Every year, Filipinos and their guests, be they Australians, Italians or Greeks, look forward to the Masquerade Ball organised by the Emergency Relief Fund for Philippines (ERFFP). This is the day that guests and sponsors wear their best sequined, well-adorned dresses or gowns and the men look dapper in their suits while they don their colourful, extravagant masks.
Despite the glitter and the all-night dancing, the main objective of the night was to raise funds for ERFFP’s projects. And it did raise approximately $6,175 including the donations and raffles sold plus auctioned airfares. Around 300 guests and sponsors turned up at the Ferraro Receptions last 25 April 2015.
In his opening speech, ERFFP President Roy Carbungco’s tone turned serious when he presented the group’s projects in the Philippines via slide presentation. “I personally brought the money in November 2014 and February this year at my own expense. I paid for my own airfare. Our bank account is open to everyone for checking. I can assure you that all your donation goes to those in need. So I challenge other organisations as well to make their bank account public so people can check anytime,” said Carbungco.
During the night, special awards were given to the following: Sue and Joe Caruana, Best Female and Male Dancers, respectively and Rose Simonsen, Best Dressed Female and David Kiernan, Best Dressed Male. Kiernan was also last year’s Best Dressed Male.
The officers of ERFFP are: Roy Carbungco, President; Judy Wright, Vice President; Sonia Santos, Treasurer; Lynne Fitton, Assistant Treasurer; Michael Wright, Secretary; Gina Tuazon, Assistant Secretary; Rey Isleta, Bernadette Miranda, PRO. Directors are Brandon Fitton, Gerard McNamee, Jane McNamee, Zon Carbungco, Elsa Reed, Steve Reed, Rosennie Vela, Yollie Truz, Rose Mariano, Lydia John and Rose McNamara.
Charlene Sotelo was the emcee of the night.
To view more photos, visit Masquerade Ball 2015 on Facebook
To view ERFFP’s projects in the Philippines, visit Emergency Relief’s projects in the Philippines
