East County benefit showcases Asian culture

The way the dancers’ gracefully sway their arms toward the sky when performing the Carinosa is similar to Spanish dance movements, but Lake Club’s Maria Cora Gaffar said the folk dance was adapted in such a way that it is distinctly Filipino.  

Gaffar is Filipino and the president of the American Asian Women’s Association. 

The AAWA is hosting its annual Asian Ethnic Fashion/Talent Show and Luncheon at the University Park Country Club on Nov. 16. 

Proceeds from the event benefit three local charities: Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, the Food Bank of Manatee and the State College of Florida Foundation to fund scholarships.

The event raised over $15,000 last year to split between the three nonprofits.

Cultural fashions and folk dances are also a way to showcase the different Asian cultures represented by the association’s members. However, being Asian is not a requirement to join the club or attend the show. 

“This is not just for Asian women,” Gaffar said. “We’ll include anybody who’s interested in Asian culture. We want to have more members.” 

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The show will feature six dance numbers from Tibet, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Hawaii and the Carinosa from the Philippines. 

“It takes training and a knowledge of the country to interpret the dances correctly because there are certain movements associated with each dance,” Gaffar said. “That’s why we call this a talent show, as well.” 

For the fashion portion of the show, the dancers will don traditional garb to accompany each dance. If so inclined, guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, too. 

Gaffar will be wearing a "terno." The formal Filipino dress features sleeves that resemble butterfly wings. Sponsors at a wedding, which are akin to God parents, often wear ternos. 

The buffet lunch will also be on theme with an Asian Fusion menu that features sticky rice with fresh mango and Thai sauce for dessert. Gaffar said it’s a dish that everyone loves.

“There is so much emphasis on differences and not enough on how we can unite and overcome these differences and learn to understand and accept each other,” Gaffar said. “That is the primary goal.”