FilCom Gala Honors Tomimbang

The Filipino Community Center will host its 11th annual gala fundraiser dinner at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 in its Grand Ballroom on the theme of “Sharing Memorable Moments with Emme and Friends.”

The event honors broadcast journalist Emme Tomimbang for her professional accomplishments as well as her contributions to the Filipino community.

Attendees will be treated to Filipino cuisine created by chefs Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong, D.K. Kodama and Philippe Padovani.

Na Hoku award-winner Willie K, a close friend of Tomimbang, will provide live entertainment.

“I also want to thank Emme for being a great inspiration. She helped me as well as many others in our careers, so appearing at the FilCom event is just a small token of my appreciation,” Willie K stated.

“Supporting nonprofits is important to me,” he added, “because I believe that if you are blessed with good fortune, share the wealth with those who are less fortunate and/or are in need of help; it all encompasses the word aloha.”

Jasmine Trias, Jimmy Borges and other local celebrities also will be performing with Willie K.

In addition to her work in broadcasting, Tomimbang also created her own multimedia company, EMME Inc. and is perhaps best known for her television series, Emme’s Island Moments.

“I’m happy to bring friends to the FilCom, to introduce them to one of my favorite charities,” Tomimbang stated. “I am so proud of what the FilCom has done for the entire community. I feel that it stands as a monument to all the hardworking Filipinos who came to Hawaii as sugar plantation sakadas (workers) and stayed to contribute so much to our island state.”

Individual tickets cost $250, and table sponsorships also are available. Proceeds will go to FilCom’s cultural, educational and social programs. To prepare for the gala, FilCom is conducting a cleanup beginning at 8 a.m. this Saturday and would welcome volunteers.

For more information, call 680-0451 or email filcom@filcom.org.