Butterfly Connection: Typhoon Fundraising Weekend

It was a busy weekday, yet the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan seized our busy lives as we all tried to wrap our heads around reports, images and videos showing the magnitude of the devastation of the storm. Just a couple of days after Yolanda hit the Philippines, I found myself in the group conversation of volunteers, pitching in to organize a fundraiser for our friends who at the time still didn’t have words from their families back home. We worry and yet we all bided our time, thinking of ways to help, any help we could give. In a matter of days, we got people and volunteers putting all campaign materials and resources together.

The Winter Market

This weekend started with an early setup for a booth for the Winter Market at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. Our cultural group, Kultural Pinoy Ensemble of Utah was privileged to set up a booth of merchandise to fundraiser for the Typhoon victims. With many other vendors, the whole event was graced by cultural entertainment from various ethnic groups in the valley. The whole event gave us a good coverage and we thank our friends at the UCCC for always supporting our cause.

"Help the Philippines" Fundraiser Dinner and Entertainment
(organized by Agnes Higley and friends)

Kobe Royal Garden Reception (online image)

At Kobe Royal Garden Reception, we were greeted by the cozy ambiance of beautiful flower arrangements, well-coordinated linens and dining setup. When I first came in, I said, wow, they really prepared for us!

Guests started to trickle in but as soon as I saw my own set of guests came in, had them situated, I concentrated on my assignment – the program.

I met the lovely, super trooper, Erin Collard. You might have heard her on KISN 97 or most recently at B98.7. Oh, she is just a real trooper. I went over the program and what we were hoping to happen at the event. Well, I didn’t have to do much. She made my job real easy. Thanks, Erin!

One of the guests I looked forward to meeting was Miss Philippine Water 2014, 19-year-old Angelica Galindez. Just like how she did it in winning the crown, Angelica came with her natural beauty that won everybody’s heart at the pageant. Angelica has alopecia, a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss. Wearing her crown, Angelica was confident yet sweet. She is just a jewel!

Miss Philippine Water 2014, 19-year-old Angelica Galindez

And of course, Miss Rosie Nguyen, was there to support us. She was wearing one of my favorites, her yellow silk chiffon gown. Rosie is a full-time graduate student at the University of Utah. She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Journalism and will graduate in Spring 2014. Rosie along with the Vietnamese community has always been anxious in supporting many of our community events. Thanks, Rosie! You are one smart, sweet gal!

Angelica and Rosie were a hit at the party. They sold hundreds of tickets for the raffle draw! Thank you, ladies!

Adding delight to our sumptuous dinner that night was our entertainers. This is just the best part of being a program coordinator – you get to meet the celebrities: (more photos coming soon)
Joseph Buenaflor (like I don’t know this guy, kidding, we’re from the same region in the Philippines). Joseph is from Kidapawan City, Philippines. He started singing at an early age of eight and has won several awards in many musical competitions. Joseph recently wowed thousands of Jazz fans when he sang the National Anthem at the play off between the Jazz and San Antonio Spurs at the Energy Solutions Arena here in Salt Lake. Jojo, as I call him, is the pride of our community. He sang two beautiful songs while his 3-year-old daughter was twirling around in the background. It was so cute!

Mike Anderson. Mike is a husband, a father, a media man, a nerd (the best part), a gamer and a comedian. All in one package, Mike has covered a wide range of serious topics as well done human-interest stories that gained national attention. A natural comedian himself, he’s been doing his comedy acts seen at HBO Aspen Comedy Festival, and heard on XM Sirius Satellite Radio. Mike is the winner of the "STARZ Stand Up Now" online comedy competition. Well, he was a funny guy. And, he’s a good sport too. I had to hold up my “5-minute warning”, geez, the guy wrapped it up for me and hit his last funny note right on time! Who can do that?

Jen Marco. An accomplished studio recording artist and vocalist, Jen Marco has produced and recorded in more than 40 different studios in Utah and has been heard in many jingles, TV commercials, exercise videos, and in Donny and Marie Osmond's Las Vegas and Atlantic City shows. She has enjoyed singing the National Anthem for a Utah Bee’s game. She also performed at the City Creek Center grand opening extravaganza, wowing a crowd of over 50,000 people at the Stadium of Fire show. Jen was a just joy to watch. She partied with us, after the party. What a trooper!

Jen Marco

Makayla Bezzant and Joseph Espiritu. Makayla and Joseph competed in Open competitions in both Latin and Standard dances during several local and out of state competitions. They’ve placed in the finals in some of these competitions. All in all they compete in the 10 dances—chacha, samba, rumba, paso doble, jive, waltz, tango, vienniese waltz, foxtrot & quickstep. Makayla Bezzant, daughter of Jennifer Bezzant is a Junior at Lone Peak High School. Joseph Espiritu, son of Eddie & Belenda Espiritu is a Sophomore at Pleasant Grove High School. Both are currently in the BYU Youth Dancesport Team & enjoy dancing together. These youngsters are just a – dynamite of – energy, energy, grace and definition … just wow! I wish they could put all that in a bottle.

Makayla and Joseph

We appreciate the patience of everybody at the event as our kitchen staff managed every single attendee. The first thought to be just a small, intimate gathering, turned out to be a blast of supporters filling the entire reception. I immediately became one perky waitress! Fortunately, everybody was just a good sport. Thank you all for being such a forgiving group of customers! I wasn’t too bad as a waitress myself – I didn’t spill anything on anyone! Yay!

We were so moved when the Taiwanese community handed our organizer a big check. Thank you, Professor Fang and Jack Chen of the Taiwanese Association of Greater Salt Lake. Kobe’s management also told how they prepared for the event. What a selfless act of giving. It was quite a humbling experience for all of us.

It was a fantabulous and well-attended event, more than we all expected. Wow (again), what more can I say? MABUHAY. MARAMING SALAMAT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Thank you, A.J. Mariano and Terah Taylor for covering our event.

All this had not been made possible without our organizers and volunteers and the outpouring support from our community.