 My name is Emmie Ortega Anderson and it is a privilege to come to you and present Pinoy Power Hawaii here on the beautiful studio of Think Tech Hawaii. I want to thank the staff and of course the entire Think Tech Hawaii for giving us the opportunity to have our show of empowerment. Our mission is we aim to enrich, enlighten, educate, entertain, of course the big word for us is to empower. Today we're going to do just that with my three wonderful guests and they all have their own stories to tell. It is a pleasure to have two queens enter trying, well three if I may lift my own banquito or bench and I say I am a former Mrs. Hawaii Filipina also. Today we're going to highlight the reigning queen Sarah Luz Hosaka and of course 2018 queen Janet Duhasheck, I'm having problems with these last names that are foreign to me but it is a pleasure to have you on Pinoy Power Hawaii. Welcome Mabuhay. Mabuhay, thank you for having us today at the Emmy, it is an honor. Thank you for taking the time out to join us on your very busy schedule and as a former UFCH Mrs. Hawaii Filipina your plate is full, yeah? Very. But it's fun. Yes. It's very fun. It is the highlight of your reign as a queen and I'm sure that Janet can relate to the exciting year. Yes. So I told her it's just the beginning. Yes. Enjoy it while you can and it's great to have a buddy, a support system, that's where King Jimmy comes. Supporting cast. Supporting cast. Supporting cast. So let's talk from the beginning, tell us about your growing up and how you met Jimmy. I was born in Manila, Pasig City, Santa Island to be specific and I was raised by my grandma and my mom, we came from a very simple life, humble beginning or life and growing up with raised by mom and grandma, we pretty much educate, education for us is a key to success. They instill with me, not just being generosity to others, but to help other less fortunate people, neighbors, you know, remembering growing up we have this called fiesta and Christmas day where we cook everything for the entire barangay so we invited everybody. Sure, ten a month, no? Yeah. Whether you have it or you don't, my grandma always think that you have to give back to the community. So that's your ongoing motto, to help one another and those that are less fortunate. That's something, it's been passed on by your grandmother, so tell us about grandma a little bit. My grandma is, she was half Chinese, in Czech, in Czech and Spanish and then my grandpa is half Spanish and American, so he was US Army, so we're very, very blessed and fortunate to have someone like them, very solid foundation. My grandma is a person where she will buy like five sacks of rice for the community and then give, you know, to everybody and very humble, very humble and, you know, and I think that's something. So you instill your values of sharing. Yes, very much so. Great lola. Very great folks, raised by Catholic family and very, I think it's, we're just blessed to know a lot of people in our community, in our city and we give them that food or anything, service, I think it's more service. That's why I chose one day at a time because when you give, when you help others, you take it one day at a time, right? So, King Jimmy, what's your role? Supporting role. Tell us. Supporting role. Supporting role. This whole journey has been very, very humbling but very exciting, so I'm so proud of her and her accomplishments and, you know, what she wants to do with this title is to do better things, you know, and I guess with the title and the crown, I guess your voice becomes louder and, you know, she can make a bigger impact and I'm so proud of her. You have a platform. It's pretty busy. Yes. My platform, sure platform, yeah. My platform is wherever she's going to go, I've got to go. That's my platform. Yeah. What time and where and is it? Or what time or is it? A lot of time. It's telling you to know. You look good in your baron, by the way. Thank you. Yeah. First time. First time. I didn't insist that you were a baron today, but I've seen you baron. Thank you. Which was crafted tailored just for you, yeah? Yes, that custom made this. And, by the way, speaking of tailor made, your turno was very elegant. Who was the designer of your turno? His name is Jerson Demavivas and he is the fashion designer of Katryonica, who is the Miss Universe. Oh, no wonder. Yeah. You could spot right away. I mean, my winning gown was designed by Edgar Madamba and, you know, it's how you wear it. I'm going to flip to Janet. Tell us about your role as 2018 Mrs. Hawaii, Filipina. That was a busy year for me and, at the time, I had my own business shop at their home. Your head? You talk like a spastant. Yes, I had. At the time, I had a difficulty going out and attending stuff, but I managed it and I managed to go to Philippines and outreach some children in there and participated in one of the town festival. It was awesome. In Isabella. In Isabella. Yes. It was nice. It's an open, a lot of doors for me, like reaching out these kind of community services. It was a great experience. So, tell us, you can speak Ilocano here. I do. Thai language, yeah? Italish. Ilocano, Tagalog. Yeah. So, growing up. Oh, no. Nakorapai po. Nakorapai kami. Nakorapai. Nakorapai po. Nakorapai kami. I was 19 