2007 HFJCC Officers

                                       Cheryl Ramos Cudiamat is the first generation of her family born in the United States, in Honolulu,
                                       Hawaii. She is married to Jeoffrey Cudiamat and they have two children: Carson who is two years old, and
                                       Tyson, who is 1 year old. Her mother, Erlinda, is from Ilocos Norte, and is a care home administrator, and
                                       her father, Danilo, from Pateros, Manila and is retired from the US Navy, and assists with the care home
                                       business. Cheryl is half Tagalog, and a quarter each Ilocano and Visayan. She currently works for the City
                                       and County of Honolulu, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division, but is also president of her
                                       husband’s firm, Structural Hawaii, Inc. She enjoys cooking on her spare time and loves to entertain
                                       guests at their home in Aiea. Community service has always been an integral part of her life, since she
believes that in order to live a fulfilling life, one needs to help others. A motto that she lives by, is to always think positively. She has a
strong faith and belief in God, and that everything in life happens for a good reason. She graduated with her BA in Business
Administration in 1999, as well as her MBA, with an emphasis in Marketing in 2001, from Chaminade University. She attended Aiea
High School, and played the trombone all the way throughout college with the University of Hawaii concert and marching bands.
Cheryl is definitely proud to be Filipino, but remembers while growing up in Hawaii when she could not say the same. Having been
raised in Aiea, she was normally one of very few, sometimes the only Filipino in her classes. She was fortunate to be in all advanced
or AP classes, so she always felt different from everyone else, but being Filipino, always made her work harder, to prove to everyone
that Filipinos are hardworking, successful, and smart, as any other ethnicity. She obtained numerous awards and key leadership
positions throughout high school. Cheryl joined the HFJCC to bond with others of similar interests, but more importantly, to be able
to give back to the community, especially the Filipino community. She believes that there is truly strength in numbers, and joining
together with others who share the same vision and hope for the future, means greater success of attaining that goal. She dreams
that one day in Hawaii, Filipinos will be looked solely upon as a group that is successful in everything, politics, medicine, law,
business, entertainment, etc. Filipinos are really blessed in being good-looking, looking younger than we really are, being well-
rounded in all that we do, as well as having strong family and religious values. We all need to make the most of what God has
blessed us with, and all work together, to raise our community, our culture, our people, to where we belong...at the top. We all need
to be proud to be Filipino, and show everyone what a great people we truly are.

                                     Darwin is one of the most active members of the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce. Since
                                     joining, he immediately showed everyone his caliber of leadership, dedication and integrity. While as a
                                     new member, he chaired numerous projects, and so it was not a surprise that in less than a year during
                                     the upcoming elections, he was elected as the Community Development Vice-President, one of the main
                                     positions on the Board, since after all, the organization strongly focuses on helping the community. One
                                     of the largest projects that he chaired was the 14th Annual Filipino Parade, where he obtained notable
                                     guests as the Parade Marshalls, Jasmin Trias of American Idol and Elias Beniga, the Chairman of the
                                     Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission. The event was a huge success with Darwin at the helm.
                                     Darwin has such a positive personality, and if ever a problem arises, he can always formulate “Plan B”, if he
doesn’t already have a Plan B, and keeps the project moving forward. Nothing seems to get him down, and thus, everything that he
partakes in, is a surefire success. Community service, or just simply helping others for the good of all, must be in his blood. Darwin
is the incoming Executive Vice President. He is truly an asset to the HFJCC!

                                     Bobby Agpaoa served as the 2006 HFJCC President. He was born in Madamba, Dingras, Ilocos Norte,
                                     Philippines. Bobby came to Honolulu, Hawaii when he was 5 years old. Bobby has 5 brothers and 2
                                     sisters. Bobby is the youngest child. He is married to Elisa “Leeza” Queja Ritua Agpaoa. His mother was
                                     born in Hilo, Hawaii and raised in Mandaloque, Philippines. His father was born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte,
                                     Philippines. Through history, Agpaoas are known to be originally from Kamangaan. Bobby graduated
                                     from Farrington High School in 1989. Bobby freelances in graphic design and web development. He took
                                     some college courses and enlisted with the United States Army Reserve. Graduated in the Military School
                                     of Engineering. He is currently in the position of Information Systems Operator Analyst with the Army
Reserve. Bobby recently served our country in the Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Besides the Filipino Jaycees, He is also a member of
the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Farrington Alumni Community Foundation. When Bobby finds free time in his busy
schedule, he loves to draw, design, play PC games, surf the net, write poetry, talk to people, and dancing. Bobby is proud of being a
Filipino because it is a part of him. He was born a Filipino and he does not want to be or pretend to be someone that he is not.
Bobby believes of being himself. Filipino is a part of his root, his history. Bobby is proud of the Filipinos because they work hard
without any excuses in bettering their life, their families here and back home in the Philippines. Bobby learned more about his roots
during the Filipino Centennial. Through the Centennial events, he met many people that may be able to help him. Bobby believes
that Filipinos will even accomplish more to better the lives of future generations.

                                     Claire Orodio Bello was born and raised in Hawaii by her family who came from Ilocos Sur and La Union,
                                     Philippines. She graduated from Waipahu High School with Magna Cum Laude (high honors.) She
                                     received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance, from the
                                     University of Hawaii at Manoa. Claire is currently working at Central Pacific Bank as a Personal Banking
                                     Officer. In addition, Claire is very active in the community. Claire is also an active member of the Loyalty
                                     Toastmasters Club. Joining the HFJCC and attending Filipino Centennial Celebration sponsored events
                                     has brought Claire closer and more appreciative of her Filipino culture and heritage.

                                       Laurence specializes in Public Relations & Web Development. He has fulfilled a life-long dream of starting
                                       his own web design business, LancerMedia Hawaii. He continues to be a tremendous asset to the Filipino
                                       Jaycees. In 2006, he was the “voice” for the organization, having served the dual role of Public Relations
                                       Director and Website Director. From the get-go, Laurence was a very active member of the HFJCC. He is
                                       always willing to take part in committees for all projects the organization coordinates. The largest event that
                                       he chaired was The Future of Filipinos in Hawaii: Art & Essay Competition. He enjoyed being an integral
                                       part of Art & Essay Competition (A&EC) project since he will forever know in his heart that he helped the
                                       Filipino children of Hawaii learn about their roots, and especially about the Sakadas (laborers). He has made
a educational impact in the children and teen participants by allowing them to appreciate their Filipino heritage. He was touched by
some of the essay entries. Several teens spoke to their grandparents and neighbors for the first time about when they first arrived in
Hawaii. The A&EC project allowed participants to take a step back in time and reliving the hardship that Filipinos endured to make
Hawaii a better place to live. His goal this year is to focus on community service projects that will benefit all ages, from newborns to
our elders.

                                     Marlene Baldueza is proud of her Filipino heritage and to represent her Filipino community. She was born
                                     to Bernard and Carmelita Baldueza at the Subic Naval Hospital in the Philippines and moved Hawaii
                                     when she was one year old. She graduated from Punahou School in 1994 and received a BBA in
                                     Marketing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1999. She was also a member of the prestigious
                                     Marketing Honor Society, Mu Kappa Tau. For the people of Hawaii, Marlene is better known as a member
                                     of the popular all-female singing group, Forte. She is still a full-time entertainer and performs regularly at
                                     the Magic of Polynesia and at the Alii Kai Dinner Cruise. She can also be seen performing with Kit
                                     Samson and the Sound Advice as well as the Motor City Angels. In the recent years, Marlene has become
                                     more active with the following Filipino organizations. She is also a member of the Filipino Chamber of
Commerce, serving as a Co-Chair for the Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament as well as being the Chairperson for the Christmas
Celebration of 2006. She was also named 2005 Young Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s Centennial events have made a special impact on Marlene. It educated her on the history of the Sakadas and the
contributions of Filipinos to Hawaii. She was honored to be interviewed by Emme Tomimbang for her TV Documentary “Mabuhay
With Aloha: The Hawaii Filipino Experience 1906-2006” and share her thoughts. She encourages the Filipino youth of Hawaii to
learn more about their culture and history. She also hopes to inspire the youth to achieve greatness in whatever they do, join
organizations and give back to the community.

