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The beautiful setup at the US Embassy Chancery
Gardens for the sunset cocktails and buffet dinner,
with special recognition and thanks to the Sofitel
Philippine Plaza. |
AAP Board members and GWG committee members, headed
by AAP President Glendon Rowell posed in front of
George Washington’s portrait. |
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Silent Auction setup at the Charles Parsons
Ballroom. |
One of the special carpets from Eastern Carpets
Singapore. |
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Guests enjoying their cocktails after registration. |
The UP Jazz Friends provided music during the
cocktail hour. |
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Fox news journalist Michael Cohen was the emcee for
the night. |
Tenor Nelson Caruncho sang the Philippines’ Lupang
Hinirang. |
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AWCP President Christy Wittkop sang the US Anthem’s
Star-Spangled Banner. |
AAP Past President Serge E. Grynkewich II of
International SOS led the invocation. |
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AAP President Glendon Rowell formally welcomed the
Gala guests and acknowledged the sponsors. |
US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney
welcomed the guests to the event. |
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Event Chair Sandra Tockes formally introduced the
members of GWGala committee. |
The George Washington Birthnight Gala Committee
(from left): AAP Manager Shirly Fajarito, AAP
President Glendon Rowell, AAP member Michelle
Washington, Event Chair/2nd Vice President Sandra
Tockes, AAP Treasurer Mariano Martin, AWCP member
Beverly Laughter, Membership committee chair
Reynaldo DeJesus, and AAP Vice President Doyle
Stout. |
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AAP beneficiary Pinky Yabut, a mother of 5 from
Olongapo City, tearfully shared her touching story
of reconciling with her American father after 30
long years. In Pinky’s testimonial, she expressed
her gratitude to the AAP: “I am lucky to be part
of this organization because I can sense their
sincerity in helping people like me. They visit us
not minding the difficulty crossing a hanging bridge
and hike to our home. Next school term, my 2
children will be included in AAP’s Educational
Assistance Program. Once again, my sincere thanks!” |
Another AAP beneficiary Stephanie Latina also shared
how her father contacted her after receiving a
letter from the AAP. Stephanie is a 4th year high
school student from Olongapo, and is one of AAP’s
scholars. In her testimonial, she told the guests
that: “I finally felt complete talking to my father.
Since then, I became part of AAP’s educational
assistance program. My father now has a family of
his own but he assured me that I will always be his
daughter. He is now working on getting his documents
for my US citizenship application. We talk once in
awhile and exchange emails when we have time. |
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Sofitel Philippine Plaza sumptuous
American cuisine buffet “wowed” the Gala guests |
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Gala guests
lined up in the buffet table. |
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US Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones and
wife Catherine were also in attendance. |
ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda (standing, in gray
jacket) and wife also came, along with other guests
from the International SOS who was a corporate table
sponsor. |
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Our partners from the US Embassy’s American Citizens
Services (ACS) branch – ACS Chief Christopher Rowan
and Deputy Linda Daetwyler. |
Gold sponsor guests, St. Luke’s Medical Center. |
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Gold sponsor – Northwest Airlines guests |
Gold sponsor Future Trade International |
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Corporate table sponsor Hotel Intercontinental |
The Brass Munkeys Band |
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Amb. Kristie Kenney also danced at the Gala! |
The Bennington flag, one of the highlights of the
night, the live auction! Eastern Carpets’ Edmund
Rajendra looked for bidders |
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Carpet showcase for the live auction |
Janice Harrington |
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Thanks to the Brass Munkeys – the ladies had a good
time! |
Northwest Airlines Country Manager Todd Andersons
with Business Class ticket winner Frank Tockes. |
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Gold Sponsor VMV Cosmetics guests |
Office Manager Shirly Fajarito
with event support team |
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American Historical Collection Librarian Waldette
Cueto with AAP VP Doyle Stout and guests. |
AAP Social Welfare Chairman Will Feuerstein and
guests |
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The US Marines Presentation of the Colors. |
AAP Social Worker Agnes Matienzo with Emcee Michael
Cohen |
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Sofitel Philipine Plaza guests with Event Chair
Sandra Tockes |
AAP Membership Chair Rey DeJesus with GW committee
members |
