DANCING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

“Party hard tonight thinking that every step you make is for a good cause.” Thus, the mood was set for another successful Annak Ti Candon fundraiser.

Becoming successful is a challenge that many people face everyday. Being successful is an even harder challenge. Staying successful, though, is the hardest challenge of them all. I believe Annak Ti Candon has proven these challenges wrong. Not once, not twice, but three times has Annak Ti Candon been able to pull off three very successful fundraising events. On May 23rd 2009 in Rosemead, California, Annak Ti Candon hosted a successful Charity Jam Session in an effort to raise money for the Annak Computer Program.

Just like the past Annak Ti Candon events, this year’s Charity Jam Session was able to bring together the Annak Ti Candon community as well as other members, families, and friends from California and other states. The night began with everyone chatting, mingling, and dancing. If there is one thing that these fun events have it is that there are lots and lots of dancing. Young, old, or middle-aged, everyone can be found at least once on the dance floor either salsa dancing, line-dancing, or doing the Ocho-Ocho. Whatever their style is, everyone is having a good time dancing the night away. At one point during the night, the young male employees of the community center took part in the dancing festivities! It is good to know that Annak Ti Candon does not only bring together family and friends, but they also very welcoming to other communities as well!

After attending several Annak Ti Candon events, I have noticed a pattern that consists of a long line and a savoring aroma. The food has always been very delicious at all of our events. So delicious is the food that it tends to run out every time! At last year’s Christmas party, the food ran out as well and members had to order several boxes of pizza! This year, the food came very close to running out again. Although this may seem like a bad thing, I personally think that this is a sign of success and a growing community!

Now, an Annak Ti Candon party would not be an Annak Ti Candon party if it were not for the special guests and acts that performed throughout the night. Belly dancing, stand-up comedy, and professional salsa dancing were all part of this year’s Charity Jam Session event. Before the laughing and belly dancing took place, an awesome band welcomed the guests. With a guitar and drums, this young band of third generation Annak from Downey High School brought some new flavor to the party! Once the band finished performing, Filipino stand-up comedian Leandro took center stage. Leandro performed an amazing stand-up routine that had everyone slapping their knees and laughing out loud. Following the comedy act and some more dancing, an exquisite salsa dancing duo took the stage. With quick turns, daring stunts, and low dips, the duo had everyone in awe and inspired to hit the dance floor themselves!

With a jam packed party filled with fun, Annak Ti Candon has been able to consistently host successful and fun-filled events. Perhaps the most fulfilling part of the evening was when President Omar de Peralta announced the success of Annak’s Computerization Program. Through successful fundraising, Annak’s Computerization Program earned enough money to purchase new computers for the schools of Candon. Once again, Annak has not only been able to put on a successful event that brings our community together, but they did all of this for a good cause--to benefit the Annak Computerization Program as well as the people of the Candon community. A man by the name of Mark Caine once said, "The successful always has a number of projects planned, to which he looks forward. Anyone of them could change the course of his life overnight.” After three successful fundraising and charity events, including a fundraiser by the Annak Ti Candon-Nevada, Annak Ti Candon International, Inc. will continue to and always have projects planned. And these are projects that continue to change and positively affect the lives of others.

~ Justine de Peralta

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