By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

A GALA dinner will be held at the Hilton Marianas Ballroom tomorrow to help raise funds for the Father Duenas Memorial School’s Phoenix Center.
The gala dinner, called “The Phoenix Unites,” will be from 6 p.m. to midnight. Ticket fees are $125 per person or $1,000 per table of 10.
Proceeds from the event are earmarked specifically for The Phoenix Center, a new facility that houses a gymnasium, an auditorium and classrooms for the young men of Father Duenas Memorial School.
Originally established as a minor seminary for training young men for the priesthood, Father Duenas Memorial School has evolved into a Catholic college preparatory high school through which many of the island’s leaders have passed.
Over the past 10 years, the school has constructed 12 new classrooms, a library, and has renovated laboratory facilities. It is now seeking support for the construction of the Phoenix Center, a structure containing a modern gymnasium, classrooms, and auditorium facilities.
The structure will replace the current gym, built in 1984 and ravaged by typhoons and earthquakes. The current structure has numerous leaks, lacks decent lockers and restroom facilities, and is too small to accommodate many of the school’s important functions.
While it is utilized for celebrating Mass, the school said heat and the potential for roof leaks make it much less than conducive for worship.
The new facility is also expected to enhance the school’s entire athletic program. Weight rooms will provide conditioning; the center courts a safe area for competition in basketball and volleyball, and classrooms for health instruction and use by the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training program. The complex, as proposed, will draw additional students from all over the island.
In addition to its own sports program, the school said the Phoenix Center could be made available for public use. Basketball, volleyball and racquetball tournaments could be staged, all of which could be profitable and help defray operational costs.
The proposed facility will also include a stage and enable the school to broaden the curriculum in the fine arts area. It could also be used as an income source and an asset to the greater community, hosting concerts and other performances.
During the gala dinner, a silent auction for vehicles from Cars Plus & Cycles Plus and other items will be auctioned off.
Live entertainment will also be provided, including an excerpt from the school’s successful production of Grease featuring students of Father Duenas Memorial School.
In addition, there will be raffle prizes and dancing. Interested patrons can buy tickets from the school or call 734-2261/63.