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Filipino community hosts visiting Philippine Consulate delegation

President of the local Filipino community Reynaldo Sello, together with members of the Philippine Consulate General who are visiting the territory from Honolulu, HI.  They are: Deputy Consul General Roberto Bernardo; Querubin Cacho who oversees the finances; and Jeffrey De Mesa, the Protocol and Community Relations officers. [photo: Bea Galzote]

The new officers for the Filipino Community of American Samoa (FCAS), in an effort to improve the unity and structure of their countrymen’s lives in the territory, were able to collaborate with the Philippine Consulate organization from Hawai’i, which resulted in a delegation from Hawai’i arriving in the territory this past weekend.

The Consulate delegation traveled to American Samoa to help the local Filipino community members with various issues including FCAS membership registration and renewal, passport renewals, applications for notarial service, authentication of documents, reports of births and marriages, dual citizenship, and the administration of the Oath of Allegiance for dual citizenship.

This past Saturday, August 26th, the FCAS hosted the “2017 Consular’s Night” at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei.

The event was not only held to welcome the Consulate General from Hawai’i, but also to carry out the ceremonial oath of office for the newly elected officers and board of directors of FCAS.

The opening ceremony featured the national anthems of the United States, American Samoa, and the Philippines, followed by a prayer offered by Rev. Father Vaiula Iulio.

Newly elected FCAS president Renato A. Sello offered opening remarks, followed by Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale inducting the FCAS new officers.

Consul General Gina A. Jamorlin, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga, and former FCAS president lorgio Baul (1991-1993) all offered special remarks during the event/

The night concluded with dinner and dancing, which included a mix of Samoan and Filipino entertainment. The FCAS dance group performed the traditional bamboo tinikling dance while the Taupou Manaia Dance academy performed their siva with a taualuga by Korina Lee.

The three-day outreach program started at the Tedi of Samoa (Fagatogo Square) compound last Saturday and concluded yesterday.

According to the delegates, “The outreach program — made possible by the newly elected officers — will not only help and better the community but also all the individuals that the program will be able to assist.”