The city is giving $100,000 to the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission to help pay for a trade exposition and other events during the yearlong commemoration, which gets under way next month.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday presented the check to Elias Beniga, the commission's chairman.

Hannemann said the Philippine International Trade Exposition, slated for Dec. 13-16 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, is of particular interest to him.

"This is all about trade, this is all about business, this is all about commerce," said Hannemann, flanked by members of the commission.

The mayor is leaving today for a five-day trip to the Philippines. A 20-member city delegation will meet with Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Manila Mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr. while in Manila, with which Honolulu has a sister-city relationship.

The delegation will also travel to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Hannemann said he will reaffirm sister-city relations with Laoag, and sign a new agreement with officials of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

Gov. Linda Lingle will be leading her own delegation to the Philippines in January.

Last year, the city contributed $25,000 for the Filipino Centennial Celebration, which kicks off Dec. 10 at the convention center.

The state has pitched in $200,000 for the centennial celebration while the Hawai'i Tourism Authority has contributed $50,000.

Hawai'i County and Maui County contributed $42,500 and $25,000, respectively.

For more information about the centennial celebration, visit the group's Web site, www.filipinos inhawaii100.org/default.asp or call Beniga at 291-5797.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.