More than 600 people from around the world yesterday wrapped up a gathering in Hawai'i designed to promote the networking and global empowerment of overseas Filipinos.

The event sponsored by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations gave Filipinos a chance to share their problems and solutions with one another, whether they live in America's Midwest or the Middle East, leaders said.

"It helps people living all over the world find out that in unity there is strength," said Loida Nicolas Lewis, the federation's leader who has been an attorney, author and head of a multinational corporation operating in 31 countries. "It's been a very upbeat experience."

Among the chief goals of the organization, Lewis said, is to encourage the millions of Filipinos living overseas with dual citizenship to use their newly granted power to vote in the country's national elections next year.

"Two-thirds of the 1.3 million Filipinos living in the United States will be eligible to vote," she said.

Those attending this weekend's convention at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki also promised to work to have the U.S. Congress recognize the services of Filipino veterans who fought for the United States in World War II and ease immigration restrictions on their sons and daughters still living in the Philippines, Lewis said.

Jerry Ganito, an elected official in Skokie, Ill., said he came to this year's Global Filipino Networking Convention and National Empowerment Conference to tighten the feeling of connection that unites him to some of the other estimated 1.3 million people of Filipino ancestry in the U.S.

He said he was excited to hear speakers such as former Gov. Ben Cayetano and City Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz, Filipino politicians who have reached the heights of power in Hawai'i.

"It's great to be here with everyone all talking the same language and feel the empowerment of that," Ganito said.

During the four-day gathering, attendees also heard from Philippine Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Jose de Venecia and were witness to the premiere showing of "Sandaan," a one-hour documentary detailing the Filipino-American story.

Many of the issues faced by overseas Filipinos scattered across the world are the same, said Joy Lacanienta, a program director for Catholic Charities Hawai'i.

"So when you come together like this for a few days of discussion, whether you are from the East, the West, the Pacific or the homeland, it ties you together as one people," Lacanienta said.

Today many of the delegates will go to the Bishop Museum to participate in a day-long Sentenaryo Festival, with Filipino entertainment, food and community resource booths.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.