Style, striking colour, and elegance underpinned the Pampagueño Club’s Melbourne Cup Dinner Dance attended by around 800 guests last 5 November 2012 at La Mirage Reception in Somerton. For the most daring, their key for the special night was not only colour but clothes that would grab attention. And why not? It’s the only night throughout the year that Filipino-Melburnians and their guests dress to the max to show off and most importantly to have fun in style!
From vibrant clashing prints, subdued pastels to Roy Carbungco’s multi-coloured suit, the Melbourne Cup has become a celebration not to be missed. The big night coincided with the Club’s 30th anniversary. Friends bursting into shrieks of delight on seeing each other could not contain their ecstasy, the dance fanatics whipping various movements from line dance to the latest dance craze, the Gangnam style, and the rest who are simply there to have fun or market their business. It was indeed a fun night of pure glamour and fashion.
Philippine Honorary Consul General Gigi Kalong showed her support by staying up to the end of the program. “I stayed because of the rock and roll,” she said, in jest. In her welcome speech, Congen Kalong said she is delighted to attend the much awaited Melbourne Cup Dinner Dance. “The Pampangueño’s Club has long since established itself as a community eager to make a difference. They have always been on the frontlines to help our less fortunate kababayans back home. I want to take this opportunity to salute you for your service to the Filipinos,” she said.
“I can’t believe it’s this fun. I will definitely come back next year,” a first-timer guest told The Philippine Times. Despite the cramped venue, food was excellent and everyone enjoyed the unlimited wine and softdrinks.
Dance partners, Lorraine and Maurice, were awarded trophies and cash prizes for being the Best Female and Best Male Dancers. Alma Santos and Rod Lalunio garnered the most of judges’ nod for the Best Female and Best Male Melbourne Cup Attire Award, respectively.
Performers were: Alyssa Limbo, Melvin Diez and Sonia Santos, Charlene Sotelo, and Grace Deverala.
Officers of the Pampagueno Club are: Roy Carbungco, President; Judy Wright, First Vice President; Bernadette Miranda, Second Vice President; Sonia Santos, Treasurer; Lina Muli, Assistant Treasurer; Michael Wright, Secretary, and Lydia John and Gina Tuazon, Public Relations Officers.
Board of Directors are: Flora and Paulo Basilio, Sonny Muli, Mac and Marina Pagdanganan, Eric John, Corazon Carbungco, Lynn and Brendad Fitton, Rey Isleta, Ching and George Higgins, and Tina, Fred, and Diencee Naguit. Honorary members are Lynne Fitton, Brendan Fitton, Jane Mcnamee, and Gerrard Mcnamee.
