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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, December 8, 2006

Filipino Centennial final events announced

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

A family of Filipino immigrants, one of the photographs that are on display at UH-Manoa's Hamilton Library.

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An exhibit showcasing archival images of Filipino plantation workers, a contest featuring colorful parols (traditional Christmas decorations of the Philippines), and the chance to purchase Filipino furnishings, crafts and culinary delights will be among the highlights of several events this month capping off the Filipino centennial celebration in Hawai'i.

The year of festivities commemorated the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first 15 sakada, who were Filipino farm workers recruited in 1906 to work on Hawai'i's sugar plantations.

Among the closing activities taking place:

  • Philippine International Trade Expo, featuring arts, crafts, furnishings, clothing, food, beverages, health and fitness items, services, and more, 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16, Hawai'i Convention Center; $5 general, $4 seniors, military with ID and children ages 7 to 12, and free for children 6 and younger with paying adult. 371-6033 or www.philtradeexpo.com.

  • "The Implications of the 1946 Sugar Strike in Hawai'i to the 21st Century," a presentation with speaker Ah Quon McElrath, former International Longshore and Warehouse Union leader, noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Ala Moana Hotel; part of the International Conference on the Hawai'i Filipino Centennial; free. Limited seats available; register by Dec. 12: 956-6086.

  • "Handog sa Pasko," a Filipino Christmas festival with a parol contest, Christmas caroling contest, entertainment, children's games, food booths and more, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 16, Kapi'olani Park; free. 282-3669 or 783-3327.

  • "Parangal," closing centennial dinner, 5:30 p.m. cocktails and 6:30 p.m. dinner Dec. 17, Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom; $75. Proceeds from the dinner, which is sponsored by the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission, will help cover centennial celebration expenses, said Jun Colmenares, chairman of the event. Limited seats available: 349-9319.

  • "Filipinos in Hawai'i: The First 100 Years," a pictorial exhibit that features the travelling exhibit "Singgalot (Ties that Bind) — Filipinos in America: From Colonial Subjects to Citizens," 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 11 p.m. Sundays, through Jan. 31 (check for special holiday hours), University of Hawai'i-Manoa Hamilton Library, first floor; free ($3 fee to park on campus, free on Sundays). 956-9932, uhmlibpr@hawaii.edu or http://library.manoa.hawaii.edu.

    For more information about centennial celebration closing events statewide, call the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission at 845-3100 or visit www.filipinosinhawaii100.org.

    Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.