 Welcome to Pinoy Power Hawaii here on Think Tech Hawaii. My name is Emmie Ortega Anderson, your host for this empowering show. First, we'd like to thank our wonderful staff for allowing us to come to your home every Tuesday at 12 noon to bring you stories of empowerment, our mission we aim to enrich and lighten, educate, entertain and the big word for us, we aim to empower. Today we're going to do just that with our guest. She is very, very empowered and of course very successful in her field entrepreneurship and also a CEO of her own company Fetch Hawaii. Her name is Cynthia Altman. So welcome to our show. Well, thank you so much, Emmie, for having me here today. It's awesome to be in my first stop show actually. It's going to be the first of many. We would like to share your story because you do have a very special story to share, story of empowerment and we titled it, Picking Up the Pieces, but before we go into that let us hear about Cynthia, where you grow up and also your journey to this land of milk and honey, Hawaii. Oh my, well, I was actually, I was born in the Philippines. And where is that? Exactly. That is an Aguilar Pangasinan. Pangasinan. We can talk Ilocano. Ilocano. Ilocano. Ilocano. Ilocano. I'm a little bit rusty there, but it's, yes. So Pangasinan. Pangasinan. So my mom is from Pangasinan, and my dad is from La Oñon. La Oñon, so that's where we share the connection. And I know that I call you my hija because in a way I think I am your auntie if we trace our family tree and roots. That is the possibility, Tita, because there are the Ortigas. The Ortigas family in the La Oñon, yes, and they're very big. So I was actually, I grew up there until I was nine years old. So I live a humble life. I play with the caribos and I help my parents with the farm, farming and raising chickens and pigs I guess. And also with our farm we grew a tobacco corn and rice and that's pretty much how my family survived in the Philippines. So you grew up with poverty and hardship. I often tell the story of when it used to rain, the only difference between the cows and all the, you know, it's the bamboo floor and you could look right through the animals they're also trying to shelter themselves from the rain and the flood. Yes, yes, yes. A lot of the houses that you know, your recollection is really good because our flooring was bamboo and of course you can see the water running through under your house and, you know, the animals actually comes underneath so pretty much we share the same roof. Same story. And when it rained, the rain would just come falling through the thatched roof. Yes. Yeah, which wasn't solid. It wasn't solid because it's made of a hala, they call it hala here in Hawaii, so Nipah is in the Philippines, but you know, I love my life because that teaches me being humble in life where I am now, which we're going to cover soon, but you know, I was fortunate enough to have my great-great-great-grandfather who worked the sugar field here, brought my family here. So your great-great-grandfather was your Sakata connection, the one that petitioned for you to come? Okay. Was he a part of the first wave of Sakata? Yes, yes. Please mention his name. His name is Maximo Ocarisa. That's his name, Apple Maximo. He is one of the very first that came here with the boat and they were actually recruited to work the fields with the pineapples. He lived in Kailua for many, many years until he passed away at 94 years old. Wow. And his- So that's why Kailua has been your home? Actually my home, when we came here, I was nine years old, when the time has come for us to be here, we actually live in Palo Alto Valley first for my five years of being here, learning, you know, what American life is all about. So, you know, the government was nice enough at this time to put us in the housing facility. It's called the Palo Alto Valley Housing Facility. And I went to school in Palo Alto Valley, Palo Alto Elementary School, Jarrett Intermediate. I touched Kaiser, and then I went to Kalani High School. However, because pricing of rent and housing was going out, so we had to move to Makakilo. Makakilo, which is further west. Which is further west, and this is in the late 80s. So you still had the sugar fields. Yes, sugar and pineapple was so prominent at that time. Yes. And unlike now, it's all homes. And Makakilo was a place where I lived and finished my high school life. And then I went to Lure Community College. So you're a product of public school? Yes. Yes. I was nine years old when I came to Hawaii. Oh, okay. That's a very interesting. I don't mind to interrupt you. But I wanted to feel how you felt as a foreigner coming and blending as a young little girl. I'm not sure if you experienced the bullying that I experienced or felt being an outcast. Can you tell us about that or was your experience different? Well, I can tell you my experience because we were actually in the housing. So everybody was equal. My mother was smart enough. Tisa is my mother. She was smart enough to befriend a lot of the Samoan mothers. Okay. So because of that and because of that relationship, I was protected by a lot of my Samoan friends. Wow. Yes. You got the Samoan Tita. Yes, the Toiluma family. Shout out to them. Because