when I lost my parents. I mean, my dad. And while growing up, na pinta si Tim, pae dakada kami nga, what do you call that? Sursuro. Sursuro, like, manag dolong titao. Jihara pantibalai mei desangabalai mei. Pagurorai negiti kataong. Pagurorai tiluganda mapanili. So, na. Pusma dadapunan. Yeah, pagdadapunan. So, abang agurorai dano ka luganda, mabisi nan danon. Na danon dati pangal dawin. Tanda penangan. Ayaban mei suda, ilot pa mei suda. Pakanan mei. Tani inang kui deoran nam amon punan na. That's wonderful. Yeah. So, I grew up that way. So, it brings our... The values. Yeah. Hospitality. Yeah, hospitality. Yes. Yes. And I'm sure you've felt that all around, Jimmy. Although you look like a Chinoy. Actually, culturally, I've become more Filipino than my heritage is Japanese. I've become more Filipino. I'm really immersed in the culture. I really appreciate the Filipino traditions and the cultures and family. The Japanese one would say maybe it's a little more rigid and more proper. So, I really embrace the Filipino culture around me. Yeah, we dive right into it. Yeah. Oh, gosh, yes. I've seen you. You're a great sport. Thank you. Because whether it's the farm or a formal setting, are you going to have a chance to go to Malacanyan and visit our president's residence? Yes. We're excited. We're looking forward to that. Yes, we are. Next month. Next month already. Next month, we're so blessed that we're going to an ambassador tour. And so, I'm really excited for that. That's awesome. Yes. So, how did you prepare yourself? I know that you might have had a lot of reservations. Like, I didn't know what was my platform going to be until, you know, I got closer. Yes. In fact, last year, I was approached by one of the, I would say, like a pillar of the Filipino community at the Maggie and at Jesse's restaurant. And I think that was made off last year and she goes like, hey, would you like to join Mrs. Hawaii Filipina at the time? And I said, oh, not for, I don't think so, Paul. But more and more, I'm meeting with a lot of, I'm attending a lot of organizations, events. I started with Moharlika, the Famas. And me and Jimmy were one of the tabulators at the time. So, I was introduced to different people. And I started liking, oh, I, you know, it's giving back, not just giving back to the community, but I wanted to meet a lot of Filipino in Hawaii. I've been here for 18 years, but never attended any. 18 years? Yes. It was only last year that I've seen you. Yes. I mean, we attended a lot of events. In fact, we would compete in a lot of these, right? Yeah, before. So, I'm not sure. It's just like, I think I just wanted to be with the family, quality time. We have a son who's 24 years old now, I think. Oh, drop it. Yes. So, our focus is more like him and our job and our quality time. And I think we have more time now just to, I guess, me, just spread my wings in a different level. And meeting more on the Filipino, attending the Filipino events, it's giving, it seems like I'm in the Philippines. And I'm loving it. I feel like backwards, you know? I want to learn more about the history. I want to learn about the culture. I want to learn about the diversity of the Filipino here in Hawaii. And I said, you know, in January, I think, I said, yes. Why not? Because I wanted to really give back to the community. You finally agreed to run. Yes. And from there, you took off running. Yes. Yeah. From there, I didn't really expect what I'm getting into. Yes. I didn't know what I'm getting into until I'm there. Like, okay, it's not all about the crown or sash. It's all about, like, knowing the Filipino here in Hawaii, getting to know them, getting to know me and the purpose. And it's not just about how I look. I just want them to really know who I am. What's my, not just my platform, it's just my ongoing goals and ambition and mission. I know, yeah, when you had agreed to run, you were determined to do what it takes to live your goal as far as continuing to help others. Yes. That's why when you asked me, Ate, would you help me? They asked my daughter to run. So, remember, I kind of looked at you and just kind of smiled. Oh, yes. Yeah? Oh, yes. So, I told my daughter, maybe it's not this time, Anak, you have to wait for your time to come because certainly this is your year. Yeah. And you had the whole community helping, really giving you full support, right? Yes. Very evident. Very supportive. Very supportive. And I, it's really like, I can't believe that everybody is in one roof and everybody is so supportive. They open their arms and they're so embraced. And like what I said, I'm so new to the Filipino community and I can just feel the love. They really welcome you with open arms. Open arms, yes. Janet, I don't know if you had the same overwhelming experience because for us it was different, right? Yes, mine is different. Yeah. We're going to come back and talk about that because everyone have different experiences but at the end, it's always a win-win situation. It is. It is. I want to thank my guest for taking the time to be with us and share the success. It's a way of empowering others when we share the stories of trials, triumph, tribulations, but overall it's an experience that will carry us for a lifetime. We will be back on Pinoy