Days after President Arroyo visited Hawaii on the last leg of her 5-nation economic and diplomatic swing, Filipinos here in Honolulu remain ecstatic about her historic , albeit brief visit. The President earlier visited the FilCom Center in Waipahu to unveil a bronze life-size statue depicting a Sakada cutting sugar cane, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first 15 Filipinos in the United States. Most of them were from Candon, Ilocos Sur.

Speaking to descendants of the first Filipino immigrants, the President praised their sacrifice and the fortitude, as well as the strides Filipinos have made in Hawaii but said that she hopes for a day when leaving the Philippines would be career choice and not a matter of necessity.

Later, she presented to Filipino-American veterans, in ceremonies held at the Punch Bowl Memorial, a stone marker carved out of a slab taken from Corregidor’s Malinta tunnel, to celebrate the heroism of Filipino and American soldiers of World War II.

“Our Filipinos fought together in the greatest war in history. That’s why we are free today and have a strong, modern, confident relationship with the United States. Filipino-Americans provide the bond that seals that relationship and I am confident that friendship will endure forever,” she told scores of veterans and their families.

Having accompanied President Arroyo from Day One up to the last day of her swing through Helsinki, Brussels, London, Havana and Honolulu, I sought permission to stay behind in Honolulu to visit for a few days with my younger brother, Yong and his wife Vicky. On the previous day , my wife, Mira, flew in from Manila to join me for a brief R and R. We met and had dinner with Ambassador Willy Gaa and wife Linda, Consul General Ariel Abadilla and wife, Nerissa, Ludi and Vicky Senador, Filipino Reporter Publisher Bert Pelayo and wife Linda, and Toy Arre and wife Cory.

Toy , who is President of FilCom Center, and a very good family friend, said: "We are honored that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made the effort to visit FilCom to unveil the Centennial Sakada statue which the Philippine government donated. On October 24, 2002, Her Excellency also planted a narra tree which now proudly stands on FilCom Center grounds. It was unfortunate we could not accommodate the hundreds more who wanted to come and show their Aloha."

Through the following days, I had occasion to get reactions from more FilAms. Without exception, people had nothing but very positive remarks about President Arroyo and her visit.

“In my 36 years of living in Hawaii, the one-day visit of President Arroyo to Hawaii gained the most favorable media coverage I've ever seen. Her appearance underscores the Philippine government recognition of the core economic contributions of Filipinos abroad; definitely a boost in Filipino identity, " said Larry Ordonez a businessman, radio and TV personality.

"So nice of her to spend time with the Filipinos in Hawaii. I pray that she continues her good leadership to advance the causes most beneficial to the people of the Philippines, " Maria Jo Farina, women's rights advocate and member, State Foundation of Culture and the Arts Commission, said.

Flor de Luna, a retiree, was absolutely thrilled. "Mabuti nakapunta si Presidente Arroyo dito. First time kong makakitang personal at makipagkamay sa isang Presidente natin."

Rosindo Tejada, a veteran, summed it all up: “Right now, I am just proud to be Filipino.”

Note: Past articles may be viewed at http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/palace_bunye.htm