Carlota Ader: The Pulse of Hawaii Filipino Chronicle

by Jim Bea Sampaga

Three decades ago in 1993, Carlota Ader called an acquaintance, Dr. Charlie Sonido, asking him if she could join his new ethnic newspaper set to launch that same year.

“I called Dr. Sonido and asked if I could join his staff. I thought that my experience at the other newspaper would be an asset to his new newspaper,” Ader said.

Aside from her editorial and journalism experience at another newspaper, she also has a rich background during her college years when she served as an editor and writer at Far Eastern University’s student newspaper in the Philippines.

The then-45-year-old Ader officially joined Sonido’s newspaper, Hawaii Filipino Chronicle (HFC), as part of its founding staff members in 1993.

She knew all the staff members: from the writers, columnists, editors, and of course the publishers, Dr. Sonido and his wife Chona Montesines-Sonido.

“Ms. Ader has been one of the most loyal and consistent staff members of the Chronicle. She was there from the beginning and continues to work and represent us in many ways,” Dr. Sonido said.

“She is the face of the paper in the community, doing interviews with Filipino politicians, entertainers, or ordinary people. She is the steady pulse of the community. The paper is very lucky to have her.”

Indeed, Ader, who is now 76, is the pulse of the Filipino community and HFC.

For the past three decades, she has covered numerous interesting stories and community events relevant to the Filipino community in Hawaii. When asked about her memorable HFC assignment, Ader named a few.

“Among them were meetings with various dignitaries like former Philippine presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, Benigno Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte; former Hawaii governor Ben Cayetano and local government officials, while covering political debates and social events,” she shared.

HFC’s longest-running columns, Community Parade/Pictorials, highlight the vibrant celebrations and events happening in the Filipino community. In another column called Chronicle Pulse, HFC taps into the Filipino community to learn about their opinions on various topics.

These two columns are gracefully covered by Ader, who’s very enthusiastic about the community.

“Most, if not all, Filipino organizations have their own social events, community service projects, and gatherings of all types. I get to meet all of them, not just Ilocanos but Visayans, everyone!” shared Ader.

“This also includes birthday parties, anniversaries, weddings… you name it. People like to see themselves in our Community Parade. Old and young alike, from all different backgrounds, it has been a pleasure to be a part of those very special events.”

Publisher Montesines-Sonido expressed her gratitude to have Ader on the HFC team.

“We are truly fortunate to have Carlota as a cherished member of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle team! Through [the Community Parade/Pictorials] column, Carlota illuminates various events within the vibrant Filipino community, capturing the essence of our culture and celebrations. Recently, she embraced a new role with enthusiasm doing the Chronicle Pulse, where she continues to thrive and showcase her passion for meeting and interviewing people,” she shared.

“In her professional journey, Carlota conducts insightful interviews with esteemed dignitaries and government officials from the Philippines, expertly delving into topics that matter to our community. Furthermore, she serves as the Chronicle’s representative at prestigious events and activities held at the Philippine Consulate, embodying our commitment to connecting with key figures and fostering relationships.”

For associate editor Edwin Quinabo, Ader is HFC’s representative in the community.

“Carlota is a dedicated and long-time HFC columnist. She had two popular columns over the years – the Community Parade and Chronicle Pulse, which assignments required that she attend various community events,” he said.

“In doing so, she served as HFC’s liaison to segments of the Filipino community. Carlota also was the go-to person who interviewed visiting Philippine dignitaries and attended functions at the Consulate General of the Philippines in Honolulu.”

For the past three decades, Ader has been the face of HFC as she goes to various events and interviews various people to cover them for the newspaper. As Montesines-Sonido and Quinabo said, she is the representation of HFC and the Filipino community.

Ader reflects on her journey with HFC as the newspaper also helped her in her professional and charitable efforts.

“Being with the Chronicle has really enriched my life. It’s been a pleasure to meet people from all walks of life and backgrounds these past 31 years. Not only am I knowledgeable but also a better person,” she shared.

“I think that our paper is widely read. At times, if one of our issues doesn’t have one of my articles, people will call and ask why. My exposure to the Chronicle also helps me with my community service projects locally and overseas like the Philippines and Vietnam.”

Beyond HFC and Hawaii, Ader continues to support the Philippines in any way that she can.

She helped numerous schools, hospitals and churches in the Philippines through donation drives. She also established a scholarship foundation in honor of her father, Johnny Hufana. The Johnny Hufana Scholarship Fund has supported college students in both Hawaii and the Philippines with many graduates from Education, Liberal Arts, Engineering and Nursing programs.

She also donated air conditioning units to the San Fernando City Health Center in Ilocos. Her family donated land to support the basketball and volleyball courts of a school in the Philippines. In Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Ader donated 250 uniforms for the Department of Social Welfare. Ader also sent 10 big balikbayan boxes filled with bed sheets and pillowcases for the local provincial hospital.

Moreover, Ader’s charitable and professional efforts earned her awards in various fields.

“Last year, I received an award from the Department of Education in San Fernando City, Philippines for renovating the school clinic with chairs, beds and curtains, and donating additional emergency apparatus for students to use such as height/weight scales, and emergency kits,” she shared.

She was named the Top Senior Medical Technologist of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals in 2017.

The 2021 Gawad Amerika Awards named Ader as the Gawad Amerika Health Care Hero of the Year for her efforts during the pandemic. Ader hired and trained local laboratory employees to test for the virus at a COVID-19 testing wagon at the Honolulu airport. The event was held in Hollywood, California.

Ader helped bring memorable events and notable people from the Philippines to Hawaii. In 2002, she helped bring Manny Pacquiao for an exhibition bout against Jesus Salud at Blaisdell Arena which led to funds that supported a medical mission.

“Some of the proceeds from the event funded the medical mission of Sirmata Vision. The president is my brother-in-law, Dr. Danilo Ablan. I was a part of this group so we worked hard for its success,” Ader shared.

In 2018, Philippine media company ABS-CBN’s musical variety show ASAP did a show at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, marking the show’s first visit to Hawaii.

“Through my exposure with HFC and as the CEO and president of the Johnny Hufana Scholarship Foundation and with the support of the Philippine social welfare program Bantay Bata, the president of ABS-CBN and I circulated a letter of invitation for the ASAP show to visit Hawaii,” she shared. “Proceeds were also donated to the typhoon/disaster victims in the Philippines and abroad through the Philippine Consulate.”

Ader’s passion for giving back to the community is reflected in her work at HFC. When asked about her message for aspiring writers and columnists in the Filipino community, she said it’s important to earn the readers’ trust.

“You have to be passionate and dedicated to covering various events in the community. If so, it becomes a part of you. Base your stories on solid facts and documentation, not hearsay or rumors. It’s even better to include quotes and photos,” she explained.

In the early days of HFC, team members would often gather at their Waipahu office. Quinabo reflects:

“Carlota would come to the office always animated and had fascinating stories about her times attending functions in the Filipino community. She’s been a long-time colleague, friend and part of the Chronicle family.”

For Montesines-Sonido, Ader is an important part of the HFC ohana.

“Carlota is not just a writer; she is a pillar of dedication, loyalty, and hard work for the Chronicle,” she shared. “Her contributions enrich our publication, and we are proud to consider her an invaluable member of our Chronicle ohana.”

A writer, columnist and philanthropist, Ader is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Filipino community.

“Knowing that our newspaper is widely read and followed is very gratifying. It encourages me to continue writing for as long as I possibly can,” she said.