This month’s featured Sakada Offspring is a man of great integrity, a community leader, as well as a dedicated church leader: Emmanuel Alegre Baltazar.
Emmanuel “Manny” Alegre Baltazar was born on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1974 in Cabaroan Laud, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, to Carlos Argel Baltazar and Gertrudis Patricia Apelin Alegre Baltazar. He is married to Eliza Cruz Feig Baltazar. He has three step daughters: Hazel Feig, Ivyneil Feig Madriaga, and Aiza Feig Cortez and five grandchildren. They are: Lyzah Kiana Hong, Meleana Justyce Hong, Ian Angelo Madriaga, Isaac Anthony Madriaga, and Kellen Zane Cortez,
Eliza was married to the late Cosme Batalia Feig, a 1946 Sakada. He was employed at HC&S. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1999. Eliza re-married in 2007 to Emmanuel, who arrived on Maui on March 5, 2007 from the Philippines. Manny also has granduncles who came to Hawai‘i as Sakadas: Faustino Apelin, Domingo Alcain, Segundo Alcain, Antonio Quenga, and Teofilo Alcausin. According to Manny, these brave Sakadas, by coming to Hawai‘i, they were able to help Manny’s grandparents and parents financially for a better life especially in the area of higher education and purchasing lands for farming in the Philippines. They are very grateful to them.
Manny was a very bright student. He was a valedictorian of his elementary school class and a 3rd honorable mention at his high school class. He received his Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Philippines with the highest award of Distinction. Manny was also designated as the Most Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Student Leader of Region I. As a post graduate, Manny received his Master of Arts in Education from Baguio Central University, majoring in Educational Management in Supervision and Administration from which he received a Special Award in Thesis Making.
At Grand Wailea Resort, Manny is employed as a Houseman. Other jobs that he undertook were: Sales Clerk/Cashier at Longs Drug (Kahului, 2007–2009), Educational Assistant (Sped Class) at Lihikai School, (August 2007–December 2007), and English Teacher (Part Time) at the Maui Community School for Adults (August 2010–July 2013).
Manny is very involved in Maui community activities. He served in the Ilocos Surian Association of Maui as their Recording Secretary and as 1st Vice President. At Binhi at Ani, he served as Vice President, Corresponding Secretary and a Board Member. He was also a Board Member of the Maui Filipino Community Council.
At Grand Wailea Resort, Manny was an ILWU Local 142 Union Steward, Unit 2520 Grievance Chairman as well as Unit Chairman. For the Maui Division, Manny is the Political Action Committee Chairman. In the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, he was a Precinct 1 District President 2013–2016 and President of District 9 (Kahului Area), June 2016–present.
Manny’s church involvement includes Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector Trainer, as well as chairing various church ministries and committees. He serves both St. Theresa and Christ The King Catholic Churches.
With such dedication, Manny received many plaques of commendation, certificates of Recognition, and leadership awards from the community, organizations, and churches. He received a Gintong Pamana Leadership Award from the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce in 2014.
Manny thanks his late mother, Gertrudis and father, Carlos for instilling in him the importance of service, serving the church and community for the good of the people and the whole community. He says: “My mom was truly my inspiration.”
This is Manny’s reflection in life: “Be simple and humble to all blessings given by God. Be contented and grateful with the things you have and not too much ambitious in life. Put God as a center of life and nothing is impossible to Him and He will provide all what you need if you have strong faith in Him. Continue to serve others sincerely and serve the community as well as a way of giving back to God the blessings he gave. Remember to love and care for your family because family is the best gift given by God to be treasured forever. If all of us will work hand in hand, heart to heart, nothing is impossible to attain on Maui. May we all unite as one, plan as one and work as one with common purpose and surely we can make Maui the best place to live. We can make a big difference if we work together and cohesively attain our dreams and inspirations for a better and progressive Maui. This is the right time to move now…it’s not yet too late if we start it now.”