                                     Jeoffrey S. Cudiamat was born in Honolulu and attended Pearl City High School where he graduated at
                                     the top of his class as valedictorian. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering
                                     (Building Science) from the University of Southern California and graduated with High Honors. While at
                                     USC, Jeoffrey was an active officer in USC’s Filipino Club, Troy Philippines, and he was one of the
                                     Founding Fathers at USC of the only Filipino Fraternity in the United States, Zeta Phi Rho. Jeoffrey was
                                     accepted in Chi Epsilon National Honor Society (Secretary), Tau Beta Phi National Honor Society, and
                                     Golden Key National Honor Society. After earning a bachelor’s degree, he continued studying for a
                                     master’s degree in structural engineering at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Jeoffrey Cudiamat is a
                                     licensed structural engineer and civil engineer; and he is the Chief Executive Officer of Structural Hawaii, Inc.,
an architectural and structural engineering design and consultation firm. As a Board member of the Leeward YMCA, Jeoffrey finds
time to give back to the community. Professionally, Jeoffrey has recently been elected as secretary to the Structural Engineers
Association of Hawaii (SEAOH); and he is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Filipino-American League
of Engineers & Architects (FALEA). He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and the Filipino Chamber of
Commerce of Hawaii. In his spare time, he plays guitar for a local live band. His father is from Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, and his
mother is from Bulacan. Growing up in Hawaii, Jeoffrey though of himself as a local Hawaiian and/or an American. He did not think
of himself as a Filipino. There seemed to be a negative stereotype with being Filipino, such as the teasing of the Filipino accent and
references to low-class, service jobs. Not until attending college in the mainland did he realize the uniqueness of the Filipino
culture. Being a part of a Filipino club at USC opened Jeoffrey’s eyes not only to cultural awareness, but also to the fact that there
are many very bright, successful Filipinos that are in complete contrast to the negative stereotypical image perceived by Jeoffrey. He
realized that being Filipino was not about the accent or other negative stereotype, but rather about such noteworthy characteristics
exemplified by most Filipinos such as being hard-working and having family-oriented values. The Filipino Centennial year was a
major milestone for Filipino-Americans. Through the various activities, Filipinos had the opportunity to reflect on how far Filipinos in
America have advanced and contributed in America (and Hawaii’s) society; but most importantly, it enforced a sense of cultural
pride.

                                        Jay Knight was born and raised on Oahu. His grandfather had immigrated to Hawaii from Ilocos Norte;
                                        his grandmother is from Isabella. Jay grew up in Waipahu, attending Waipahu Elementary and Waipahu
                                        Intermediate. In high school he transferred to Maryknoll Schools, thanks to an academic scholarship. In
                                        college, Jay studied computer information systems at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, PA. After
                                        receiving his Bachelor’s, he remained at Carnegie Mellon to pursue a Master’s degree in Information
                                        Systems Management. Then Jay decided that Pennsylvania snowed too much, and he moved closer to
                                        home. Upon graduation from college, Jay relocated to California, where he worked as a software
                                        engineer, first in Silicon Valley, then later in Los Angeles. But after years of longing for his family, his friends,
and good Ilocano food, he moved back home to Hawaii. He currently develops computer applications for Referentia Systems, Inc.,
in Honolulu. This past February, Jay took his first trip to the Philippines. He had an amazing experience, traveling around the
country. He had the opportunity to meet with his family there for the first time. Along his journey, Jay met real igorots. He learned to
peel shrimp with a fork and spoon, and he rode a carabao. It means eating balut with no shame, as you crack open the shell, sip
on the soup, and tell your friends how it tastes like chicken! He appreciates that now we have the option to use toilet paper instead
of tabo. From talking with sakadas like Angel Ramos, to seeing Goro Arakawa’s photo collection, to meeting the host of
Wowowee....it taught him that our people will work hard, will play hard, and will have great stories to tell afterwards.

                                        Angelica Lewis was born and raised in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She graduated from Centro Escolar
                                        University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications, with a focus in Broadcasting.
                                        Currently, she works at Central Pacific Bank and was awarded the Top Performer in 2006 in the Service
                                        Specialist category. She has always been active in community service since college. Her passion in life
                                        is to make everyone happy, especially children. She finds it so fulfilling to see the smile on their faces.
                                        She’s proud of being Filipino because of all the traditions. Filipinos are also hardworking and very
                                        hospitable. We also have amazing talents who are known globally like, Manny Pacquiao, Jasmin Trias,
                                        Camille Velasco, and the likes. Filipinos are known for our beauty as well as competitiveness. The
                                        Centennial year events helped us to learn and appreciate our Filipino culture by bringing up the past,
                                        especially what the sakadas have done. The events really helped especially the Filipinos born and raised here
in the US known more about their culture. “I’ve also learned that my great-grandfather, Valentin Tacbian, Sr., was even a part of the
plantation workers in the early 1940’s,” said Angel. “I am so proud of him being a sakada.” She has only been in Hawaii for three
years now, so learning about culture is not something new for her. Being in the HFJCC helped make her less homesick, since they
are all really nice people and very helpful, which reminds her of her friends in the Philippines. Our organization has the same goal,
which is to give back to the community, especially our fellow Filipinos. Angel would like to perpetuate the Filipino culture by
committing herself to the HFJCC. She considers this group as the best influence she has ever experienced in terms of reaching out
and helping the community. Her hope and aspirations of the future is to be able to see more Filipinos on the top of everything,
especially public service.

