FFRGOC 18th Anniversary Ball to raise funds for $10,000.00 to donate to Christ Our Savior Cathedral Fund held at the Doubletree Hotel, Orange, CA last March 12, 2011
Picture is courtesy of Lino Aldana and love this black and white picture!
For years, FFRGOC. as an organization, had been recognized, trusted and respected by the Diocese of Orange, the 7th largest diocese in the nation with 62 parishes and centers in Orange County comprise of of 62 million Catholics as mentioned on their website. Bishops and priests from other parishes have actively participated in our Annual Rosary Rally and Filipino Cultural Event like Simbang Gabi held every December of the year.
As a show of respect and giving back to the Diocese of Orange, FFRGOC had two fundraiser events by having two anniversary balls, the 18th Anniversary Ball held at Doubletree Hotel last March 12, 2011 in Orange CA and 20th Anniversary Ball held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel last August 24, 2013 in Anaheim, CA and raised $10,000 each event to a tune of total funds raised for $20,000 under the leadership and guidance of Lino Aldana, past president for 2010-2013 and its Board of Directors supported by FFRGOC officers and members who also worked hard and thanks to donors/sponsors of those two events.
Lino Aldana contributed on the mechanics on how the funds were raised during these events. Tickets were sold @ $65/person . Different chapters/areas were allowed to sell tickets to members at $30 or $35 each person and used the area funds to subsidize the difference so more people can join in and enjoy the events. Each area was assigned to accommodate a table with ten people. Since there were 26 areas, there were 260 attendees from the different areas. Extra tables were set up for non members who paid full price of $60/per person. This creative way of fund raising was successful and FFRGOC raised the desired amounts to donate for a very good cause. In addition, advertisements on the Souvenir Program and donors/sponsors after associated expenses also contributed to the funds raised.
Presentation of the check for $10,000.00 to Bishop Brown and his Assistant, Father Tuan by Lino Aldana and the Board of Directors - Dr. Lita Ca Casquejo, Debbie Gonzales, Irene Alzate and Dina Tennant with our Spiritual Director, Father Juan Caboboy
Picture courtesy of Lino Aldana
The 18th Anniversary Gala event was entertaining with FFRGOC Officers and members dancing away the Rigodon de Honor, a formal dance that focuses on the status and prestige of life and participants dance with sophistication and etiquette. "Malacanang Palace", Philippines White House, have had Rigodon de Honor performances.
The announcement of pairs start the Rigodon de Honor dance and they position themselves on the ballroom. They sway themselves with grace as they crisscross the ballroom and the partners leave each other with a lilting footwork and then again get back with grace. Rhythmic arm movements, the sway of their bodies and posture with hands held high give you the aura of aristocracy and nobility that we inherited from the colonizing Spaniards. I remember my grandmother, partly Spanish, who was tall and walked like a queen even if nobody is looking!
The participating women were dressed to the hilt while the men came up unified with black and white hats complete with bow ties and suspenders as shown on the pictures below:
And of course, good food and drinks were flowing during the night and everyone enjoyed including bonding for all, religious and secular, as shown on the picture below:
Last August 24, 2013, the 20th Anniversary Ball was held at the Crowne Plaza at Anaheim, CA where a fundraiser campaign was repeated and successfully raised $10,000.00 as a donation to "For Christ Forever Capital Campaign on behalf of the Diocese of Orange".
Presentation of the check for $10,000.00 to Cindy Bobruk, OCF Executive Director for the
" For Christ Forever Capital Campaign on behalf of the Diocese of Orange" by FFRGOC President Lino Aldana, 2010 - 2013 and the Board of Directors - Vita Valintin, Irene Alzate, Jovie Kruki, Debbie Gonzales and Helen Alonso and FFRGOC Spiritual Director, Father Juan Caboboy
Picture is courtesy of Lino Aldana
The event went well with silent action where items were given by donors who were acknowledged on a special page at the souvenir program plus special gift donors of individuals and businesses that contributed to the funds raised during the evening. Attendance fees from FFRGOC officers/members and guests and ads on the souvenir programs including donors plus proceeds from silent auction minus the associated expenses were the main contributors to the funds FFROC raised to donate the $10,000.00. FFRGOC is very grateful to all participants.
Pictures below, courtesy of Lino Aldana, captured some of our FFRGOC officers /members and guests during the event who enjoyed the food and drinks and bonding with the people of the same faith and of course dancing with the band and a chance to dress up with gusto in their favorite suits, barongs, ternos and evening gowns for the formal occasion and why not !
Also on the 18th Anniversary Gala, FFRGOC President Lino Aldana honored the past presidents of FFRGOC with an Anniversary Pin presented to each President for their unending support by Debbie Gonzalez, Gala Coordinator, and Liza Sindayen, FFRGOC Treasurer.
Honorees were: Irene Alzate, Art Diaz, Mel Gallardo, Jorge Fuentes, Joe Arevalo, Zita Sevilla (proxy by Sol Tierra), and Elizer Ruiz with FFRGOC Spiritual Director, Father Juan Caboboy as shown on the picture below:
Left to Right - Liza Sindayen, Debbie Gonzales, Father Juan Caboboy, Lino Aldana, Irene Alzate, Art Diaz,, Mel Gallardo, Jorge Fuentes, Joe Arevalo, Zita Sevilla (proxy by Sol Tierra), and Elizer Ruiz. Picture is courtesy of Lino Aldana.
The Diocese of Orange, also included FFRGOC organization, as one of the donors embedded permanently on the artwork displayed on the walls of the iconic and beautiful Christ Cathedral that was renovated and beautifully transformed to a place of worship for all Catholics. Below is the video courtesy of Lino Aldana.
Thank you letters were also received from the Diocese of Orange for the two Anniversary Balls and below is one of them sent to FFRGOC President Lino Aldana, 2010-2013.
For historical background, Christ Cathedral used to be Crystal Cathedral. Under the guidance of the famous evangelist Reverend Robert H. Schuller, host of his televised "Hour of Power", they sold the Crystal Cathedral, Arboretum and surrounding properties to the Roman Catholic Church. Crystal Cathedral now known as Christ Cathedral is a tourist spot for a lot of international tourists and students who visit to learn and admire the workmanship of top famous architects and designers listed below who created the basis for the international center.
Richard Neutra (Epic Cantilivered House published on Dwell Magazine ) https://www.dwell.com/article/platform-house-richard-neutra-sherman-oaks-2bb7236a -
Philipp Johnson (The Glass House ) -https://theglasshouse.org/ - ,
Richard Meir (Getty Center - https://www.thoughtco.com/about-the-getty-center-by-richard-meier-177914 and
Gin Wong.(LAX Theme Building) -https://la.curbed.com/2017/9/18/16328524/gin-wong-la-buildings-modern-googie-lax
As a former interior designer student , our teacher/architect and the director of our school were so enthusiastic explaining the details of the workmanship and we, as students, were awed and happy to see the structures. On a personal basis, I am sad though that one of our teacher/architect passed away.
It is therefore with great pride and honor that we have shown our respect and gave back to our Diocese of Orange who recognize FFRGOC as an organization for our donations plus binds us all together to follow Jesus through Mary .
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