PAGE 2 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • MARCH 1-15, 2015
ERRATA
Oops! The Courier takes great efforts to check facts, but sometimes in meeting deadlines, we skip steps and make mistakes. We apologize and mean no harm. Last issue’s cover story contained some inaccurate information and we would like to set the record straight: - Donna Mercado Kim’s mother, Lily Mercado, was a waitress, and not a housewife. - While her maternal grandfather was Filipino, her maternal grandmother was Portuguese. Her grandfather was politically inclined but not involved in the union. - In elementary school, she did try to get involved in student government but when she ran and did not win, she opted for other activities. - She did walk in her high school graduation, but due to lack of resources, she was unable to return to Pullman, Washington for her college graduation at Washington State.
Welcome Aboard: Casamina and Gallarde Join Courier Roster
We are privileged to have two new writers join our ranks, even as the Fil-am Courier continues to ramp up on our commitment to bring you articles that truly reflect community sentiments and current mores.
CASAMINA-CABATU
Amelia Casamina-Cabatu will be taking over the updates on the Community Calendar effective March 15th. She picks up the responsibility from community leader Edna Alikpala who has begged for time off as she is busy getting acquainted with her first grandchild from only daughter, Erika. We wish Edna well and as Edna knows, she is only on hiatus, and may be contributing articles to the Courier from time to time. Amelia was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii
with family roots from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She graduated from Farrington High School and attended the University of Hawaii. A businesswoman, Amelia is a pioneer in her field of work. Her home became the first residential home to be licensed as an adult day care center by the State Department of Human Resources and have been the owner/ administrator for the CASAMINA ADULT DAY CARE HOME since 1992. Through her genuine compassion for the elderly and disabled adults and her continued commitment in providing excellence in caregiving, The Hawaii State Legislature presented Amelia with a certificate of commendation and recognition lauding her as an exemplary role model for healthcare providers in the state. Amelia’s community service affiliations are with the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii serving as the 2015 Chairwoman, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and served as a
board member for the Oahu Filipino Community Council, the Filipino Business Women’s Association and the Filipino Women’s Civic Club. Amelia was given the Progress Award in the media and communication category by The United Filipino Council of Hawaii. She is the past president of the Oahu Filipino Jaycee Women Organization and the public relations officer for the Filipino American Military Organization. Amelia is a veteran radio broadcaster and holds an FCC radio operator permit since February 1987. She was the news director for 1540 KISS AM Filipino radio for over 15 years and currently guest hosts for 1270 KNDI Radio. One of her many passions, Amelia share her God given talent and time by hosting many private celebrations and public community functions. Amelia is married to Arnold Cabatu and resides in their home in Salt Lake. They have a daughter Armay and enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends at home.
in Waipahu and Ewa Beach, in addition to his childhood abroad. Jaco holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science and Masters degree in Communications from the University of Hawaii Manoa. Jaco has over nine years of legislative, political campaigning, and strategic communications experience. His strategic communications small business, JG Strategic Solutions, has provided consulting services for many campaigns in the last four election cycles, focusing on community outreach, integrated media strategies, fundraising, and infrastructure building. Some highlights of Jaco’s national work include: - serving on President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign focusing on Asian American Pacific Islander outreach throughout the
eastern seaboard - creating a national digital and earned media strategy as a contract consultant for the Asian American Justice Center’s push for comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Senate - managed State Senator Will Espero’s 2014 campaign for U.S. Congress - managed Dept. of Interior Assist. Secretary Esther Kiaaina’s 2012 campaign for U.S. Congress - Digital Director, Reuniting Families Campaign - Communications, Director for Filipinos for Family Reunification Jaco currently resides in Ewa and spends his time exploring restaurants, finding the best halo-halo places, and learning foreign languages.
GALLARDE
Bryan Jaco Gallarde will be tasked with writing general assignment stories for the Courier. Currently, Jaco is the Legislative Office Manager and Senior Advisor to Ewa State Representative Matthew S. LoPresti. He is a proud fifth-generation Filipino American who spent most of his life