Page 4 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - December 14, 2022

4 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK DECEMBER 14, 2022
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK COVER STORY
Even at age 90, there’s no slowing down radio show host Magdalena Domingo and her influential work within the Filipino community.
students and awards Filipino valedictorians with scholar- ships for higher education.
Domingo, who was president of the founda- tion for about 20 years, shares that it makes her heart so full to help others. “It is encouraging to see these people getting their degree and to see these par- ents happy and grateful for what we are doing,” Domingo says. “We were able to help them with their dream of at-
taining their education.” Seeing students succeed is very important to her. As a de- scendant of sakadas — Filipi- no migrant workers who were recruited from the early 1900s through the 1940s to work in the plantation fields — she understands the value of hard
work.
“My family was poor in the
Philippines,” says Domingo, who is originally from North- ern Luzon in the Philippines. “My parents were struggling to earn money, and so I know how hard it is. To help out these students here, it will help them with their future and to realize that education is important.”
STORY BY Tasha Mero
Just as Domingo believes in helping the younger gener- ation, she also believes in ac- knowledging those who may not always get the thanks they deserve: parents. An event that has occurred annually since Domingo’s presiden- cy is its Parents of the Year celebration. The night hon- ors guardians who made sacrifices so their children could have access to higher education.
W
or perpetuating her heritage, Magdalena Domingo — more affectionately known as “Auntie Maggie” — has be- come a pillar in the Filipino community.
PHOTO BY Anthony Consillio cantuneinfrom5to7a.m.
hether it’s enter- taining listeners via her radio show
on Saturdays and Sundays on KNDI (1270 AM).
become a president of any or- ganization,” says the Kalihi resident. “If you are commit- ted, you have to give all your effort.”
Her radio career began in the late 1950s. At the time, Domingo was the only Fili- pina with a daily radio show that was transmitted through- out the state. Aside from play- ing Filipino music, Domingo also shares both local and international news. While her show has transitioned into a weekend offering, her radio segment is still going strong after all these years. Guests
Domingo’s passion for cultivating her heritage isn’t restricted to the radio waves. It’s also displayed in the form of service. She’s held crucial roles in local organizations including the Philippine Cul- tural Foundation of Hawai‘i, which she joined in the 1970s. She started out as a regular member, became treasurer and eventually worked her way up to president in 2000.
And Domingo did just that. During her time with the foundation, she made a huge impact in fundraising with its various pageants, which not only showcase local talent, but also helps participants with college tuition. Through the foundation’s pageantry events, a whopping $100,000 was raised and went toward the construction of Waipahu’s Filipino Community Center.
But Domingo’s work in the Filipino community doesn’t stop there. In addition to be- ing the president of the Phil- ippine Cultural Foundation, she was also the first female president of the United Fil- ipino Council of Hawaiʻi in 1990. She assumed the pres- idency again in 1996. While
In this role, Domingo la- bored to grow the foundation and recruit younger members so they could help carry on the group’s goals and aspirations.
Magdalena Domingo, who celebrated her 90th birthday a few months ago, is proof that age is just a number. PHOTO COURTESY GABE DE LISO
In addition to pageant- ry, the Philippine Cultural Foundation also recognizes hard-working high school
“It’s hard, you know, to
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