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Since the first sakada — the first ‘overseas Filipino workers’ of the Philippines left to work in the sugar cane fields of Hawaii in 1906, the Filipino community has grown to 23 percent or 275,000 of the state of Hawaii’s population.
For the first time, the story of struggle, perseverance and success of the Filipinos in Hawaii can be viewed on Thursday, Nov. 12, when “Mabuhay With Aloha: the Hawaii-Filipino Experience” premieres in Cebu City.
The 90-minute documentary, commissioned by the Hawaii Filipino Centennial Commission, will have two screenings: an early morning session for University of San Carlos students at the USC College of Fine Arts Talamban Campus, and a public screening at 6 p.m. at the SM Conference Center, near the Trade Hall. Admission is free.
Produced by award-winning television personality Emme Tomimbang, Mabuhay With Aloha brings the story of the Filipinos’ first century in Hawaii with never-before-seen historic photographs and more than 50 interviews.
For her achievements and contributions, Tomimbang was awarded the Philippine government’s Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award for outstanding overseas Filipino in 2006.
“Mabuhay with Aloha is dedicated to the sakada, Hawaii’s Filipino plantation workers, one of whom was my father,” says Tomimbang, who traces her roots to Siquijor.
“I am excited to bring the documentary to the Philippines and premiere it in Cebu, where many Hawaii Filipinos originate. It gives me great honor to bridge ties between Hawaii and the Philippines.”
Tomimbang will speak at the premiere, along with Dr. Erlinda Alburo, USC Director of Cebuano Studies, who is featured in the documentary giving a fascinating look at how Visayans were enticed to leave their homes for Hawaii.
St. Theresa’s College Cebu Dean Cecilia Gastardo-Conaco and United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-Fish project coordinator Rebecca Pestaño-Smith, former East-West fellows, will be in the morning panel at the USC campus.
Also in the afternoon panel will be Rosemarie Mendoza, Hawaii Filipino Chamber of Commerce president, who is heading a trade mission to the Philippines in November.
Mendoza also appears in the documentary.
Mabuhay With Aloha was co-written and co-produced by Pepi Nieva, a native of Manila, who now lives in Hawaii.
“Our mission is to further the relationship between Hawaii and Philippines. And this screening is helping to do just that, especially as Cebu is the sister city of Honolulu,” Mendoza said.
The screenings are sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines, which flies between Manila and Honolulu four times a week and recently began offering connecting flights to Ilocos Norte via Cebu Pacific Air.
Keoni Wagner, Hawaiian Airlines Vice President of Public Affairs, said: “We’re pleased to present the premiere screening of this important documentary in Cebu. We hope to strengthen the connections between Hawaii and the Philippines and share the spirit of mabuhay with aloha!”
A special commemorative edition of Mabuhay with Aloha, the Hawaii Filipino Experience is also available in a two-disc DVD package, which includes additional features, behind-the-scenes footage, and a bonus cut of the Honolulu television special, Emme’s Mabuhay Moments.
For more information, visit website www.emmeinc.com or email at emmeinc@hawaii.rr.com.
