Felipe Palma Abinsay Jr.: A man of integrity, honesty, a visionary and a man of action

IN OCTOBER 2012, I was honored and privileged to nominate this gentleman to be a “Lifetime Achievement Award” Progress Award, the highest prestigious award afforded by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii [UFCH] annually as a UFCH Progress Award in recognizing individuals who contributed an outstanding service for the betterment of the community, the state and the world that was held on October 19, 2012 at the Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

Though he was not selected at the time in that category, instead, he was awarded the Ambassador Juan C. Dionisio Sr. Achievement Award, an award named after the founder of the United Filipino Council in 1959.

As of November 25, 2014, he is still very active in the Filipino community.  He is a member of the OFCC Council of past president, member of the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity Advisory Council, Program Chairman, 2^nd President Elpidio R. Quirino Leadership and Humanitarian Award 2015.

Jun is always visible and available in terms of helping the community. He always share his wisdom and expertise in solving problems pertaining to community service, social and educational matters.

A former State of Hawaii Representative and a community advocate and leader. Jun played a vital role in the OFCC Walk for Fun with the AARP last December 2103 in the raising funds for the victim of the Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.

In 2010 before the annual convention for the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, with this writer who was the chairman of the UFCH Social Action Committee and the Membership committee, the Publicity and Newsletter Committee, and the UFCH Golden Book Committee, Jun has contributed much in preparation in drafting and a final version of the resolution relating to the institutionalizing the Feeding the Homeless as a perpetual statewide project of UFCH. That certain resolution 2010-001 passed as presented by Danny Villaruz, OFCC president 2010, and this project now has about 70 volunteers from 7 original volunteers in the span of four years coordinated and chaired by this writer under the Mission Day Service and the OFCC Special Projects.

Jun has a wealthy background and accomplishments.

Personal Achievements

Felipe Palma Abinsay, Jr., “Jun” as his friend fondly call him, was born in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Graduated at the University of the East with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Accounting

Arrived in Hawaii in 1975. Landed in a simple and humble beginning as an Inventory clerk, to payroll clerk to bookkeeper. Employed as Branch Manager & Vice President for Community Relations at City Bank [formerly International Savings & Loan]. Owned and operated Community Instant Printing, and Publisher of the Community Advocate News magazine. Managed to balance his time and be active with the Filipino community as an ordinary member and follower, then, as a community advocate and leader. Managed to raise, nurture and support two professional daughters: Hazel, a medical doctor and married to Dr. Mark Valdez and Amber who has a Doctorate in Architecture. 

Professional Achievements

As a community advocate, leader and volunteer, Jun and his family are regular participants in the monthly “Feeding the Homeless” project at the Institute for Human Services [IHS] with the Mission Day Service Project as organized and coordinated by Amado Yoro prior to and after the adoption of the Resolution 2010-001 in which he co-authored and co-introducer  to the general assembly by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii annual Convention 2010 in Lahaina, Maui, then became official partnership with all the Island Councils and unit organizations especially in Oahu.

At the Hawaii State Legislature

He was responsible for the introduction of the HB 1942 (Act 159) relating to the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission 2006 for the Filipino Immigrations, signed by Governor Benjamin Cayetano.  Authored/co-authored of several bills relating to Citizenship Training Program and, most recent include, but not limited to:

House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 48) – Establishing education, cultural and economic development exchanges between the State of Hawaii and the sister province of Ilocos Sur (Adopted 2002);

House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 28) – Establishing a State-province relationship of friendship between the State of Hawaii and the province of Pangasinan (Adopted 2002);

House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 34) – requesting the US Congress and the President of the United States of America to repeal the Rescission Act of 1946 and to restore Filipino World War II veterans to full US veterans status and benefits (Adopted 2002);

Co-initiator and co-chairperson for the Ilocos Surian Medical and Homecoming Mission since 2005 followed by 2007, 2009, 2011. As a community activist, he is always around, available and accommodating when community service is concerned. Co-chairperson for the worthy project by the Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii Medical and Homecoming Mission since 2005, 2007, 2009 to Ilocos Sur/Norte, Payatas, Quezon City in 2011.

Jun is an active participant in ISAH 35^th Anniversary Celebration.

Community Service/Civic Involvements Membership and leadership role with organizations

As a respected leader once said about our Mr. Abinsay: “a man of integrity, honesty, a visionary and – a man of action” 

Had served or currently serving in various responsible positions and various capacities, from an ordinary member, to officer, to directorship, coordinator and advisory capacities in numbers of organizations. As a highlight in his affiliation in the community:

Board of Director, Kalihi YMCA; Board of Director, MOTTEP under the Hawaii Organ Donor Center; Adviser, St Francis Medical Center Health Services for Senior Citizens; Board of Advisor, Habitat for Humanity; Board of Director, Family Services Center; Board of Director & Finance Committee Chair, Honolulu Community Action Program; Director, Catholic Charities & Immigrant Services; Director, Filipino Chamber of Commerce; Vice President, United Filipino Council of Hawaii; Past President, Oahu Filipino Community Council; Co-organizer and Executive Director, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity; Member, National Filipino American Council; Member, Hawaii Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee; Coordinator, Ilocos Sur National High School Alumni Reunion, 1998; 4th Degree member Knights of Columbus; Adviser, co-organizer, Gumil Oahu 

* Adviser, co-organizer, Ilocos Surian Ass’n of Hawaii; Member: The Order of Knights of Rizal – Hawaii Chapter; Lions Club International-Hawaii Chapter; Maharlika Toastmasters Club, Aloha Medical Mission, Mt. Pinatubo Victim Relief Project, Graffiti Buster Program, Adopt-a-Hwy and Parks Beautification Project; A publisher for the Community Advocate News Magazine; Thomas Jefferson Award Nominee – Community Service; Founder and Charter President, Vigan Association of Hawaii; Co-spearheaded the Typhoon Feria Victim Relief for Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Campaign Drive; A joint effort in the reorganizational movement to revive Ilocos Surian Ass’n of Hawaii and led to the 25th Anniversary Celebration on February 2002; Filipino American World War II Veterans Org – Hawaii Chapter; Advocate and Strong supporter of FilComCenter, also served as a director.

Sometime in February 1997 when he celebrated his birthday, one of his many friends who gave a “roasting remark” said with high hope: his future is very promising! Agbiag, and Mabuhay!

Many of us knew that this man was appointed by former Hawaii Governor Benjamin Cayetano in 1995 and it is believed one of the main reasons why he was picked, is, because of his active involvement in the community, to represent 29th District when our Rep Emilio Alcon passed away.

When he ran in 1995, he easily won the seat for 1996-1998; then 1998-2000, and 2000-2002 as he now currently serving his 3rd term as representative.

An immigrant just like many of us, born and raised from Vigan City, former Rep. Abinsay earned his education from the University of the East, Manila, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, married to former Elizabeth Lim Abinsay, a doctor, with 2 children Hazel, and Amber. Both successful professional in their respective field endeavor.

Other Pertinent Information

2006: “Keeper of the Flame” Award by the Na Loio [Immigrants’ Rights and Public Interest Legal Center] for authoring and a driving force that secured the passage of Hawaii’s Landmark legislation – The Language Access Bill, Act 290. [Office of the Language Access aka OLA].

2004: “Pamana Ng Pilipino” Award from Malacanang Palace, Manila, Philippines – the award is conferred to Filipinos Overseas who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino have brought the country honor & recognition thru excellence and distinction in the pursuit of work or profession.

2011: The President Elpidio Quirino Humanitarian Award by the Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii as one of the initiators and leading chairs of the Ilocos Surian Medical and Homecoming Mission to the Philippines since the 2005 first mission in the Ilocos region, and continuously leading the 2007, 2009, 2011 missions.

As a father/husband

Happily married to Dr. Elizabeth Lim Abinsay, blessed with two daughters: Hazel, a medical doctor and married to Dr. Mark Valdez and Amber who has a Doctorate in Architecture. 

As a loving and caring father, Jun served as a living ‘role model’ for his children, the family in general.

Blessed with two successful professional children two daughters: Hazel, a medical doctor and married to Dr. Mark Valdez and Amber who has a Doctorate in Architecture.  is the best evidence Jun [as parent] still find time from his busy schedules at work, home and family to do their social and community responsibilities in the field of volunteerism and community service and fundraising for good cause.

He has a proven record of achievements and accomplishments contribute to the progress of his organization, community, state and the world.

Mr. Abinsay has been serving the community since his arrival in Hawaii in 1975 from a farming community in his birthplace and hometown Vigan, Ilocos Sur. His commitment to the community has endured the test of time as evidenced by his associations with various organizations, civic groups, charitable and humanitarian projects in the Filipino community and the State of Hawaii.

He chaired the Ad Hoc Committee of World War II Fil-Am Veterans and has become champion and biggest supporter of the Hawaii Fil-Am in their struggle for justice and equity.

In 1986, Jun was appointed by then Governor George Ariyoshi as coordinator of the 40^th Anniversary of the 1946 arrival of Filipino sakadas to Hawaii and in 2002, he introduced House Bill 1942, now Act 159 for the 2006 Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission.

Jun’s action with compassion should not surprise many whose lives he has touched in so many ways including but not limited to victims of natural disasters in the Philippines, Japan and other countries.

Shortly after his appointment to the State House in October 1995 by then Governor Ben Cayetano, Jun was directed to help the victims of Typhoon Angela in the Philippines and without hesitation, he took charge co-chairing the fundraising effort: Mission Aloha”.

Jun chairs the Hawaii International Relief Organization [HIRO] and provided assistance and help the victims of typhoons Angela, Feria, Pedong, Ondoy, others.

By his exemplary efforts and achievements for the community, to our State of Hawaii being served at the Hawaii State Legislature for more than a decade, and served in various responsible committees include but not limited to Tourism, Economic Development and Business Concerns,: Authored/co-authored by several bills and became into law, include but not limited Act 159, Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission; Chaired the Agriculture Committee, served as House Majority Whip, House Speaker Calvin Say describes Jun as the heart and soul of the Filipino Community “He always on the frontline of any effort to bring relief to the victims of natural disaster or to help the needy. He never forgotten his humble beginning as a young man from the Philippines.