Page 7 - MidWeek Kauai - December 14, 2022

Domingo To Be Honored As ‘Our Community Hero’
Seeing students succeed is very important to her. As a descendant of sakadas — Fil- ipino 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.
cial edition of its Progress Awards, called the Order of Sakadas Awards.
DECEMBER 14, 2022
KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 7
FROM PAGE 6
“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-
According to Gozar, Do- mingo was chosen for the award because of all the suc- cess she’s had in her endeav-
“Although semi-retired, she continues to be an active
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,
The fun kicked off at 5 p.m. at the Filipino Community Center. The event’s name,
Even though Domingo has accomplished so much, it’s her humble demeanor that shines through — so much so that she initially declined the award.
ors, including her work as a business leader, radio host and travel agent.
part of the community, which she loves dearly.”
celebrated with an event ti- tled Kired – Sakada Through The Years, back on Dec. 11.
Kired, seems only fitting as it means strength, vigor or endurance in Ilocano.
“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 Filipino American community, and she has created many oppor- tunities for young individu- als through her educational initiatives,” Gozar says. “Always an advocate and an indefatigable humanitarian, Ms. Domingo has become everyman’s auntie, exuding maternal care and ardor.
In 2015, Gov. David Ige 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.
“This is indeed a great milestone for us. Now we 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 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 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.”