L-R: Consul General Joselito Jimeno and Hawaii Governor David Ige (leftmost and center photos, respectively) give their messages for the occasion; (Rightmost photo) Consul General Jimeno and Governor Ige toast to the enduring Philippines-US relations (Photos by Mark Salondaka)

(13 June 2018, Honolulu, Hawaii) - In celebration of the 120th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the Filipino community in Hawaii, led by the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH), in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, staged a Philippine Independence Day Gala on 9 June 2018 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The annual commemorative activity was attended by around 350 guests from the Hawaii State Government and members of the Filipino community.

In his Independence Day message, Philippine Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno underscored the significance of the occasion, noting how our heroes have fought hard for the freedom that we are currently enjoying. In response, Hawaii Governor David Ige, conveyed his appreciation for the Filipinos in Hawaii, and expressed that his government will continue to work towards the strengthening of Philippines-Hawaii relations.

Consul General Jimeno and Governor Ige offered a toast to the enduring and robust relations of the Philippines and the United States and to the good health and prosperity of its peoples.

The Philippine Independence Day Gala featured a fashion show which showcased the best Filipiniana collections of four (4) topnotch Filipino designers – Philippines-based Richard Papa, Edgar Madamba and Edgar San Diego, and Filipino-American, Paris-trained designer based in Hilo, Hawaii, Iris Gil Viacrusis.

Modeling Filipiniana attire are (L-R): First Lady Dawn Ige and Governor Ige; Hawaii Senator Donna Mercado Kim; Hawaii Senator Will Espero; and a model wearing bridal wear created by Iris Gil Viacrusis. (Photos by Mark Salondaka)

Elevating Philippine fashion before Filipino and foreign audience alike was a special segment through a “celebrity fashion show”, where Governor Ige and First Lady Mrs. Dawn Ige, led a group of state officials, prominent Filipino American leaders and influencers in modeling Filipiniana attire from the collection of the 4 Filipino designers.

The main spectacle and most awaited part of the celebration was the fashion show of Honolulu-based models, who wore specially-designed ethnic and modern wear through use of Philippine native, indigenous weaves, as interpreted by the 4 designers. (END).