HONOLULU — 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 of the state of Hawaii’s population, or 275,000 strong.
Now for the first time, the story of struggle, perseverance, and eventual success of the Filipinos of Hawaii can be viewed in the Philippines on Thursday, November 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 College of Fine Arts Talamban Campus , and a public screening at 5:30 p.m. at the Cebu SM Conference Center. Admission is free. The public is invited.
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 Filipinos 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 Philippines.”
University of San Carlos’ Director of Cebuano Studies, Dr. Erlinda Alburo, who is featured in the documentary, gives a fascinating look at how Visayans were enticed to leave their homes for Hawaii .
Also in the 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 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.
“We’re pleased to present the premiere screening of this important documentary in Cebu., Keoni Wagner, Hawaiian Airlines Vice President of Public Affairs, said: 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.
This includes additional features, behind-the-scenes footage, and a bonus cut of the Honolulu television special, Emme’s Mabuhay Moments. For more information go to www.emmeinc.com, email emmeinc@hawaii.rr.com, or call (808) 947-6677.