Hawaii’s FilCom Center marks 20th year of service

To commemorate its 20-year anniversary, the center is holding a series of events in 2022—a year-long celebration entitled “Aloha for Filcom.” CONTRIBUTED

WAIPAHU, Hawaii – The Filipino Community Center or FilCom on June 11 marked its 20th year  of preserving and perpetuating Filipino customs and culture in Hawaii.

At the FilCom Center, children learn about Hawaii plantation history and the Filipinosakadas’ contributions through the FilforKids educational program.

FilCom serves the community and seniors through the FilCom Cares program, which has included vaccination and testing clinics during the pandemic.

To commemorate its 20-year anniversary, the center is holding a series of events in 2022—a year-long celebration, entitled “Aloha for Filcom.”

The Flores de Mayo Festival was held on May 7 at the FilCom Center, with hundreds enjoying food, crafts, music, dance and other entertainment.

The next event, the 20^th Anniversary Bayanihan Gala, will be held on Saturday, July 23, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where attendees will honor three long-time community leaders:  Robin Campaniano, Marivic Dar and Connie Lau. (To learn more about the gala and its honorees, visit: https://filcom.org/bayanihan-gala.)

FilCom’s 20th Anniversary Bayanihan Gala, will be held on Saturday, July 23, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where attendees will honor three long-time community leaders (left to right):  Robin Campaniano, Connie Lau and Marivic Dar. CONTRIBUTED

The Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation has generously agreed to match donations raised during the Bayanihan Gala. In 2013, the Consuelo Foundation partnered with the FilCom Center, local organizations and community leaders to raise more than $3 million to support disaster victims in the Philippines.

Organizations who have already committed to supporting the 20^th Anniversary Bayanihan Gala include: HEI, First Hawaiian Bank, Central Pacific Bank, Connie and Russell Lau, Finance Factors, House of Finance, American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Clement Bautista and Gina Vergara-Bautista, Daniel K. Inouye Institute, Dentons, Hawaiian Electric, Island Insurance, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, University of Hawai‘i, and the Vicky Cayetano for Governor campaign.

Some of the event attendees will include U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, U.S. Representative Kai Kahele, FilCom Chair Emeritus Eddie Flores, FilCom President Emeritus Roland Casamina other community leaders. Kristian Lei, who played the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon will perform at the gala.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the FilCom Center’s 20^th anniversary and are humbled by the outpouring of support from individuals and organizations throughout our community, especially the Consuelo Foundation, which promotes the wellbeing of at-risk children and families,” said A.J. Halagao, who is chairing the event, alongside Leslie Campaniano.

“With these donations and show of aloha, the FilCom Center can continue being a home and gathering place for our community and a valued resource for students, seniors and working families.”

For additional information and for sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Jeannie Lum,
Executive Director, Filipino Community Center, (808) 680-0451[email protected]
www.filcom.org