New insurance firm in town to open this Saturday

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

A native of Butuan City whom I had the pleasure of being acquainted with told me that a business she and her husband are working at called Financial System Builders, LLC will open at Cary, North Carolina at 4 p.m. this Saturday. 

Syvel Labajo-Weaver, an associate of the business which is under the World Financial Group, told me that the company's office is located at 1140 Kildire Farm Road in Cary, North Carolina C 27511 and its opening will be attended by leaders of the country's financial services leaders. 

Syvel Weaver, a self-taught entrepreneur who joined the WFG last March, said she joined because “it allows her and her husband Mark who also works there to help others secure their future.”

There are other two franchisees of WFG, one at Charlotte and the other at Fayetteville. Syvel said she is excited about the business which carries slogans like “helping families rise” and “we are makers of tomorrow.” 

She said the company's senior marketing director from New Jersey Edgardo Concha and business partners from Virginia are expected to grace the occasion.

Syvel finished a degreee in commerce majoring in marketing from Urios University, Butuan City in 2002 and had little work experience. 

Five years after graduation, she married Mark Weaver and they have two sons named Samuel, 6 and Jacob, 3. Raising a family didn't deter Syvel from exploring opportunities here in the US. 

Syvel with her husband Mark Weaver

She admitted that this is her first time to sell and engage in insurance but she has been engaged in other business interests in the past. 

Syvel said World Financial Group or WFG is a financial services marketing company whose affiliates offer a broad array of financial products and services like Life Insurance, Long Term Care, Investment/Retirement, Medicare Supplements, College Planning programs, 529 college savings plan, Estate preservation and Home and Auto Insurance. 

Syvel said the group seeks to fill in the need for financial knowledge in a time of unprecedented access to information. 

“As a WFG associate, we help our clients understand fundamental financial concepts that give them the foundation to create a sound strategy. We can help clients create a better tomorrow for themselves and their loved ones,” she said.

Syvel said they also service leading insurance providers like Transamerica,  Pacific Life, Nationwide, Voya Financial, Prudential, Netlaw, Bolt, Everest (the first nationwide funeral planning and concierge service), HIFE or the Heartland Institute of Financial Education and a lot more.”

“WFG has a commitment to help families through insuring their future,” Syvel said. Syvel said insurance is essential for families these days since no one knows when an emergency would occur that would require financial assistance.

“Insurance is not for the person who has the insurance; insurance is a way to take care of those left behind when you die. It can be the greatest gift a mother, father, husband or wife gives to their family but no one thinks they will need it. We are a full service financial company that is there for anyone that needs us,” Syvel said.

Syvel said she and her husband completely understood what life insurance was before they joined the WFG but knew nothing about finance and investments.

“We realized that many of us lack education and knowledge about life insurance and that is one of the greatest barriers in owning a life insurance policy. Now we learned how you can build a strong financial foundation and control your future. Knowledge is wealth. You won't be wealthy unless you understand how money works,” she said.

The North Carolina Financial System Builders, LLC office is at 1401 Kildaire Farm Rd Suite 305 inside the ERA building in Cary. Syvel said their office will be headed headed by their marketing director Vanessa Banares. 

Syvel is confident about the company's success as she recalled attending with her husband Mark the company's convention in Las Vegas where she heard success stories from other attendees. 

For more questions and to those interested to make an appointment, Syvel said they can contact Vanessa Banares at 919.889.6137, Cherry Banares at 919.800.7138, Syvel Weaver at 919.797.3160 or Mark Weaver at 919.697.7669. 

They can also check Syvel's website at http://syvelweaver.wfgopportunity.com.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines  is now employed  teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. 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)

St. Thomas Aquinas Church to hold Simbang Gabi at Charlotte, North Carolina

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The St.Thomas Aquinas Fil-American community is inviting everyone to attend the Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass) to be held at the St.Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church here in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 11 at 7 PM.

Lota Mascarenas, a devout Catholic and a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) Fil-American community said Fr. Patrick Winslow will be the main celebrator with Fathers Matthew Kauth and Jason Christian.   

She said this is the seventh year that Fil-American Catholics of St. Thomas will attend the midnight Mass which is a venerable Christmas tradition back in the Philippines. 

Tom Savoy will be the musical director and he'll be assisted by Joie Arrojado and Sr. Zeny Mofada. As in previous Masses, Mascarenas said a Filipino priest will officiate the activity. 

