The Filipino-American Association of Tracy will celebrate Philippine Independence Day on June 23 in the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church auditorium.

The semiformal event includes a disc jockey, a dinner featuring a variety of Filipino food, dancing, a cultural presentation, a raffle and the coronation of the Philippine Independence Day Queen.

Philippine Independence Day is actually June 12, but organizers said the celebration is June 23 because that’s when the auditorium is available.

Teens will have a chance to dance after earlier ballroom dancing, and the disc jockey will stay until midnight.

The Independence Day Queen will be determined by the amount of money raised by the candidates.

Girls raise money from ticket sales at $1 apiece, and during the celebration each contestant will have a padlocked box where attendees can stuff money throughout the night. There will also be what’s called the “flying box,” another locked box that’s stuffed with money throughout the evening. People bid on the flying box, and the highest bidder gets to give the box to the queen of his or her choice. After all the money is counted, the candidate with the highest total gets the crown.

The first-place winner will receive 25 percent of the total raised. Second place will receive 20 percent, and third place will receive 10 percent. About half of the money raised will be given to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, and the rest will go to the association.

The Filipino association has raised and donated about $20,000 to St. Bernard’s Church the past three years.