Sampaguita Ball 2024: 30 Years of Elegance

Excitement is building and seats are selling rapidly as the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc.’s Sampaguita Ladies Society prepares to host the highly anticipated 30th Sampaguita Ball. Under the commemorative theme “30 Years of Elegance,” this grand event will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the opulent Grand Sampaguita Ballroom of the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center located at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, Florida 33626.

Sampaguita Ball 2024 will be led by the esteemed co-chairs, Dr. Ma. Teresa Bissonnette, Nenita Sweet, and Marly Balderama, who are dedicated to continuing the tradition of elegance and grandeur. Lissa Biglete, wife of PCFI Chairman of the Board, Arnell Biglete and current chair of the Sampaguita Ladies Society, will serve as the overall advisor, following Lucy Bautista’s stewardship lasting more than a decade.

“It is because of the hard work of this year’s Sampaguita Ball chairman’s and committee members and members of the Sampaguita Ladies Society that the ball is now completely sold out,” says Lissa Biglete.

The Sampaguita Ladies Society boasts other prominent members such as Emma Barrido, Dr. Judith Cimafranca, Lari Peterson, Bing Curioso, Vivian Dudgeon, Loida Espiritu, Liberty Galloway, Dr. Vicky Tagala, Clem Lazaro, Dr. Linda Pascual, Helen Piloneo, Edna Ramos, Angie Caculitan, Dr. Rosie Tena, Felilia Ticzon, Kristina Biglete, Tita Ravi, Abigail Hamilton, and the late Betty Covarrubias, Olive Santiano, Esther Gianan, and many more. Through thirty years, these members have tirelessly contributed to making this annual PCFI event a resounding success.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Sampaguita Ball promises to be more extravagant than ever. As one of the most prominent fundraisers for PCFI, the event will be attended by over 450 guests from across Florida and neighboring states. The ticket prices range from $125 to $150 per plate. The evening will include complimentary valet parking, a seven-course Lauriat dinner catered by Hao Wah, an all-night deluxe open bar, and entertainment by Evelyn Rhythm in Motion Band. The foundation’s three talented performing groups will deliver a spectacular production of “Jota Eclectica” composed by PCFI’s Cultural Director, Nhick Ramiro Pacis: the Philippine Choral Group, led by Connie Chanrasmi; the Musikong Kawayan-Bamboo Ensemble, conducted by Nhick Ramiro-Pacis; and the Philippine Performing Arts Company dancers, choreographed by Kamille Janess and Renato Candelario.

As per tradition, the evening will commence with a grand “Rigodon de Honor” dance (Parade of Honorables) , performed by members of this year’s Sampaguita Ball Ladies committee and choreographed by Renato Candelario. This year’s Rigodon, titled “Rigodon de Ilocos,” honors the 30th anniversary chairpersons. The performers will be adorned in stunning “Masciottas” designed by Zamboanga’s Federico Navarro and mermaid-cut Ternos crafted by Manila-Cebu designer Ruel Rivera.

As a premier red-carpet fundraiser, tickets are priced at $125/$175 per person, which includes complimentary valet parking, a deluxe open bar, and a sumptuous seven-course Chinese Lauriat dinner catered by Hao-Wah Catering, with live entertainment by NeilsGangBand Filipino Band. Please note that this is a reservations-only event with limited spots available on a first-paid basis.

The Sampaguita Ball attracts guests from far and wide, including cities like Pensacola, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, Orlando, Kissimmee, and West Palm Beach. This year, attendees at the 30th anniversary of the ball will be captivated by the elegance of Filipino men and women adorned in exquisite Philippine gowns, Ternos, and Barong Tagalogs, crafted by the Philippines’ top couturiers. Among the special guests this year are former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas; John John Madamba, President of the Philippine American Alliance of North America (PAMANA); Celso Paguntalan, President of the Philippine American Society of Palm Beach; and Atty. Jane Dixon, along with the President and officers of the Filipino American Society, Inc. of Port Charlotte. Also present will be Filipino-American titleholders from various beauty pageants, as well as all past and current candidates of Fiesta Mo Sa USA of Kissimmee.

Attire

To uphold the event’s sophistication, guests are expected to dress in long evening gowns or Terno/long Filipiniana gowns for ladies, and tuxedos or Barong Tagalog for gentlemen. This will be strictly enforced. Please adhere to attire requirement or risk being asked to leave or change attire.

Souvenir Program and Sponsorship

We are now accepting business advertisements and personal greetings for the Sampaguita Ball souvenir program, with full-color pages available at $160 each. Your contributions are tax-deductible, as the foundation is a recognized 501(c)(3) cultural organization.

Proceeds from Sampaguita Ball 2024 will benefit the Foundation’s cultural programs and the maintenance of the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex and the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center.

Need a Hotel Room at Sampaguita Ball?

Marriott Courtyard Tampa/Oldsmar is offering discounted room rates for out-of-town Sampaguita Ball guests who need a room reservation during their stay in Tampa!

Contact Information

For more information about the Sampaguita Ball 2024, please contact:

BAEC Office: (813) 925-1232
Lissa Biglete: (813) 909-6470
Dr. Terry Bissonnette: (352) 346-7993
Nenita Sweet: (727) 656-6754
Marly Balderama: (727) 798-2854

Sampaguita Ball 2023 Photo Gallery

To have a glimpse of the event, here are photos from Sampaguita Ball 2023: