description of what we enjoy in our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Because of all that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf, we have peace with God. And because we are in Christ, God sees us as His perfect children; His peace and protection are promised to us in abundance.

There is no great mystery to entering into this peace. Make time to get alone with God. Meditate and speak aloud the verses you find in the Bible. Then just be still before God. Ask Him to take every burden and care from you. You can even picture yourself giving Him each problem that you face.

You can ask God to speak to your heart. Tell Him you need His encour-

agement today. And then take time to be quiet before Him. I promise you this: God is faithful. He will exchange your worries and cares for His peace when you spend time in His presence.

The Bible tells us that in God's presence is fullness of joy. There is great help awaiting you there. He will

restore your soul. He will give you strength. He will scatter your enemies. He wants you to know Him, and the power of His might.

The world will do all it can to keep you busy, frazzled, tired and empty.

The greatest discipline

By LINDA BOND you will ever discover is to pull away from the demands

of everyday life and spend time with your Savior. All that you need for life and godliness is there. Don't spend another day outside of His life-changing peace.

In closing, here's another verse to meditate on: Psalm 16:8-9, 11 "I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for

He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts His praises! My body rests in safety...You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

PAGE 16 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • APRIL 16-30, 2012

APRIL 16-30, 2012 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • PAGE 17

Four Hawaii UH Philippine Eskrimadors Studies Center to Qualify for USA Team present

Kabataan, Dapat Inyong Suportahan

‘Ethnisyncracies’

By CESAR G. BONILLA and RADIANT CORDERO

Diether Ocampo has graced the screens of Philippine Cinema and television since the 90’s. In spite of all his successes such as being dubbed “Best Drama Actor” twice and nominated twice again in that same category. Diether Ocampo was born in Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines. This man of German and Chinese ancestry attended De La Salle University Dasmarinas. He was then discovered when he auditioned for ABS-CBN's talent search in 1995. He was being managed by the well-known director, actor, writer and Star Magic head Mr. Johnny Manahan when he started his career as an actor at ABS-CBN. Being one of the best actors in the silver screen, was awarded by Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation as the Most Promising Group, a recognition worthy to be cherished in the movie world. Diether has found the time to give back to the children of the Philippines. The Bacoor, Cavite native’s passion was to help improve the lives of Filipino children and in November of 2006, that passion became a reality.

Ramon Carlos Castro Jr., Edgardo Bautista Jr., Ma. Karina H. Tanega, and Diether founded the Kabataang Inyong Dapat Suportahan Foundation Inc. (K.I.D.S.) and is referred to as the “KIDS Foundation” in short. These four friends aim

to preserve and protect the rights of Filipino children and to safeguard the child’s right to be a child and to improve the lives of them, as they are the future leaders. The founders saw it as a way to "give back to the society that has been good to them, and to show the world that there are no limitations when it comes to realizing dreams."

They are committed volunteers who have established a nurturing, God-centered environment that is also fun.

The foundation provides scholarship grants, fundraising activities, and conduct various charity works that would benefit the children who are affiliated with K.I.D.S. Existing Programs and campaigns are: 1. R.E.D. Undernutrition 2. Isang Milyong Aklat, Isang Milyong Pangarap 3. Out of the Streets, Into the Courts 4. A Trek to Remember 5. Medical Aid and Merienda Parties to PGH, POC & other government hospitals that caters children's needs.

On February 28, Diether Ocampo, along with Vice Speaker of the Hawaii State House of Representatives Joey Manahan, visited both KNDI Radio 1270 AM and KPHI Pinoy Power Radio 96.7 FM in Honolulu to discuss a movement of outreach partnership to the Filipino and Filipino-American community in Hawaii. At KPHI, Diether was accompanied by the

The Golden Gate Stickfighting Nationals and World Championship Qualifier event was held in San Francisco on March 24, 2012. Four Bandalan Doce Pares-Hawaii students competed in single-sticks, double-stick and forms categories.

