VIA Times – March 2020 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
FabJetsetter, a New York-based clothing company specializing in fashion-forward and affordable travel ensembles, will make its Chicago debut on Saturday, April 25th during “Jetset. Ready. Go!” at the Embassy Suites in Rosemont, Illinois.
The fashion show is a scholarship fundraiser benefitting Filipino American college women. Now in its sixth year, The Sampaguita Scholarship Group, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, continues to elevate its mission to heighten public awareness about ‘Educational Downward Mobility’ affecting second-generation Filipino Americans.
Since its founding, in 2015, the Sampaguita Scholarship Group has awarded nearly $16,000.00 in partial collegiate scholarships to 22 women from College of DuPage, Denison University, Dominican University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Illinois State University, Loyola University, Marquette University, Northeastern University, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Missouri, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. The group also holds an annual marquee fundraiser, The Sampaguita Scholarship Ball, scheduled this year on Saturday, July 25, 2020, where a new batch of college students will compete for the Miss Sampaguita USA 2020 title and the top $2,000 college scholarship.
“By investing in higher education we hope to increase the number of Filipino American women college graduates and their opportunities for lifelong success,” says Rose Tibayan, CEO and co-founder of the organization.
New York-based Filipino American entrepreneur Heide Briffa, who founded her clothing company, Fab- Jetsetter, in 2018, will be providing the ensembles for the fashion show. She strongly believes that women’s clothing should not only be stylish and comfortable but, more importantly, affordable.
“Dress up like the world is your runway,” says Briffa. “Be fabulous at any age, be fearlessly you!”
Strutting on the fashion ‘jetway’ will be a roster of student models recruited by event chair, Casey Bala. Bala captured the coveted 2019 Miss Sampaguita USA title last July after her written essay on the required topic of ‘Educational Downward Mobility’ scored the highest points from six judges. She’s a junior majoring in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
“By hosting this fashion show, we can raise funds for the 2020 Miss Sampaguita USA scholarships,” says Bala. “This event is important because our goal is to help young women achieve their dreams, and we do that by helping them get one step closer to reaching their goals by completing college.”
Bala will be joined by two past Miss Sampaguita USA top scholarship winners: Jessica Lomibao, Miss Sampaguita USA 2018, and Nicole Reyes, Miss Sampaguita USA 2016. The roster of student models includes: Victoria Alba, Camille Alcazar, Cassandra Buhawe, Abigail Dizon, Annalee Johnson, Steffi Lao, Kirsten Nguyen, Yuri Owaka, Shaira Padilla, Nikki Panganiban, Annie Tan, and Kyla Tejero.
“Also making VIP appearances on the ‘jetway’ will be the Sampaguita Group’s five community ambassadors,” says Rizza Antonov, CFO and co-founder of The Sampaguita Scholarship Group. “Their support is integral to the success of our scholarship program.” The group’s ambassadors are Geraldine Taguba Gaden, Mrs. Sampaguita USA 2019; Jet Jet Gruezo, Mrs. Sampaguita USA 2018; Chaz Patron, Mrs. Sampaguita USA 2017; and Neriza Tan Pineda, Mrs. Sampaguita USA 2016.
“Each year, we do our best to raise scholarship funds by offering unique special events,” says Cynthia Flores, V.P. of Funding and Corporate Sponsorships. “We never require our scholars to raise funds by selling anything; that’s our job and we appreciate those who have supported us year-afteryear. Thank you!”
Doors to “Jet Set. Ready. Go!” open at 6:00 pm for all ticketholders. Questions? Call Rizza Antonov: 312-620-2270, or Cynthia Flores: 312-925- 7812. General admission $60; Students with valid ID $30. Tickets may be purchased at: sampaguitagroup.org/events
