04 June 2015 - Five young Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams) who recently completed the three-month Ilocano language program, the first of the two-part iLAING project, (Ilocano Language Acquisition and Immersion for the New Generation), are all set to embark on a two-week, all-expense paid, immersion trip to the Philippines from June 09 to 20, as an incentive for being among the top five students of the Ilocano language course conducted from March to May 2015.

Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin received the students in a courtesy call at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu on June 01. Bryant Acoba, Christian Alimbuyao, Kendrick Go, and Laetitia Mahoney expressed their excitement for the upcoming trip and conveyed their sincerest appreciation to the Consulate General and its partner organizations and sponsors for creating the iLAING. They noted the importance of being able to speak the Ilocano language and appreciating one’s Filipino heritage.  Devani Gaoing-Agbayani, one of the top five students, was unable to join the courtesy call but was represented by her grandmother, Letty Saban.

Consul General Jamoralin also presented the students with Certificates of Commendation for successfully completing the Ilocano language course and for being chosen to participate in the immersion trip to the Philippines.

Philippine Airlines Manager Maria Soledad Solleza also awarded the students with free roundtrip airfare as incentive.

The students were also given a briefing by the Consulate General and Ms. Bernadette Fajardo, Coordinator for the iLAING Program, on their upcoming immersion trip, which includes a visit to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, visits to cultural sites, producers of one-town-one product (OTOP) merchandise, schools and tourist spots in Ilocos, and courtesy calls on high-level government officials of Ilocos.

iLAING is a project initiated by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu with its partner organizations: the FilCom Center, Candonians of Hawaii, Offices of Ilocos Sur Representative Eric Singson and Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson, and sponsors Etrata Foundation, Philippine Airlines and Western Union. END