FACC spearheads picnic for Philippine Independence Day

Me (near the Philippine flag) with FACC president Dr. Malette Oliveros and friends

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The Fil-American community in Charlotte, North Carolina celebrated in advance Philippine Independence Day with a summer picnic at the Hornets Park in Beatties, Ford Road last Saturday, June 7.

The event was spearheaded by Dr. Malette Aquino-Oliveros,  this year’s president of the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) and the entire board along with area representatives and was attended by a sizable number of Fil-Americans.

It kicked off with the singing of the Philippine national anthem by FACC past president Dell Fallar followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner led by an elder from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

Dr. Malette-Aquino-Oliveros (center in yellow blouse) with some Fil-Americans

Dr. Chris Villapando led the invocation. Villapando extolled the virtue of the Filipinos and asked the Fil-Americans in North Carolina to extend their support to the Filipinos back home.

Yours truly, an FACC representative, talked about the shared history of Fil-Americans and the Filipinos back home. 

The picnic was emceed by couple Dr. Michael Borja and his wife Tracy Borja. 

Aside from the sumptuous food, the Fil-Americans had a grand time dancing, singing and playing games. Among the featured performers were the students of the Eskwelahang Munti (Little Schoolhouse), Hannah Laabid and Lance Lawsin. 

The Eskelahang Munti was presented by founder Gloria Grefenhagin and Dell Fallar.  

Popular Filipino food like puto (rice cakes), pancit (native noodle dish), adobo (stewed pork and chicken), barbecue, torta (short cake), biko (sweetened rice),  suman (rice cake), cakes, lumpia Shanghai (Spring roll derived from Chinese cuisine),  rice, dinuguan (pork blood stew) and even maruya (banana fritters) were sold to the delight of elder Fil-Americans who missed Philippine fare.

A batch of maruya sold during the picnic

Kay Ronquillo-Antone, FACC 2nd VP, was seen buying the food in bulk. Also seen at the picnic were former FACC officers Florami Lao Cordero-Lee, JP Ave, Wally Penilla, Letty Waddell and many others.

It was also a first time for some to come and participate. In an interview, Wally Penilla of the Filipino American Spirit (FAS) said the present FACC officers have done so much for the community halfway through their mandate.

“This is a good sign for the next generation of the Fil-Americans  here at the Carolinas,” said Penilla, also a past FACC president. Penilla is considered one of the Fil-Am pioneers in the Charlotte, North Carolina community.

Dr.  Malette Aquino-Oliveros  said she’s confident that there are more activities to come for the FACC before the year ends and she credits the teamwork of her fellow officers for the success of these programs. 

She also appealed to all Fil-Americans present in the community to spread the good word on FACC to their families, neighbors and friends.

Hula-hoop dancing during the picnic

(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. Visit and read her website at www.susanpalmes-dennis.simplesite.com. 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/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)