30 November 2009. The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, led by Consul General Leoncio Cardenas made a courtesy call on American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono at his office on 25 November. Consul General Cardenas thanked the Governor for the warm reception his staff extended to him and his party upon their arrival and for his continued support to the Filipinos in American Samoa especially during the recent tsunami tragedy. The Governor, who is the highest ranking official in the island, mentioned the valuable contributions of Filipinos in the field of health services, infrastructure, tuna canning and fishing. A large number of Filipinos are also employed as seamstresses and tailors since American Samoans prefer tailored-made clothes rather than ready-to-wear.
The Governor made specific mention of the dedication of the Filipino doctors and nurses in the
LyndonB.JohnsonMemorialHospital, the island’s only hospital, to the health and care of the residents. He expressed his desire to explore the possibility of the Philippines setting up a hospital in American Samoa staffed by Filipino doctors, nurses and other professionals. He said he envisioned a hospital like St. Luke’s Hospital exporting its staff and expertise to American Samoa to service locals and Filipinos alike. Consul General Cardenas promised to look into the matter and extended an invitation for him to visit the Philippines in the near future.
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The courtesy call was capped by an unexpected dinner invitation by the Governor the next day, before the consular team departs American Samoa for Honolulu at 11pm. Together with Madame Tulafono, the Governor hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at a popular Chinese restaurant, expressing his apologies that the dinner was not held at his residence since its was Thanksgiving Day and his staff were on holiday that day.
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