AUBURN—The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest (FCCPNW) held their annual golf tournament on Saturday, Sept. 13. The tournament is a fundraising opportunity for the chamber, but the primary focus of the event is “fostering connections.” Proceeds from the event “support the Chamber’s programs that empower local businesses and uplift the Filipino community.”
(From left to right): Tukwilla Mayor Thomas McLeod, Senator Claudia Kauffman, FCCPNW President May Dominguez, Filipina model and actress Angelia Chaves, and Greater Seattle Korean Association VP Sam Sim. Photo: George Fitkas Jr., Lynnwood Time
“Today truly showed the spirit of our community,” FCCPNW President May Dominguez said. “Let’s keep building connections, enjoying each other’s company and making every event better.”
The tournament was held at Washington National Golf Club in Auburn. According to Dominguez, the logistics of the tournament were handled entirely by the club. The FCCPNW tournament had 12 teams this year, the highest participation the chamber has seen thus far.
Hats and trophies for the FCCPNW annual golf tournament. Photo: George Fitkas Jr., Lynnwood Times
This year’s tournament featured a wide variety of businesses and professionals in attendance and hosted Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod, Greater Seattle Korean Association Vice President Sam Sim and Washington State Senator Claudia Kauffman as guest speakers.
McLeod greeted the room with “mabuhay” — a Filipino greeting meaning “long live!” — and stated his appreciation for the Filipino community and his desire to celebrate with them.
Sim spoke of the unifying power of food and shared a story of Dominguez showing up to an event he invited her to with hundreds of lumpia, citing this gesture as inspiration for the GSKA doing bigger and greater things, like the Green Earth Cup and being awarded with a King County Voter Education Fund.
“This chamber is more about business — it’s about people and you can tell by looking at this room. It is about people, it is about family and it is about community,” Kauffman said. “The Filipino community brings a vital part to our state. It contributes to our economy and contributes to our culture, our vibrancy, our neighborhoods. The Filipino Chamber of Commerce continues that legacy by giving back, helping small businesses, connecting entrepreneurs, providing opportunities and making sure our voices are heard.”
FCCPNW 2025 annual golf tournament. Photo: George Fitkas Jr., Lynnwood Times
The event also featured a musical performance by Filipina singer and model Angeli Chaves. The Tacoma-native worked with Grammy-nominated producer Luigie Gonzalez — known for working with artists like Madonna, Ricky Martin, Janet Jackson, Barbara Streisand and Donna Summer — and has a new EP, “Star on Earth,” debuting soon.
The FCCPNW held a silent auction and raffle for various items — many provided by chamber member businesses. These included a roundtrip ticket to Manila from Philippine Airlines, a pair of tickets to the Trendsetter Fashion Gala by Dovi Seattle and a handbag from Charm & Paolo, to name a few.
“A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors and partners for making this event possible,” Dominguez said. “I want to give a special mention to Rollunda Architects, Price Busters Plumbing & Sewer, US Journey Immigration Services Attorney Marlene Gonzales and Philippine Airlines.”
