Page 17 - MidWeek - Dec 7, 2022

Domingo To Be Honored As ‘Our Community Hero’
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is very important to her. As a descendant of sakadas — Filipino migrant workers who were recruited from the early 1900s through the 1940s to work in the plantation fields — she understands the value of hard work.
Awards, called the Order of Sakadas Awards.
DECEMBER 7, 2022 MIDWEEK 17
“My family was poor in the Philippines,” says Domingo, who is originally from North- ern Luzon in the Philippines. “My parents were struggling to earn money, and so I know how hard it is. To help out these students here, it will help them with their future and to realize that education is important.”
“It recognizes outstanding Hawai‘i residents of Filipino ancestry for their excellence and accomplishments in their field of expertise, as well as civic mindedness and sus- taining service to the com- munity-at-large,” explains Leo Rojas Gozar, president of the United Filipino Coun- cil of Hawai‘i and chairman of the board of the United Filipino Council of Hawai‘i Foundation.
Just as Domingo believes in helping the younger gen- eration, she also believes in acknowledging those who may not always get the thanks they deserve: parents. An event that has occurred annually since Domingo’s presidency is its Parents of the Year celebration. The night honors guardians who made sacrifices so their chil- dren could have access to higher education.
Considering all Domin- go has done for the Filipino community, it should come as no surprise that she was se- lected as one of the recipients of the Progress Awards. The ceremony, which took place at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort, rec- ognized 10 individuals.
Magdalena Domingo poses at the Consulate General of the Philippines (above) and with friends Cecilia Villafuerte and Sarah Hosaka at a high tea event. PHOTOS COURTESY Cecilia Villafuerte
As an active member in the Filipino community, Domingo (center) has made a lasting impact in local radio and in education. Of special note, she’s assisted in raising thousands of dollars to help students fulfill their dreams of higher education. PHOTO COURTESY GABE DE LISO
But Domingo’s work in the Filipino community doesn’t stop there. In addition to be- ing the president of the Phil- ippine Cultural Foundation, she was also the first female president of the United Fili- pino Council of Hawaiʻi in 1990. She assumed the pres- idency again in 1996. While it is clear that Domingo has had to work hard in order to successfully juggle multiple obligations, she credits each organization’s various mem- bers and says her victories have been a team effort.
“Because this is a special edition of the award, we called the recipients ‘heroes’ and we are so proud of the quality of our selections,” Gozar says. “Maggie Domin- go is our community hero.”
The United Filipino Coun- cil’s foundation celebrated its 63rd anniversary last month with an awards ceremony. This year featured a spe- cial edition of its Progress
“Sometimes, you know, I feel like I am bragging,” admits the 90-year-old ma- triarch. “I am very honored and very humbled because I thought that what I am doing is just my job, just like an ob- ligation to help out the com- munity. I thank the Lord for his guidance and giving me strength and talent to do all the things that I have done.”
“Her impact has made many changes in the Fili- pino American community, and she has created many opportunities for young in- dividuals through her edu- cational initiatives,” Gozar says. “Always an advocate and an indefatigable human- itarian, Ms. Domingo has become everyman’s auntie, exuding maternal care and ardor.
While the official day is not until later in the month, the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawai‘i, in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and the Filipino Community Center, celebrates the historic day with an event titled Kired – Sakada Through The Years, on Dec. 11.
The fun kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Filipino Community Center. The event’s name, Kired, seems only fitting as it means strength, vigor or endurance in Ilocano.
In addition to offering Fil- ipino cuisine, the event will also feature a reenactment of the life of sakadas, which was written and directed by retired Leeward Community College professor Raymund Liongson Jr.
Even though Domingo has accomplished so much, it’s her humble demeanor that shines through — so much so that she initially declined the award.
business leader, radio host and travel agent.
signed a bill designating ev- ery Dec. 20 as Sakada Day. Being that Domingo’s parents were sakadas, the upcoming event holds a special place in her heart.
have a day we can call our own day in Hawai‘i,” says Cecilia Villafuerte, chair of the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee. “We are thankful to all the sakadas and honor those who paved the way for a better life for many Filipinos.”
we Filipinos came from, how we got here and how we have sacrificed much hardship to get where we are today,” Villafuerte adds. “We have come a long way. We are now about 400,000 Filipinos, the second-largest ethnic group in Hawai‘i.”
According to Gozar, Do- mingo was chosen for the award because of all the suc- cess she’s had in her endeav- ors, including her work as a
“Although semi-retired, she continues to be an active part of the community, which she loves dearly.”
“This is indeed a great milestone for us. Now we
“We have missed celebrat- ing for several years now, and it’s been time again to bring it back so the younger gen- eration will remember where
For ticket information, go online to givebutter.com/ sakadahawaii.
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