Community members banded together to raise funds for Filipino-American seniors. PHOTO BY ROLAN GUTIERREZ
NEW YORK CITY — Members of the Filipino community will strut down the runway in Christmassy red and green ensembles during a year-end fundraising event hosted by a group of active Filipino seniors on Saturday, December 20.
“Christmas Community Fashion Dinner Dance” is being held by the PAGASA Social Foundation Inc. (PAGASAsfi) for senior citizens in cooperation with community-oriented events company Queens Asia Fest.
The fashion dinner dance venue is the Grand Ballroom of Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel (135-20 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354) from 7 p.m. to 12 midnight.
Members of the Filipino-American community, especially in the Tri-state area, are encouraged to join the fundraiser that will support PAGASAsfi’s various programs for senior adults, which include cultural, social, health and spiritual activities.
“Most of PAGASAsfi members are now retired, dependent on their social security income and pension. PAGASAsfi, established by seniors for seniors, fills in the void through its programs, which we hope can restore our pride and respect for the zest of life,” says Consuelo Almonte, PAGASAsfi president and National Association of Professional Women’s (NAPW) 2014 Professional Woman of the Year.
Almonte adds, “We have programs held every month, such as health fairs, bingo games, yard sales and cultural events. Many of these seniors are quite isolated; our programs provide them an essential outlet where they can socialize and get important information on their aging issues.
Expected to grace the runway are community members Alice Soriano, CherryMarie Taneo Kreisberg, Consuelo Almonte, Dahlia Aman, Dara Valconcha, Mike Jampayas, Jocelyn Canita, John Sohn, Joji Rafael, Josie Sentosa Neri, Lisa Benedetto, Maricel Reyes, Marites Mantalaba, Melojane Valisno, Nancy Siedman, Nonoy Rafael, Ollie David, Rachelle Ocampo, Raul Cajigas, Rico Lirio, Robert Labarbera, Rufina Peralta, Steve Van Deroder, Tenette Lirio, Vincent Gesmundo, and Willyfreda Tejada.
Helen Kwong-Labarbera is choreographer. Nonoy Rafael is the music DJ.
For tickets (Regular $75, VIP $125), call Consuelo Almonte, 347-488-9386; or Myrna Gutierrez, 917-502-9891. Sponsorship packages are also available.