The Fil-Minnesotan Association is presenting its annual Valentine’s Ball and the 32nd Anniversary Presentation of Debutantes and Escorts on Saturday, February 13, 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel/ Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, 3800 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, MN 55425. Dinner is 45.00 (paid reservation by January 31st), and 50.00 (reservation made after January 31). After-Dinner is 20.00.

The Presentation of Debutantes and Escorts was conceived in 1977 during the Organization’s Annual Valentine’s Ball by its former President, Mrs. Ophelia G. Balcos.  Since then, the FMA has presented hundreds of young Filipinos, Asians, and Americans. The Debutantes Ball is an opportunity given to women and men to be presented to the community, a traditional rite of passage.

This year’s lovely Debutantes are Gabrielle Dabu, Ria Marikit Foslien, and Bethany Rose Talatala. Their handsome Escorts are Kwasi Talatala Asamoah, and Ralph Richard Santiago.

The Presentation of Debutantes and Escorts, as emceed by Sweet Carmelite Dico and Jhun-Jhun Mangaliman, will be highlighted with the traditional Cotillion, choreographed by Joy G. Dava, and Kathryn Renee Navarro and Samuel Patrick Faunillan, assistant choreographers. Later in the Programme, Lita V. Malicsi, Screening Chair, will present the winners of the Dr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Balcos Scholarship Awards. The recipients of the Scholarship are judged on scholastic standing, community involvement, and extra curricular activities. Dr. José D. Uriarte chairs this year’s event.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact, Dr. José D. Uriarte, (612) 333-1512; Lita V. Malicsi, (612) 861-2397; Dr. David Ong, (651) 356-5424; and Alan Eleria, (651) 492-5990.