A council with identity, pride and honor

OFCC Ms Oahu Filipina 2013 Erika Joy Ordonez and OFCC Pres. Jean Jeremaiah 

Photo by Alex vergara

By Amado I. Yoro

October 6, 2013 is set for the Installation and re-affirmation of the newly elected officers and directors of the Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC) at the Pacific Beach Hotel, Waikiki. OFCC is an island-wide umbrella organization of the 48 units affiliated members. 

Consul General Julius Torres will be the installing officer and guest speaker. Officers to be taking their oath of office are: Jean Jeremiah, president(reelected), first VP Angie Santiago; second VP Baybee Hufana Ablan; secretary Loida Yamamoto; assistant secretary Eleanor Bru; treasurer Luz Peirson; assistant treasurer Ben Pulido; auditor Armi Fariñas; directors: Rev. Alex Vergara, Conrad Abuel, Cesar Bonilla, Lydia Agustin, Cesar Caoili, Hermie Pagaduan, Jesse Pascual, Rossi Patton; legal counsel Daisy Balais Hartsfield.

These officers were elected at the annual convention in June at the Philippine Consulate General by the delegates from various unit organizations. The annual Convention was chaired by Jake Manegdeg, and co-chaired by Amado Yoro, John Ramos, Larry Ramirez and Danny Villaruz.

Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC) was organized in 1959 by a group of community-minded citizens. The purpose of the OFCC is to perpetuate the Filipino cultural heritage; to unite all Filipino-oriented organizations for the common welfare of the whole community; to enhance individual and group worth; to encourage all Filipinos and/or Americans of Filipino ancestry to develop a stronger sense of individual and collective responsibility and a greater participation in the affairs of the community of Hawaii as a whole.

OFCC was led by various community leaders with individual styles of leadership wherein they played their role as a stewards for the council with different challenges and resolutions, and to keep it moving as years go by. Majority of these 42 leaders were men and nine were women: Matilda Molina, Marlene Manzano, Maggie Domingo, Edith Pascua, Jenny Quezon, Lynne Gutierrez, Cirvalina Longboy, Maria Etrata and currently Jean Jeremiah. Matilda Molina was the first president, and Jean Jeremiah, the current president.

OFCC runs various civic and community projects that include but not limited to Adopt a Hway/Park, Feeding the Homeless, Hawaii Food Bank, Census, various worthy fundraisers for typhoon, natural disasters and calamities. Youth program, social programs, voters registrations and many others. It plays an active role with the United Filipino Council of Hawaii and various community groups and helps provide different community service and for the betterment of the general community.

OFCC past and present presidents

Justo Dela Cruz+ (1959-1961); Adelino Valentin+ (1961-1961); Diosdado Avecilla+ (1961-1962; Jesus O. Cayaban+ (1962-1963); Dr. Marcelino Avecilla+ (1963-1964); Gelacio Daoang+ (1964-1965); Moises Claveria+ (1965-1966); Pedro Oducayen+ (1966-1967); Emilio Alcon+ (1967-1967); Victor Agmata (1967-1968); Justo Dela Cruz+ (1968-1969) Bart Alcaraz+ (1969-1970);

Pol Ragasa (1970-1971); Gene Albano (1971-1973); Pete Racelis, Jr.+ (1973-1974); Mel Europa+ (1974-1975); Mel Agag, Jr.+ (1975-1976); Ilalo Parayno (1976-1977); Fred Aspree+ (1977-1978) Matilda Molina+ (1978-1979); Ricardo Labez+ (1979-1981);

Mario Albalos+ 1981-1982; Amado Yoro (1982-1982); Nunelon Medallon+ (1982-1983); Victor Guillermo (1983-1984); Gerry Rojo (1984-1986); Don Alvarez+ (1986-1990);

Maggie Domingo (1990-1990); Romualdo Agustin (1990-1992); Marlene Manzano+ (1992-1994); Jun Abinsay (1994-1996); Ernie Pascua (1996-1997) Ben Cabreros (1997-19990; Edith Pascua (1999-2001);

Eddie Agas, Sr. (2001-2003); Jenny Quezon (2003-2004) Dr. Arnold Villafuerte (2004-2005); Lynne Gutierrez (2005-2007); Franklin Borromeo (2007-2008); Cirvalina “Lina” Longboy (2008-2009); Danny Villaruz (2009-2010); Maria Etrata (2010-2012); Jean Jeremiah (2012-present).

Miss Oahu Filipina began in 1973

Miss Oahu Filipina was conceived and started as an annual Fiesta project in 1973. First crowned Miss Oahu was Carmela Barut, and succeeded by Ludivina De Castro, as the former won the Miss Hawaii Filipina title.

The asteriks (*) denote first crowned as Miss Oahu Filipina and won Miss Hawaii Filipina statewide UFCH Fiesta Filipina Pageant that was started in 1959. Once the Miss Oahu Filipina had been crowned as Miss Hawaii Filipina, the Miss Oahu Filipina first runner-up is automatically elevated as Miss Oahu Filipina.

1973 Carmela Barut*; 1973 Ludivina De Castro; 1974 Celita De Castro*; 1974 Robin Cabiles; 1975 Jackery Tejada*; 1975 Sharilyn Baqui; 1976 Sharon Robles*; 1976 Erlinda Meneses; 1977 Lourdes Felipe*; 1977 Teresa Fernandez; 1978 Theresa Ribaya; 1979 Elsa Perlas;

1980 Juli-Ann Nalani Sagum; 1981 Cynthia Lapenia; 1982 Coralei Rivera; 1983 Melinda Gaborno*; 1983 Maribel Esteban; 1984 Dodie Viquelia*; 1984 Ginger Davenport; 1985 Gladys Primero; 1986 Joyce Mina; 1987 Ligaya Stice*; 1987 Marie Ann Agustin; 1988 Melissa De La Cruz; 1989 Romelia Broas*; 1989 Ania Lei Davalos;

1990 Kathy Duhaylongsod*; 1991 Lori Ann Messina; 1992 Gayle Valdez; 1993 Raquel Bueno; 1994 Corazon Dumlao; 1995 Pamela Domingo*; 1995 Cheryl Fernandez; 1996 Lori Butay*; 1996 Lynn Bagasol; 1997 Angelica Batin*; 1997 Lesley Ann Paglinawan; 1998 Jessica Corpuz*; 1998 Pamela Lavlilla; 1999 Arnalde Dedee Melchor*; 1999 Fe Albano;

2000 Jennifer Vea*; 2000 Sheri-Lynn Baclig; 2001 Maribel Apuya*; 2001 Lori Lamug; 2002 Agnes Calderon*; 2002 Liana Green; 2003 Andrea Tseu*; 2003 Glenda Salvador; 2004 Ruth Aguinaldo; 2005 Jermel Lynn Quillopo; 2006 Mary Jo Bautista; 2007 Jerryca Gasmen; 2008 Krystle M. Acido*; 2008 Bianca Castillo (second runner up elevated); 2009 Margaret Pascual *;

2010 Marnelli Joy Castillo; 2011-Leoveni Mabiog; 2012-Heavenly Fines; - Erika Joy Ordonez*; 2013- Chereylene Reyes

(*Won Miss Oahu Filipina, then crowned Miss Hawaii Filipina Title)

 (+ Deceased)