Rida Cabanilla: Nurse, soldier, lawmaker
LEMERY REYES, Philippine News
12/07/2007 | 01:44 PM
Rida Cabanilla, Hawaii’s state representative for District 42, spent the day after Thanksgiving down on her knees mopping and scrubbing floors.
“I spent the whole day of Friday, sweating," laughed Cabanilla, 55, during a phone interview with Philippine News. “I do those things to remind me that I am no different from everyone else." She was cleaning one of her rental properties for a new tenant.
Unlike most politicians, she does not let the glitz and glamour of politics go to her head.
In November 2004, Cabanilla beat Trevor Koch, a Republican, for Hawaii’s district 42, comprising Waipahu, Honouliuli and Ewa Beach. Until then, she was working as a registered nurse and kept busy with her duties as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. She had no prior political experience but wanted to make a difference for the people of Hawaii.
“Timing is everything when you enter a race," said Cabanilla, who emigrated to the United States when she was 17 years old. “I believed I could beat the incumbent. What you need most is passion and sincerity."
Cabanilla has sponsored numerous measures, including one providing for a drug-free Hawaii.
“It is an epidemic here. It’s ruining a lot of peoples’ lives socially, economically and physically. It’s an economic drain to government and it impacts the core of society," she said.
She also co-sponsored Act 100, which provides up to $2,000 for the burial expenses of Filipino World War II veterans. It was signed by Gov. Linda Lingle (R) in May, and Cabanilla is pleased about that. Still, she strongly believes all 50 states should pass their own laws as it may be easier than waiting for Congress to pass the Full Equity Act with aging veterans losing their ranks everyday.
This year, she sponsored a caregiver tax credit initiative, which, unfortunately, did not pass the state legislature. The measure would have provided tax credits to families or individuals who take care of family members, such as an ailing or elderly grandparent, with out-of-pocket expenses. She said the bill did not pass because many families are not adequately trained to care for the elderly.
“If families would use it, they will collect the money, but won’t take care of their families," she pointed out.
Cabanilla was also instrumental in adding a nursing program at the Leeward Community College because of a nursing shortage in Hawaii.
Last year, she was recognized by the Hawaii Dental Association as the 2006 Legislator of the Year for her opposition to HB 3141, a measure that would have allowed dentists in Hawaii to practice in other states without a formal examination.
“I honestly did not agree with the bill," said Cabanilla. “And, I was honored by the very people whose bill I was trying to kill."
She was recently named one of the 100 Most Influential Women by the Filipina Women’s Network in Washington, D.C.
Marina Raquel, who has lived in district 42 for more than 20 years, said Cabanilla brought renewed interest to Fil-Hawaiians in her district when she ran and won in 2004.
“Before she went into politics, the Filipinos didn’t want to go to the polls," she said. “They know Rida can help us and defend our district." For one planning to run for re-election in 2008, she would like to see more Filipinos involved in politics.
“If you want to make history, don’t do it with your Mercedes or houses,’ said Cabanilla, who also admits it will take a lot of money to be a successful candidate. “You need a lot of name recognition and money. It is a major factor, especially when your opponent is well funded."
She does not rule out the possibility of running for Congress one day and said if she were called for duty in Iraq, she would go. Cabanilla holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army.
“If the Filipino community wants to send a Filipino to Congress, they must be willing to pay the price of that wish. If a Filipino ran for that office, I believe it will be coming from the State of Hawaii because they have a few to choose from."
Although Cabanilla does not personally agree with the war in Iraq, she maintains the military is a noble profession. “I have to compartmentalize my opinions and views. If I am wearing the uniform, I support my commander-in-chief. But personally, if you ask me, my answer is no," she said.
Cabanilla is mother to two adult children Melanie, 26, and Christopher, 23, both from her first marriage. She is now married to Lance Arakawa, who is Japanese and works in the construction industry. For her, having a supportive and understanding family is very important.
Christopher Manabat said he admires his mother’s accomplishments and strong character.
“She’s very direct and doesn’t sugarcoat," he said. “She is not ashamed to say things most people avoid." He works in mother’s office and helps out with administrative duties.
Raquel said she knows Rida as a “tough lady because she fights for the people of the district."
“She is concerned about the young people, students and especially education," she added.
