Community… In Action

Send your community briefs to info@filamvoice.com. This month’s column is compiled by Alfredo G. Evangelista.


Dance International Foundation
From July 18–23, the Foundation and WEKAF Hawai‘i will play host to the Unity in Diversity: Honoring Hawai‘i’s International Culture and Arts and 15th World Escrima Kali Arnis Federation Championships at the Lahaina Civic Center from (WEKAF) Championship Tournament. The cultural displays, international performances and dance lessons will feature and honor Hawai‘i’s immigrants and plantation legacy. The WEKAF championships will include Forms, Padded Stick, Padded Daga, Single Stick, and Double Stick. For more information, contact Madelyne Pascua at 268-0686.

Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce/Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The Chamber is preparing for its Annual Gintong Pamana Leadership and Scholarship Awards Banquet which will be held on Wednesday, June 13 at the Maui Beach Hotel, at 5:30 p.m. Sponsorship information and dinner tickets may be obtained from Event Chairperson Elsa Segal at (808) 276-6946 or Event Co-Chairperson Jeanice Paa at (808) 357-2303.

Honored that evening will be the five Gintong Pamana Leadership Awards recipients:

Saturnina Balasan is a dynamic and hardworking community and church leader. A retired nurse, she has dedicated her time and energies to serve and lead the parish community of Christ the King Church in Kahului. In 2017, she led the Lady of Manaoag Prayer Group, organizing prayer rallies, block rosary and family prayer sessions and novenas throughout the year that intensified the Catholic faith in Kahului. She also initiated successful fund raising activities for the parish.

Aris Banaag is the Univeristy of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Personal Support Counselor providing crisis intervention and promoting health and wellness throughout the campus. He is also the Behavioral Intervention Team leader and runs the PAU Violence program which brings awareness and advocacy on issues relating to domestic and other forms of violence. For many years, he has chaired the Suicide Task Force for Maui County. He is also a veteran, a proud member of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, and a Basketball/Track coach at King Kekaulike High School.

Edward Baldonado Garcia is currently the Vice Principal of the ‘Īao School in Wailuku. A lifelong educator, the first eight years of his career were spent in the classroom, teaching Elementary School on O‘ahu and Maui. He then took on a new challenge, becoming a counselor for Maui Waena Intermediate for nearly a decade before returning to the classroom at the ‘Īao School and rising to his current position. He is an active leader in the state teachers union (HSTA) and the Maui County Democratic Party.

Chris Rabang is a 20 year veteran of the hospitality industry, with a successful track record of providing leadership and management and providing world class guest service. Through hard work and dedication, he rose from Director of Housekeeping at the Westin St John Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands to General Manager of the newly completed West Nanea Ocean Villas. He presently serves as Chair of the University of Hawai‘i Maui College Campus Hospitality Board.

Jo-Ann Marie Yap’s career has been dedicated to guiding the youth and preparing them to lead productive lives. For over 30 years, she has been a home economics teacher at Iao Intermediate School in Wailuku. For over 25 years she has been an active and recognized Cheerleading coach, taking teams to national championship level competition and inspiring a generation of cheerleader and cheer coaches. With the University of Hawai‘i Maui College, she is currently involved with the TRIO Educational Talent Search, a program that helps grade 6–12 students prepare for their future college and professional careers.

Also honored that evening will be the eighteen Scholarship recipients:
Shanelle Ancheta, daughter of Celso Ancheta and Grace Ancheta. Shanelle will graduate from Maui High School and attend the University of San Francisco, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovations. Ancheta will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Levin Gil Bonilla, son of Lee Bonilla and Gina Irene Bonilla. Levin will graduate from Maui High School and attend the University of Hawai‘i Maui College, majoring in Dental Hygiene. Bonilla will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/ Maui Island Cozy Dental Scholarship.

