The United States Memorial Day observance in Manila is annually commemorated by solemn ceremonies under the joint sponsorship of the AAP and the United Embassy’s Defense Attache Office. It is traditionally held at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort Bonifacio (formerly Fort McKinley) in Taguig.
The Cemetery and Memorial, 152 acres and the largest in area of the cemeteries built and maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission and the largest in number of graves and those missing in action, is a magnificent setting for this commemorative event.
Individual commemorative addresses from the Philippine and US government representatives highlight the brief 30-minute memorial program. Representatives of the Philippine, US and other nations, as well as officials from various Filipino and American civic and governmental organizations participate in wreath-laying ceremonies on the day, to honor heroes of past wars.
Join us on May 27, 8 AM at the Manila American Cemetery and
Memorial.
This community event, attended by both expat and local nationals, features activities for the entire family -both a Live and Silent Auction create fun for the parents, while other activities - a Raffle, Door Prizes, Games, a Children's Costume Parade (led by Uncle Sam!) to the beat of a Marching Band - with several kiddy Mascots taking part - gets everyone in the mood.
Food stalls, a mini-bazaar, and a kid's Patriotic Art Competition add more fun. The whole event culminates in a grand fireworks display. The 4th of July also coincides with the celebration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day.
The AAP doubles its efforts each year to make the 4th of July more fun-filled and action packed than the year before! As with the George Washington Ball, its aim is to raise funds for AAP's social welfare services. See you on the 4th!
For this year, we will be holding it on July 1 (a Sunday, a family day!) at the Gardens Sunset Pavilion of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, CCP Complex in Manila. Join in the fun with us, at the same time help us finance our social welfare programs.
This year’s George Washington Birthnight Gala was a rousing
success!
The Gala was held at the Embassy of the United States Chancery
Ballroom and Gardens. 267 persons were in attendance in this
patriotic event to raise money for AAP beneficiaries. Tickets
were sold for P3,000 each.
We had 82 door and 77 raffle prizes for the night. A whopping 24
items were up for grabs in the Silent Auction. Eastern Carpets
from Singapore also showcased their Persian carpets at the
silent and live auctions, which got the guests bidding for these
exotic items.
Special mention to our major raffle prize sponsors – Northwest
Airlines, Legenda International Hotel, Baguio Country Club, and
to all our door, raffle and silent auction sponsors!
The Gala began with sunset cocktails at the Chancery Garden with
music by the UP Jazz Friends. Guests also viewed items for the
silent auction and raffle in the Ballroom, adding to the
anticipated fun and excitement all throughout the evening.
The US Marine Color Guards commenced the program, followed by
speeches by our own AAP President Glendon Rowell and the US
Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney. GWGala Chairperson
Sandra Tockes also came on stage to personally thank the
sponsors and guests, and to introduce the committee members:
Reynaldo de Jesus
Beverly Laughter
Mariano Martin
Leslie Murray
Glendon Rowell
Doyle Stout
Michelle Washington
Shirly Fajarito
The most touching part of the program – which left everyone
teary-eyed – is the presentation of 2 of AAP’s beneficiaries:
Pinky Yabut and Stephanie Latina, both from Olongapo City. They
shared their stories with the guests, and highlighted the
assistance given by the Association.
After the short program, guests were treated to a succulent
buffet dinner, catered by the Soitel Philippine Plaza. Opera
singer Nelson Caruncho, Janice Harrington, and the Brass Munkeys
Band provided music and entertainment after dinner dancing.
Renowned TV journalist from Fox News Michael Cohen, our
Emcee for the night, made sure that the program for the whole
evening ran smoothly.
Sponsor Representatives in
Attendance:
St. Luke’s Medical Center, Globe Telecom, Northwest Airlines,
Future Trade International, American Eye Center, El Nido
Resorts, Club Paradise, Patio Pacific Boracay, Plantation Bay
Resort, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, SEAIR, nd VMV Cosmetics.
Corporate table sponsors: Hotel Intercontinental, International
SOS, and American Women’s Club of the Phils.
