REDWOOD CITY, CA – On December 1, 2007, Tony Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga will be the feature performer at Simbang Gabi 2007 — the 10th Anniversary Celebration Gala of Bantay Bata (Child Watch Philippines) at the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California.
Becca Godinez joins Simbang Gabi with Lea Salonga and friends
Join Becca Godinez at The ABS CBN Foundation USA Family, Simbang Gabi 2007, A Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Bantay Bata:
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel
2025 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, California, 90067
Using one of the most revered Filipino holiday traditions as its theme, Simbang Gabi 2007 will see the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel transformed into a traditional Filipino church courtyard and town plaza.
Simbang Gabi is the traditional early morning Filipino church service celebrated for nine consecutive days before Christmas. To honor this tradition the pre-dinner reception will feature familiar Simbang Gabi fare served after these pre-dawn masses, including hot chocolate, bibingka, puto bumbong, ensaymada, pan de sal with kesong puti, and other delicacies. A rondalla band and children’s choir complete the setting that will surely conjure images of holidays in the Philippines .
The evening’s dinner will be designed by internationally-acclaimed Filipino Chef Rod Aglibot. Chef Aglibot is the founding chef of Koi Restaurant, a favorite hangout of the Hollywood entertainment community. Rod affirms, “The dinner will consist of Filipino traditional holiday food to bring back memories of Christmases back home.”
“Simbang Gabi 2007 promises to have the sights, sounds, and smells reminiscent of Christmases in the Philippines ,” adds Ted Benito, one of the event’s producers. “It will be the next best thing to going back home. This is sure to be a celebration unlike any other and one not to be missed.”
Rounding out the performances with Ms. Lea Salonga will be a host of other memorable entertainers, including Ms. Becca Godinez, the SIPA Children’s Choir, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Tinig Choral and Samahang Dancers, and the Rondalla Club Band of Los Angeles.
Guiding Star Realty Holdings, the Law Office of Michael Gurfinkel, The Asian Journal and ABS CBN Global/The Filipino Channel are proud sponsors of Simbang Gabi 2007.
Proceeds of the gala will benefit The Children’s Village — the transitional dwelling for the rescued children of Bantay Bata, who need medium- to long-term care and rehabilitation as a result of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment. Situated in the outskirts of Metro Manila, The Children’s Village provides extensive nutritional, educational and psychological intervention in a live-in, home-like environment.
The individual ticket price of $350 is all inclusive of the pre-dinner Simbang Gabi reception, the Town Plaza dinner and entertainment with Ms. Salonga and Friends. For more information on Simbang Gabi 2007 or to buy tickets, log onto www.simbanggabi.org or call the Los Angeles Office of the ABS CBN Foundation USA at (310) 855-9110.