Original article from the Philippine Post: https://philpostblog.wordpress.com/2022/09/04/aloha-and-mahalo-from-facctc/
Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Tri-County thanks all the guests and sponsors for a very successful Luau fundraising. Photo courtesy of Tony Chi-Su Gutierrez of OfficeZilla LA
By Louinn Lota/ Contributor
WEST COVINA, California – Polynesian dances, silent auctions for Hawaiian plumeria plants and other goodies, a photo booth and lumpia pupu platter topped festivities at FilAm Chamber of Commerce Tri-County’s summer luau fundraiser at Lead & Follow Dance Studio in West Covina, Calif.
“Apple, pineapple, banana, mango,” was shouted as members of FilAm Chamber volunteers did their best to bump their hips right and left, then thrust their pelvis front and back to the giggles of the audience, as they were taught the Tahitian ori (fast drumbeat dance).
“Naku, baliktad (Oh no, reversed)!” laughed one audience member as volunteer dancers mixed up pineapple and banana moves.” Hopdial and Blue Social business sponsors made up the newcomer dance crew led by experts of the Nā Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe Dance Studio in Chino Hills, Calif.
Those who attended the luau fundraiser, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, dined on lechon (roasted pig, replete with head), teriyaki chicken, rice, cabbage, and macaroni salads and pansit miki bihon (Filipino noodle dish) and lumpia (Filipino fried eggroll) and cucumber and cantaloupe waters.
Desserts accompanied the silent auction raffles for collector dolls, Game of Thrones, and Star Wars collectibles along with antique crystalware. More than 100 people paid $50 for the luau fundraiser along with renewing their FAACCTC memberships for $75 and auction tickets for $1, $5, and $20 for an arm’s length wingspan number of tickets. You put your raffle tickets in the jars in front of the prize you wanted to win. And you also chose your background and filter effects in the photo booth sponsored by SM Investments Corp., and law firm Tofer & Associates.
FilAm Chamber, founded in 2015, supports businesses in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and is rebounding after the pandemic lockdowns of the past two years. Chamber President Carmela Giliberto encouraged interested parties to join for a discounted fee at https://facctricounty.org/membership-application.
FACCTC is a California not-for-profit 501(c)(6). Other executive officers include Vice President Lydia V. Solis, Treasurer Art Abellada, Secretary Christen Montero, and President Emeritus Merwynn Montenegro. Its board of directors includes Anthony Lopez, luau host; Chirho Garcia, Eliza Serna, Jeanette Burton, Jv Libunao, John Fleming, Lani Kim, luau co-host; Nick Munoz, Hermie Natividad, and Dan Nino. Chamber Ambassadors include Chien Wang, Geno Quiocho, Lisa Day, Daisy Sacro, and Demeven Quirino.
