Saturday, November 23, 2019

Pinoy heritage dances at its finest with the Asheville Troupe



by Susan Palmes-Dennis

(Note: Will reserve my column for ‘Gala Of The Carolinas’)

Charlotte. North Carolina--Philippine dance appeals to people across all sections of society and nowhere was this proven than during the 32nd Gala of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) held at the Hilton Charlotte Place last Nov. 16.

The Filipino American Association of Western North Carolina (FAS-WNC) dance troupe or “Asheville dance troupe” performed three dances namely the Sinulog, a mix of tinikling and subli and the third set to the tune of “Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas (Choose Philippines) and they were warmly applauded by the 500 Gala attendees.


The mostly Filipino-American crowd were glued to what transpired on the stage and the display of graceful footwork and movement of the dancers especially the Pit Senyor dance performed during the annual Sinulog celebration in Cebu.

The second dance was a medley of subli/kalatong and tinikling and the crowd can only marvel at the skill and panache of the dancers. 

In a conversation I had with one of the dancers, Brian Rodriguez, he told me that they practice a month or more in advance for the events they were invited to perform. 

For special events like their own gala at Asheville, they even practice five months in advance, he said. 

“Most practices are three to four hours minimum,” said Brian who helps out the choreographer and director for the preparations. As the event draws near, their practices go overtime to eight hours rehearsal. 

The Asheville dance troupe is roughly composed of 50 people of whom 33 attended the 32nd FACC Gala.


'Day' (Mary Ann) and 'Doy' (Brian) 
It was learned the dance troupe was founded in 2001 by Mrs. Mary Ann Tan Ar who is the lead choreographer and director.  Among the dancers Mary Ann is affectionately known as “Day” and Brian is known as “Doy.” 

Mary Ann studied at the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu where she was part of their dramatics group.  She is also an entrepreneur and has three businesses here in Asheville.

“The choreography we did at Charlotte, most of it is her original choreography,” Brian said. 

Brian admitted that the dance troupe have been extremely fortunate to have a number of talents here in Asheville.

When asked why he explained “we have a music director who edits our music, artists including myself who design props and backdrops for the stage and a carpenter.”  Even when officers come and go, the core group remains intact, Brian said.

The FACC Gala started in 1998 by spouses Rudy and Lita Joaquin and was first held at Royce Hotel.  Two years after, the FACC’s articles of incorporation was filed at the office of the Secretary of State of North Carolina.  

This year’s Gala carried the theme ‘Celebrating Filipino Heritage Around The World’ and the incumbent FACC president is Muffy Therrien. 

The Gala’s guest speaker was Ann Gonzales, president of the Carolinas American Asian American Chamber of Coomerce.  Other performers were GPI Youth, Krush Krew and the Schindlers Sisters while the opening number was performed by the FACC’s 2019 board of directors.  





Thursday, November 21, 2019

FACC obituary


Charlotte, North Carolina--The Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) is condoling with the family of 52-year-old Jose Tolentino who died due to liver cancer last Nov. 18, at 7 am.

Funeral arrangements are still being finalized pending the arrival of Mr. Tolentino’s mother Dr. Josefina Tolentino, former superintendent of schools in Bataan. Jose Tolentino is survived by his wife Josie and son Jorland. 

Tolentino’s sister Jo Kojac is an active member of the Filipino-American community.  The Our Queen of Peace Rosary Group is conducting a novena everyday at 6 pm at 9007 Blue Shot, Charlotte, North Carolina 28273.

The FACC also condoles with the family of 86-year-old Homer de Leon who reportedly passed away due to complications from diabetes. De Leon is one of the FACC’s stalwarts that organized the Santacruzans, the Flores de Mayo and other cultural shows featured in the FACC Gala Night./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Monday, November 11, 2019

#Countdown to 32nd FACC Gala Night 2



Charlotte, North Carolina—Gala tickets to the 32nd Gala Night of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) are nearly sold out with only 20 tickets remaining of the 500 printed, FACC President Muffy Therrien confirmed in an FACC meeting on Monday, Veterans Day.

