A Fundraising Night with Glystar

 
By Richard J Ford
PRO, VP for (VAA) Inc.
Sydney-NSW-Australia
July 27, 2019
 




Last June 22, 2019 at Pabico Club 55 in Mount Druitt, the Visayan Association of Australia Inc. (VAAI) organised an event for GLYSSA BINGAS PEREZ, Miss World Philippines 1st Princess 2017 to raise funds for her advocacy Breast Cancer in support for The Philippine Foundation for Breast Cancer Inc. (Kasuso Foundation) and for other VAAI outreach programs & projects which she has done in the past and still continues to do so through her family here in Sydney.

Glyssa is a very active advocate for Breast Cancer something which is very close to her heart for her mother Yolie Perez is a Cancer survivor. Therefore, parts of the proceeds were donated to the foundation for the Kaususo patients, most of who come from poor families in the Philippines. This is for their treatment and breast care support. The event was spearheaded by Chit Serra, VAAI Director for Programs & Events Coordinator for Overseas Outreach Missions. It was a full house with an outpouring of support and generosity for Glyssa and the VAAI.

Glyssa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, is a model and sometimes does hosting for shows and beauty pageants in the Philippines. She has a resume of beauty contest titles namely Miss Woodcroft 2011, Miss Wow Blacktown & Charity Queen 2012, Flair Model Search 2012 Most Promising Model, Miss Visayas-Australia 2014, Miss Philippines-Australia 2014, Miss Bohol 2016, Miss JCI Visayas 2016, Miss JCI Philippines 2016, Miss World Philippines 1st Princess 2017 including winning Miss FILA and the Fast Track (Sports Challenge) 2017.

The event also showcased a variety of Filipino-Australian Beauties who support the VAAI programs & projects and have supported Glyssa throughout her journey. This includes the family of Yareli Montarde. Yareli studies at Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School Plumpton. She is a young singer & performer. She entered the Little Miss Junior Glam 2018 and bagged most of the awards such as the Best in National Costume and also Best in Long Gown. In January 2019, she went to the International Pageant hosted in the Philippines, where she represented Australia and was the winner of the Little Miss Glam International Pacific Pageant 2019. It is quite an achievement for one only 10 years old.



A special guest was Anna Maris Arcay Igpit-Taylor. She was 1st Runner up to the Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant 2003, Miss Panglao 2005, then Miss Bohol Sandugo 2005. As Miss Bohol, she joined the Bb. Pilipinas and won the Miss World Title 2006, being the first Boholana to win a “National Beauty Title.” Anna then competed in the Miss World Pageant 2006 in Warsaw Poland. She was voted as one of the Top 20 Best in Swimwear amongst 106 contestants and was also selected by Poland’s leading Newspaper, Gwiazdy, as “one of the 5 Prettiest amongst the candidates.” She is now married to an Australian and living in Australia.

Also attending the event was Doris Ponferrada an Aged Care worker. She was 3rd Runner up in the Mrs. Australasia Charity  2015, Beauty Queen of Loveliness 2017, 2nd Runner Up for Le’ Oscar Charity Event in Melbourne 2018, Charity and Beauty Queen of Filipino Women Support Group (FWSG) of Campbelltown-MacArthur 2018, and now is Competing for the Mrs. Glamour Look International 2019. It is her passion to help raise funds for charitable causes.

A surprise guest incognito was Nicole Joson-Morales, a part time model and former Miss World Australia State Finalist. She was with her husband Makisig Morales, a Filipino Child Superstar actor, singer and performer.



During the night, the collaboration of Miss Sinulog Australia (MSA) and the VAAI was announced by Ms. Fe Limjap, the Over-All Director of MSA who is a Psychologist by profession and shares her talent in singing & performing and creative arts in various community events. MSA 2020 will be held at the Diamond Showroom Blacktown RSL on 15th February 2020. Ms Limjap also introduced one of the Directors of the MSA Carmenchu Montilla, and two Finalists of MSA - Stephanie Magno and Sabrina Kay Andalis, who are both part time models. MSA seeks to, “Express Beauty, Culture and Virtue.”



In addition, “Queenssential” founded by siblings Gez and Gabe Perez, provide their clients with the right tools and motivation to find their true self and transform their lives so they can be confident in themselves to be able to empower & inspire others. Some of the MSA candidates, beauty title holders like Glyssa herself, young aspiring talents have been trained by them. 



Other community groups came to give their support like the officers Fil-Oz Liverpool Inc., APCO Inc., PLCAA even producers of VRNT Productions Nene & Joneil Cabides and Oz-Pinoy Promotions Ian & Jicko Manaloto.

It was a fun-filled night, with plenty of Raffle Prizes all round and dancing at the end of the program. The food was delicious as always. Overall, it was a very successful night with a full house.



Rendering song numbers for the evening were Yareli Montarde and Sharlene Gamo, singer and dancer. Emcees were Chit Serra and Gez Perez.

As Glyssa herself said,  “Your support and generosity will make a great impact on the lives of the Kasuso patients. I am forever thankful.”