With the ringing theme of the national anthem sung by the Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Chorale, the last major event of the Aug. 19, Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Year was under way — the Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Gala-One-Hundred Years and Beyond. This
With the ringing theme of the national anthem sung by the Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Chorale, the last major event of the Aug. 19, Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Year was under way — the Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Gala-One-Hundred Years and Beyond. This gala was the culmination of intense planning and preparation beginning in 2004.
Since January, the impact of the past, present, and future Filipinos on Kaua‘i has been featured in many Kaua‘i events celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the arrival of Filipinos in Hawai‘i. The Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Celebration Committee, through its Executive Board, pulled together various groups within the Filipino community to honor and recognize the first 16 Filipinos recruited to work in the sugar fields of Hawai‘i, the 12 Kaua‘i “Sakadas,” today’s active Filipino community, and the younger Filipinos who will help shape the future.
The events leading to this final Kaua‘i Gala began on Jan. 21, at a festive dinner honoring the surviving group of 12 men.
While that January event honored the first 100 years of immigration to Hawaii, the August gala affair was dedicated to three groups of Kaua‘i Filipinos — those who improved themselves, their families, and the lives of those in their communities; the current, active generation of Filipinos; and the younger Filipinos of Kaua‘i who will follow their hopes and dreams.
As part of the celebration, the Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Chorale was formed. People from different corners of the island who were willing to test whether or not they could sing as a group were gathered. The Chorale’s success may be measured by the response of the public. The group was invited to perform at the opening of the Hawaii Filipino Centennial Celebration in Honolulu and the Hawai‘i State Legislature.
Gov. Linda Lingle, Honorary Chairperson of the Hawaii Filipino Centennial Commission, declared, through an Executive Proclamation, that Aug. 19, 2006 would be known as Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Day. She observed that Filipinos moved to Hawai‘i to find a new life without breaking their ties with friends and family in the motherland.
Mayor Bryan Baptiste presented a proclamation from the County of Kaua’i.
The August closing celebration was called “Entertainment Extraordinaire, Kauai-Style.” The evening was emceed by J Robertson, Scott Lopez, Jiji Sandrowski, Diane Melchor, Ernie Pasion, Oscar Portugal and Jose Bulatao, Jr.
A chant, delivered in two languages to signify the blending of different racial groups in Hawaii was offered by Virgie Cruzada speaking Tagalog and Leina’ala Pavao speaking Hawaiian.
Natalie Capino touched the audience as her clear voice sang “Sa Kabukiran,” a beloved song composed by a Filipino immigrant to Hawai‘i. Later in the program, Natalie also sang “Light in the Piazza.”
To a rousing welcome from the audience, the featured entertainer of the evening, well-known Westside tenor, Les Ceballos, sang a Neapolitan aria, accompanied by keyboardists from Honolulu. Later in the program, Les moved from Italian to Tagalog, singing “Pagibig ng Isang Bulaklak” (For the Love of a Flower), “Arimundingmunding, and “Irog Ko” (MyBeloved).
Ceballos’ rendition of “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha” helped to depict the struggles and determination of the Filipinos on the plantations as they sought to overcome the hardships in their quest for a better life. For his concluding numbers, Maalaala Mo Kaya” and “Ligaya,” Les was joined by his mother, soprano Marie Ceballos, and his father, guitarist Clem Ceballos.
The Kasibulan Dance Company, directed by Allan Villaflor, performed the “Pagdiriwang” (Celebration), a Spanish-influenced dance performed by Filipinas dressed in beautiful Maria Clara’s and Filipino men clad in the traditional barong Tagalog and gourd hats accompanied by the banduria or Spanish mandolin. This talented local group later performed three more numbers: “Banko,” a light-hearted show of couples, young and old, trying to out-perform each other in their skill at dancing on top of a narrow wooden bench; “Pista Medley,” a series of dances reflecting farm life in the country where people relax and entertain themselves in the midst of their hard and dreary rural life; and the well-known “Tinikling” which requires dancers to move gracefully and ever more quickly between two long, clapping bamboo poles without getting their feet smashed in the process.
Bailes de Jose provided an impromptu trip down memory lane. Troupe dancers from the past thirty-some years performed “Lawiswis Kawaian” imitating the graceful movements of bamboos groves blowing in the wind.
