Mabuhay Mayor Mufi

KEY LEADERS OF THE HAWAII FILIPINO COMMUNITY
URGE  MUFI HANNEMANN TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR

Repeated chants of "Run Mufi Run, Run Mufi Run!" were echoed loudly throughout The Pearl restaurant during a rally on Monday, February 8, 2010 at the Ala Moana Center. Business leaders, healthcare executives, community activists and members of the Hawaii Filipino community gathered to encourage Mayor Mufi Hannemann to run in the 2010 gubernatorial race. Key leaders who attended included: Eddie Flores, Jr., Maggie Domingo, Eddie Agas, Theresia McMurdo, Dr. Danilo and May Ablan, Amelia Casamina Cabatu, Annie Corpuz, Joe Lazo, Luis and Belen Butay, Vergil Adonis, Jean Jeremiah and Rep. Joey Manahan. Nearly 300 supporters swarmed the restaurant as the group boldly announced its endorsement for Mufi Hannemann to run for governor.
 
Hannemann, who recently led the 21st annual Trade Mission to the Philippines, sponsored by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, was bestowed the prestigious honor of being the "Adopted Son of Ilocos Norte." Hannemann traveled across the Ilocos region with members of his cabinet of Filipino ancestry and Hawaii delegates, last November to the following towns and cities: Laoag, Pasuquin, Batac, Bacarra, Badoc and San Nicolas, as well as Pasig, Metro Manila and Cebu. He was adopted in the towns of Vigan, Bacarra, Manila, Pasuquin and San Nicolas.
 
"Out of the three anticipated major candidates for governor, Hannemann is the only one who has visited the Philippines.  He has made five trips there and is endeared by the Filipinos at home and abroad,” said Theresia McMurdo, a member of the statewide exploratory committee urging Mufi Hannemann to throw his hat in the ring for the state leadership position.

"They told me, you're not just the tallest Pilipino mayor in the world, you are the tallest Ilocano mayor in the world," recalls Hannemann referring to his Philippine visit last fall. He added, "I was able to see the hearts and minds of the Filipino people whom I've grown to love more and more with every one of my visits.”
 
"Hannemann is no doubt the favorite son amongst the local Filipinos," said Maggie Domingo of KNDI Radio, a member of the committee that spearheaded the February 8 rally.

"Pinoy power and Long live Mufi Hannemann," cheered KHPI announcer Emmie Anderson.

"I hear you; however, there are still things I have to do at City Hall.  I want to leave it better than I found it," said Hannemann as he addressed a standing room only crowd. "I want to start early with you, you were so helpful to me in 2004 and 2008.  The Filipino vote has always made the difference in my elections," Hannemann said
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Short of an announcement, he added, "I ask you, who's heart has always been with the Filipino community? A friend who's passionate about family values, education and the economy – that's what this state needs now more than ever.  Now is not the time for me to officially declare my candidacy.   There is still a project called rail that I want to get started so we can build it right.  There is no other project out there that will create thousands of jobs to boost our economy," said Hannemann.
 
Hannemann and other politicians kept the audience entertained as they rallied the crowd with song and dance.  The tallest "Filipino Mayor" performed several numbers, including Honolulu City Lights, And I Love You So and Drop, Baby Drop.  The City's Managing Director Kirk Caldwell got into the flow of things with a song.  Councilmember Donavan Dela Cruz and Deputy Prosecutor Don Pacarro also took to the stage with their solo acts.