PRESS RELEASE - 95 - 2018

Consulate officials together with members of the academe and Filipino community

(28 November 2018, Honolulu, Hawaii) – As part of its effort to empower Filipinos in Hawaii, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu launched an initiative to encourage the establishment of more endowment funds that will benefit Filipinos under its jurisdiction. The Consulate convened a meeting with Filipino educators and potential donors on 27 November 2018 at the Philippine Consulate General with the goal of raising more funds and awareness on the need to support higher education of Filipino students.

Dr. Patricia Halagao, Professor and Chair of the Department of Curriculum Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) at Mānoa, spoke about the academic performance of Filipino students in the K-12 program of public schools based on the results of standardized tests conducted by the Department of Education. Dr. Pia Arboleda, meanwhile, elaborated more on the projects and programs of the Center for Philippine Studies (CPS) at UH at Manoa. Two (2) degree holders from the CPS were also present during the meeting to share about their experiences as Filipino students in Hawaii and their personal journey to become graduates of the Filipino program of the CPS.

During the meeting, Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno encouraged successful members of the Filipino community to give back and establish endowment funds that will provide scholarships to students, especially those taking law, medicine, engineering, and education courses. The community was encouraged to place funds in support of the programs of the CPS. The idea of tapping the resources of all Filcom organizations to build a stand-alone structure that will serve as the edifice of CPS at UH was also raised. This project will give Filipino organizations in Hawaii the opportunity to come together and work towards a common cause that will benefit the whole community and bring pride to Filipinos.

The meeting last 27 November 2018 is the start of intensified efforts that the Consulate will take, with the cooperation of the Filipino community, in engaging and empowering Filipinos in Hawaii. END

Consul General Joselito Jimeno discussing the Consulate’s vision for the Filipino community in Hawaii