Hawaiians ‘invade’ the Ilocos region

VIGAN CITY — The Ilocos region is bracing for a Hawaiian "invasion."

This, as a Hawaiian delegation of 200 state officials, business leaders and other personalities led by Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, is swooping down on this northern city today.

The powerhouse group will be met by Ilocos Sur officials led by Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson and Vice Gov. Deogracias Savellano at the Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur boundary in Sinait town.

The delegation is coming from Ilocos Norte where it was feted by Gov. Ferdinand "Bongbong Marcos Jr.

The Ilocos tour of the Hawaiian delegation marks the yearlong celebration of the centennial of the first migration of Filipinos — actually Ilocanos — to Hawaii in 1906.

The first migrants arrived in Honolulu on Dec. 6, 1906 and were hired to work as sacadas in sugarcane and pineapple plantations and other farmlands on the islands.

The first group of farm workers consisted of 15 men from Candon in Ilocos Sur. They were followed by other migrants, mostly from the Ilocos provinces.

During her visit here, Lingle, along with the rest of her delegation, will witness a stage play tracing the history of the Filipino sacadas.

Singson will bring Lingle’s group to Port Salomague in Cabugao town where ships carrying the Ilocano farmhands sailed for Hawaii.