Damien Castillo, 10-12 years old division won silver and gold medals; Joshua Calacay, 16-17 years old division won 2 silver medals; John Saludez, 18-19 years old division won silver and bronze medals; James Reponte Jr., Sayaw (forms)

Seated L-R: Rosemarie Aquino, Radiant Cordero and Cesar Bonilla. Standing L-R: Emmie Anderson, Johnny Miro, Gene Albano, Rep. Joey Manahan, Diether Ocampo and Kathleen Kobashikawa.

Vice Speaker Joey Manahan of the Hawaii State House of Representatives and Radiant Cordero, one of the Ten Outstanding Young Filipinos in Hawai'i, and KPHI CEO Emmie Ortega-Anderson, Cesar G. Bonilla, Rosemarie CayananAquino, and Kalayaan Mrs. Philippines Hawaii World USA 2012- 2013 Kathleen Cayanan Kobashikawa. Diether shared that the connection of Hawaii and the Philippines is a strong one and encouraged donations and overall support to the children of the Philippines through the Kabataang Inyong Dapat

Suportahan Foundation, Inc. Diether’s passion to help the children of the Philippines exudes through his noble actions and as Confucius says,

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

Visit their website at ww w.kidsfoundation.org.ph

division, won a silver medal.

All four qualified for the USA team and will compete in the 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Championships to be held this July in Cebu, Philippines.

Eskrimadors from 28 countries will participate in the World Championships, which are held every two years.

The students are under the instruction of Master Robert Garcia and Grandmaster Alfred Bandalan, of San Jose, California. Garcia is a four-time world champion.

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The University of Hawaii Center for Philippine Studies, along with the House of Dance Company, will present ‘Ethnisyncracies’ on April 21 at the Mamiya Theatre of the St Louis Center for the Arts in Honolulu.

‘Ethnisyncracies’ is a repertoire of dance creations and interpretations by choreographers, dancers, cultural workers, and teachers of House of Dance, a company based in the Philippines and known for its cutting-edge artistic rendition of ethnic and contemporary dances and movements.

The twin performances, one in the afternoon, and another in the evening, are in celebration of the International Dance Month held each April all over the world.

‘Ethnisyncracies’ reestablishes the intricate, almost inseparable, link between the art of dance and culture.

It explores what it terms as the idiosyncratic character of the Philippines, and thus, the dances that its culture produces.

The show plays up— and is premised on—the interplay between the indigenous in the Filipino and the colonial in Philippine cultural history, with the first part memorializing in delicate and lyrical move-

ments the indigene and the second part recasting the traditions, rites, rituals, and religious ceremonies that would reshape the indigenous Filipinos’ view of themselves, their world, their relationships, their culture, and their various communities.

The House of Dance has had a long history of successful artistic perfor-

mances, and their ‘Ethnisyncracies’ is their first-ever major concert in Honolulu.

A lecture by a dance professor from the University of the Philippines will be held before the performance.

For details and tickets, please call Clem at 9566086. Tickets are at $15 and $10.

PAGE 18 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • APRIL 16-30, 2012

Joey Alcantara with friends, the Duavit family, Ms. Rosanna, wife of GMA 7 Kapuso Pinoy TV President Gilbert "Jimmy" Duavit, Jr., Atty. Ev, wife of Congressman Joel Duavit, and Ms. Margie, wife of Congressman Jack Duavit.

L-R: Jenny Quezon, Fara Jane Flor, Rep. Rida Cabanilla, Benedith Gudoy Ventura and Adela Salacup representing Mrs. Edith Gudoy for the Benjamin Gudoy Foundation Scholarship awards at the Terno Ball on March 3, 2012 at the Ala Moana Hotel.

APRIL 16-30, 2012 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • PAGE 19

San Nicolas Goodwill Foundation officers and members' meeting at Filipino Community Center on April 1, 2012.

Beautiful contestants of "Lady In Red" Ball on February 11, 2012 at Hawaii Prince Hotel.

Letty Saban visited Machu Picchu, a Sanctuary Lodge in Peru recently with her good friends.

"Himig at Indak" members performed at the Terno Ball on March 3, 2012 at Ala Moana Hotel.

The endearing positive feedback regarding the Hawaii Filipino Women's Club's 38th Annual Terno Ball on March 3, 2012 swiftly sent the officers and members off to cloud nine!

