Sampaguita Ball 2022 – A Fashion Statement

by PCFI Info Center

Saturday, September 24th, 2022 – The Sampaguita Ball 2022 of the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCFI), now in its 28th year, was a tremendous success, with four hundred and seventy attendees this year. The glitters of the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center décor created by Vivian Dudgeon blended with the most spectacular evening gowns of the ladies and Barong Tagalogs of the men designed by top Philippine designers.

However, the most distinctive was the Filipiniana gowns and Barong Tagalogs worn by the foundation’s officers and the different member organizations who performed the “Rigodon de Abaniko” as an opening dance to welcome the guests, choreographed by Ren Candelario of the Philippine Performing Arts Company of Tampa.

As early as five o’clock, guests were arriving. All dressed to impressed. Lissa Biglete, Chairman of the Sampaguita Ladies Society, in a beautiful dark lavender ball gown matching Arnell Biglete’s Barong Tagalog designed by Ruel Rivera. Arnell is the current Chairman of the Board of PCFI.

Gigi Gerbolingo Smith attracted many with her lime green ball gown matching her son Tristan’s Barong Tagalog, also by Ruel Rivera.

PCFI Underwriter Lucy Bautista was wearing a very elegant metallic leatherette rust-colored one-sided terno designed by Alfie Jolo Desamparado of Iloilo City.

And on the native-looking styles, there was the fabulous Maria Clara cut gown of Vivian Furigay Dudgeon made of the “tenun” fabric of the Yakans of Basilan, designed by Federico Navarro, president of the Fashion Designers Association of Zamboanga City.

Aurora “Bing” Curioso was wearing a fabulous pink ball gown also by Alfie Jolo Desamparado.

Former PCFI Chairman of the Board Lari Peterson was in an elegant light blue Sari-print fabric cut into a Philippine terno.

Underwriters Dr. Rosauro Balderama and his wife Marly were in matching heavily beaded pink terno and Barong Tagalog by Ruel Rivera.

Past Sampaguita Ball chairman Maryann Branesky was dressed in a canary yellow Maria Clara-inspired terno by Edgar San Diego.

Sampaguita Ball 2022 Chairman Fey Ticzon was equally as elegant in a canary yellow beaded gown with silk chiffon tails by Alfie Jolo Desamparado. Fely Ticzon from the Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble chaired this year’s ball.

With the help of her Sampaguita Ball committee and the Sampaguita Ladies Society composed of past Sampaguita Ball chairman.

There were also many beauty queens in attendance from different beauty pageants in Florida, some wearing sashes and crowns. But the one who caught my eyes was the Miss FIL-AM FLORIDA 2022 Miss Kaitlyn Pamplona wearing a very simple but elegant black and white chiffon terno. Miss Manila of the Miss Fil-Am Florida pageant was in a very elegant red silk terno that made her look like a Queen designed by Richard Papa. These are just a few of the many ladies so beautifully and elegantly dressed that evening.

The $125 to $150 per plate charity ball included complimentary valet parking, a deluxe open bar all night, a seven-course Chinese lauriat catered by Hao Wah catering, the Rhythm in Motion live Filipino band, and Filipino DJ Johnie Sta. Ana provided the music all night alternately.

This year’s entertainment honored the indigenous tribes from the island of Mindanao. Ethnic dances of the TBoli, Blaan, Yakan, and the Tagabilis as performed by the talented members of the Philippine Performing Arts Company of Tampa, choreographed by Joey Omila. The sounds of the Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble and the voices of the Philippine Choral Group led by Nhick Pacis and David Marinez echoed the ballroom with the music and lyrics of “Semmek.”

“Semmek” is an original musical composition by Nhick Ramiro Pacis inspired by the ancient fabric of the “Yakan” tribe of Basilan known as “Semmek.” Vicky Siason, from Lamitan, Basilan, provided the lyrics sung by the Philippine Choral Group.

No question, Sampaguita Ball 2022 was a big fashion statement of glamourous gowns and beauties. This year’s attendance also shows that the community is back attending the most popular and elegant charity ball in the state of Florida organized by the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. through the efforts of the Sampaguita Ladies Society and committee for the last twenty-eight years.

Reservations are made way ahead of time for those who would like to attend the ball next year. Immediate payment is required when making a reservation to get your secured seats. The ball is strictly formal. Long gowns, Filipiniana outfits, Barong Tagalog, tuxedos, and dark suits are a MUST when attending the ball. See you all next year!