Power Hawaii here and think Tecawaii. I am your host, Emmy Ortega Anderson. We'll be right back. Aloha. I'm Sharon Thomas Yarbrough, a host here at Think Tecawaii, 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 its supporters to keep on going. We'd be grateful if you go to thinktecawaii.com and make a donation to support us now. Thanks so much. Aloha. I'm Gwen Harris, the host here at Think Tecawaii, 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 go to thinktecawaii.com and make a donation to support us now. Thanks so much. Welcome back to Pinot Power Hawaii. I am your host, Emmy Ortega Anderson, and it's a wonderful show of empowerment. In fact, I have to act regal because I am among the queens and King Jimmy is sitting right in the center, center of attraction. How are you liking it so far? I'm enjoying it. It's been exciting and meeting some wonderful people. It's just been an incredible journey. Just to see the generosity and the support of people that you'd never expect. It's amazing and it's really empowering. We want to take that energy and refocus it and do something good with it. Jimmy, not to put you in the spot, but are you a yes man flow with or do you carry your manager your role? I'm the manager. You listen to me or I'm going to fire you. At 5 p.m. that rule switch is over when I go home. Obviously, she's very strong personality, which is good for her, but you have very understanding and very fair. So I kind of let her take over a little bit until a certain point and then I make sure I'm kind of co-authoring certain decisions. So it's all about balance. We're a great team. We're so balanced. Good. That's important. I'm glad you mentioned that, because it's really, really important in order for you to succeed. You have to have that winning team and attitude. My husband let me be the boss, but he's a silent, he's a silent controller. I know my role and make sure I don't go overboard with that and step on his ground. Because he was a vice president for 50 years at the Prudential Financial Services. He was a check-in balance for you. When it comes to finances, he is the man. I spent it. Let's get back to Janet. I noticed that the whole community really came out in support and really supported you for your year. It was different in our time. It was very competitive. Tell us. It was because what happened is that I wasn't really planning because it was my third time, actually. But one of the contestants declined. That's the time that they approached me again. Probably the third time, I said, maybe I'm going to get this crowd this time. For a short time, they supported me, but it's not as much as they supported Sara. Sara was overwhelming. Sara was flooding with support, which is great. I think part of it was to also support Jimmy, who is not Filipino, but acts like one. He's so Filipino. Jimmy, what's your favorite Filipino dish? Adobo Senegal. Adobo and Senegal. Kare-kare. Wow, kare-kare. Cici gives up there, too. You know your stuff, man. Good stuff. With what sauce? Alamang. Alamang. With that and all that stuff. To me, that's the Filipino caviar. Yeah, that's good stuff. Caviar. That's a good flavor. So everything that you see in the Filipino community, can you relate or were you born with the gold platter or silver spoon in your mouth? Growing up in Hawaii, I've already kind of already a melting pot that we are here in Hawaii, so you've already seen it. I've had friends that were growing up when I was in grade school, Filipino and all the Asian cultures, Vietnamese, Chinese, and spent time in their households. I was really accustomed to a lot of diversity in terms of cultural and traditions and things like that. So no, that's not a surprise from what I've seen, but definitely I'm really immersed in that now. So if there's one trait that would stand out, Jimmy, what would that be? Oh, just the caring and giving and selflessness of a Filipino person. Yes. It's in line with Sarah's. Yes. Tradition of caring and generous. Blessing others. Yes. And you're going to have the opportunity to do that like we have had every year where I made it my mission to go back every year. It didn't just stop when my reign stopped. It continued. Now we support St. Joseph orphanage in the Philippines where there are 19 orphan residents that depend on us and others are also requesting. So perhaps the children are the hope of our future and I'm sure you agree with that. Right. Yeah. So you might want to carry the other orphanages that I can support. Yes, of course. Of course. That's one of our goals anyway just to continue to have, you know, supporting the Philippines back home. I mean, we're more fortunate here to not give back to our homeland. Great. So with the remaining time let's talk about the legacy or the traits, characteristics, values that we want to pass on to our children, our future generation. What would you leave your son? I think just to, I want, not just for my son, but for everybody just to take care of ourselves. Going to, to take care of ourselves, going to the doctor for any preventative. You know, that's my, one of my mission and goal. One of my platform is to, to have a life that we can, we can look back saying that, you know what, not like we help the homeless but also to take care of ourselves, to take care of others. You know, I think that's really important to be healthy. I agree with you in that sense because health is wealth. If you don't have your health how could you go out and help others? You are sickly. And to have, I'm sorry, and to have the healthy lifestyle, you know, you can balance your, between your family, your work, but at the same time you take care of yourself, you know, those three. I'm glad you mentioned that because, you know, there's a great example. Filipinos are natural caregivers, right? Yes. We spend the time, we take our patients, the clients, to the doctors, but yet, when it comes to us, the caregivers, we forget to, forget ourselves. We feel our cup. You're surprised. I've been there. You know, oh, she died from cancer. Why? She was a caregiver. She brought everyone else to the doctor. Neglected themselves. Yes, she neglected themselves. Neglected themselves, yes. That's really important. Really important. Really important, you know. And it goes to show, how much care we receive when we get vaccinated. Yes. When we get vaccinated, when we get vaccinated, when we get vaccinated, when we get vaccinated, when we get vaccinated, when we get vaccinated, our overall health, yeah, just works. Yes, yeah. Okay. All right. So, as a former caregiver, you think you'll ever go back to doing that, or? I'm not so sure, because I don't mean I'm sorry, okay, I won't do that. Okay, I won't, I'm so sorry with the words. I don't mean I won't do that. I saw a video about an active family. Mm-hmm. I want to timing a rumor, mm-hmm. About the goals, mm-hmm. What breaks my heart, I'm going to go there, and then... Bye-bye. I'll attend the Gita, because I'm full of school, and I'll be attending the awards, to attend the Pan. Mm-hmm. When I enter the GUB, I feel hurt. Bye-bye. When I watch the I'm not so sure about that. Mm-hmm. I focus on the family. Family. Yeah. It's so... I'm sorry. I'm sorry about that. Yeah. Yeah. Because the monetary reward kind of spoils you. Yes. To be able to just, hey. Oh, okay. I can afford that. I don't see the Gita, but it's okay. The quality. Yeah. The quality of the family is very important. Very good. I'm glad you came here to share that. Sometimes you get so wrapped up because you can afford it at the Mercedes, at the Jaguar, at the Palacio, you know. It's all material things. Yeah. It's all the worldly material things that we all get caught up with. But when it comes to family values, what are the messages that we're sending to our children when we cannot be there for them and they build that resentment? Mm-hmm. Yes. Good, right? Mm-hmm. I'm so focused on my children, my family. How many children do you have? How many? I have one. I have one. I have one. Yes. I have one. When is the girl coming? Sarah. Jimmy. Oh, no, no, no, no. You're coming. No. I'm 47. Hey, miracles have happened. My auntie gave birth when she was 50. Wow. Yeah. So there's hope, Jimmy. Oh, no. You're going to create a princess. Oh, goodness. I'm calling on my son for that one, too. Oh, okay. Add to the family. Grandfather. Yes. Okay. All right. So let me start with you, Janet. What's the legacy that you want to leave behind then, that very important message? To the community. Mm-hmm. I think the way family into the community as well. I think it's the value of family that a material thing is only a second, you know, or a third. God is the first and family is the second. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So, you know, as long as you're at work, you'll have a family. Where do you have a family? One team has a different family. Mm-hmm. Well said. Couldn't have said it any better. Yeah. Uh-huh. I totally agree with you on that. Money's not everything, but it's close to first. Money's not everything. Yes. Oh, you need it to survive. Yes. I mean, it's the survival. Okay. With the one minute remaining, I'm going to leave it to you, Sarah, to close our episode. What's the value that you would like to stop? Value, just be yourself. And, you know, take the time to spend time with your family and take care of yourself. And like what I said is like, balance, you know, you have to balance yourself between health and your family. Live life to the fullest. Live life to the fullest. Awesome. You said it all. Jimmy? Live, love, laugh is my advice. Wow. L, L, L, L, L. Leave your life like it's some, you know, you have to balance yourself between health and your family. Leave your life like it's some, you know, it's like a tomorrow. Love and give back because that's all we have, you know, is each other as human beings and in laugh means enjoy your life and do the things that you want to do and don't go back because Jenny lived once. Yes. I couldn't agree with you more. Thank you for sharing from the heart and adding to our empowerment because these are the type of messages that we need to be reminded each day. And with that, thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you again for joining us on another empowering episode of, you know, Power Hawaii. Thank you, Queen Janet, of course, Jimmy, and the reigning 2019 UFCH, Mrs. Hawaii, Filipina, Sarah, Luz, Hosaka, much Mahalo. Thank you. Thank you very much, and thank you again with that, Mabuhay, Mahalo, and God bless.