12 February 2010- The Philippine Consulate General to Honolulu reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippine Consulate General was the Final Stop for the "Fourth Annual Liliha-Nu'uanu District Candle Light Tour," held on the first full moon of the year.
As part of the Candle Light Tour, Representative Ching provided tour guides who acquainted them with the Philippine Consulate General building which was built in 1905 in the Hawaiian style of a Summer Mansion, also one of the historical buildings and a long-standing institution in District 27 that includes the Queen Emma Summer Palace and the Consular Missions of Japan, Republic of Korea and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
Consul General Leoncio R. Cardenas, in his welcome remarks, expressed his appreciation to Representative Ching on her initiative to nurture an inclusive community in District 27. The district has been the home ground not only of the Philippine Consulate, but also of the Filipino Community in Hawaii which has held many of their Town Hall Meetings, festivities, commemorative events and other socio-cultural events since the opening of the Consulate in Honolulu in 1957.
The Philippine Consulate General Chorale performed "Harana Sa Aming Bahay" featuring well-loved Filipino kundiman, as an offering for the participants.
Tour participants were profuse in their appreciation of the Philippine Consulate's warm reception. The consultant served Filipino-style savories and performing musical numbers showcasing Philippine culture.
A Filipino participant said that she could not feel any prouder of being Filipino than at that night where her "kababayans" at the Consulate welcomed them in the true tradition of Filipino hospitality. END