                                     Doris Villarante Quisagan was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but raised in Iligan City of the Philippines. She
                                     returned to Honolulu in 2001 and attended James Campbell High School, where she graduated with the
                                     Cum laude distinction in 2003. In high school Doris joined the Filipino Club where she was a dancer.
                                     Onward she attended Remington College and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in
                                     International Business, with high honors. In college she joined SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise).
                                     Currently she is employed at Central Pacific Bank. Doris loves to join any type of organization that helps
                                     her to go outside and meet different people. However, she loves to join a Filipino club to know more
                                     about her culture. She is so proud of being a Filipino, and believes that Filipinos are known as talented,
                                     smart and friendly. Doris wants to help organize a Filipino event, so she will learn more about the history
                                     and culture. This is the reason why she is a part of the Filipino Jaycees.

                                     Leslie received her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Political Science from
                                     California State University , Long Beach. While at Cal State Long Beach, she served on the Board for the
                                     Pilipino-American Coalition (PAC). Leslie relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii and received her Juris Doctor
                                     from the William S. Richardson School of Law, UH Manoa. She was admitted to the Hawai‘i State Bar in
                                     November 2005 and served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Greg K. Nakamura of the Third Circuit Court
                                     in Hilo. Leslie was an officer of the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce (2001), committee
                                     chairperson for the 10th Annual Oahu Mabuhay Festival, President of the Filipino Law Student
                                     Association at UH Law, and is a member of the Hawaii Filipino Lawyer’s Association. Leslie is currently
                                     an associate attorney at the law offices of Park Park Yu & Remillard.

                                     Jay was born in Wahiawa, Hawaii in September 1979 just a few days after his mother arrived in Honolulu
                                     from the Philippines. His father, Apolinario Raymundo, is originally from Urdaneta, Pangasinan, and his
                                     mother, Ely Raymundo, is originally from Rosales, Pangasinan in the northern part of Luzon. In his spare
                                     time, he likes to travel, mountain bike, go hiking, and just recently took up surfing. Jay grew up on the north
                                     shore of Oahu, where he graduated from Waialua High & Intermediate School, and continued his
                                     education in Boston, Massachusetts where he earned his B.A. in Biology and French Language and
                                     Literature. Today, he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Life Connections, and also the Chief
                                     Operating Officer of Aloha Habilitation Services, both of which are human services organizations working
                                     with people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation.

Alvin Acupan was born and raised on the Big Island. He is the son of Jeorge and Rosie Acupan, from
Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. He has two younger sisters, Ruby Jane and Mayrose. Alvin was part of Keaau
High School's first graduating class in 2003. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Communications with a Minor in speech at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He plans on graduating in
August 2007. Previously, he attended college at California State University Northridge, where he was a
member of the school's FASA (Filipino American Student Association). He currently works at KHNL-New8
as a video editor and also at Duke's Waikiki restaurant. Alvin's future ambition is to one day become a news
reporter for a Hawaii television station. His hobbies include going to the beach, playing the ukulele,
basketball, travelling, learning about the Filipino culture, and training jiu-jitsu.

                                        Janilee Ann-Marie Mariano was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is the youngest daughter of
                                        Fernandico and Maria Mariano. Growing up, Janilee was always very active in school. She attended Fern
                                        Elementary, where she was an assistant manager of the choir. At Dole Intermediate, she was a student
                                        government and band president, and was named Dole Diplomat, which is the highest honor among her
                                        class. She then attended Farrington High, where she was involved in student council, band, and business
                                        clubs. She graduated with Magna Cum Laude, and received scholarships from Papa Johns, Fred Luster
                                        Educational Foundation, and the Spirit Scholarship to attend Hawaii Pacific University. At Hawaii Pacific, she
                                        was involved in the American Marketing Association, American Advertising Federation, and International
                                        Chorale, and was inducted as a member of Delta Mu Delta, Mu Kappa Tau, and President’s Hosts. She
received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and graduated with honors. On her spare time, Janilee enjoys singing, dancing, writing
poetry, architectural drawing, playing drums, and spending time with family and friends. Currently, Janilee is working at MediaWill
Telematics, LLC as their Marketing/Support Specialist and is the Vice President of Collegiate Relations at the American Marketing
Association Hawaii Chapter. Janilee has always been committed in all that she does and would like to extend that dedication to the
Filipino community. She is proud of her culture and to be a Filipina, and would like to support her fellow Filipinos. Janilee has
experienced a lot personally and professionally and has established herself as a well rounded, diligent, and respected young woman.
She would like to share her experiences and knowledge and serve the Filipino community. In July 2007, Janilee was appointed to
serve as Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce’s Individual Development Vice President.