PRESS RELEASE - 85 -2019
(30 October 2019, Honolulu, Hawaii) - The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu organized Filipino community engagements for Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Francisco P. Acosta and his delegation as part of the Ugnayan sa Hawaii from 20 – 27 October 2019.
On 21 October 2019, Secretary Acosta met with Filipino Community leaders and former CFO Presidential Awardees at Max’s of Manila Restaurant. Eighteen community leaders, representing the umbrella organizations in Hawaii, attended the event. A number of Presidential awardees were also present.
His remarks to the Filipino community leaders and former CFO awardees focused on the Presidential Awards. Saying that “there is no substitute for Filipinos themselves in helping their fellow Filipinos,” he highlighted the role of Filipino organizations as the primary support of other migrants. As such, he said that the CFO is constantly looking for ways to empower, strengthen and support Filipino organizations overseas. He also expressed the hope that the next round of awards in 2020 will see more awardees from Hawaii.
He also thanked Filipinos in Hawaii for their contributions to the CFO’s Linkapil or Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino program, which provides a means for the transfer of various forms of resources from overseas Filipinos to support small scale, high impact projects to address PH’s social and economic development needs. Based on CFO data, contributions from Hawaii amount to Php 60 million, of which most have been for health-related initiatives and medical missions.
On 24 October 2019, Secretary Acosta engaged with Filipino and Filipino-American students at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. The event was organized in collaboration with the University of Hawaii-Manoa Center for Philippine Studies. On the same day, a Kapihan with Filipino Young Professionals in Hawaii was conducted at the Philippine Consulate General. On both occasions, Secretary Acosta’s message was on reconnecting the youth, particularly the second and third generation of Filipinos to their roots, rediscovering their identity as Filipinos, and contributing to strengthening the linkages between the Philippines and Hawaii.
During all the engagements, Secretary Acosta stressed the importance of overseas Filipinos in disseminating the Philippine government’s advocacies and the positive developments in the Philippines. He said that President Duterte has recognized their contributions to the Philippines’ development story and echoed the latter’s call for unity and inclusivity by quoting what the President said “Walang iwanan. Lahat sama-sama.”
The CFO delegation also explained and showed Powerpoint and video presentations on a number of their programs, including YouLead, PesoSense, Balinkbayan, Linkapil, and the Presidential Awards/Gawad Pangulo. (END)
PHOTO RELEASE
Secretary Francisco P. Acosta (middle front row) with Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno (4th from left front row), Madame Araceli Jimeno (3rd from left front row), officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate, CFO officials, Filipino Community Leaders and CFO Presidential awardees in Hawaii
Secretary Acosta giving his remarks during the Filipino Community Meeting
Ms. Janet B. Ramos during the CFO presentation
Secretary Francisco P. Acosta (middle front row) with Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona (3rd from left front row), Consul Grace Anne G. Bulos (2nd from left from row) CFO officials, Director for Center for Philippine Studies (CPS) UH Manoa Dr. Pia Arboleda (2nd from right standing), Educational Specialist CPS UH Manoa Ms. Clemen Montero (3rd from right standing) and the Filipino-American students of the University of Hawaii-Manoa
Director Arboleda welcoming Secretary Acosta and the CFO officials
Secretary Acosta briefing the Fil-Am students on CFO programs for the youth
Secretary Francisco P. Acosta (5th from right front row) with Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno (5th from left front row), officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate, CFO officials, and the Filipino Young Professionals in Hawaii
Secretary Acosta giving his remarks at the Kapihan with the Filipino Young Professionals in Hawaii
Mr. Warner A. Dawal during the CFO presentation
