The Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce (HFJCC), commonly known as the Filipino Junior Chamber, is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization aimed at providing a variety of personal and professional development opportunities for young persons (ages 18-40) through the Jaycees organization and the community.
If you are interested in making a difference in our community, meeting new friends, and participating in fun and rewarding activities, sign up today!
2008 HFJCC Executive Officers and Board of Directors
Eric Caceres Barsatan
2008 Chapter President
Eric was born in Ilocos Sur and lived in Ilocos Norte until the age of eight when he moved to Lana’i. He graduated from Lana’i High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Eric is currently heading the State Board and Commissions Office at the Office of the Honorable Governor Linda Lingle. He is also the owner of H2O USA, an authorized dealer of PrimeQuest Inc. In addition, Eric is the co-owner and general partner of The Filipino Summit, Hawaii’s Premier Filipino Newspaper. Eric lives in Waipahu with his wife, Millie, their son Adrian Sean, and their two loving dogs, Kekai and Tyler.
Eric has received numerous distinguished awards, including the Pacific Business News’
“Forty Under 40,” an annual award honoring Hawaii’s best and brightest young businessmen and businesswomen for their professional achievements and contributions to the community. In 2006, Eric appeared in Emme Tomimbang’s documentary “Mabuhay with Aloha- The Hawaii Filipino Experience 1906-2006,” commemorating the journey, struggles and accomplishments of Hawaii Filipinos over the past 100 years. Aside from serving as President for the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce, Eric is actively involved in many community and civic organizations, including: Executive Club of Honolulu, Asian-American Journalists Association, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Filipino Media Professionals, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Oahu Filipino Community Council, Youth Opportunity Works, and the Maui Young Business Roundtable.
Jon Nakasone
Executive Vice President
Doris Villarante Quisagan
Treasurer
Doris was born in Hawaii and raised in the Philippines. She graduated from James Campbell High School Cum Laude. She attained her Associate of Applied Science degree in International Business with high honors from Remington College. Doris is currently employed at Central Pacific Bank as a Service Specialist. She enjoys and is encouraged to participate in community events at work, which is how she found out about the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Charisse Dizon
Secretary
Charisse was born in San Diego, California. As a military dependent child, she lived in primarily throughout California, Germany, and Hawaii. Charisse is a Leilehua High School graduate. She is also enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Healthcare Specialist/Medic. Charisse received her Bachelor’s in Human Performance Cum Laude from Prairie View A&M University, Texas. She is also currently pursuing her Master’s in Education degree in Educational Leadership at Chaminade University.
In her spare time, Charisse enjoys playing the piano, being outdoors and spending time with her family and friends. She is also a cadet in the University of Hawaii Army ROTC Program.
Cheryl Ramos Cudiamat
Chairwoman
Cheryl was born and raised in Hawaii. She has received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Cheryl is the President of Structural Hawaii, Inc. She is married to Jeoffrey Cudiamat. They have three children, Carson, Tyson, and …..
In addition to spending time with her children, Cheryl enjoys cooking for her family and friends. She likes karaoke, watching “Prison Break” and the Food Network Channel. Cheryl is the 2007 past president for the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Ryan Dale Raymundo Fernandez
Management Vice President
Ryan was born and raised in Hawaii. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. He currently works as an auditor for N&K CPAs, Inc. Ryan also serves as a Medical Service Officer in the Hawaii National Guard.
Michael Dahilig
Legal Council
Mike Dahilig is currently working as a planner at PBR Hawaii. He is currently serving as the student representative with the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents. Mike is a Punahou Schools graduate. He continued to pursue and received his Bachelor’s of Science degree with honors in geology and geophysics the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He has also attained his juris doctor with environmental law certificate from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the UH-Manoa. He is a licensed attorney, and a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association. He is currently finishing his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning with a disaster management/environmental planning focus while working as a part-time legislative advisor for State Representative Maile Shimabukuro.
Mike is a former University of Hawai'i student body president, and received the university's Student Service and Leadership Distinction Award in 2003. He is also active with the Sariling Gawa Youth Council and various Filipino college student organizations. Mike still participates in the Filipino Law Student Association Scholarship's annual “Adobo Cookoff,” which he and a classmate started as first year students in response to another student who believed that authentic adobo needed slices of pineapple mixed in.
Christine Jade Fe Benito
Membership Development Vice President
Christine was born and raised on Oahu. She is Farrington High School graduate, with Cum Laude recognition. Christine received her Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer Business Administration, as well as her diploma in Business Software Applications, from Heald College, Honolulu Campus. Currently, she is pursuing her Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Sciences degree, with a concentration on Economics, from the University of Hawaii at West Oahu. She’s not stopping there. Christine plans to supplement her BA degree with a Certificate in Financial Economics from the University of Hawaii at West Oahu.
Christine is currently working at Hawaiian Electric Company as an Executive Secretary to the Vice President, Energy Delivery. She is a member of the Hawaiian Electric Toastmasters. In addition, Christine is also a member of Hawaiian Electric Company’s (2008) Aloha United Way Campaign Steering Committee, serving as Co-chair.
Angelica “Angel” Agapay Lewis
Individual Development Vice President
Angel, “Miss Fabulous,” was born and raised in the Philippines. She moved to Hawaii in 2005. Angel has a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a major in Broadcasting from the Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines. She is currently employed at Central Pacific Bank as a Financial Service Specialist.
Angel enjoys volunteering her time to help charitable causes and is always willing to help a customer “beyond the call.” Her greatest passion is to make everybody laugh, especially children. Someday, Angel would like to own a very affordable day care for kids.
Melchor “JR” Gregorio Aquino, Jr.