Last year it was Maryland-based Fr. Leo Patalinghug, Mascarenas said. She said the choir will be composed of Filipinos singing classic Filipino Christmas songs like Halina Jesus (Come, Jesus), Emmanuel, Tinapay na Buhay (Living Bread), Tanging Alay (Sole Dedication) and Sa Yo Lamang (Only for You) as well as Pasko Na (It's Christmas).

The Simbang Gabi at St. Thomas Catholic Church had been an annual staple for Fil-American Catholics in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. It is part of the Misa de Aguinaldo and by tradition begins on Dec. 16 and ends on Dec. 24.

The Mass is held at 4 a.m in the Philippines. There is a well-known belief by Filipinos that a devotee who completed all nine days of the Simbang Gabi will be granted his or her request as part of a novena. 

This centuries-old custom is still popular to this day. Jesett Kelly, a Fil-Am born and raised in Libungan town, North Cotabatao province in the Philippines and a parishioner of St. Thomas said that attending the Simbang Gabi Mass with husband Raymund and son JR make her complete.

“Morag naa ko sa ato (It feels like I'm back home). I miss it,” she said. Jesett said she and her family would finish the nine-day novena even if it was cold waking up in the morning. 

Another Fil-Am who requested anonymity said she attends the annual Simbang Gabi because she missed listening to the songs in Tagalog. “I just want to listen to the songs and shed tears of joy,” she said.

The St. Thomas Fil-Am community church began serving the Catholic community of Charlotte and the surrounding areas of northeast Mecklenburg and southern Cabarrus counties in 1978 and is proud of their diverse parishioners.

The church also hosts the annual multi-cultural festival attended by different international Catholics in the area.

After Mass, the congregation will be invited to partake of classic Filipino Christmas delicacies like bibingka, (rice cake cooked on a clay stove) and puto bumbong (purple-colored rice pastry, seasoned with grated coconut and brown sugar) and chocolate made from local cacao beans and salabat (ginger tea).

Mascarenas said singing  caroling songs will be held afterward. In its flyers posted online, the St. Thomas Aquinas parish church is also asking their parishioners to bring Filipino dishes. 

You can see it here in this link. Hope to see all of you there!

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines  is now employed  teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.mindanaodailynews.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)

Charlotte dance troupe to perform tinikling on FACC gala night

The Philippines' famed tinikling dance will be featured in the 28th Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) gala night next week. 

The tinikling, one of the oldest traditional Filipino dances will be performed by the members of the Philippine Cultural Dance Troupe of Charlotte, said Florami Lao Cordero-Lee, past FACC president and chairperson of the dance troupe.

Florami Lao Cordero-Lee and Alma Butler will be joined by the bamboo clickers and background dancers Marichor Ducusin, Sony Krupp, Ghing Voght, Dhi Donato and Amira Issa.

Lee said the group never tires in performing cultural dances of the Philippines especially tinikling.

This year the troupe performed several Filipino cultural dances at the Unity Festival with Asian countries, the “Hello Asia Inspire” event at the UNCC, Wells fargo, Christian Adoption Services and at several nursing and senior homes among others. 

Tinikling, also called the bamboo dance, is said to have originated from Leyte province and takes its name from the movements of the “tikling bird” as it moves through its habitat. 

The 28th annual black tie gala night of the FACC will be held at the Embassy Suites at Concord on Nov. 14.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines  is now employed  teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. 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)

Duterte a big hit among Fil-Ams in Charlotte

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Even here in the Carolinas there are Fil-Americans who want to see Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte become the president of the Philippines. 

And the birthday party of Maria Antoinette Cammarano became the best time to talk about what is happening back home. Cammarano, daughter of Anthony Cammarano and Ranulfa ”Ranni” Deloso, celebrated her birthday two weeks ago. 

Of course I listened to the conversation that grew intense because Nang Lydia Buten Bordeos, a Bisdak (Bisayang dako or Visayan grown) like me would argue that “Duterte is maisog, dunay baroganan (Duterte is courageous, he has a stand).”

Raised and born in Bohol but left the country five years ago, Lydia still thinks that the only way to have a country where everyone is safe and doesn't  have to go abroad to find work is to vote for Duterte.  

“Sweldo ta-asan arun dili na mag abroad (salaries should be raised so Filipinos won't have to go abroad),” she said. 

