Charlmaine Bulosan, Terno Ball chairperson, said the solicitation packets have all been distributed, but there are still a few tickets available for this year’s Terno Ball that takes place Saturday at the Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Lihu‘e ballroom.
“We are excited to announce the return to in-person of the popular, 56th Annual Terno Ball, following two years of not having the event because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Barbara Green, president of the Kaua‘i Filipino Women’s Club that hosts the signature scholarship fundraising event.
“By joining us in this opulent evening of music, dance, fashion, dining and entertainment from an array of different cultures, we bring our local high school seniors closer to attaining their goals of higher education,” Green said.
This return to the live Terno Ball features an expansion of cultural celebrations with its “Uniting Cultures to Strengthen Our Return” theme, and in addition to the popular contests, will feature entertainment from the many cultures, including Japanese, Polynesian and Filipino, that call Kaua‘i home.
“In keeping the tradition of our annual ball, we celebrate the nationally recognized costumes of the Philippines through our most beautiful terno, finest barong, and most elegant couple contests,” Green said. “Pre-judging of all entries take place at 5:30 p.m., just prior to the opening of the Royal Sonestra grand ballroom at 6 p.m.”
During the two-year period when the Terno Ball was not able to take place, the Kaua‘i Filipino Women’s Club continued to present scholarships to high school seniors, Green said.
During 2020, three young women earned scholarships, including Angeline Roslin, who graduated from Kapa‘a High; Angeline Bangkirig, who graduated from Kaua‘i High; and Leohu Chun, who walked with the Class of 2020 at the Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School. Additionally, a special contribution was made to the Kaua‘i Community College Student Aid Fund.
In 2021, with the COVID-19 virus still subduing the Terno Ball, scholarships were presented to Jhoanna Marie Domingo, a graduate from Kapa‘a High School; Jhanalei Sales and Napua Canales, who walked with the Kaua‘i High School Class of 2021; Morgan Joy Igaya of Waimea High School; and Sydney Jona, an Island School graduate. Additionally, a special contribution was made to the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i.
Tickets for the return of the Terno Ball are available by contacting Bulosan at 808-652-3667, or Green at 818-383-1155.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
