FCCH Concludes Its 31st Trade Mission to the Philippines
March 10, 2024
by Rose Cruz Churma
The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) just completed its 31st Trade Mission to the Philippines and met with business counterparts in several cities in the Philippines.
It started with Sorsogon City in the Bicol Region, Santa Rosa and Los Banos in Laguna, Candon City and Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Angeles City in Pampanga, and concluded at the Metro Manila area where the Aloha Night was held.
The delegation also met with Mayor Eric Singson of Candon, Mayor Bonito Singson of Vigan, and Governor Jerry Singson of Ilocos Sur. The group also met with Soya Bueno Cheng, the investment officer for Ilocos Norte as its Governor Matthew Manotoc and several officials prepare for their investment mission to Hawaii in mid-March.
Highlights of the trip were the receptions hosted by Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson of the US Embassy in Manila and the audience with the President of the Philippines at the Malacañang Palace.
The primary goal of the mission is to increase the exchange of goods and services between Hawaii and the Philippines, especially in the export-import of food products, gift items and home/personal accessories.Another is the facilitation and recruitment of workforce for the healthcare and visitor industries, as well as teachers for Hawai’i’s public schools.
The resulting metrics gained by the Trade Mission will be part of a report that the organizers will issue in March during the symposium.
FCCH visited the Cambaluga Elementary School and donated books and school supplies provided by community organizations in Hawaii. The schools of Sorsogon have been recipients of donations from Hawaii spearheaded by Kaneohe resident Nilda Boland who also served as one of the on-site coordinators.
Delegates participated in a bougainvillea planting ceremony at the new Coastal Road in Sorsogon City. Shown above are delegates Ailyn Lum, FCCH President Susie Berardy, Dr. Claire Miraflor, Davis Tan Nguyen and Hong Lee Meadows assisted by local residents of Sorsogon.
Sorsogon City Mayor Ester Hamor hosted a “white party” in a mountain resort for the Hawaii delegates and members of the Bicol Association of North America. The night before, the local Sorsogon chapter of PCCI hosted a B2B clinic where the delegates met with counterparts and visited the OTOP (One Town One Product) Hub.
The delegation poses with Candon Mayor Eric Singson and his wife Grace Singson in front of the newly built Candon Arena where the business meetings with Ilocos Sur entrepreneurs were held. The panel discussion on workforce recruitment was well received. Earlier the delegation visited the Sakada Museum, housed in a renovated historic structure associated with Gabriela Silang.
Ilocos Sur Governor Jerry Singson poses with the delegation at the provincial capitol after showing highlights of the festival held in the province. The new slogan is One Ilocos Sur which unites all folks with ties to Ilocos Sur worldwide.
Mayor Bonito Singson of Vigan enjoys a merienda-cena held at the historic Quema House which was built in 1814, hosted by Margot Quema Adair and her sisters. The delegation wore Filipiniana to celebrate the designation of Vigan as a UNESCO Heritage City.
The owners of Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosa, Laguna were presented with replicas of Kim Taylor Reece’s sculpture called Kilakila depicting a hula dancer. This replica was the gift of choice by FCCH president Susie Berardy to all the hosts at all cities visited by the delegation. The delegation was treated to the Agila Experience, a new attraction.
SMSE entrepreneurs showcased their products. A big hit was vegan cracklings made in Los Banos, Laguna. Delegates Stephanie and Jasmine Chung sample the products.
The delegation listened intently to the local hosts’ presentation highlighting the products and services available in their municipalities.
The delegation’s audience with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos was one of the highlights of the 31st Trade Mission. (Photo from Rising Tigers Magazine FB Page)
HPBEC Executive Director Rose Mendoza informs the President of the passing of veteran broadcaster Emme Tomimbang, one of his good friends from his Honolulu days. “She was planning to interview me here in Malacañang,” he said.
Melody Calisay, chair of the 31st Trade Mission and the FCCH’s president-elect, admonishes the President to provide more support to farmers in the countryside. This was echoed by Clara Lapus of the Mama Sita Foundation in her talk during Aloha Night.
Knights of Rizal-Aloha Chapter member, Gino Soqueno, and FCCH president Susie Berardy led the wreath laying at the Rizal Monument, with the 31st TM delegates.
As the seat of religious and political power during the colonial period, Intramuros was the home to eight grand churches built by different religious orders. The delegates pose in front of its massive gate.
