As the founder of Pinoy Power Honolulu Radio Program andan active leader in the community, Imelda “Emmie” OrtegaAnderson, was unanimously selected as one of the 2009 TwentyOutstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA) by a Panel Board ofJudges headed by Nonoy and Aida Mendoza of the FilipinoImage Magazine, the Pinoy Global Online News and the RoxanneAndrea Mendoza Memorial Foundation.

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DATING PANGULONGCORY AQUINOPUMANAW NAPage-14

See ANDERSON, page 8

EMMIE ORTEGA ANDERSON2009 OUTSTANDINGFILIPINO AWARDEE

HONOLULU—Miss MauiFilipina 2009, 17-year oldCelina Jean MacadangdangHayashi, captured the statetitle of Miss Hawaii Filipina2009 at the Miss HawaiiFilipina Scholarship Pageantheld at the Hawaii Theater onJuly 18. Celina and the otherisland Filipina queens of Oahu,the Big Island, Kauai andMolokai competed in the fourcategories of Judges Pre-pageant Interview, Talent,Swimsuit, and Terno/Speech.In a very rare occurrence, andpossibly the first ever in theState's pageant history since itsinception 50 years ago, Celinacaptured first in every judging

phase of the competition.Celina’s talent was a self-

choreographed contemporaryballet to the song “DahilMinahal Mo Ako” by popularFilipina artist Sarah Geronimo.Her Terno gown was artistical-ly designed by Mr. Peter Lee,well-known designer of Maui,which was adorned with theSampaguita, the nationalflower of the Philippines (alsoknown as the Pikake) whichhad been hand beaded by hergrandmother 31 years ago forher mother’s gown worn in the1978 Miss Maui Filipina pag-eant.

Her speech resonated the

Maui’s Celina Hayashi Captures State Title

It is a concertthat many ofMaui’s peopleeagerly lookforward to eachyear since itwas first pre-sented 13 yearsago. This year,the Dr. Jose L.R o m e r oM e m o r i a l

Concert will be held on Saturday,August 23, at 2:00 p.m. at theSteppingstone Theatre in the QueenKaahumanu Shopping Center at

Dr. Jose L. RomeroMemorial Concertto Feature AmongMaui’s Best

By DANNY AGSALOG

ILOCOS NORTE – On her firstever trip to the Philippines, MauiCouncilmember Gladys C. Baisabecame adopted daughter of theMunicipality of Badoc by resolu-tion approved by the town’sSangguniang Bayan.

Badoc Mayor Thomas N.Torralba presented the resolutionto Councilmember Baisa on July15 at the Office of the Mayor.

The staff of the municipality,members of the SangguniangBayan, and Baisas’ relativesattended the presentation of theresolution.

Sherman Baisa, husband ofCouncilmember Baisa, accompa-nied her to Badoc.

The Baisas trace their roots toBadoc, with Sherman’s father,Cirilo, migrating to Hawaii in1921 or 88 years ago and nevercame back.

The Baisas could not find the

words to describe their first-evervisit to Badoc.

Mayor Torralba and his staffsearched for Sherman’s living rela-tives and arranged for a meetingbetween them at the reception heldby the municipality for the coun-cilmember.

Badoc Adopts Councilmember Gladys Baisa

HONOLULU—As part of its year-longcelebration of the Visayan centennialanniversary in Hawaii, the Congress ofVisayan Organizations (COVO) held theVisayan Century Awards Gala on July 19at the DeRussy Hall of the Hale Koa Hotelin Honolulu, Hawaii. Gracing the occa-sion were Honolulu City ManagingDirector Kirk Caldwell, representing theMayor, and Consul Paul Raymund Cortes,

acting head of post of the PhilippineConsulate, both of whom gave brief mes-sages.

There were three award categories:posthumous, organizational, and individ-ual. The statewide awards were given toindividuals (deceased and living) andorganizations who have worked towardsthe unification of the Visayan community,

COVO Holds VisayanCentury Awards Gala

ANDERSON: “I’m delightfully surprised and elated yet humbled for this award consideringthat I’m just an ordinary person providing compassionate service to the community.”

See HAYASHI, page 11

By Fil-Am OBSERVER Staff

See COVO, page 12

See ROMERO, page 13

See BADOC, page 10BAISA

2009 Miss Hawaii Filipina (right) Celina MacadangdangHayashi and 1st Runner-up Rachel Pacarro; alsoshown is Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman.

ROMERO

CRISTINE REYESNANGUNGUNANG SEKSINGBABAE SA BUONG MUNDO

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