Cabanilla Wins National Honor As An Influential Filipina

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State Rep. Rida Cabanilla meets Sept. 20 with Salvatore S. Lanzilotti (left), Leon Richards, state Rep. John Mizuno and Manuel Cabral to outline a nursing program that began during Leeward Community College’s fall semester. Cabanilla was instrumental in bringing the program to LCC, which allows West Oahu students to obtain an education in nursing closer to home, rather than having to commute to KCC or UH-Manoa. Photo from Tom Berg.

Part one in a series of articles honoring influential Filipinas

Rida Cabanilla has made a name for herself as a state representative (D-Waipahu, Ewa) while also putting Hawaii, the Filipino community and more particularly Filipina women on the map.

On Oct. 25 Cabanilla will attend a Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) gala in Washington, D.C., where she will be recognized as one of the nation’s 100 Most Influential Filipinas.

“This is something I never thought I would attain one day,“said Cabanilla. “It is a great honor.”

Out of 202 nominees,100 are chosen. On the nominee list are state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (Aiea), state Rep. Kymberly Pine (Ewa Beach,Iroquois Point) and state Rep. Lynn Finnegan (Aiea, Lower Pearlridge, Halawa, Pearl Harbor).

They are being recognized, along with Cabanilla, in the Policies and Visionaries award category for Filipina women leaders who have made a difference in government policies that impact industry, business and society,and who enrich the lives and careers of others by sharing the benefits of their wealth,experience and knowledge.

MidWeek syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin will receive special honor as a Filipina who inspires others by her words, actions and activism.

FWN is a national non-profit association that fosters career, educational and social opportunities for Filipino women.The San Francisco-based association asserts that women in the network are at the top of their game and at the “cutting edge of positive influence in America.” Two other women at the top of their game, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and presidential candidate Sen. Hilary Clinton, will make guest appearances at the gala.

For Cabanilla, being a Filipina is something to be proud of. Yet she says that Filipinos are underrepresented in the government’s policy-making branch.

“I feel that we (Filipinos) need a catalyst to attain an equilibrium,” said Cabanilla, who aims to help the Filipino community in Hawaii by providing motivation to achieve their dreams.“Be brave, be smart and be cognizant of everything around you,” Cabanilla said.“The difference I want to make in the Filipino community is to make a statement that it is OK to run for office.”

Cabanilla believes that a lot of deserving Filipinas don’t come forward because of self-defeat.

“They do not give themselves a chance. They disqualify themselves before filling out an application. Failing is part of the process. If you fail, just get up and get stronger for the next time around.”

This mind-set is what helped Cabanilla to achieve her goals. Since coming to Hawaii 37 years ago from the Philippines, Cabanilla has accomplished much in not just the political arena,but in other professional fields as well.

She earned a nursing degree from the University of Hawaii and is a registered critical care nurse. She also served as an officer of the 1984th U.S.Army Hospital with 21 years of service in the Army Reserves, ranked as a lieutenant colonel.Most recently she chairs the House Committee on International Affairs.As chairwoman, Cabanilla has had a direct impact in authoring and passing resolutions directed at protecting human rights overseas.

Since being elected to the state Legislature in 2004, Cabanilla has worked toward transportation relief, infrastructure development and education improvement in Hawaii.

Her accomplishments have distinguished her in the community and abroad, but she admits there were some bumps along the way, being that English isn’t her first language.

“English as a second language is a handicap that needs to be overcome when you try to achieve,compete, emulate, influence, win, persuade or prevail on a higher arena. I am grateful that I live in Hawaii because here the people are very forgiving with language difficulties.”

“My dream is that someday, all people - not just women, and not just Filipinas - might have the opportunity to carry the mantle of leadership and help steer the great ship of liberty we call the United States of America.”

Cabanilla could be considered a leading example of someone living the American dream.

“While I began my life in this country as an immigrant,I now live with the calling and mind-set not of a foreign expatriate, but as part of the American spirit, dedicated not only to building a future for my family, but to making real the dreams of others.”

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