MAGSINGAL ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII GRANDE (MAHG) OFFICIALLY ENDORSES THE MAGSINGAL COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT
Bert Ugalino
By Aurelio S. Agcaoili, Ph.D.
July 8, 2008
(As published in the FilAm Observer)
This is Maestra Lynne’s story—Mrs. Lynne Viloria Gutierrez—of humility, courage, and professionalism. But it is every immigrant’s story as well: the immigrant that knows whereof she speaks in terms of real and honest-to-goodness community service, one anchored not on the self-for-itself but on the self-for-others. If there is one thing Lynne is good at, it is her work with the community, sowing good seeds as many as she can, knowing fully well about trees being planted becoming useful for the next generation. Caecilius said so: serit arbores quae saeclo prosint alteri. The whole of her, from afar as well as in person when you speak with her from the heart is gravitas, that sense of dignity not only for herself but one in which she dreams of the good for others. Here is a teacher; but here is a leader as well, one who has the guts and gumption to show us the way, not from a selfish motive, but from a brew of mixed motives but always—always—the community in mind.
Mindful of her blessings—the multitude of graces she has received through the years, she never forgot to give, and giving she did, and giving she still does, always on the run for something that deals with scholarships for the poor but deserving students, for the medical care and attention of the needy, for sending aids to distressed communities, and for linking up with other organizations and communities.
We are at restaurant on Kalihi, one that has become an informal hub of civic, commercial, and cultural life of the Filipino community on Oahu. In effect, this has become a hangout as well of those trying to divine the destinies of many others through the difficult decisions that organizations and groups take up and pursue, but decisions framed and drawn on tables put together to resemble a conference venue’s amidst the clanging of utensils and the monotone of an afternoon soap opera on an overhead television no one cares to watch on a 4:30 afternoon appointment such as Lynne and I had on the day of the interview.
We partook of a special halo-halo, that mixture of beans, tapioca, ice cream, coconut, jelly, and other colorful things on a tall glass, that wonderful mixture invariably reminding us of youth spent in the Philippines, of summers when the heat would be intolerable that anything cold, that halo-halo included, would be a good way to cool the body reacting to the sweltering heat of the tropics.
I quizzed Lynne in between small sips of her halo-halo melting.
I have not been to Hawai’i long enough to understand what she has in the store house of her memory that began when she first set foot on the island straight from the Philippines in 1970. She had just gotten her teacher’s degree at the Philippine Normal College, now a University, but her immigrant visa was expiring the following day and so she had to rush to go to Hawai’i and take on a new life as an immigrant. A month before, her whole family had left for Hawai’i, but she had to stay behind so she could work on her degree, an option suggested by one of her Ilokano professors at the University, to which her father acceded. The Ilokano professor did not know that that would be the best suggestion she gave Lynne, a suggestion that Lynne took with seriousness as she went on to do her practice teaching. She landed in the United States as a newly minted teacher.
The 70’s, however, were a decade of chaos and turmoil, and before that, there was the war in Vietnam. The world was changing fast, with the black and white television beginning to rule over many people’s lives, and with news going fast around the world, the times were also interesting.
In Hawai’i, particularly in Oahu, there was an acute need for bilingual teachers, so that by 1975, a project on bilingual education funded by the Federal government was being piloted and thus was recruiting teachers who knew Ilokano and Tagalog. That was five years after Lynne first set foot in Hawai’i. When she learned of the need for bilingual teachers, the teacher in her, somehow, took on a serious mien, and she remembered with conviction that she did not pursue a college education, got her degree, and did her practice teaching—all for nothing. Since 1970, she had always done while doing other things other than teaching; she felt she needed to do something more. The bilingual program drew in 262 applicants, and the number was later on trimmed down to 50 for interview. Finally, 30 of the 50 who were interviewed were hired. That was to inaugurate her 30-year teaching career at Hawai’i’s Department of Education.
In an on-and-off way that I have been coming to Hawai’i during the last several years until I decided to stay put and take on teaching at the University of Hawai’i, Lynn had always been a presence in the many gatherings that I have had the chance to attend. In these functions, she would always be running around, and from an outsider’s point of view, always a reference point. You can miss an affair with no Lynn on it but you cannot miss Lynn when there are important affairs of the community.
