Meeting with the Filipino Community in Hawaii (Speech) 11/18/2023

Hawaii Convention Center, Hawaii
November 18, 2023
“I have waited very long time to say, Aloha! The Filipinos and the Filipino-Americans in Hawaii hold a very special place in my heart for all the wonderful experiences we had here with our Filipino compatriots,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he expressed his profound gratitude to the Filipino community in Hawaii that embraced him and his family after they were forced to flee the Philippines following the political unrest in February 1986.
These sentiments were conveyed during his meeting with the Filipino Community as part of his Working Visit to Honolulu, Hawaii in a gathering at the Hawaii Convention Center in November 18, 2023.
During the meeting, the President recounted his memories of when they arrived in Hawaii and the warm welcome they received from the Filipino community.
“These are the people who kept us alive of six years. We landed here in Honolulu with nothing. My family was flown from Malacañan Palace to Hickam Air Force Base and when we finally moved to Makiki Heights… We had nothing with us, they kept everything to inspect everything. These were the people who kept body and soul together of the Marcos family,” he remarked, recalling the moments when they arrived at the Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu.
He also acknowledged from the crowd those who became close to them, including the security members of the Presidential Security Command (PSC), the predecessor of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), who remained loyal to the Marcos family.
Moreover, President Marcos Jr. offered a prayer and a moment of silence for the victims of the Maui wildfires that occurred last August, claiming the lives of 26 Filipinos and Filipino-American families.
Continuing with his remarks, the Chief Executive referred to the gathering as a celebration of the strong connection between the Philippines and Hawaii. He also emphasized the significant roles of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the economy and vibrant history of Hawaii, which have continued to flourish in various industries since the arrival of the first 15 Filipino immigrants, known as ‘Sakadas’, in 1906 to work in plantations and fight alongside Americans during the war.
“Today, we see highly successful second and third generation Filipinos, as well as present-day migrants, who are an indelible part of society. Because of you, the Philippines enjoys a very positive image in Hawaii. Thank you for all that you do for our country,” he said.
The President also extended his deepest appreciation for garnering 83% of the total votes in Hawaii and in American Samoa during the 2022 overseas voting exercise.
“Even from the time of my father, you have been by our side in our quest to serve the country. From the bottom of my heart, I must say that I thank you for trusting me, for believing in this leadership. In return, I and my administration will be hard at work and have been hard at work from day one, to ensure that we accomplish all that we have set out to do,” he said.
President Marcos Jr. highlighted the outcomes of his participation in the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco, California and announced positive economic growth. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased to 7.6% in 2022 and grew by 5.3% in the first half of 2023, surpassing projections. Employment and jobs are at historic highs with tourism, investment registration and manufacturing activity contributing significantly to GDP at 18.7% in 2022.
“So, I ask all of you, continue to be supportive of your government and of the Philippines. You have worked hard to build your lives here. You are the glue that holds us together. Let us keep traffic bustling between our two homes. Let us continue working together towards building a stronger Philippine Republic. I count on your support,” he urged, concluding his message.
Connect with RTVM
Website: rtvm.gov.ph
Facebook: presidentialcom and rtvmalacanang
Twitter: @RTVMalacanang
CZcams: @RTVMalacanang
Tiktok: @RTVMalacanang