FACC treats Southminster Center's senior residents with song, dance presentation

Me at right talking with one of the senior residents

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

MORE than 20 residents of the Southminster Senior retirement home were visited by volunteers of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) last Saturday. 

The residents were joined by the nursing staff and the certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in watching the presentation given by the FACC volunteers.

The FACC headed by its President Malette Aquino-Oliveros and its 1st Vice President Dr. Mike Borja led the performance consisting of songs and dances that were warmly received by the senior residents.

The FACC officers with the volunteer dancers.
FACC president Malette-Aquino Oliveros is fourth from left in front

The program opened with a welcome message from host Tracy Borja and a message by Oliveros about the FACC and the Filipinos at the Carolinas.

“This is the first stop of our volunteer work in senior centers. We also bring to you the culture of the Philippines by way of music and dances,” she said.

In its website at www.southminster.org, the center states its commitment to “integrating health and wellness into daily life (by ensuring that senior) residents (and their loved ones) are freed from unnecessary stress to enjoy a full and enriching life.”

I learned from Rebecca Boakye, one of the nursing assistants, that the senior residents at their wing have their own room. She showed me the rooms which looked like a condo with all the essential facilities for comfortable living.

FACC president Malette Aquino-Oliveros performs with the volunteer dancers

Boakye pointed to the picture frames outside each room which shows the name of the resident and the history of their lives complete with pictures.

One of the residents, 100-year-old Anne McBryde from Laurinburg, Scotland County, told me that she has two daughters and was a teacher. A widow, Anne said she had been at the center for several years now. 

Talkative and gracious, Anne said “I love everybody here.”  Her birthday is on Nov. 8. Madeline Chandler, Southminster Center's activities coordinator, said the FACC volunteers visited the center's hospital care unit.

During the presentation, the FACC volunteers danced the Macarena, the chicken and wobble dances. The senior residents also joined in on the fun, moving on their wheelchairs.

Dr. Mike Borja, a pediatrician, wooed the elders by singing Mike Buble songs which caused some of them to be teary-eyed and wax sentimental. A short video showing about the Philippines followed suit.

The FACC officers pose with the senior residents, their
nursing staff  and the volunteer dancers

The FACC officers and volunteers danced with the senior residents and served their snacks assisted by the nursing staff. 

At the program's end the senior residents and staff were given “back catchers” made from the Philippines.

Other FACC officers who attended the event were Luisa Castaneda,Terry Laabid and Blessel Arcamo-Butler and Susan P. Dennis.

The volunteer dancers were Rocky Robinson with her sister Rutchie Mae, both members of the Charlotte dance troupe and Allyssa Abalos, a representative to the Miss Asia Carolina who got two awards.

FACC's 2nd vice president Kathryn Ronquillo-Antone facilitated the event but was unable to make it though she monitored the program along with MJ Maturan and Lota Mascarenas.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas. Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis)

Elite Hataw Shooters event on March 30

Kathryn Ronquillo Antone with husband Matthew Antone 

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The first Fil-Am introduction pistol shooting competition dubbed as “The Elite Hataw Shooter Pistol Bowling Pin” would be held by the Matthews Mobile Collision Center Elite Training Academy on March 30, this year.

The activity to be held at the academy's shooting range at 2811 Chamber Drive Monroe, North Carolina 28110 starts at 1 pm and ends at 4 p.m., said Kathryn Ronquillo-Antone.

“This is the first Fil-Am introduction on pistol shooting competition,” said Kay, wife of Matthew Collision Center Elite Training Academy owner and president Matthew Antone. 

Kay, also the 2nd Vice President of the Fil-American Association of the Carolinas (FACC), said pistol shooting may look dangerous but is actually fun if done responsibly.

She said shooters should be knowledgeable about the use and care of their firearms and always observe safety. Those interested to join can fill out a waiver and forms and send a copy of their ID cards. 

“Pre-pay $15 to save your spot,” Kay said. For more details, please visit their Facebook page Elite Hataw Shooter and their website www.matthewsmobilecollision.com for more details. Also contact Kaye Antone at telephone numbers 704-953-0435
and her email at Azyangerl20002000@gmail.com.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas. Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis)

FACC's Hop For Fun picnic on April 5

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

IT'S all systems go for the Hop For Fun Spring Picnic to be held at the Reedy Creek Park in North Carolina on April 5.

Mary Jane ”MJ” Maturan, the event chairperson, said the event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m and will be joined by the members of the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC).

“Those coming from Luzon are asked to wear white, while those from the Visayas and Mindanao are asked to wear red and blue respectively, “ Maturan said.

She said the color scheme was intended to identify the picnickers and help them bond with each other. The Philippines has 7,107 islands and is divided into the three major island groups  of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

"If their hometown or parents hometown is in the Philippines we encourage them to wear the suggested color,” Maturan said. Despite the island clustering, Filipinos are known to unite and be cooperative.

The Fil-American community in the Carolinas is no different, Maturan said. 

The color yellow is reserved for FACC officials so participants can go directly to them if they have any problems.

Kathryna Ronquillo-Antone, FACC's 2nd vice president, said this year's picnic is different from past events because they are offering a menu instead of requiring participants to bring food. 

“Pick 2 meals for $5 dollars and serve with white rice and fried plantains and soup,” she said. Antone also said one can buy lechon (roasted pig) for $2. 

The menu consists of pork menudo (pork stew), fried mackerel, pancit bihon with chicken (rice noodles with chicken), kaldereta baka (beef stew), sauteed vegetables and hilabos na hipon (stewed shrimp).

The games to be staged include pabitin, pinata, chaco, tumbang preso, tug-of-war, sack race, egg race, humvee pull and so on. Featured band for the picnic is Pinoy Noir.

FACC president Dr. Malette Aquino-Oliveros is inviting all members and their families to attend. “Everyone is welcome,” she said. Donations of dessert are welcome. 

(The blogger/author is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas. Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis. 

You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/)https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063. )

DuST 'N D Attic to perform in Nonoy Zuniga concert in North Carolina

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Watch out for my one–on-one interview with Dust 'N D Attic, the hottest band in North Carolina soon here at the Straight from the Carolinas News page. 

Dust 'N D Attic will be the special guest performer at the Nonoy Zuniga concert at the UNCC McKnight Hall (Cone Center) at 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina on April 19, at 7 p.m.