they did actually took care of me through my elementary school and my intermediate school. Yeah. You were fortunate. I was very fortunate that I was, when I get bullied, I had someone to take care of. Hey, come on. We'll meet you in the back of the gym. What's the, what are you doing? Hey, that's my sister. No toucher. Uh-huh. So yeah, I was very fortunate enough. And I learned at that time that, you know, in helping them with their homework as well, they were helping me outside the school. So which is okay. I was tutoring them and, you know, we helped with each other doing homework. And then as I walked from school to home, because, you know, I didn't have a car and put out for a car. And I was still young then. But yeah. You had your garden angels in place. Yeah. And I'm still fortunate until today. To have them. To have them. And I have you now. You're having an angel, believe it or not. She's my garden angel now, you know. She's protecting me from many other adversaries out there. Only because I'm a mother hand, you know. My duty is to protect all of my children. Oh my God. It's so awesome to know someone, you know, that cares for others like you. So when I went to high school, I learned then that, you know, I didn't have my friends anymore from elementary and intermediate. Because you couldn't bring them with you, right? Because I couldn't bring them with me because I was moving. And one of the things that my father had taught me was that if I only joined a lot of the clubs, then I was okay. And those were my parents knew where I was. And then they would pick me up from school. And, you know, I empowered myself by joining a lot of the clubs. National Honor Society, Book Club, photography, anything I could put my hands on in high school. So you became an active participant rather than just watching from the sidelines. Yes, yes. I was very active in order to get myself in a better place. And then I tried for, when I moved to Ames Campbell High School. That's where I actually graduated. Shout out to Savers. Yay, Savers. I actually tried for cheerleading. Cheerleading, okay. Oh, what a fun, fun tryout. How'd that turn out? Because everybody's a girl's dream. It was everybody's girl's dream. But because they were so close to the military, which is Ericoy. And it was more of a blended school. A lot of the cheerleaders were Caucasian. White? White. That was the preferred look. So that was a preferred look. And I was outcasted, but that did not deter me from doing something else. So I actually joined the band and became a color guard. So for three years I was a color guard for James Campbell High School until I graduated. That was your way of standing out, right? Yes. You know, if one thing doesn't work out, you know, you keep on going. You open another door. Yes, yes. I have a similar story. I also tried cheerleading, but because maybe I wasn't good enough or not really what they were looking for. I joined the High Steppers and Jerry Robino was our coach. He taught us the dance and high stepping and all kinds of things to make us stand out. Wow. So like you said, if a wonder is not closest, another one opens because of your desire to do something to make a difference. And I was happy with that. Yeah, me too. You know, like they said, put it out there, put in the universe and manifest it. You know, that's the only way to do it. And of course you have to work for it too. Of course. You know, you can't just say it and not do anything about it because then it's just a word without action. There's nothing, no result, right? That's what will get you there. Action. And I know that a lot of your success comes with following through and of course, we are very successful. We are very good at supporting each other. We are very good at supporting each other. That's why we are successful. And to live, that's the American dream, right? Yeah. I agree with you, Tita. You know, I want to let it go. I want to work. You know, you have to work hard. You have to work hard. That's the result. And you have to work hard. And that is something that we learn from our parents. You know, like they always say, learn from your parents. Sometimes they may not give you everything, but they are giving you and teaching you knowledge. The tools. The tools to get you ready for your future. What is a profound lesson that you learn from your great-grandfather, Ocarisa, Anna DJ? Well. One thing that stands out and I'll share your mind. My great-great-grandfather, Maximo Ocarisa, I think what I learned from him is his determination of bettering the life of his family. He left his family. It's not because he wanted to, but he wanted his family to have more. So, you know, the takeaway on that and my lessons that, you know, the lesson that I learned from that, which I instill in myself. I am a fully Ocarisa, even though I'm married to an Altman. And the Altman family is wonderful, too. And we'll touch on them soon on the second part. But the Ocarisa family is a very loving, caring family. Family is everything to them, really is. And, you know, my grandfather, again, did not leave Philippines. It's because to take care of himself and to create a better life for himself, but for his family. We're going to hang on to