Community… in action

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

Dance International Foundation
From July 19 through 23, the Foundation and WEKAF Hawai‘i will play host to the Unity in Diversity: A Cultural Gathering and the 15th World Escrima Kali Arnis Federation Championships in Lahaina.

“We’re very excited to bring to Maui this world championship. This is a first for Hawai‘i. Over 300 participants are expected to attend from the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Canada,” said Madelyne Pascua, president of Dance International Foundation. In 2016, Dance International Foundation traveled to Cebu at the invitation of Supreme Grand Master Dionisio Canete to participate in the WEKAF championship tournament. At the meeting of the WEKAF Congress, different countries submitted their bid to host the 2018 WEKAF championship tournament. The United States won the bid and in turn, the United States delegation decided that Hawai‘i would be the proper venue. In turn, DIF took the lead to host it on Maui. “We were just invited to perform (13 dancers) and the next thing you know, the dancers were tested for color belts and they all passed at different levels, with three dancers at the highest one at the blue level,” recalled Pascua.

Over a span of five days, Maui will be treated to something they’ve never seen before, as indicated by the following schedule.

July 19
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Parade of Nations, Sayaw or Forms [Lahaina Civic Center, 1840 Honoapiilani Highway, Lahaina]
6 p.m.–9 p.m. Welcome Reception [Lahaina Civic Center]

July 20
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Forms, Padded Sticks and Padded Daga (Knives); Bangkaw (Long Stick) [Lahaina Civic Center]

July 21
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Live Single Stick and Double Sticks [Lahaina Civic Center]
10 a.m.–2 p.m. Ori Tahitian Solo competition [Lahaina Civic Center]

July 22
9 a.m.–2 p.m. Live Single Stick and Double Sticks [Lahaina Civic Center]
5:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Awards Banquet/Lū‘au [Lahaina Civic Center]

July 23
8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Grand Masters’ Seminar [Na ‘Aikane O Maui, 562A Front Street, Lahaina]

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 (Knives), Bangkaw (Long Stick), Single Stick, and Double Sticks. The Grand Masters’ Seminar will feature Grand Masters from the Philippines, the mainland U.S.A., and as a special treat, Ke‘eaumoku Kapu, the ‘ōlohe (master) of Lua, an ancient Hawaiian martial art of self-defense.

Entrance fee per day of $12 ($10 pre-sale through website or phone); $30 four-day pass. $25 for Welcome Reception. $25 for Awards Banquet/Lū‘au. $70 ($50 pre-sale through website or phone) for Grand Masters’ Seminar, which includes lunch.

Volunteers are needed and Sponsorships are available (see box). To ensure your logo will be included in all promotional materials, sponsorship must be confirmed and paid by July 2, 2018. For more information, contact Madelyne Pascua at 268.7352. www.WekafHawaii.com.

Sheila Manuel, Contestant #1 Photo: Ryan Piros Photography
Fayma Sales, Contestant #2 Photo: Ryan Piros Photography
oylene Tabon, Contestant #3 Photo: Ryan Piros Photography
Rosabelle Nartates, Contestant #4 Photo: Ryan Piros Photography
Vanessa Baldos, Contestant #5 Photo: Ryan Piros Photography

Maui Filipino Community Council
The Council will hold the 2018 Miss Maui Filipina Scholarship Pageant on June 30 at Wailea Beach Resort-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.

The contestants who are vying to succeed 2017-2018 Miss Maui Filipina Gabrielle Gutierrez are:

Sheila Manuel, 22 years old and a graduate of Lahainaluna High School. She is the daughter of Antonio Pagalilauan and Rosalina Arios of Lahaina.

Fayma Sales, 22 years old and a graduate of King Kekaulike High School. She is the daughter of Bobby and Feliciana Sales of Pukalani.

Joylene Tabon, 23 years old and a graduate of Maui High School. She is the daughter of Orlie and Jeannie Tabon of Kīhei.

Rosabelle Nartates, 17 years old and attends Maui High School. She is the daughter of Ofamooni and Rosalie Felipe of Kīhei.

Vanessa Baldos, 27 years old and a graduate of Maui High School. She is the daughter of Danilo and Juvy Baldos of Kahului.

The Pageant will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Pageant tickets (no dinner) cost $30 presale, $35 at the door. Contact Event chairpersons Michelle Santos at 264-0871 and Dolores Perreira at 283-1605 for more information.

Disclosures: Alfredo G. Evangelista is Legal Counsel for Dance International Foundation. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Maui Filipino Community Council (1975–1976)