The Filipino Ministry’s 13th Annual Gala Fundraiser, held on Sunday, October 5th, was a resounding success—thanks to the overwhelming support and heartfelt participation of our community.
This year’s celebration embraced the powerful theme: “One Faith, One People, One Mission.” We were honored to pay tribute to Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, whose inspiring leadership continues to serve as a beacon of unity and hope for our Church and the world.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our honorees, parishes, pastors, sponsors, donors, and guests for their unwavering support. Your presence and generosity brought this special evening to life.
A special thank you goes to Rev. Angel Quitalig, Vicar for Filipinos, the Filipino Ministry Consultative Board (FMCB), the Gala Planning Committee, parish ambassadors, and volunteers—your tireless behind-the-scenes work was the foundation of this event’s success.
Above all, we give thanks to God for the gift of a community so richly blessed with faith, compassion, and unity.
Click on this link to view/read the 13th Annual Gala souvenir program. We thank all the advertisers and sponsors for their generous support. Their names are also listed in the Acknowledgement page of the Filipino Ministry website.
Be sure to check out the photos below that captured the evening’s most memorable moments!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bnjL5DPfxo2nGjQL8
Past Events
2024 Annual Gala Fundraiser
The Filipino Ministry’s 12th Annual Gala Fundraiser held Sunday, October 13, was an outstanding success, as reflected in the glowing feedback from our guests. This special evening not only celebrated the harmony of faith and unity in diversity across the Archdiocese of San Francisco, but also honored our beloved priests, deacons, and religious sisters. Fittingly, the event took place on the anniversary of the final apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, adding a deeply spiritual significance. Guests enjoyed a vibrant night of music and dancing, with talented performers captivating the audience. We thank our MCs, Christine Adiaz and Leon Palad, for ensuring the seamless flow of the program. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Father Jerome Magat for his inspirational talk and to all the performers for showcasing their incredible talent and keeping our guests entertained throughout the evening. We extend our heartfelt applause and special thanks to the Levites, a band comprised of six pastors from parishes across the archdiocese: (Father Raymund Reyes, pastor of St. Augustine Church; Father Arnold Zamora, pastor of St. Robert Church; Father Bhoie Espeleta, Parochial Vicar of St. Robert Church, Father Roland de la Rosa, pastor of St. Bruno Church; Fr. Mark Reburiano, pastor of St. Gregory Church; Father Peter Eugenio, Parochial Vicar of Holy Angels Church). They brought energy and joy to the celebration, as everyone danced to their lively music.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all the parishes, pastors, sponsors, donors and guests for their unwavering support and active participation. Last, but certainly not least, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Gala Planning Committee members, whose behind-the-scenes efforts made this event a success. Above all, we give thanks to God for blessing us with such a caring and supportive community!
Clink on this link to view/read the 12th Annual Gala souvenir program. We thank all the advertisers and sponsors for their generous support. Their names are also listed in the Acknowledgement page.
Be sure to check out the photos below that captured the evening’s most memorable moments!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fG3i777shvCAyf2y7
2023 Annual Gala Fundraiser
The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco hosted another successful Gala that showcased the Filipinos’ rich cultural heritage best captured in a photo of Rev. Michael Rocha, Parochial Vicar at Star of the Sea Parish, skillfully dancing the “Tinikling” with the Kariktan dancers (see photo below). For the past 13 years, the Filipino Ministry has promoted the best in our culture and has enriched the multicultural life of our local church through our devotional practices and religious-cultural celebrations that embrace a vision of a church that is open and welcoming to all.
Congratulations to Edgar Estonina and Deacon Ven Garcia, the 11th Annual Gala Papal Blessing honorees. We thank Deacon Nestor Fernandez II for the wonderful introduction of the two honorees. Congratulations as well to the winners of the Gala Raffle! We thank Rev. Kevin Kennedy, Pastor and Rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, for picking the winning raffle tickets and Rev. Jerald Geronimo for reading the names of the winners! Here’s the list of winners: Grand Prize (Land Tour Pilgrimage Package to the Philippines or $2,500 cash) – Ticket No. 0074 – Parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church; 2nd Prize (Round-Trip Airfare SFO – Philippines or $1,250 cash) – Ticket No. 0791 – Parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church; 3rd Prize ($500 cash) – Ticket No. 501 – Parishioner of Good Shepherd Church; 4th Prize ($300 cash) – Ticket No. 1384 – Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy.
We thank our MCs, Christine Adiaz and Leon Palad and all our featured performers: St. Augustine Children’s Choir, the Filipino Ministry Music Choir, Rev. Eugene Tungol, Rev. Rey Culaba, Rev. Boie Espeleta, Robbie Herrera and the Kariktan Dancers. We thank the Hon. Consul General Neil Ferrer, his wife and the Philippine Consulate staff, South San Francisco Mayor Flor Nicolas and her husband Nenar Nicolas, the clergy and religious sisters of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and all our guests for gracing our event with their presence. And we are truly grateful to Fr. Angel Quitalig, our Vicar for Filipinos, who along with Fr. Dominic Lee and the parishioners of St. Mark’s Catholic Church took the leadership in the sponsorship and raffle sale campaign. And last but certainly not the least, thank you to my fellow parishioners at St. Augustine Catholic Church for their wonderful support and to the 11th Annual Gala Planning Committee members for all their hard work and dedication that contributed to the success of our Gala fundraiser.
Click on the following links for additional photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/g9T5m9ueic54yxJC6