By Jareason Fabre

Filipino-Hawaiian businesses were invited to explore investment and partnership opportunities with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Ilocos Region during the 2nd Philippines-Hawai‘i Sister Province Business Symposium on March 3 at Fort Ilocandia.

During the symposium, MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. served as a panelist in the discussion on Culture and Connectivity, where he underscored Hawaii’s deep-rooted ties with Ilokanos and described MMSU’s strong partnerships with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Dr. Manzano invited business leaders to collaborate with the university as it is a reliable partner for academic collaboration, people-to-people connections, and cultural exchanges. “With MMSU, you are investing in the future. You are investing in human capital that will drive economic growth and sustainable development,” he said.

He shared the panel with Ilocos Norte Tourism Head Aian Raquel, Ilocos Norte Transportation Consultant Atty. Nikki Pilar, and Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) Board Member Dr. Stephanie Chung.

Another panel discussion focused on Emerging Trade Opportunities and Workforce Development. It featured Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce President Marites Yano, Hawai‘i-Philippines Business and Economic Council Founding Partner Mary Rose Cruz Churma, Visionaire Inc. CEO Mary Ann Macaraeg, Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Director for Export Marketing Bureau Maria Katrina Rivera, and Ilocos Norte Investment Promotions Office Head Soya Bueno.

Key figures, including Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, FCCH and East West Marketing, Inc. President Dr. Melody Calisay, and FCCH President-Elect Elvi Sutherland attended the event.

Representatives from the provincial governments of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan, as well as leaders from the business sector, were also present.

The first Hawai‘i-Philippines Sister Province Symposium was held on March 13, 2024, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. The symposium aims to strengthen and maximize opportunities the sister-province relationships between Hawai‘i and the Philippines provide. It will return to Hawaii in 2026.