Written for The Argo by Olivia Ladd.

On December 6, the Pilipino American Students Association of Stockton (PASAS) hosted their fourth annual Gala: Old Hollywood style!

The night was energetic and filled with connection and community. Members of the PASAS greeted attendees warmly as the Gala slowly commenced. The event room was decked out in red, white and gold stars and balloons. The Gala featured a red carpet at the entrance of the Campus Center Event Room, and attentive to details, PASAS’s Gala offered a photo booth for students to leave with a souvenir to accompany the lasting memories of the night.

Food was served in the first hour allowing attendees to arrive without missing out. As the Cocktail hour came to a close, the PASAS President, Richmond Rubi, and Vice President, Louden Jobes, thanked everyone for coming and Rubi set the tone for the evening encouraging everyone with three words: “Let’s get it!”

Rubi’s succinct but energetic speech and a school dance classic, the Cupid Shuffle, inspired attendees to hit the dance floor. Students and other guests danced on through the night to popular songs from artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, along with many others.

Richmond Rubi had high hopes for the night. His goal was to give Stockton students an opportunity to attend black-tie event to dance around and have fun at. “Just have fun, especially, you know, not a lot of people went to prom. So, we wanted to bring that back and its culture like crowning.”

Freshman Franzs Tacleo certainly did. It was her first time attending a PASAS event and she said “There was good food. I could pass out in a coma! I had fun and everyone else seemed too as well.”

The Gala King and Queen were crowned later in the night. After viewing the Gala proposal videos, those in attendance had the opportunity to vote for their favorite proposal. Gabby Akiatan and Gabe Depaor were the PASAS’s first Gala Queen and King.  

Richmond Rubi hopes that the PASAS will make the Fall Semester Gala a tradition in the upcoming years even after he graduates. While another black-tie event is not planned for the spring semester, the Pilipino American Students Association of Stockton hosts a variety of events and welcome anyone who is interested to attend. All events and meetings are posted on their Instagram at stocktonpasas and on OspreyHub as well.