Community Development Vice President
Melchor, known by friends and family as JR, was born in Guam and raised in Wahiawa, Oahu. He is a Leilehua High School graduate and attended Leeward Community College. JR has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii West Oahu. He is currently employed at HMAA, a local health insurance company.
JR would like to achieve financial security, good health and well-being, further his knowledge and open the first high-end Filipino restaurant in Hawaii. JR enjoys meeting new people and serving in the community through the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce.
John S. Gephart
Business Development Vice President
John was raised in Wahiawa. He graduated from Punahou Schools and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. He lived in Seattle for 10 years and recently returned to Honolulu. John is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments.
John is also a member of the Pearl City Lions Club. He enjoys spending quality time with his family. He is married and has a daughter. John has completed two (2!) Honolulu Marathons.
Jack Apuya
International Development Vice President
Mariano “Jack” Apuya Jr. was born in Quezon City in 1977. He started schooling in the United States in the 9th grade, graduated from Waipahu High school. Jack attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa earning a Bachelor's degree in Economics. He is currently an MBA student at Hawaii Pacific University. His research interests are financial derivatives and issues in accountancy. He has aspirations to become a true financial boffin.
Since 2003, he has been a realtor associate and consultant in a two-man real estate sales and development firm, the other being his broker and father Mariano Apuya Sr. At age nineteen, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served in the reserves. He has qualified to sit for the CPA exam and is therefore a CPA candidate.
Marilyn Jacobe
Business Development Director
Marilyn was born in the Philippines and migrated to Hawaii with her parents when she was only two years old. She is a Farrington High School graduate and received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University. She has worked for Allstate Insurance for a number of years as an insurance agent, and recently opened up her own office in Liliha as an Allstate Agent/Owner.
Marilyn is an active community member. She serves as a “Big Sister” with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Her company has also adopted Kalakaua Middle School and will be providing school supplies for about seven children in the 2008-2009 school year. Marilyn also works with Christmas Wish to collect money and hygiene items for homeless children.
Shelly Anne Guira
International Development Director
Shelly was born and raised on Oahu. A Waipahu High School graduate, Shelly went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology from Concordia University in Chicago, IL. Soon after returning to Hawaii, Shelly embarked on a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. Shelly currently works at Susannah Wesley Community Center in Kalihi.
Shelly loves to plan parties, especially karaoke gatherings. She looks forward to planning and executing projects as the HFJCC International Director for 2008. She likes to read interesting and inspirational books and articles. Shelly also likes traveling to the mainland and exploring new and familiar places.
Wendle Raping
Organizational Director
Wendle Raping, was born and raised on the island of Lana’i. He graduated from Lana’i High School and subsequently attended Chaminade University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Psychology. He currently works for the Macy’s HR Department as a Human Resources Assistant.
Wendle was an active member in the Chaminade community. He served as a member of the Student Government Association, as an Orientation Leader/Peer Mentor, a member of the men’s tennis team and the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program. In the future, Wendle hopes to obtain his masters degree in organizational development. He looks forward to being part of HFJCC and gaining a better understanding of his Filipino heritage.
Gabriel “Gabe” Torno
Collegiate Director
Gabe is Hawaii born and raised. He is currently a Senior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, majoring in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Art. In addition to becoming the Honolulu Filipino Jayees Collegiate Director – a brand-new position on our board of directors- Gabe is the President of the Katipunan Club at the University of Hawaii. He is also extensively involved in other Filipino student organizations at other universities in Hawaii.
Gabe is currently employed at the UH Bookstore in the Rainbowtique section where he does customized Warrior football jerseys. In 2006, Gabe was part of the re-enactment crew for Emme Tomimbang’s centennial documentary, “Mabuhay with Aloha-the Hawaii Filipino Experience 1906-2006.”
Donald Aguilar
Chapter Chaplain
Donald was born in Davao, Philippines and raised in Honolulu. He holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a degree in Theology from Pacific Rim Bible College. Donald is the CEO of Dream Givers International. He is also currently employed at New Hope Christian Fellowship with senior pastor, Dr. Wayne Cordeiro.
Donald served with distinction in Operation Desert Storm, engineering combat support missions during the war in the Gulf. His “bucket list” includes visiting the “Seven Wonders of the World.” His advice is to “live every moment as if it were your last.”
Jay Knight
Webmaster
Jay was born and raised on Oahu. He attended university at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittburgh, PA having pursued both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Information Systems and Informations Systems Management, respectively.
Following university, Jay moved a little closer to home, California. He worked in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles for a while before moving back to Hawaii. He missed his family, friends, and good Ilocano food. He currently develops computer applications for Referentia Systems, Inc.
Silayan L. Casino
Chapter Historian
Silayan was born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Hawaii from the age of four years. She graduated from Kalani High School, and spent four years at Alfred Deakin High School in Canberra, Australia. After high school, Silayan studied at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she received both her Bachelor’s in International Studies: Western Europe and her Master’s in European Language and Literature: German. In 1999, Silayan received a Fulbright award as a Teaching Assistant for English in a German school in Münster, Germany. Silayan is near-fluent in German, Dutch and French. Silayan currently works as a paraprofessional (skills trainer) for Nursefinders, Inc.
Silayan has been a contributing writer for the Fil-Am Courier since 2000. During the Filipino Centennial celebrations in 2006, Silayan assisted with Emme Tomimbang’s documentary, “Mabuhay with Aloha, the Hawaii Filipino Experience 1906-2006.” In addition to the Filipino Junior Chamber, she enjoys serving in the Fulbright Association Hawaii Chapter and the Filipino Ministry at New Hope Christian Fellowship.