New FACC officials for 2017 sworn in

FACC officers for 2017 taking their oaths of office

The new officers and Board of Directors of the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas, Inc. (FACC) 2017 were finally inducted to office last Saturday, January 14. 

Sworn in were Susan Dennis as president, Cip Onia 1st Vice President, Carllyn Franciso-Ave as Board Secretary, Yulie Amar Armstrong as Treasurer and Dorena Reynolds as Auditor. 

Also inducted were area representatives Miah R. Prize and Jyoti Friedland. Dr. Chris Villapando, director of Faith Formation at the Charlotte Catholic diocese conducted the invocation and he prayed to God to bless the past and present officers of the FACC which celebrates its 30th year in 2017.

Ashley Faye Perez then conducted the singing of the Philippine and American Anthems (Bayang Magiliw and the Star Spangled Banner). 

Elections Committee member and chairman Bert Rodriguez and Steve Mirman administered the oath to the officers with more than 100 witnesses in attendance. Rodriguez and Mirman were all past presidents of the FACC.

In a brief speech, Rodriguez talked about the value of social responsibility and altruism in serving the community as well as leadership among the volunteers. 

Rodriguez served as FACC president in 2011 and since then he and Mirman were members of the FACC Comelec (Commission on Elections).

In her acceptance speech, Dennis  talked about where FACC is headed in 2017 which is centered on its mission statement for the year. 

She said this year's mission statement and theme would be FACC in the 21st century: Beyond the Gala. 

Dennis said her leadership would be anchored on transparency and accountability.  

She likewise recognized existing Fil-Ams organizations in the area and how to collaborate and build alliances with them. 

Some of the projects that this year’s BOD would undertake were mentioned such as a revisit of the 30-year-old by-laws to adjust it to the changing times. 

In her message Dr. Nini RB Bautista, 2003 FACC president and CAACC chairperson emerita and past president, reminded the officers that the FACC is facing challenging times and tasks ahead.

Among these tasks, she said, is helping preserve and pass on the culture and values of the Filipinos to the younger generation of Fil-Americans. 

She likewise thanked all those who have served the FACC in the past in various capacities. Ram Cabanero, the FACC's 2016 press relations officer, emceed the program while outgoing FACC 1st VP Jessica Esguerra represented the 2016 president Robert Escobal. 

The swearing-in was attended by members of the FACC from as far as Salisbury, North Carolina. Past presidents Adelia Fallar, Lynn Lorenzo-Polk and Florami Lao Cordero-Lee were also in attendance along with Dr. Antonio Amor and Melo Acton. 

Also spotted during the ceremony were Mrs. Asia-USA 2011 Janette Pichon  Hixson, Guia Villapando, Gloria Grefinhagen ,director of the Eskwelahang Munti and husband Bill Grefinhagen. 

Even those who helped in the formation of FACC 30 years ago like Mila Oates of Mooreville attended the event. Award winning photographer and artist Alex Romero also took photos of the momentous event. 

In the meantime the oath-taking of the other members of the team like Rogelio Lawsin, Beth Rothermund, Tonette Baton-Asay and Edelwiess de Guzman would be held on Saturday, January 21 at the Oasis Shrine at 10 AM./Susan Palmes-Dennis with photos from Yulie Amara and Carilyn Francisco Ave taken from their Facebook accounts

FACC officers, members and their families and friends pose for this group shot