PRESS RELEASE NO. 52-2023

12 May 2023, Honolulu – Consul General Emil Fernandez (standing, middle) delivered the keynote address in FilGrad 2023, a ceremony held annually since 2017 to celebrate the accomplishments of graduating Filipino students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Consul General Fernandez underscored that, as Filipino-Americans, the graduates represent the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines and the innovative spirit of America, embodying the Filipino values of hard work and determination, as well as the American ideals of individualism and creativity. He stressed that they are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between these two cultures. He also urged them to stay true to their roots and values, embrace their Filipino identity and celebrate the traditions and customs that have shaped them.

The program also involved the conferment of scholarship and student awards, which were made possible through the approximately US$ 100,000 grant provided to the UH Foundation through the congressional initiative of Philippine Senator Loren Legarda. They included the Leadership Award (John Jeffrey Agorilla), Academic Excellence Award (Johnson Villaflor), Community Service Award (Frances Michelle Uy) and Kinaandur & Katatagan Scholarship Awards (Maezel Geralynne Baria, Shaina Camille Bumanglag, Princess Joy Dulluog, Christian Hermoso, Shekinah Glory Hernando, Gianna Jones and Germaine Juan).  (END)

Consul General Fernandez delivers the keynote address during FilGrad 2023.

Consul General Fernandez confers the Kinaandur at Katatagan Scholarship Award to Shekinah Glory Hernando during FilGrad 2023.