51st UFCH Convention “Making Our Voices Heard”

by Fil-Am Observer Staff
Cover Story
Fil-Am Observer July 2010 Issue
 
The 51st Annual Convention of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) will be held on Maui from July 23 - 25, 2010 with its theme “Making Our Voices Heard.” Sponsored by the Maui Filipino Community Council(MFCC) and through the assistance of Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, the event will take place at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Maui in Lahaina  which is considered one of the premier hotels  complete with resort amenities and convention accommodations.
 
Delegates from various Filipino community councils (Oahu, Kauai, Big Island, Lanai, Molokai, and Maui) will converge on the Valley Isle where they will rekindle relationships, discuss matters concerning the organization and the Filipino community, and elect next years UFCH officers.

 “At this convention, we hope to give the delegates a different kind of experience,” said Herman Andaya, MFCC President. “Aside from the usual activities, we have added workshops that delegates can attend to and hope to learn new skills to bring them back to their respective islands,” he added.

 Registration of delegates starts at 4:00 pm on the 23rd. It will continue the following day from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.  In the evening of the 23rd, will be a fun night wherein delegates can fellowship and have friendly talent competitions.

 The agenda for  Saturday, July 24  will include Pres. Eddie Agas' report, the treasurer's report, the reports of the Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Big Island Council presidents, and adoption of resolutions.     

 In between business sessions, will be workshops covering several topics.  Dr. Debra Nakama, professor of UH Maui College will discuss Filipino Americans in higher education;  Dr. Lori Teragawachi, Director of the Office of Continuing Education and Training at UH Maui College will discuss leadership development; and Dr. Virgie Cantorna will expound domestic violence among Filipinos.

 Dr. Belinda Aquino  will be the Keynote Speaker. She has been  connected with the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the past 33 years as a professor of Political Science and Asian Studies and a founding director of the International Center for Philippine Studies.
 
Island queens from Kauai, Oahu, Maui,  and the Big Island will  vie for the title of Miss Hawaii Filipina at the pageant Saturday evening. Admission to the pageant is $20.00.

 Elections are set for Sunday morning. Reported vying for president are Amado Yoro and Lynn Gutierrez, both of Oahu.
 
Convention Fee

 Each delegate will be assessed a convention fee of $150.00 (Non-Maui Delegates not staying at the Hyatt Regency Maui will be assessed $200.00). Make checks payable to: Maui Filipino Community Council, Attn: Herman Andaya, 125 E. Kanamele Loop, Wailuku, HI 96793.
 
Transportation

 A convention shuttle will be available from the airport to the hotel on Friday, July 23, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. (This will be the only shuttle for that day). On July 25, 2010, a shuttle will be available to take conferees back to the airport at 4:30 p.m. (Again, this will be the only day). If you plan to take the shuttle, make flight arrangements accordingly.

 There is limited space, so please make reservations for the shuttle as soon as possible. To make reservations, please send an email to

 Herman Andaya at hermanandaya@gmail.com.

Keynote Speaker

 Dr. Aquino is recognized in her field as the premier authority on Philippine   politics.  Professor Aquino received her B.A. in English from the University of the Philippines and an M.A. in political science from University of Hawaii as an East-West Center grantee. She has also attended graduate school at the University of Michigan.

 Dr. Aquino attended Cornell University as a Ford Foundation Fellow and received her Ph.D.in comparative politics and Southeast Asian studies. She joined the UHM faculty in 1975 with a split appointment between Political Science and Asian Studies.

 In l986, she was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore and lectured in four universities in Indonesia. The following year she was visiting professor at the University of the Philippines, and in 1989, was a visiting scholar at the Department of Economics, Kansai University, in Osaka, Japan.

 From 1989 to 1991 she served as Vice President for Public Affairs of the University of the Philippines and taught in the Department of Political Science and the College of Public Administration. In 1997- 98, she was a visiting professor in the Institute for the Study of Cultures and Languages of Asia and Africa at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. During that period she lectured at Sophia University in Tokyo and at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies in Kyoto.
 
About UFCH

 UFCH was organized in June, 1959, in anticipation of Hawaii statehood. Its major purposes include unifying the Filipinos in Hawaii, preserving and enhancing Filipino culture, working for the advancement of Filipinos in all fields of endeavor, and greater participation and involvement of Filipinos in all areas to promote the general welfare of all of Hawaii's people.

 For further information, contact Herman Andaya at hermanandaya@gmail.com.