You take this as a plus factor: for there is before you a solid axis of that which is good and that which is better. And you take it from there. Plus or minus several years of rest, she had always been with the alliance of organizations in Oahu, the Oahu Filipino Community, and the state-wide alliance, the United Filipino Council of Hawai’i. Her inauguration as a community leader did not start off with the goodies of leadership on a silver platter. “No,” she said. “I had to learn the ropes. And I am lucky because I have had role models, good leaders, and mentors who showed me how to do things the right way. And I am always for that which is right and fair.”
“Had there been challenges, with you being all over—sort of?” I asked her.
“Many,” she said. For a moment, she lapsed into silence, gathering her thoughts about the last 24 years or so that she has been serving the Filipino community in the State of Hawai’i. And then her quick repartee, “But we cannot indulge in the challenges. Leaders, the good ones, the effective ones, those who know what they are doing, are not fazed by these challenges. Rather, they take all these are opportunities for growth, for learning, for discovering wisdom.”
“And did you do that?” I inquired, jotting down her fresh language, her dynamic expressions, asking her at times to repeat how she parsed a statement that was memorable for me.
“I have many blessings,” she said. “I cannot ask for more. Or should I?”
“Tell me of your blessings,” I urged her, the afternoon light almost yellow outside, the rays gleaming on the cars parked in the front lots of the restaurant. We stirred our melting halo-halo.
“Two things,” she said, in a manner that bespeaks of a leader, her voice firm but mellow. “First, our coming to Hawai’i as a family when our aunt, Francisca Rol petitioned for us. We cannot thank our aunt enough for this chance, a rare one as it is. Second, my finishing my master’s in special education from Central Michigan University in 2001. All these are part of a buena suerte, that good luck that does not happen to all. I have received many blessings; I must give back.”
“How did you manage to do all these community involvements, and with you leading Magsingal Association of Hawai’i as well?” I asked. I looked at her straight in the eye and I saw a teacher and leader made wise by experience, by life’s tests, and by the graceful process of maturing.
“I was lucky to have my mother living with us. When I was in the middle of all these, my mother provided all the necessary attention my children needed when I was away teaching or doing community service,” she said of her mom who had passed away a year ago. I sensed that unspeakable sorrow in between her lines. “And then, I put together a system for my children to follow: I had to make sure that they did their homework and that they had their own books and read them.”
She spoke of her struggles with the educational system, how she fought for the rights of her siblings when they were attending public schools and were, somehow discriminated. She told the seven-member panel during her bilingual teacher interview of these travails, how she performed the task of being a surrogate teacher to them, and how she managed to teach in an informal and unconventional way in her previous work. “I never thought of quitting despite all the difficulties,” she said. “I had this adage built into my head: a quitter never wins, and a winner never quits. And so I stuck—and today I am still around doing the best that I can in basic education, and in community work.”
hi there manang lynne,
don't quite sure if you know me or not but antways just to let you know i'm the third of the five chidren of manuela viloria your dad's first cousin. remember lilong bilong /and my liland sidiang are brother and sister? when i first saw your pictures there in hawaii i can't help but smile bec. all my relatives are in magsingal virtual plaza. and it looks like everybody seems to live there in hawaii.
regards to auntie sosing and family so with marcel just ask him and i know he'll help you remember us....
nice meeting you.
jean
Ronnie,
I am so proud of your son's accomplishments. I was on top of my voice kung ipinagmalaki siya sa aking mga kaibigan esp. the committee members (I was one of the chairperson then). Nag aagawan pa nga sila to take pictures with him. I was about to coordinate a dinner for him but they had a very tight schedule. Hopefully there'll be a next performance in the future.
I hope to see you at our next school reunion.
My regards to Rocky and wishing for his success in his chosen career.
We need to feature him here MVP. He is one of a kind talented guy.
Hi Manang Lynne,
Congratulations! Indeed you are a great person and a worthy Magsingaleno to emulate.
I am one of the sons of the late Vicente Collado Sr. My classmate Vangie T. Alconis referred me to this site and lo I found you.
