26 May 2015 – Filipino entrepreneurship and academic excellence were highlighted in this year’s awarding of the 2015 Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year (FEOTY) and Scholarship Awards on May 16 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. The awards are given to deserving Filipino-American high school graduates who will be pursuing college education in 2015.

Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin, together with Honululu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Hawaii State Senator Clarence Nishihara, Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) President Paul Alimbuyao, helped hand over the certificates to the winner of the Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year Award, First Pacific Builders owner Anacleto S. Alcantara. Mr. Alcantara won over five successful Filipino entrepreneurs in Hawaii. Since 1963, the FCCH has awarded  104 scholarships to outstanding Filipino-American high school seniors throughout the State of Hawaii.  These outstanding high school seniors have enrolled  in prestigious universities such as  Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Dartmouth, University of Southern California, Notre Dame, Pennsylvania, UCLA, Washington and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

This yearly event has motivated the Filipino business community in Hawaii to strive for excellence and to inspire others to open their own businesses  while keeping the business community’s commitment  to education.

In her remarks, Consul General Jamoralin commended the FCCH for recognizing the achievements of the Filipino entrepreneurs in Hawaii  and at the same time, giving back to the Filipino community through educational scholarships. Consul General Jamoralin also took the opportunity to promote the 10th Ambassadors, Consuls Generals, & Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) and the upcoming Philippine Food Fair, a joint project of the Philippine Consulate General with the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH). Mayor Caldwell, recalled in his remarks the warm Filipino hospitality he experienced during his past visits to the Ilocos region and invited the Filipino-American community  to join the 10th ACGTDT. END