Press Release 98-2015

(22 December 2015, Honolulu, Hawaii) Celebrated Filipino National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera donated a special sakada painting titled “First Migrants” to the Philippine Government through the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu in an official turnover and signing ceremony at the Philippine Consulate General on 21 December 2015.

The said special art work was unveiled during the Inaugural Sakada Day Celebration held on 20 December 2015 at the Hawaii State Capitol. The celebration honored fourteen (14) living sakadas, who were in their late 80s to 90’s, for their pioneering spirit and courage as well as their contributions to the development of modern Hawaii and whose descendants formed the nucleus of the Filipino community in Hawaii , now the largest ethnic group in the state.

Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin received the donation on behalf of the Philippine Government and, together with Mr. Cabrera, the donor, signed the Deed of Donation during the official turnover and signing ceremony.

The ceremony was witnessed by Representative Eric D. Singson of the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur, commissioned Mr. Cabrera to create the special painting in commemoration of the Sakada Day celebration. Also serving as witnesses were Mrs. Grace Singson, Ms. Alya Honasan, Senior Writer at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ms. Annie Sarthou and officials of the Candonians of Hawaii association.

A reception in honor of Representative Singson and Mr. Cabrera hosted by Consul General Jamoralin followed the turnover and signing ceremony, in the presence of guests from the Hawaii government, academe, business, media and Filipino community. Consul General Jamoralin also presented Mr. Cabrera with a certificate of appreciation for his donation of the special sakada painiting and “for his patriotism and dedication to Filipino culture and the arts and for bringing pride and honor to the Philippines and the Filipinos all over the world through his talent and artistry”.

Mr. Cabrera also presented a slide show of his major art works with nationalistic theme, which can be found in the Bencab Museum in Baguio City.

Among the attendees were Hawaii Vice Speaker John Mizuno with his wife Ms. May Mizuno, President of the Congress of Visayan Organizations, Attorney David Roy, Deputy Chief Counsel of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and his wife Maria, Mr. Jon Matsuoka, President and CEO of Consuelo Foundation, Dr. Denise Konan, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Social Sciences, Ms. Karen Knudsen, External Affairs Director of the East-West Center, Mr. Phil Sabado, a Filipino American artist from Maui and his wife, Christine.

Violinist Ginetta Banica from Bucharest, Romania serenaded the guests with an ensemble of Filipino songs as they partake of the salu-salo prepared by the Philippine Consulate General. (END).

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (left), on behalf of the Philippine Government, and Filipino National Artist Ben “BenCab” Cabrera sign the Deed of Donation of the special sakada painting. Serving as witnesses were (standing L-R) Mrs. Grace Singson,  Representative Eric Singson, 2nd District Ilocos Sur and Ms. Annie Sarthou.

Philippine National Artist Mr. Ben Cabrera thanks the community and the Philippine Consulate for the warm welcome and shares his sentiments on the significance of the Sakada Day for Filipinos in Hawaii.

Photo opportunity with guests, Rep. Singson and Mr. Cabrera.