We were
able to raise funds, with proceeds to be used, among other
things, medical, financial and educational support for indigent
children and their families. It also supports AAP's RH negative
blood service, which is a free service to the community. AAP is
also the owner-in-trust of the American Historical Collection, a
rare collection of books and photographs during the American
period, which is housed at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Our sincere thank you to all of you! And we do hope to see you
at next year’s Gala!
Our thanks
to the following sponsors:
SILENT AUCTION
DONORS:
Air Philippines
Asian Tigers and Lane Moving
Cardinal Ceramics
Coca-Cola Far East Limited
Dusit Hotel Nikko
Emphasis Salon
Goodyear Philippines
Hairwear Creative Systems
Hyatt Hotel and Casino
LRI Showroom and Galleries
Oakwood Premiere Hotel
Peninsula Manila
People’s Restaurant
Plantation Bay Resort
Prince of Jaipur
Rene Olbes Graphic Consultants
Sala Restaurant
Tea Parsons
RAFFLE / DOOR
PRIZE DONORS
1130 Fashion Accessories
Alba Restaurant
Asian Tigers and Lane Moving
Baguio Country Club
Basement Salon
Bellevue Manila
Bloomwoods
Cardinal Ceramics
Croma Medic
Dusit Hotel Nikko
Emphasis Salon
Focus Global Inc.
Hairwear Creative Systems
Hyatt Hotel and Casino
Johnson and Johnson Philippines
Kashmir Indian Restaurant
Le Cellier Inc.
LRI Showroom and Galleries
Manila Pavilion Hotel
Mary Pauline Salon
Mc Donald’s Philippines
Northwest Airlines
Oakwood Premiere Hotel
Peninsula Manila
People’s Restaurant
Prince of Jaipur
Procter and Gamble
Rene Olbes Graphic Consultants
Sala Restaurant
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel
Store Specialists Inc.
Titania Wines
SPONSORS FOR
AAP VIDEO
Blue Cross Insurance
Chevron Philippines
General Motors
EVENT
SUPPORTERS
Asian Tigers and Lane Moving
Bloomwoods
Coca-Cola Far East Limited
Church of the Holy Trinity
Gallery Frames
In-touch Foundation
Makati City Renaissance Hotel
Manila Elks Club Lodge 761
MMQ Productions
San Miguel Corporation
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel
Union Church of Manila
AAP Individual and Corporate Patrons
AAP Beneficiaries and Volunteers
Corporate table sponsors:
Future Trade
Intercontinental Hotels Phils.
International SOS
SPECIAL
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SINCERE THANKS
United States Ambassador to the Philippines – Amb. Kristie
Kenney
American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
American Chamber Foundation of the Philippines Inc.
American Historical Collection – Rizal Library, Ateneo
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
Brass Munkeys Band
EPJ Photography
Makvel Enterprises Inc.
Nelson Caruncho
PrintFast
SATB Managers Unlimited
Serge Grynkewich II
Ted Lerner
UP Jazz Friends
Embassy of the United States of America Support Staff
General Supervisory Office (GSO)
Facilities Maintenance Office (FMO)
Protocol Office
Community Liaison Office (CLO)
United States Marines Security Detachment US Embassy Manila
GEORGE
WASHINGTON BIRTHNIGHT GALA COMMITTEE
Ms. Sandra Tockes, Chairman
Reynaldo de Jesus
Beverly Laughter
Mariano Martin
Leslie Murray
Glendon Rowell
Doyle Stout
Michelle Washington
Shirly Fajarito
American Association Office Staff
Agnes Matienzo
Ryan Mangila
Danny Monteser
SUPPORTERS
American Chamber of Commerce
American Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc.
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
Ateneo de Manila University
Brass Munkeys Band
Church of the Holy Trinity
EPJ Photography
In-touch Foundation
Manila Elks Club Lodge 761
MMQ Productions
Nelson Caruncho
PrintFast
SATB Managers Unlimited
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel
Ted Lerner
Union Church of Manila
UP Jazz Friends
UP Dance Troupe
US Embassy Manila
Amb. Kristie Kenney
Regional Security Office (RSO)
General Supervisory Office (GSO)
Facilities Maintenance Office (FMO)
Protocol Office
Community Liaison Office (CLO)
Please click here to view our
post-event report.