This year’s FACC Gala Night will be held at the Hilton Charlotte University Place.  The first FACC Gala Night took place in 1988 at the Royce Hotel. Here is FACC past president Dr. Nini Bautista saying something about the event./Susan Palmes-Dennis




#Countdown to 32nd FACC Gala Night on

Charlotte, North Carolina—Six days more to go for the 32nd Gala Night of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) and every last detail is being ironed out for the convenience of the attendees, FACC President Muffy Therrien said/

This year’s FACC Gala Night is scheduled at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, specifically at the  University Ballroom.  The hotel’s events manager Michele Grote, explains how to reach the venue./Susan Palmes-Dennis


Thursday, November 7, 2019

Hotel catering manager invites Fil-Ams to 32nd Gala Night

It’s not just the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) and their invited guests that are excited about the 32nd Gala next week but the people behind the chosen gala night venue, the Hilton Charlotte University Area.

The hotel’s Catering Sales Manager Michele Grote the hotel has this to say.



This is the 32nd Gala organized by FACC since it started in 1988 at the Royce Hotel by spouses Rudy and Lita Joaquin.  Since then it became the trademark event of the FACC.  Registration starts at 4 pm and everyone is encouraged to come on time as dinner is served until 8 pm after which the buffet table be closed. A menu of the buffet is in this post./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Baby sitters for parents attending 32nd FACC Gala Night



Baby sitters for parents wishing to attend FACC 32nd Gala Night

Baby sitters will be provided to parents who attend the 32nd Gala Night of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas scheduled on Nov. 16 at the Hilton Charlotte University Area.

FACC President Muffy Therrien said the group’s board approved a resolution to this effect to allow parents wishing to attend the FACC Gala Night but are worried over who will care for their kids.

Those wishing to avail of the babysitting services are advised to contact the nearest FACC board of directors member.

A few Gala tickets are still available for purchase and those wishing to buy can contact FACC President Therrien, FACC Secretary Dorena Reynolds or FACC Treasurer Gina Minnich.

The 32nd Gala starts at 4 pm at the Hilton Charlotte University Area.  Attendees will be served buffet starting at 6:30 pm until 8 pm./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Excitement amped up over 32nd FACC Gala Night

The Hilton Charlotte University Place


by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Charlotte, North Carolina--With only a few more days  to go before the big event, attendees are excited over the 32nd Gala sponsored by the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas, Inc. (FACC).

There will be first timers, second timers and loyal attendees. One member of the FACC Board says many  attendees this year are either first timers or returnees. 

Among the first timers are Aneth Gomez and Jeff Houte who are newly inducted FACC members having moved here from New Jersey. 

Miguela Grant,  a resident of Rock Hill, South Carolina is a regular fixture at the FACC Gala because she loves to dance.

Miguela Grant
It was learned that Grant’s group bought one table good for 10 people first because they wanted to be near the stage where the action is. 

When Grant was asked why is attending she explained that she wants to have fun and meet people old and new. 

She said the first time she attended the FACC Gala was in 1999 or two months after she gave birth to her first son. “To enjoy life, while we can. Maybe, I attended five Galas already including one in Greensville,” she said.

Another regular, Marilyn Capinig, is also excited to attend the 32ndGala to be held at the Hilton Charlotte University Place. 

Marilyn, who is Maymay to friends, lives in Gastonia. She recalled the first time she attended was during the Gala when Lynn Lorenzo-Polk was the president. 

This year’s Gala is the 32nd year since it was started in 1988 by spouses Rudy and Lita Joaquin at Royce hotel. Since then the Gala became the signature event among the members and non members of the FACC. This year’s Gala carries the theme “Celebrating World Class Pinoy.”

Maymay Capinig with husband Jun 
A few days ago, some members of the FACC’s board of directors had a food tasting at the Hilton Charlotte University Place days before the event which you can read here. This year’s Gala would be held at the hotel’s University Ballroom.

There are still a few tickets available and those interested can contact any of the nearest board of directors nearest them.

For updates on the event check the FACC Facebook page or the profile page of any FACC board of directors or at the Straight from the Carolinas Facebook page.