“I have nothing to hide and I am not saying I am perfect," said Cabanilla. “You ask for my opinion and you will get it. That’s just who I am." - Philippine News
“I spent the whole day of Friday, sweating," laughed Cabanilla, 55, during a phone interview with Philippine News. “I do those things to remind me that I am no different from everyone else." She was cleaning one of her rental properties for a new tenant.
Unlike most politicians, she does not let the glitz and glamour of politics go to her head.
In November 2004, Cabanilla beat Trevor Koch, a Republican, for Hawaii’s district 42, comprising Waipahu, Honouliuli and Ewa Beach. Until then, she was working as a registered nurse and kept busy with her duties as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. She had no prior political experience but wanted to make a difference for the people of Hawaii.
“Timing is everything when you enter a race," said Cabanilla, who emigrated to the United States when she was 17 years old. “I believed I could beat the incumbent. What you need most is passion and sincerity."
Cabanilla has sponsored numerous measures, including one providing for a drug-free Hawaii.
“It is an epidemic here. It’s ruining a lot of peoples’ lives socially, economically and physically. It’s an economic drain to government and it impacts the core of society," she said.
She also co-sponsored Act 100, which provides up to $2,000 for the burial expenses of Filipino World War II veterans. It was signed by Gov. Linda Lingle (R) in May, and Cabanilla is pleased about that. Still, she strongly believes all 50 states should pass their own laws as it may be easier than waiting for Congress to pass the Full Equity Act with aging veterans losing their ranks everyday.
This year, she sponsored a caregiver tax credit initiative, which, unfortunately, did not pass the state legislature. The measure would have provided tax credits to families or individuals who take care of family members, such as an ailing or elderly grandparent, with out-of-pocket expenses. She said the bill did not pass because many families are not adequately trained to care for the elderly.
“If families would use it, they will collect the money, but won’t take care of their families," she pointed out.
Cabanilla was also instrumental in adding a nursing program at the Leeward Community College because of a nursing shortage in Hawaii.
Last year, she was recognized by the Hawaii Dental Association as the 2006 Legislator of the Year for her opposition to HB 3141, a measure that would have allowed dentists in Hawaii to practice in other states without a formal examination.
“I honestly did not agree with the bill," said Cabanilla. “And, I was honored by the very people whose bill I was trying to kill."
She was recently named one of the 100 Most Influential Women by the Filipina Women’s Network in Washington, D.C.
Marina Raquel, who has lived in district 42 for more than 20 years, said Cabanilla brought renewed interest to Fil-Hawaiians in her district when she ran and won in 2004.
“Before she went into politics, the Filipinos didn’t want to go to the polls," she said. “They know Rida can help us and defend our district." For one planning to run for re-election in 2008, she would like to see more Filipinos involved in politics.
“If you want to make history, don’t do it with your Mercedes or houses,’ said Cabanilla, who also admits it will take a lot of money to be a successful candidate. “You need a lot of name recognition and money. It is a major factor, especially when your opponent is well funded."
She does not rule out the possibility of running for Congress one day and said if she were called for duty in Iraq, she would go. Cabanilla holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army.
“If the Filipino community wants to send a Filipino to Congress, they must be willing to pay the price of that wish. If a Filipino ran for that office, I believe it will be coming from the State of Hawaii because they have a few to choose from."
Although Cabanilla does not personally agree with the war in Iraq, she maintains the military is a noble profession. “I have to compartmentalize my opinions and views. If I am wearing the uniform, I support my commander-in-chief. But personally, if you ask me, my answer is no," she said.
Cabanilla is mother to two adult children Melanie, 26, and Christopher, 23, both from her first marriage. She is now married to Lance Arakawa, who is Japanese and works in the construction industry. For her, having a supportive and understanding family is very important.
Christopher Manabat said he admires his mother’s accomplishments and strong character.
“She’s very direct and doesn’t sugarcoat," he said. “She is not ashamed to say things most people avoid." He works in mother’s office and helps out with administrative duties.
Raquel said she knows Rida as a “tough lady because she fights for the people of the district."
“She is concerned about the young people, students and especially education," she added.
“I have nothing to hide and I am not saying I am perfect," said Cabanilla. “You ask for my opinion and you will get it. That’s just who I am." - Philippine News