You see, my son Rocky, speaks so fondly of you when the Bloomfields Band played there in Hawaii during the Independence Day. He kept telling me about you but he forgot your name. When I read your comments with Vic Collado, my younger brother, I showed your picture to Rocky and he definitely remembered you as the sweet lady who made his stay in Hawaii somthing to remember.
He sends his greetings to you and thanks for reminding him about his roots in Magsingal.
I hope to see you someday.
God bless.
Ronnie
A big congratulations to you Manang Lynne. That's a great feat you just did once again! Well done.
Thank you very much, Mario (I prefer to call you). No, I do not intend to run as a United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) president. It is a very big job and lots of time involve because it is an umbrella organization of the 6 Filipino community island councils.
By the way, MAH will be having its biennual election sometime next month. I heard Basilio Tolentino is running for president (about time, Bas!).
Congratulations to Manang Lynne who was elected as Secretary of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) from their convention last July 18 in Las Vegas. Next stop, President!
Way to go " Big Sis", keep up the good work and so proud of your all accomplishments. Especially when some of our "Kailian" ask who I'm related to , I just mention your name, kaya kilala na rin ako.
Miss and love all you guys back home...
You go girl! I am so VERY amazed and proud...
Love you!
Marissa
Kumadre,you have accomplished a great deal and done your community untiring service.
And you're just beginning... Kayatko nga sawen ket ubingka pay, sapay ta itultuloymo latta ti panagserbim iti komunidadtayo a pakairamananmi metten kadagiti nabuslon nga ayatmo.
Bert
Dole,
I asked Nora to reply to you about Florina's e-mail address ading. About the community band, of course I will be willing to help.
Mahalo and aloha, ading.
Hi Odolino,
I have been emailing Florina before but so far she did not respond anyone of my email so I am not sure if I have the right email address for her. I will let you know as soon as i got it.
Hope to see you someday.
Nora Gabuat (aka Nora Ulangca)
hi manang gloria,
greetings from the sea !
thanks for the message...saanak nga taga san ramonen no saan ka nga malagip....saan ka nga malipatan manang ko ta kanayon ka nga lumabas diay sango ti balay mi no sumrek ken agawid ka nga aggapo diay TMI idi high school kayo... idi babassit kami...besides you are the older sister of my classmate nora...dios ti ag-ngina manang ko ta no addanto man palubos ni apo dios nga makapagport of call ako diyan sa hunololo ay umayak to agpasyar dita ayan yo ken umay maki-kinnumusta kadakayo amin ken pambaran yon to met nga pumassiar ditoy barko...
manang, ipak-pakaunakon ken ipasig ko lattan...sapay koma ta saan yo nga lip-lipatan tay plano tayo nga bangonen nga ''MAGSINGAL COMMUNITY BAND' nga para kadagitay ub-ubbing diay ilitayo...ta bar-bareng laeng ta di agbayag ket isudanto ti agtokar ti ''DAYTOY NGA BALAY NGA MASUNGAD MI '' no umaykamto makipascua diay balay yo no agbakasyon ka...
regards to nora and manang mary ann and their families......manang, would you mind to ask the e-mail add of my dear classmate FLORINA GALAPON to Nora ? i know that they are in touch...para makumustak met daytoy nga kapiddua gapu ta ti naudi nga panagkita min ket idi nagsisina kami idi graduation mi ti high school diay saint williams(1980)....ammok nga nalaing nga kumanta ken gumitara ni poling....ken ammok nga sida-daan nga sumoporta kadaytoy nga gannuat nga MAGSINGAL COMMUNITY BAND.
ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY AND GOD BLESS...MY WARM REGARDS TO THE FAMILY,
TOY SI-IILIW KEN ADING YO NGA SAAN NGA MAKALIPAT KADAKAYO AMIN,
DOLE
M/V NELE MAERSK
INDIAN OCEAN
naimbag nga rabii yo amin manang,
thanks for the message....wen manang siak ti nanumo nga buridek da manang agueda..siak ti kabsat da nga ''balyodong wenno baddaweng''...he..he..he.. kina-agpaysu na manang ket kayat ka nga tawagan dita hawaii maipanggep daytoy plano nga MAGSINGAL COMMUNITY BAND ta ammok la unay nga sika ti maysa nga tulbek ti balligi daytoy nga gannuat...no koma iscala ti musika ket sika ti maysa nga nota tapno malpas ti maysa nga napintas nga sonata...
wen manang siak ti nangi propose daytoy nga gannuat nga MAGSINGAL COMMUNITY BAND nga para koma kadagitay ub-ubbing diay ayan tayo...ta napanonot ko nga no masurruan dagitoy nga ub-ubbing nga agbalin nga nalaing nga agaramat ti instrumento ti banda ket mausar danto no oras nga agkolehio da a kas scholar...or they can use as their tool of their trade for their livelihood in the future...for example most of the musician on board on the cruise ships in the world are pilipinos... two to mention are the musicians on board the popular cruise ship QUEEN ELIZABETH by cunnard lines in u.k. or SOVEREIGN OF THE SEA by norwegian cruise line in norway... halos lahat ng mga musikero sa mga cruserong barko ay pinoy and they have a very high salary...isa pa ay para may pag ka-abalahan ng mga kabataan at mailayo sa ano mang bisyo na sisira sa kanilang magandang kinabukasan....
manang lyn, ammok la unay nga maysa ka kadagiti PIGSA ken SARIKED-KED no maipanggep kadagiti projecto nga pagsayaatan diay ili tayo NGA MAGSINGAL...no adda koma pannakabalin na manang ko ket maidanon mo koma kadagitay kaillian tayo dita hawaii maipanggep daytoy nga gannuat ken kumatkatok kadagita nalukneng nga panagpus-puso da ta suportaran da koma daytoy nga plano nga MAGSINGAL COMMUNITY BAND...uray annia nga klase nga suporta aglalo no instrumento nga trumpet, saxophone,trombone,oboe,french horn wenno cymbal...brand new or second hand...uray no adda dadael na wenno diferensiya na mabalin nga ipa repair diay raon diay santa cruz ...
Gods willing ill be home on the last week of september...my plan is to go and see dr. orlando isaguirre and ask his opinion and help... and some people whom i know that can help us to organise the group esp those from the NAPO BAND...I KNOW THAT THEY ARE MOST WILLING TO HELP...si doctor na lang kasi ang natirang musikero sa atin...i saw him last february 10 in the church playing his saxophone in the church choir...NALAING NGA SAXOPHONISTA KEN AGISURO NGA AGBASA TI NOTA... siya ang napipisil kong mamahala sa bandang ito...he is my best choice to be the '' LEADER OF THE BAND''
yes, i look forward to see you on 2010 on the global reunion.. ken sapay koma ta no addanto palubos ni apo dios ket dagitoy to nga ub-ubbing nga miyembro daytoy nga gannuat nga banda ket isudanto ti mangtokar ti NATIONAL ANTHEM TAYO NGA '' LUPANG HINIRANG'' INTONO AGKIKITA TAYO....ken dagitay pagay-ayo tayo nga kanta a kas nakairuaman tayo diay deppa-ar na ti ammianan.
SHALOM AND GOD BLESS US ALL,
ADING MO,
DOLE TOMANENG
M/V NELE MAERSK
INDIAN OCEAN
Dole,
I am here in San Diego to visit my sisters, Maryann and Nora. It is a small world, Nora was your classmate and Marcel (Imelda's husband) is your friend. Maybe you don't remember me because I graduated from TMI. If you ever come to Honolulu, please give us a call (you can e-mail me at gloriebutac@hotmail.com).
My sisters mentioned that most of us making comments here at the website are from San Ramon. Thanks again to Vic and Manong Vicente Collado, Jr. for a job well done.
Mahalo from San Diego.
Dole,
Agyamanak iti comment mo. Magsingal Asssociation of Hawaii gave me the trust and opportunity to be a leader in the community. To date, I was the first and only female president yet. I will always be grateful of MAH.
Sika kadi tay buridek da Aguida? If so, barkadak ni manangmo. Nabaddaweng kami no agbakbakasyon nak dita Magsingal. Agururay pay ketdi dagitoy encyclopedias ken dictionaries nga idoor to door ko diay eskuela na.
