HR303.DOC

WHEREAS, the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas was instituted through Executive Order No. 498 in December 1991 in recognition of the important role of Filipinos overseas and has been conferred on 283 overseas-based individuals and organizations in 37 countries so far; and

WHEREAS, the Presidential Awards are presented every two years, with four separate categories depending on the types of contributions made by the organization or individual to the Philippines; and

WHEREAS, the four separate Presidential Award categories are: the Lingkod Sa Kapwa Pilipino Award, the Kaanib Ng Bayan Award, the Pamana Ng Pilipino Award, and the Banaag Award; and

WHEREAS, the criteria for receiving the Banaag Presidential Award are:

1. Outstanding or significant service or contribution resulting in benefits to a particular sector/region in the Philippines or Filipino community overseas;

2. The success, impact, or effectiveness of the contribution, which could be in the form of any or a combination of personal/professional service, financial or material contribution, or technology that has proven to be beneficial;

3. Dedication and commitment to pursuing activities to contribute to progress and development of a particular sector in the Philippines or community overseas;

4. Resourcefulness and initiative in tapping various sources to support development undertakings in the interests of a particular sector/region in the Philippines or Filipino community overseas;

5. Social consciousness in terms of manifesting strong community spirit, or leading or actively participating in projects or other activities for the common good; and

6. Dedication and commitment to pursuing activities to contribute to the betterment of the sector/region in the Philippines or Filipino community overseas; and

WHEREAS, 122 nominations were received by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas from 29 countries, and only 31 Presidential Awardees were selected in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagai Arroyo, presented the Presidential Awards at the Malacanan Palace, Manila, Philippines on December 10, 2008 in observance of the Month of Filipinos Overseas; and

WHEREAS, the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) is the umbrella group of over 350 Filipino organizations in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, through its statewide leadership, has fostered and developed a well organized and close-knit Filipino community and is active in preserving and promoting Filipino culture and traditions in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, through the United Filipino Council of Hawaii's bayanihan, aloha spirit, and its efforts to unite the Filipino community and perpetuate and preserve Filipino culture and heritage, the Filipino community in Hawaii is one of the most cohesive and supportive communities of expatriates in the world; and

WHEREAS, the United Filipino Council of Hawaii was awarded the 2008 Banaag Presidential Award for its contributions which have significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines and advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that that this body congratulates and commends the United Filipino Council of Hawaii on receiving the 2008 Banaag Presidential Award, and offers its best wishes for all of its future endeavors.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

United Filipino Council of Hawaii 2008 Banaag Presidential Award

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	303
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII