The Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu (FJCH) is a local organization member (LOM) of Junior Chamber International (JCI) and JCI USA; and, affiliated with JCI Hawaii. Our legacy can be traced back to 1969 when Geminiano “Toy” Arre, Jr. made history by becoming the first president of non-Japanese descent to lead the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. During Toy’s tenure, he led the effort with
Ernest Mina to form the first Filipino-themed JCI chapter in Hawaiʻi with Ed Hasegawa (ironically of Japanese descent) as its first president: the Bayanihan Jaycees. Unfortunately, the word ‘Bayanihan’ was forced to be removed due to the U.S. Junior Chamber’s policy banning ethnic connotations to chapter names. Although it was renamed to the Metropolitan Jaycees, the chapter’s bayanihan spirit remained. The U.S. Junior Chamber’s policy eventually changed and a new chapter later emerged as the Oahu Filipino Jaycees. It became a solid source for young leadership in the local Filipino community, bringing forth today’s notable individuals such as Judge Rey Graulty, Roland Casamina, Larry Ordonez, Alex Sonson, and Willie Espero. Some of its members would ultimately be key in helping establish Oʻahu’s Annual Filipino Fiesta and the Filipino Community Center. Today’s organization began to form in the late 1990s by Harry Alonso. In 1998, the Filipino Junior Chamber officially reemerged as the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce (HFJCC) with Michelle Acosta as its first president. Under Eric Barsatan’s leadership in 2008, HFJCC branded itself simply as the Filipino Junior Chamber. Under Jay Raymundo’s leadership in 2011, HFJCC officially renamed itself JCI Hawaii Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce as JCI resources have become more readily available to its national and local organization members. In 2012, Ryan Fernandez became the first ex officio board member of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. This position would continue to be held by current Filipino Junior Chamber presidents and open leadership and networking opportunities to members. In 2018, Filipino Junior Chamber (FJC) reconstructed their past success from prior FJC members, Board of Directors and Chapter Presidents, which culminated into the 45th Reunion. FJC continued the strong legacy and future of the organization, with a focus on member recruitment, engagement, and retention. In continuation of building a legacy, FJC participated in World Clean Up Day in 2019, a civic movement in bringing 180 countries together for a cleaner environment. In 2020, the chapter was heavily affected by COVID-19. Despite the restrictions, FJC held their very first virtual twinning ceremony with their current sister chapter, JCI Dagupeñas, and was awarded “Most Outstanding Chapter” by JCI Hawaii. In 2021, the chapter reorganized itself to what it’s known today, Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu. Like the chapters that preceded it, the current chapter has a diverse and talented membership. Current and former members are sought for their leadership by businesses, government of all levels, and the community. Today, the Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu is the local community’s premier young professional organization that develops and empowers leaders for the future, while remembering the Filipino roots that precedes it.
2023 BOARD
Chairperson - Su Lazo
President - Tony Mejia
Secretary - Jordan Abanto
Treasurer - Florelei Lopez
International VP - Natalie Millon
Marketing VP - Rovie Dacumos
Membership VP - Patrick Comiso
HALL OF FAME
OAHU FILIPINO JAYCEES
1974-75 Nick Cava & Lorenzo Lee
1975-76 Rey Graulty
1976-77 Don Manuel
1977-78 Fortunato Elizaga
1978-79 Rufo Lagrosa
1979-80 Darrell Bareng
1980-81 Bernie Matute
1981-82 Roland Casamina
1982-83 Mar Garchitorena
1982-83 Amelia Casamina (Jayceettes)
1983-84 Larry Ordonez
1983-84 Enelita Lopez (Jayceettes)
1984-85 Elvin Gines & Willie Espero
1985-86 Rito Saniatan
1986-87 Cynthia Cabot
1987-88 David A. Floirendo & Gloria Tabiolo
1988-89 Shaina Caporoz
1989-90 Ben D. Martin
OAHU FIL-AM JAYCEES
1990-91 Mario Subia
OAHU FILIPINO JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1994 Alex Sanson
1995-96 Greg Sellona
HONOLULU FILIPINO JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1996-97 Ben Gudoy, Jr.
1998-99 Michelle Acosta
2000 - Aldrin Villahermosa
2001 - Bryan Andaya
2002 - Russell Pascua
2003 - Scott Arakaki
2004 - Brandon Dela Cruz
2005 - Jeoffrey Cudiamat
2006 - Bobby Agpaoa
2007 - Cheryl Cudiamat
2008 - Eric Barsatan
2009 - Darwin Arellano
2010 - Angel Lewis
FILIPINO JUNIOR CHAMBER
2011 - Jay Raymundo
2012 - Ryan Fernandez
2013 - Randy Cortez
2014 - Zhoydell Magaoay
2015 - Michi Villaluz
2016 - Cleven Cabuhat
2017 - Joshua Javier
2018 - Rommel Raymundo
2019 - Natalie Millon
2020 - Tiffany Marie Salvador
2021 - Patrick Comiso
FILIPINO JAYCEES OF HONOLULU
2022 - Su Lazo
2023 - Tony Mejia
JCI SENATORS
Larry Ordonez
Roland Casamina
Geminiano “Toy” Arre, Jr. David Floirendo
Shaina Caporoz
Harry Alonso
Jay Raymundo
USJCC AMBASSADORS
Brandon Dela Cruz
Eric Barsatan
Darwin Arellano
Scott Arakaki
Jay Raymundo
Larry Ordonez
