PHOTO RELEASE NO. 135- 2024
Consul Grace Bulos (third from left) joins Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, United Filipino Council of Hawaii Foundation President Benymar Sadumiano (to the right and left of Consul Bulos), local state officials and UFCH officers during the awarding of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Ms. Michelle Santos.
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 18 November 2024 – Consul Grace Bulos represented the Philippine Consulate General at the annual Progress Awards and Reaffirmation of Commitment Gala organized by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) Foundation at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu last 16 November.
In her message, Consul Bulos thanked the UFCH for organizing the progress Awards and reaffirmation ceremony, which provide “an avenue to celebrate noteworthy accomplishments that strengthen the bonds between the Philippines and Hawaii, and inspire everyone, especially the future generation, to work together in our collective nation building efforts.”
The United Filipino Council of Hawaii Foundation (UFCHF), the statewide umbrella organization of Filipino American associations, celebrated its 65th anniversary this year. Through the Progress Awards, first instituted in 1990, UFCHF recognizes outstanding Hawaii residents of Filipino ancestry for their excellence and accomplishments in their respective fields and their contributions to the greater Hawaii community.
Sixteen Progress Awardees were honored including Alberto Belmes, owner of A & T Belmes Farms (Agriculture), Hawaii News Now host Rachel Pacarro (Broadcast Journalism), Founder, Director and Choreographer of the Linglingay Dance Group Ramon Jacob (Culture), performing artist and eventologist Edgar Dulig (Entertainment), President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jem Star Catering Jocelyn Ramelb (Entrepreneurship), President of the Normalites of Hawaii Arlene John Peralta (Gawad Pangulo), State Representative Greggor Ilagan (Government Service), President and CEO of All-Island Case Management Elsa Talavera (Healthcare and Medicine), Kahala Hotel and Resort General Manager Joe Ibarra (Hospitality), President of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii Dr. Ian Guerrero (Humanitarian and Community Service), Takitani Agaran Jorgensen and Wildman LLLP Partner Gilbert Keith Agaran (Law and Jurisprudence), founder of the Filipino Curriculum Project Marissa Halagao (Outstanding Young Achiever), Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke (Ating Kaibigan), Filipino community leader Atty. Norma Doctor Sparks (Juan Dionisio Sr., Award for Lifetime Service) and pageant coach Michelle Santos (Lifetime Achievement).
During the gala, the UFCH and UFCH Foundation Board of Officers and Governors, led by President Benymar Sadumiano, also re-affirmed their commitment to serve the organization for the next two years. (END).
