Ilocos Norte Governor Visits Hawaii, Delivers Keynote Address At A March 13 Symposium
March 25, 2024
by Rose Cruz Churma
Governor Matthew Manotoc led the Investment delegation to Hawaii and California. The nine-member delegation from Ilocos Norte arrived in Honolulu on March 10 and departed for California on March 14. Also joining them were local government and business leaders from Ilocos Sur.
While in the islands, the delegation met with community groups whose roots are from the Ilocos region and business leaders who are doing business with the Philippines, or who plan to invest in the country.
A welcome reception attended by close to 250 guests was hosted by Hawaii Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jamie Green at the historic Washington Place last Monday, March 11 before a closed-door meeting with Hawaii’s government officials.
The guests were given a tour of the former home of one of Hawai’i’s reigning monarchs. A sumptuous buffet dinner was served complete with the ubiquitous suckling pig called lechon.
On Tuesday, March 12 an investment presentation and dialogue was initiated by the Ilocos Norte delegation with a very limited group of pre-screened individuals at the Philippine Consulate.
The business symposium, held on March 13, at the Hawai’i Convention Center attracted a diverse local audience from both business and non-profit sectors, government officials from both State and City and County governments, and delegates from the Philippines.
Four panels discussed topics of interest. Panel A’s theme was on workforce and the need to recruit more workers for Hawaii, and how Filipinos support the world’s labor pool. (It was noted that sakadas were the first OFWs). For Panel B, the participants emphasized that instead of “giving them fish, teach them how to fish” — a clear endorsement of “trade not aid” as a way to share linkages with sister provinces.
Panel C discussed the possible public-private partnerships in infrastructure development and achieving sustainability through the use of renewable energy sources, as well as in mitigating hazardous sites. The use of new technology was also explored as well as possible partnerships with design professionals and contractors to work on US-funded projects in the Philippines.
Panel D looked at how tourism can strengthen ties, especially for second-generation Filipino Americans as they rediscover roots in their parents’ homeland.
In his speeches during the short visit to Hawai’i, Governor Manotoc thanked the mostly Ilocano-speaking audience for the support showered on his grandfather—former president Ferdinand Marcos—and his family and friends who were exiled in the islands soon after the People Power events at EDSA in 1986. He enjoined the Ilocanos to return to the province and bring investments as well as their expertise and energy back to Ilocos Norte.
Rosemarie Mendoza, Executive Director of the Hawaii Philippines Business & Economic Council (HPBEC), seated on the right, shares her table with husband Troy Mendoza, Kahu Kamana’opono Agres—who performed the oli chant in both the welcome reception and business symposium and Charles Degala of Tahiti Productions, who served as one of the emcees at the business symposium at the Hawai’i Convention Center. Standing behind them are (L-R) Bennette Misalucha who served as moderator for Panel A (Workforce), Noli Cabatu, and Amelia Cabatu.
The J-1 teachers of Oahu were special guests at the welcome reception at Washington Place. Shown at the center with Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jamie Green is James Lynch Urbianak, DOE’s head recruiter who also was one of the panelists at the business symposium held March 13 at the Hawai’i Convention Center. Several J-1 teachers hail from the Ilocos Region—and Governor Matthew Manotoc and his partner, Jamie Herrell (right side with leis) had requested their attendance.
Among the guests at the welcome reception were (L-R) Maggie Domingo, Adela Salacup—who ensured that the grassroots community groups representing Ilocos Norte were actively involved in welcoming the delegation, Carol Cardenas, Keith Kanetani (one of the panelists for the symposium), Fe Velasco of the HPBEC board, Allan Alvarez, Alonzo Alvarez and Atty. Rhoda Yabes Alvarez talked about US immigration laws at the Symposium. Standing are Sol Solleza and FCCH’s Immediate Past President Rocky Anguay.
Former Representative Jun Abinsay worked closely with the organizers to ensure that Ilocos Sur sent a delegation to the symposium. Shown above are (L-R) Jun Abinsay seated next to council members Tyler Dos Santos Tam and Radiant Cordero. With them are some of the delegates from Vigan City.
Governor Matthew Manotoc of Ilocos Norte delivers his keynote address at the Hawaii-Philippines Sister Province Symposium at the Hawaii Convention Center last March 13.
Symposium chairman, Randy Cortez smiles in appreciation at the pasalubong presented to him by Soya Cheng Bueno, head of the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Promotions Center. Standing next to him is Patrick Singson, Assistant Barangay Captain for Vigan City and Ilocos Sur Governor Jerry Singson’s grandson. Governor Singson was unable to come but sent a video message.
Panel C participants pose for a group photo. (L-R) Mylene Reyes, Melody Calisay, Keith Kanetani, and Jeoffrey Cudiamat moderated the session.
Phil and Christine Sabado flew in from Maui to attend all the events and brought with them samples of the artwork and items produced by Sabado Art Hawaii. They presented one of the most popular home accessories to Governor Manotoc and his partner Jamie Herrell.
Eddie Flores Jr. Chairman of the L&L fast food empire addresses the audience as part of Panel B while moderator Joe Berardy of DBI Hawaii, Greg Auberry of Consuelo Foundation, and Phil & Christine Sabado listen. Not shown is Joan Obra of Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee whose Kau coffee has won multiple awards internationally.
Panel A was moderated by Bennette Misalucha, Executive Director of Hawai’i’s Workforce Development Council and joined by panelists James Lynch Urbianak, DOE’s lead recruiter for J-1 Teachers, Tim Mobley, President & CEO of Connext, Sergio Alcubila III, Executive Director of the Hawaii Workers Center and Rhoda Yabes Alvarez, an immigration lawyer with offices in Hawai’i and the Philippines.
Panel D—whose topic was on how tourism strengthens ties that link generations across oceans—was moderated by Su Lazo, a second-generation Filipina from Kauai. She was joined by Romel DelaCruz whose father and uncles were sakadas sent to the Big Island. Joining them was Xavier Ruiz, who heads the tourism office in Ilocos Norte—whose talk and visuals on the attractions of his province have convinced the audience to visit Ilocos Norte.
FCCH President Susie Berardy joined the meeting hosted by the State of Hawai’i for the Ilocos Norte delegation. Shown at the table facing the delegation are Governor Josh Green and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke. Also joining the meeting was Deputy Director Dane Wicker and Dennis Ling of DBEDT.