Over two hundred twenty guests were impressed with the whole ambiance, the dance floor plan and the brief program including the presentations of the certificates to six deserving organizations and two prestigious foundations, then the costume contests, which provided the right environment for the celebration, fellowship and ballroom dancing for all until almost midnight.

The evening's host was Rosemarie Mendoza, the invocation was given by Dr. Estrella Pada Taong, Mar Lopez and Pike Velasco were the national anthem singers.

A special vocal presentation "Pilipino" was presented by Himig at Indak. The Welcome Address was done by Vice President Nelly Pongco Liu. Presidents of the six organizations accepted the certificates on stage, as President Jenny Quezon read the brief descriptions of the community service projects and achievements of each one. President Susana Berardy/Filipino Business Women's Club, President Maria A.F. Etrata/ Filipino Women's Civic Club, Immediate Past President Gladys Menor/Gumil Oahu, Everlasting Travel/Edith Gudoy was represented by her daughter to receive the Hawaii Association of Filipino Travel Agents (HAFTA), Incoming President Lydia Daquioag/INCAT, Beatrice

Rosemarie Mendoza, Marvin Buenconsejo Mr. Barong 2012, Nancy Walch Miss Terno, Jenny Quezon and Carmen Cabreros.

Hawaii Filipino Women's Club (HFWC) 58th Anniversary and 38th Annual Terno Ball

By JENNY ALCONCEL QUEZON

Ramos Razon, Founder and President of Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc. received the awards for

NAMI. Both of the Benjamin Gudoy Foundation and Renato and Maria A.F. Etrata Foundation received the legislative certificates for their outstanding contributions to the Filipino Community.

For the Members Only Contest, Mrs. Dolly Ortal won 1st place, Nelly Pong-

co Liu, 2nd place and Angie Borromeo captured the 3rd place spot. Out of thirteen contestants, Marvin Buenconsejo, Communications Director for Congresswoman Mazie Hirono was selected Mr. Barong 2012 with his two tone gray barong, Tony Saramosing came in 1st

Runner Up, Bien Pascua won 2nd Runner Up, Pike Velasco came in 3rd Runner Up. Consolation trophies were given to Rodolfo Ibay, Jaime Magbual, Vernon Rivera, Larry Ramirez and Ben Pulido.

There were twenty six contestants vying for the Miss Terno 2012 title. Mrs. Nancy Walch with her heavily beaded black Terno with multi-colored flowers easily won the Miss Terno 2012 title. Naty Miyat won 1st Runner Up, Dana Low, 2nd Runner Up and Lucky Tan Vital came in 3rd Runner Up. Consolation trophies were awarded to Gladys Menor, Joy Agni, Hedelina Hernandez, Maria Etrata, Thelma Zales.

Officers and members of Hawaii Filipino Women’s Club are: President Jenny Alconcel Quezon, Vice President Nelly Pongo Liu, Secretary Carmen Cabreros, Treasurer Erlinda Cantorna, Auditor Davelyn Ancheta Quijano; seven Members of the Board of Directors: Baybee Hufana Ablan, Amy P. Alejo, Angie Borromeo, Ruth Pasion Llacuna, Lina B. Mercado, Letty Tesoro Saban, Maria Torio; and 7 members Cirvalina Longboy, Dolly Ortal, Flora Pasion, Adela Salacup, Dr. Estrella Pada Taong, Fe Edita M. Velasco, and Cecilia Villafuerte round off the roster for 2011-2012 directory.

HFWC members volunteered for the Aloha United Way sorting of school supplies for needy students, served dinner for the Institute of Human Services, feed the Hungry program at the Shelter for Women and Families, donated funds to Hawaii Food Bank, Aloha United Way, Aloha for Japan, Filcom Center, and more recently to the American Red Cross for the Sendong Typhoon Relief program.

HFWC members: L-R: Carmen Cabreros, Davelyn Quijano, Ruth Llacuna, Nelly Pongco Liu, Jenny Quezon (President), Dr. Ella Pada Taong, Dolly Ortal, Angie Borromeo and Fe Velasco.