PLANO, TEXAS — Kainan sa Laguna Philippine Kitchen in Plano became the setting for an afternoon of Filipino food, music, friendship, and community support on July 31, 2026, when the restaurant hosted a fundraising gathering for Mrs. Classic USA 2026 candidate Liz Ames.
The intimate event brought friends and supporters together to share a meal, sing karaoke, and enjoy an afternoon centered on fellowship and encouragement.
More than a fundraiser, the gathering highlighted the important role local Filipino businesses can play in bringing people together and creating a welcoming space for the community.
Filipino Hospitality at Kainan sa Laguna
Located at 909 W Spring Creek Pkwy in Plano, Kainan sa Laguna provided a relaxed and familiar setting for the event.
Restaurant owner Lorna welcomed Liz and her supporters, giving the group a place to gather while the restaurant continued serving its regular customers.
Guests enjoyed Filipino dishes while visiting with one another, taking photos, singing, and celebrating.
For Liz, having the fundraiser at a Filipino restaurant made the occasion especially meaningful. Food has long been at the center of Filipino gatherings, and the afternoon reflected that tradition of sharing a meal while strengthening friendships and community connections.
Liz expressed her gratitude to Lorna and Kainan sa Laguna for welcoming the event and supporting her journey.
A Special Visitor From San Antonio
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the arrival of Romelette Metz, Director of Mrs. Classic USA, who traveled from San Antonio to Plano specifically to support the fundraiser.
Her willingness to make the trip made her presence especially meaningful.
Metz spent time with the guests and joined in the festivities, including karaoke, creating one of the most memorable moments of the afternoon.
Her visit demonstrated that support can sometimes be expressed in something as simple—but meaningful—as making the effort to show up.
Karaoke Brings Everyone Together
Music added plenty of energy to the gathering thanks to Richard and Virginia, who brought a karaoke system for everyone to enjoy.
Soon, microphones were being passed around and guests were singing together.
Karaoke is a familiar part of many Filipino celebrations, and it fit naturally into an afternoon already centered around food and fellowship.
Richard and Virginia’s contribution helped transform the fundraiser into a fun and relaxed gathering among friends.
An Unexpected Act of Kindness
One of the most touching moments came from someone who wasn’t originally part of the event.
Because Kainan sa Laguna remained open during the fundraiser, other customers were dining in the restaurant at the same time.
One woman learned about the fundraiser and Liz’s upcoming participation in Mrs. Classic USA. Although she had not come to attend the event, she decided to make a monetary donation.
The unexpected gesture touched Liz deeply.
It was a reminder that community support doesn’t always come from people we already know. Sometimes kindness comes unexpectedly from a stranger who hears someone’s story and simply decides to help.
A Gathering Centered on Community
The afternoon at Kainan sa Laguna was intentionally simple: friends sharing food, conversations around the table, karaoke, photographs, laughter, and encouragement.
Those moments captured something familiar within Filipino culture—the importance of gathering together and supporting one another.
For local restaurants such as Kainan sa Laguna, serving the community can extend beyond the food coming from the kitchen. Restaurants can also become places where friendships are formed, milestones are celebrated, and people come together around a common purpose.
That spirit was evident throughout the afternoon.
Gratitude for a Memorable Afternoon
Liz expressed her heartfelt appreciation to Lorna and Kainan sa Laguna, Romelette Metz, Richard and Virginia, and everyone who attended, contributed, sang, shared a meal, or offered encouragement.
She also remains especially grateful to the restaurant customer whose unexpected donation added a touching moment of generosity to the gathering.
The fundraiser may have lasted only a few hours, but it demonstrated something much larger: meaningful community connections can happen anywhere—even over a plate of Filipino food and a karaoke microphone.
For Kainan sa Laguna, it was another afternoon of serving food to its customers.
For the people gathered there, it became an afternoon of food, friendship, generosity, and community.
Kainan sa Laguna Philippine Kitchen
909 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Unit 450
Plano, TX 75023
Event Date: July 31, 2026