that thought, but I'd like to quickly share what my grandfather taught me, what stuck with me. And that has always stuck with me through my grandfather. There are times when we need to be silent and just watch and observe and just ponder on the things that the powerful people do. And perhaps we can emulate. We're going to come back with our conversation with Cynthia Ocarisa Altman and tell you the other half of her success story here on Pinoy Power Hawaii. We'll be right back. Aloha! I'm Gwen Harris, the host here at Think Tech Hawaii, a digital media company serving the people of Hawaii. We provide a video platform for citizen journalists to raise public awareness in Hawaii. We are a Hawaii nonprofit that depends on the generosity of the supporters to keep on going. We'd be grateful if you'd go to thinktechawaii.com and make a donation to support us now. Thanks so much. Aloha! My name is Andrew Lanning. I'm the host of Security Matters Hawaii airing every Wednesday here on Think Tech Hawaii, live from the studios. I'll bring you guests. I'll bring you information about the things in security that matter to keeping you safe, your co-workers safe, your family safe, to keep our community safe. We want to teach you about those things in our industry that may be a little outside of your experience. So please join me because security matters. Aloha! Welcome back to Pinoy Power Hawaii. I am your host, Amy Ortega Anderson, and we come to your home every Tuesday at 12 noon here in the beautiful studios of Think Tech Hawaii. Again, we thank our sponsors, those who make it happen through Think Tech Hawaii with their with your generous donation, we are able to continue to bring empowering shows like my show today. So we want to say mahalo, maraming, salamat bo. We want to continue with our conversation with Cynthia Altman, a story of success and empowerment. So you have just heard her humble story, her beginning, and I can relate to what you're saying. But there is a part of you that have been able to live a life that most of us desire and yet we have yet to discover that. Tell us about your success and how you met the men of your dreams and created this wonderful family. Yes. Oh my goodness. That sure is a fairytale of people. It is. It is. It is a fantastic story that I can tell my kids or my kids actually is living also with me the life that my husband. Can you tell us about your wonderful Altman family? Oh yes. The Altman family are wonderful family. So I was in school to be a dentist. But then I decided maybe high tennis was a better suit for me. So I was going to school to be a high tennis at KCC. And then one night I go out with friends and then I met a Filipino lady with her boyfriend and a third wheeled man, a gentleman with them. I became friends with this lady. This is just Filipina. So we were able to speak in our own tongue. And it was amazing. So that was in the early 90s. And they would invite me as a fourth wheel alongside with my future husband, of course. And we actually were friends dating for a year. And then I think he was, how do you say? Searching. Searching also. Or it's right under my mouth. It was looking. And I was not looking actually because I actually was dating someone else at that time. But it wasn't working out. And I used to tell the lady, my new friend, that I was not very happy. So he didn't face me. So we were all friends. And then he asked me out finally. He did? Yeah, he did after... How did he ask you? Well, he actually says, I'm taking my friends in the boat. I said, okay. And so I called my new girlfriend. I say, are you going for the boat ride? She said, yeah. But I had asked Howard, Howard Altman, was my late husband, to ask you instead of me asking you. So that was actually our first day with a bunch of people. So we went to a sandbar, Cardioje, and we had a great time. And then after that, things just, you know, escalated. Move forward. More forward. And then, you know, it's a long story, but I'll make it short. But it's sweet. Tell us about Howard, because now it's just a name for us. Well, Howard, Howard... Howard grew up in New York. Very, very sweet guy. You know, he comes from a four-member family. It was a mom, the dad, Blanche and Bernard, and his sister, Carol. So, unfortunately, mom passed away in 2008. And then my father-in-law followed a year thereafter. They've been married a long, long time. Their first marriage. And they stayed a long time until their time to go. And then... So my husband was born in New York, moved to LA, California. He worked with Vidal Sassoon. He was actually the right-hand Vidal for many years. So he worked with Hugh Hefner and the ladies. I feel right at home with my pieces of card. Yeah, I'm ready to go to the table mansion and have a party. Well, I'm coordinated with your daughter. Okay. Okay, so Vidal Sassoon empire. So he built that with Vidal. And then, of course, he got married to one of Hugh Hefner's girls this October. A beautiful lady. I'm still friends with her to this day. Her name is Cynthia also. But she's born on my... She's born on Brunette. So don't get done next time. Okay. And they moved to Hawaii because he found another company to bring here to Hawaii, which we did not have. It was a