Now an American citizen, Lydia was tearful and sentimental as she recalled leaving behind grandchildren and children in Davao to be with her daughter Dorena here in Charlotte. 

On recovering her composure, the 70-year-old widow said smiling that Duterte is “dili paling-paling, ang supak sa balaod iya parusahan (doesn't flip-flop, what's against the law he punishes).”

While the mother of the celebrant Ranni Deloso-Camarrano, who is the niece of Lydia Bordeos, also joined the conversation and said Duterte is the only hope of the Philippines. 

When asked why, she said based on what she read Duterte is “isog” or tough and thus would stand by his decisions. If Duterte is elected, Ranni said she would visit the country every year, not like now when she is scared to set foot on her country of birth.

Ranni visited the Philippines with her daughter last July said she was surprised to experience traffic problems and brownouts in Mindanao. She was in Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro for two weeks visiting her mother and was frustrated about the brownouts there.

She is also aware about the petty crimes in the street as told to her by her cousins and friends. Ranni's parents are from Anda, Bohol province. She said only Duterte can solve the country's problems because she believes that the mayor won't stop looking for answers to problems.

“Na isog giod Duterte ma improve giod Pilipinas like US (Duterte is courageous, the country will improve like the Philippines,” she said. 

Maricel Bodiongan-Bender of Lala, Pagadian City said she supports the movement to have Duterte elected as the Philippines' president. “Unsay iya isulti maoy iya buhaton. Way lipud lipud giod (What he says he will do. No beating around the bush),” she said.

The discussion turned serious with everyone saying that if the elections were held in that restaurant where the birthday party is held, Duterte would win hands down.

It is strange that these Fil-Americans have a good impression on Duterte when they have been in the US for more than a decade. Fil-Ams here are aware of what is happening back home based on the reports from relatives and friends and also by reading online news and watching the online broadcasts.

They join the growing number of Filipinos who feel that Duterte should take heed and eventually decide to run for the country's presidency. 

Last I heard the PDP-Laban is negotiating with Duterte to become their standard bearer.  This is what the Fil-Americans here at the Carolinas are also hoping.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines  is now employed  teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. 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)

FACC to hold gala night on Nov. 14

The 2015 FACC officers with incumbent president Engr. Robert Escobal from Cebu City

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

A BIGGER, better gala night is promised by the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) on November 14 as they set up arrangements to ensure maximum participation and enjoyment for participants.

Cecilia Durano-Perry, FACC 2nd Vice-president, said those wishing to attend their 28th black tie gala event to get their tickets now. “After October 15 the gala ticket is sold at $65,” Perry said. 


Perry said they set up pre-registration for the event so people won't have to line up for tickets. 

“There is no need for these people  to register themselves as they were  issued wrist bands already with the initial of the officer to whom it was purchased. Table assignment would also be written in the wrist band as well,” she said.

As in past Gala Nights, Perry said they expect a long line of out-of-town guests since it is considered the FACC's culminating activity since their inception in the 80s. 

The FACC was created to build and strengthen community ties among Fil-Americans in the Carolinas and beyond.

Perry said the tickets were priced an additional $5 due to changes in cocktails and food to be served. She said they also provided baby sitting services to Fil-Am families who bring their children to the event.

The FACC official website announced that baby sitting for children three years old to 11 years old is available. There would be two adult sitters per room which can accommodate eight to 10 children. The kids will be served water and pizza.

Two professional disc jockeys and a fashion show produced by renowned Fil-American designer Edelweiss de Guzman are also scheduled during the event.

Capping the night will be a Philippine native “tinikling” dance and a silent auction. Entertainment will be provided during dinner. 

This year's FACC officers are Robert Escobal, president; Nerissa Beatriz Estes-1st vice president; Cecilia Durano Perry, 2nd VP; Margie S. Clark, Treasurer; Aurea Barbee, secretary; Liezel Bell, auditor; and Ramuel Cabanero, public relations officer. 

Last year's president Dr. Malette Aquino-Oliveros serves as ex-officio board member.  Area representatives are Rosalia Prosser for the north district and Gary Escobal for the south district. 

A meet and greet among the Fil-Americans will be held at the lobby of the Embassy Suites Concord located at 5400 John Q.Hammons Dr, NW Concord, NC at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 14. 

Those interested to attend can look to the FACC website at FACC.org for further details. 

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines and is now employed in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. 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)