For 88 years, the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS) has been a galvanizing force and a cultural touchstone for thousands of Filipino/Filipinx Americans throughout the Puget Sound region. We are building new programs in response to new needs and we are sustaining older programs to continue our valued traditions and maintain our commitments to our community members.

Supporting us has never been easier, and any contribution will be appreciated.

Funds raised will be used to deliver the culturally appropriate program services FCS is known for:
Senior Lunch and Food Bank, Youth Development, Social Arts and Culture, and many others.

Donate Today

Event Schedule

6:00 PM

Check-in & Cocktail Hour | Live Auction Preview | Golden Ticket Raffle

7:00 PM

Dinner & Program Begins

Welcome by Dr. Agnes Navarro-Garcia, FCS Executive Director & Arnaldo Inocentes, Gala Emcee
Special Appeals by Edwin Obras, FCS Board President
Keynote by Melissa Miranda, Musang Restaurant Owner / CEO
Appetizers prepared by Musang
Dinner catered by McCormick & Schmick in the Great Gallery
Dessert Dash showcase
Compositions by Cecile Azarcon, Guest Filipina Songwriter & Performer
Live Acution with Christine DeCastro, Benefit Auctioneer

9:00 PM

Music & Dance

10:00 PM

Event ends

Live Auction

Guest Speaker

Melissa Miranda

Melissa Miranda, a Filipina-American creator and founder of Musang, a Filipinx-inspired restaurant at the heart of Beacon Hill in Seattle, Washington. Musang provides a unique space to connect and learn more about Filipino cuisine, culture and community. “Musang is for us by us— community-driven and not chef-driven, a place to come sit at the table as part of something bigger than just food. We believe in cultivating an experience for our guests that will help pave the way for new and sustainable systems for our next generation”. Melissa will touch upon her experiences in building a successful business that elevates the Filipino community and the food traditions that bring us together.

Guest Performer

Cecile Azarcon

Cecile Azarcon is considered one of the Philippines’ most prolific songwriters. Her numerous hit songs have been sung by a virtual “Who’s Who” in the Philippine music industry and her heartfelt ballads are now considered OPM (Original Pilipino Music) classic hits.

Event Emcee

Arnaldo Inocentes

Arnaldo Inocentes, Founder of the Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association and Executive Producer of the Seattle Cabaret Festival. Arnaldo brings to audiences a wide and wondrous variety of shows and music from rock, blues, opera, a cappella, and more. He began as a soloist with the Seattle Men’s Chorus (SMC) and has performed with SMC in major concert halls in the US, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. Arnaldo is the Co-Executive Director of Pride ASIA, supports Microsoft as Executive Administrator for VP Privacy Security, was past co-chair for Filipinos at Microsoft (FAM), and currently an advisory board FAM member.

Event Auctioneer

Christine DeCastro

Christine DeCastro, professional Benefit Auctioneer, is a vivacious go-getter committed to driving fundraising to an entirely new level for well deserving organizations. A graduate of the World Wide College of Auctioneering, a member of the National Auctioneers Association and a Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (less than 1% of Auctioneers throughout North America maintain this specialized designation and training in benefit auctions), Christine loves to have fun and ensures that donors do too! She holds a Political Science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has nearly 20 years of sales and marketing experience. She is an avid volunteer who is passionate and ready to WOW your donors! Christine believes every benefit auction should leave you with a happy heart knowing that, together, you did your part to elevate your favorite organization to its highest potential.

2023 Gala Committee

Chair: Agnes Vining
Members: Francis Franco, Jennifer Cruz, Agnes Navarro, Edwin Obras, Armilito Pangilinan, Jan Edrozo, Kirsten Garcia, Emma Catague, Germelyn Pasia, and Bennyroyce Royon