contact lens company. Oh, okay. So he actually opened up Hawaii in Guam. And then they got divorced. But he is a very successful loving husband. He took care... He worked so hard to where... Let me gather myself. He worked so hard to where my kids and I don't have to do anything to where we actually live a life of a fairy tale. Fairy tale. Yes. So my fairy tale started when I met my husband, Howard. He took care of everything. One of those things that I really didn't have to work. However, I'm not a person to just say, and that works. So I asked him what we can do. And I actually became a... I was a designer with no skills or schooling because he trusted my judgment and... He trained you. He trained me. So we used to travel to... That's one of our company. We traveled to Hong Kong and China to get the eyewear. And if you guys go to your eye doctors and you can't afford those designer brands, they're the ones that, you know, again, my heart is to help others. We came up with the inexpensive. Not cheap. Don't say cheap, everybody. It's inexpensive glasses out there. That's affordable for the insurance. So we started that company to help out the ones that need it. And then we actually sold it. Many other businesses also that we owned. We actually owned Hawaiian Blend, which is the sunscreen. You still can see it today at ABC Store in Portland. So that was your baby. Hawaiian Blend. And then the eyewear. The eyewear. What was the brand? No-name brand? Yeah, so it's SPF. SPF is the brand. A lot of the doctors here in Hawaii knows if you say SPF. Not all of them knew who the owner was. So it's one of those things that, you know, you keep to yourself. But Howard and I were the owner of SPF. And then we sold it to the doctors here. Because, you know, again, that's where the signage of my story goes, where, you know, we... I had everything. Yes, you live a life of lack of luxury. And then one day things came crashing. Yeah. So, you know, my... Like I said, my in-law, my mother-in-law, 2008 passed, 2009, my father-in-law passed. And the unfortunate time came when my husband actually left us October of 2010. So altogether, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Yes. Losing all your family members. Must have been devastating. It's devastating because I love them and they love me like their own. They were very close to me. So it's my sister-in-law is the only one left in that family. We're still in touch, you know, every weekend or so whenever we have time. Or when she has time from all her travels. So... So when Howard passed, what happened to the lifestyle, the fairy tale lifestyle that you've had? The fairy tale lifestyle actually, you know, he was the bread winner of my family. So, because I wasn't working full-time, you know, we went into a loss. Like you're losing a lot. So... Because he was the brain. He was the brain of everything. I didn't even know how to balance my checkbook, you guys. Balancing the checkbook was hard. Trying to figure out things. Thank goodness for my sister-in-law took over everything after he passed. Thank goodness there were things that were in place. So that way I really wasn't as lost as I thought on that part. But in order for me to have the same life as my children did and I didn't need... I didn't want to change anything. I work hard. So you picked up the pieces, which is the title of our show today. And you were able to move on and provide that same quality lifestyle to your three wonderful children as if Howard filled around. All right. My son was in college just graduating. My daughter was in high school. The other one was in private school. All of them were in private school. I just did not want to pull them. So I worked as hard as I could to keep that lifestyle for them. I picked up many different businesses here and there that friends were able to throw at me. With the time that we have remaining, I know you have to come back for another show because I know the 30 minutes that we have today is not enough to tell you the whole story. I know that you are very fond of the organization that you're with, the nonprofit organization to empower women. All those things that you do must be very, very rewarding. It's very rewarding. I started a nonprofit, Fetch Foundation, which is four empowerment team connections. It's a foundation that helps all the orphanage in the Philippines. This is based in Hawaii. However, all the process and funds goes to the orphanage in the Philippines. I do not send money there. I actually go there myself. My team buys a lot of supplies. We have so much in common and our time is up then. We have a lot of stories yet to tell because it's very, very empowering, but we have to invite you for another show. I want to commend you and congratulate you on your journey with continued success and also keeping up with the ultimate tradition and also empowering women. That's what we do. Empower. Empower. We're going to wrap it up here and we want to thank you for spending quality time with us by listening to these empowering stories like the one we shared with Cynthia Altman. We want to invite you again to tune into our show next episodes of Pinoy Power Hawaii. Again, we express our gratitude. We say, mahalo, maraming salamat po.