Mary Jicel Butac, daughter of Fernand N. Butac and Marilyn G. Butac. Mary will graduate from Maui High School and attend the University of Hawai‘i Maui College, majoring in Nursing. Butac will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Chealsey Corpuz, daughter of Fortunato, Corpuz Jr. and Carolyn Corpuz. Chealsey will graduate from Maui High School and attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, majoring in Biology. Corpuz will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Joanna Corpuz, daughter of Joel Corpuz and Mabel Corpuz. Joanna will graduate from St. Anthony High School and atted Seattle University, where she will major in Pre-Sciences. Corpuz will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Darrian Cremer, son of Brian Cremer and Jocelyn Cremer. Darrian will graduate from Baldwin High School and attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he will major in Civil Engineering. Cremer will receive a $1,000.00 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Ray-Anne Mae Godoy Dela Cruz, daughter of Reynaldo Dela Cruz and Anelyn Ulep. Ray-Anne will graduate from Baldwin High School and attend the University of San Francisco, majoring in Business Management. Dela Cruz will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship/Megan, Meredith & Mallory Bagoyo Scholarship in Business.

Camille Kimoto, daughter of Jon Kimoto and Geri Kimoto. Camille will graduate from Baldwin High School and attend San Diego State University, where she will major in Marketing. Kimoto will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Tony Orlando V. Lazo, son of Moro Virgilio M. Lazo and Maria Praxedes V. Lazo. Tony will graduate from Maui High School and attend Grand Canyon University, where he will major in Biology. Lazo will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Emily Mitra, daughter of Ramon Mitra and Michelle Mitra. Emily will graduate from Baldwin High School and attend California Baptist University, where she will major in Architecture. Mitra will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Jaymar Caluntad Quedding, son of Marlon S. Quedding and Marites C. Quedding. Jaymar will graduate from Maui High School and attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Quedding will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Trisha Mae Rapacon, daughter of Jusant Rapacon and Milagros Rapacon. Trisha will graduate from Maui High School and attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she will major in Hospitality and Tourism. Rapacon will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Tante & Araceli Urban Foundation Scholarship.

Remy Romo-Valdez, daughter of Miguel Valdez and Raynette Romo-Valdez. Remy will graduate from Maui High School and attend the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where she will major in Sustainable Science Management. Romo-Valdez will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Elle Cochran Scholarship.
Katherine Swor, daughter of Tita Ann Swor. Katherine will graduate from Baldwin High School and attend Saint Martin’s University, where she will major in Education. Swor will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Rev. Walter Baloaloa Memorial Scholarship.

Taylor Tagud, son of Bert Tagud and Myrna Vinoray Tagud. Taylor will graduate from Maui High School and attend Seattle University, where he will major in Administration of Justice. Tagud will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Richard “Pablo” Caldito, Sr. Scholarship.

Emily Tsuhako, daughter of Ken Tsuhako and Cynthia Tsuhako. Emily will graduate from Maui High School and attend the University of North Texas, where she will major in Music Education. Tsuhako will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamnber Foundation Scholarship.

Hannah Valencia, daughter of Orlino Valencia and Leticia Valencia. Hannah will graduate from Lahainaluna High School and attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, majoring in Architecture. Valencia will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Alfred Basioa Scholarship.

Caitlin Villarosa, daughter of Rodney Villarosa and Traci Fujita. Caitlin will graduate from Baldwin High School and attend the University of California-Irvine, where she will major in Criminology. Villarosa will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Friends of Gil Keith-Agaran Scholarship.


Maui Filipino Community Council
The Council will hold the 2018 Miss Maui Filipina Scholarship Pageant on June 30 at Wailea Marriott. The Miss Maui Filipina pageant is the longest running pageant on Maui and in its 59th year and will feature five contestants this year. Pageant tickets (no dinner) cost at $30 presale, $35 at the door. Contact Event chairpersons Michelle Santos at 264-0871 and Dolores Perreira at 283-1605 for more information.

The contestants who are vying to succeed 2017–2018 Miss Maui Filipina Gabrielle Gutierrez are Vanessa Joy Baldos of Kīhei, Sheila Joy Manuel of Lahaina, Rosabelle Honey Pualei Nartates of Kīhei, Fayma Angel Domingo Sales of Pukalani, and Joylene Nina Delos Santos Tabon of Kīhei.

Disclosures: Alfredo G. Evangelista is Legal Counsel for Dance International Foundation. He is a member of the Scholarship Committee of the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation, for which he previously served as Legal Counsel (2011–2017). He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Maui Filipino Community Council (1975–1976).