By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | June 13, 2022 | Parties, Culture, Celebrity, Community,
Project PEARLS hosted an incredibly empowering and triumphant gala called “A String of PEARLS: A Scholarship Benefit” on Sunday June 12th to raise funds for over a hundred of the organization's brilliant scholars to get through college in the Philippines.
Hosted at the grand Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation, this was a spectacular afternoon of not only heartwarming charity, but also of delectable cultural Filipino cuisine, and talented music, all featuring two of San Francisco Bay Area's own notable stars.
Superbly talented Toro y Moi was the headlining DJ for the charitable event, setting the upbeat mood throughout the spacious and historic venue, while the first-ever Filipino Hype Man for the Warriors Franco Finn effortlessly served as the highly-entertaining host for the auction.
Several luxurious items from jewelry to Hawaii and Cancun vacation packages were the coveted prizes for the auction, with the money all going towards Project PEARLS. High-octane bidding wars filled the room with excitement and jovial competition, all lending to meeting the gala's goal of reaching $100,000.
The highlight of the night, however, came during the intensely fun bidding rivalry towards a jersey directly from Warriors trailblazer Steph Curry, with two men battling it out and raising the bids higher and higher with neither one seeming willing to concede.
After an amped up back and forth across the room, with Franco adding comical commentary and reminding everyone that it will go to a tremendous cause, the two men matched each other at $13,500, collectively raising $27,000 and skyrocketing up the benefit's donations way closer to their intended goal.
"It's definitely good to help others and I didn't think I would do this but I'm here and this is awesome," says John Kim, one of the two men that generously fought in the bid for the jersey.
Many personal backstories and impassioned speeches came with each auctioned item, elucidating the philantrophic crowd with the actual children their donation go towards. Project PEARLS, standing for Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love and Smiles aims to "break the cycle of povery," in the Philippines, and since their inception in 2010, they have assisted in creating several educational, hunger relief, shelter, and medical services.
Many other successful Filipino businesses were also in attendance to support this honorable cause for their home country, including premiere Matteo Truffles, and renowned catering restaurants The Sarap Shop, and Lolo's Backyard, all serving irresistable Filipino classics.
See also: The Best Filipino Restaurants In The Bay Area
Overall, it was a truly charming and pleasant night devoted to helping a noble cause and funding educations for children that will stick with them for a lifetime. Delectable cuisine, insightful conversations around social injustices and cultural affairs, and exceptionally talented music all filled the venue, along with heartwarming smiles and instant AAPI camaraderie.
You can reserve tickets to catch the incomparable Toro y Moi at his next Stern Grove Concert on Sunday June 19th, and golden-voiced Franco Finn at the Warrior's next game in this year's NBA Finals Championship!
See also: 85th Stern Grove Festival Announces 2022 Lineup
Photography by: Krisia/Pexels