Sapay koma ta agkitatanto no 2010 SWI school reunion.
Take care and God Bless you always.
From: Odulino O. Tomaneng
Subject:Mrs. Lyn Viloria Gutierez
E-mail : OOT002@MAERSKCREW.COM
Message:
To; MRS. LYN GUTIEREZ AND FAMILY
Naimbag nga aldaw yo manang !
No mampay saan ko kayo pay nga nakita ti personal ket adun nga daras nga innak nabasa
ken nanggeg maipang-gep kadagita ayat ken gaget mo nga tumulong kadagiti projecto nga
pagsayaatan kadagitay kaillian tayo dita Hawaii ken diay ili tayo nga Magsingal
Sapay koma ta ikkan na ka nga kanayon ni apo tayo nga Dios ti naimbag nga salun-at ken
adu nga parabor bayat ti inka panangituloy kadagita nga naimpapussuan nga aramid,
ta ammok nga adu pay ti agur-uray kadagita ayat ken dunggom aglalo diay ili tayo.
Maysa ka nga maipan-pannakel ti ili tayo nga Magsingal...aglalo diay lugar tayo nga San Ramon
VIVA MAGSINGAL!!!!! LONG LIVE RAMONITES!!!!!!!!
Congratulations manang ko!
Greetings from a fellow ''Ramonites''
DOLE O. TOMANENG
M/V NELE MAERSK
Kumusta da amin nga kaillian tayo dita aglalo ken tay gayyem ko nga Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Formoso ken manong Fely Viloria and family, Wilson Tolentino and family....and nanang Ansing Costales and family in Lanai...
Manang Lynne,
You're a NATURAL BIG STAR! Star in many ways of helping others--all organizations for a great cause. You are naturally good from the heart. I commend you for your efforts and you deserve a well rounded applause not only from the Magsingalenous but from the entire community at large. Mabuhay ka! Keep on and hope to see you later (I'll be late) at the Miss Hawaii Filipina Pageant on Saturday.
Again, you are the best! Naibudi kenka ti naimpapusoan nga tulong mo kadagiti amin nga tao. We are so proud of you. We wish you more and more "energy" to help others! You are a role model. VIVA manang Lynne!
It's so good to see the big Magsingaleno group in Hawaii doing great things either individually or as a group. I raise a glass of Australian wine to Manang Lynne for your community work in Hawaii. Cheers!
Manang Lynne,
That was a good laugh we had today. You must have ESP that is why you called me and talked about your picture here at the website, Manang.
I agree with Manong Mario about your being tireless of giving back to the community.
Keep up the good work, Manang. Orie and I will always be there to support you.
I have not known a more tireless person pertaining to the betterment of all Filipinos in Hawaii than Manang Lynne. Any Filipino functions to benefit the needy, she is there. Any kind of committees to entertain the Filipino people such as parades,etc, she is there. To paraphrase it, she is everywhere!
I also give credit to her family especially her husband, Mang Ruben (a diehard LA Lakers fan) for unselfishly sharing Manang Lynne's time to the community. Mang Ruben, sorry about your team.
Maybe next year. I told you about Ray Allen!See!
Mg Lynne,
I am very proud of you! I wish I can do at least half of what you have done.
Hi Jean,
I know you very well so with your sister Susan, and Nonit. Siasino iti nangasawa ken Susan?
No agbakbakasyon kami dumagas kam latta dita balayyo or auntie would come to Nimfa's house to talk stories with nanang. We lost nanang November 25, 2006 due to massive heart attack. Tatang missed her so much kasi, he had a stroke too. He is able to go around town with the city bus without any cane yet. Cassie and Gowel, our youngest siblings live with him (just 15 minutes from us). da auntie Susing ken auncle Iyyong, Nimfa, Boy and Frances ket agupa da met kadakuada. Agyamyaman kami ta adda kadua ni ading nga mangkitkita ken Tatang. Sapay koma ta saandanto met a mauma kadakuada. NI Marcel sa la adda ditoy Honolulu no weekend kasi iti trabaho na ket idiay neighbor island, Kona ita.
I hope to see you someday in Canada. You can email me: mestralynne@aol.com.
Take care and give my regards to the family.