Herminio (Hermie) Sunga, currently Vice Mayor of the City of Vallejo in California, is the only Filipino- American member in the City Council of Vallejo, which has a large Fil-Am population.
A political neophyte, Sunga, who initially was not among the favorites to win a seat to the City Council in the 2005 elections, surprised everybody by raising more money than any of the other candidates and by becoming the top vote-getter, almost 1,000 votes ahead of the next candidate.
A Bachelor of Science in Commerce (major in Accounting) graduate, Hermie was recruited as a Seaman in the United States Navy at Subic Bay, Philippines. Rising through the ranks, he was accepted to the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and the Navy Supply Corps Officer School in Athens, Georgia. Hermie, who received many commendations and awards during his stint in the US Navy, eventually retired as Commander, Supply Corps in the United States Naval Reserve.
As a Councilmember and Vice Mayor, Hermie has championed business and economic development in the City Council. He has been key in initiating, supporting and implementing programs for seniors, resulting in the creation of a Senior Round Table for the City of Vallejo.
In addition, the former Planning Commissioner (also for the City of Vallejo), worked hard in jumpstarting a Disaster Preparedness Program for the city. The program obtained grant money for Disaster Preparedness training for several city residents.
Hermie is a member of many sub-committees as Councilmember, including the Inter-Agency Committee, the Transportation Council Committee, the Travis Regional Armed Services Committee, the Youth Activities Commission, the Community Arts Foundation, the Marina Council Committee, the Public Television Access Committee, the Council Arts Committee, and the Carquinez Straight Coordination Council Preservation Trust Board of Directors. He is an Alternate on the Mobile Home Rent Review Board.
Sunga is also Vice Chair for the Joint Power Authority and the Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District.
Professionally, Hermie, a member of both the National and California Associations of Realtors, is owner of ARS Realty and Financial Services, a company that deals in real estate and mortgage.
Despite his busy schedule as Councilmember, Sunga has also devoted his time and energy to other volunteer work. Hermie is founding president of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Solano County (FACCSC) and Circulo Pampangueno, USA. He is a member of many organizations, including the Filipino American Retired US Armed Forces Services (FARUSAFA), Vallejo Moose Lodge, Vallejo Elks Lodge, Filipino American Movement for Empowerment (FILAMME), US Navy Supply Corps Officer Association (Bay Area Chapter), The American Legion, the Asian Political Caucus, and the Filipino Community of Solano County.
In addition, he is Chairman of the Vallejo Business Alliance, which includes the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce, Solano County Hispanic Chamber and the Filipino American Chamber of Solano County.
Hermie Sunga is married to the former Milagros Yabut. They have four children (Irene, Clare, Richie and Junior) and four grandchildren (Nico, Dominique, Paige and Sophia).
( Published on January 30, 2009 in Asian Journal Northern California p. B1 )
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