To the accompaniment of Da Ohana Band, the audience participated in singing a series of beloved Filipino children’s songs. “Bahay Kubo,” reminded Filipinos of their rural roots. Other songs included “Leron, Leron Sinta,” “Tsitsirit, Ali bang bang!” and “Parongparong Bukid.”
The current Miss Kaua‘i Filipina, Natasha Arakaki, and previous Miss Kaua‘i Filipina’s Melissa Pagador and Rhoda Libre presented a hula to the tune of “O, Maile Lei.”
Millie Wellington sang alternative lyrics to “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess”, recreating the sad moment of leaving a beloved wife, a young child, a family, and a homeland as vignettes of plantation life were flashed on two screens. A Hip Hop dance presented by JR Longboy and Friends livened the pace. Chazz Sasil, winner of the youth category of the Filipino Idol, sang “Flying.” Nina Saraos played her original composition for keyboard. Scott Lopez, as a prelude to the recognition of Centennial Awardees, read “ The Man with the Hoe,” a poem by Edwin Markham.
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Centennial Awards. These awards were a tribute to the “sakada spirit,” the optimism, vision, perseverance, and resiliency of Filipinos in different walks of life. While there are many more Kaua‘i Filipinos who are also deserving of this award, the following list of awardees is symbolic of the sacrifices of the “sakada:” L. Albayalde, C. Aquino, G. Bakiano, J. Bulatao, Jr., A. Cabacungan, H, Cannon, C. Ceballos, M. Ceballos, L. Ceballos, C. Dela Cruz, A. Diaz, E. Diaz, S. Domingo, J. Duvauchelle, B. Bulatao-Franklin, V. Galiza, E. Jimenez, M. Kruse, A. Lardizabal, B. Largusa, A. Laureta, R. Libre, D. Los Banos, Jr., E. Malapit, V. Masuoka, G. Menor, M. J. Odo, E. Olivas, P. Parongao, R. Dela Pena, C. Portugal, F. Remata, W. Renti Cruz, R. Riola, F. Sagadraca, E. Sarita, R. Sina, M. Torres, L. Trinidad, M. Valenciano, P. Valenciano, R. Valenciano, A. Valentin, M. Wellington, and R. Yadao.
Centennial awards were also given posthumously to the following: J. Alvarez, R. Arzadon, B. Barbasa, J. Bulatao, G. Bulatao, J. Buza, C. Cortezan, J. Cortezan, C. Cuaresma, G. Dela Cruz, M. Francisco, E. Labez, R. Labez, I. Lapenia, J. Layosa, C. Suero, J. Tehada, A. Timbol, F. Villabrille, A. Villanueva, and Rick Rasay.
Special recognition was given to two distinguished awardees who personified in their careers the struggles and successes of the Filipinos in Hawaii: Eduardo Malapit, a lawyer, became the first Filipino mayor of Kaua‘i and in the United States. Alfred Laureta, also a lawyer, became a federal judge of the Federated States of the Marianas Islands and now devotes his retirement to community service.
Soprano Jovita Garces sang the lovely song, “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal” (“How Much Do I Love Thee”) to the accompaniment of a group of young string players called “EH” or Ethereal Harmony composed of Daniel Sagadraca, Cara Owan, R. Heather M. Sina, and Helen M. Sina. Ethereal Harmony later performed “Sa Libis Ng Nayon” ( In The Countryside.)
The Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Chorale, under the direction of Helen Sina, led off the final segment with“Pamulinawen”, a plea of a potential lover to a beautiful maiden as he tries to prove his love for her and “America, The Beautiful.” Jose Bulatao, Jr. conducted the singing of “Ako Ay Pilipino” ( I Am a Filipino) with both the Centennial Chorale and the Kaua‘i High Singers,
All the Extravaganza Extraordinaire’s performers gathered on stage for a rendition of the song “What I Did For Love”, in a final tribute to Filipino culture and values, reminding the audience that Filipinos have been moved by love to acts of heroism and daily endurance.
This Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Gala celebrated the passing of an era in the history of the Filipinos in Hawaii.
It recognized a new breed of Filipinos who will carry on the tradition of work and sacrifice while welcoming a future bright with promise.
