Celebrating Connections: 2025 Philippines Study Tour Presentation Recap
Students, families, educators, and community leaders gathered at the Filipino Community Center for a special occasion: the 2025 Sister-State Study Tour Presentation. Organized by the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council (PAAC), the event celebrated the return of 14 Hawai‘i high school students from their transformative journey through the Ilocos region of the Philippines.
The program began with a warm welcome from PAAC’s Study Tours Director, Ms. Carol Li, who shared the tour's theme: "Weaving Our Interconnected Stories." This theme reflected not only the ties between Hawai‘i and the Philippines—especially the deep roots in the Ilocos region—but also the powerful people-to-people connections that students formed across borders.
In partnership with the State of Hawai‘i and the East-West Center, students were able to participate in this immersive experience through scholarships that helped remove financial barriers. Their reflections shared during the presentation were a testament to how much they grew—as learners, leaders, and global citizens.
Distinguished guests, including Consul General Arman R. Talbo, Vice Consul Leizel Jane Caasi, Hawai‘i State Senator Lynn Pualani DeCoite, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and representatives from the University of Hawai‘i and the East-West Center, joined in celebrating the students’ achievements. PAAC also recognized the many staff, educators, and community partners who helped make the study tour possible, especially the incredible team of chaperones who supported students 24/7.
The heart of the event was the student presentations. Each student shared powerful reflections from the trip—on historical memory, colonial legacies, cultural preservation, and global issues like poverty, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability. Their insights reflected both deep personal transformation and a shared commitment to community and justice.
As the program came to a close, Consul General Talbo delivered heartfelt closing remarks that acknowledged the significance of continuing Sister-State relationships. He emphasized how student exchange programs like these build mutual understanding, cultural appreciation, and lasting diplomatic ties.
The event ended with applause, hugs, and hopeful conversations about the future. Through the 2025 Sister-State Study Tour and this presentation, PAAC students reminded all of us that the next generation is ready to lead with empathy, curiosity, and purpose.
Mahalo nui. Salamat po. A hui hou!
