A big thanks to everyone at FACC Spring Picnic

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

The bayanihan spirit was alive and in action during last Saturday's (April 29) Spring Picnic held at McDowell Nature Preserve Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Bayanihan is a Filipino term used to refer to the “community spirit” of helping one's neighbor and this spirit is very much active as many hands were out to help make the Spring Picnic a major success.

So many who attended the picnic enjoyed themselves and wished the day was longer since they hung out with new and old friends.

 I was awed at how the group Angkung helped prepare the buffet table even as they were getting ready for their presentation.

The group is composed of Dr. Nini Bautista FACC past President, Gloria Grifenhagen of Eskwelahang  Munti, FACC past president Dell Fallar and even the early birds FACC past president Wally and wife Merlie Penilla. 

It was bayanihan in real time.

 We at the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) thank Jessica Esguerra for forging an alliance with us and bringing the students under the Gardner-Webb University of Honors Program to attend our Spring Picnic to introduce them to Filipino culture.

We thank the Pinoy Noir Band--the group of doctors and a lawyer who serenaded the community with their beautiful music while everyone was eating as a way of giving back to the Filipino-American community 

(A special shout-out to Dr. Tony Amor( family med), Dr. Edward Tautjo (internal medicine), Dr.Ronel Enrique (Ear, Nose, Throat),Dr. Shela Villamor (Family Practice), Dr. Stella Lawsin (Pediatrics) and Leah Anastacio (Attorney).

All the  dancers--Em-Em Burgess and Pastor Granville “Kris” Casino and Ashley Faye Perez for singing the two national anthems to kick off the event.

The wellness booth of Amie Mendoza--Ervay who, by the way shared the tent of Princess Serenity Spa and was ably assisted by her friends Joy Cajayon Diaz, Sain Diaz, Josephine Nichols, Amelia Lambert and along with FACC past president Lynn Lorenzo-Polk.

The hands that cut and sliced the three roast pig led by FACC 2013 1st VP Johaness “JP” Ave,  2016-2015 FACC 2nd VP Cecille Perry and incumbent FACC  area representative Tonette Batoon--Asay and their assistants.
    
We thank the past presidents of the FACC for their moral support by attending the picnic.

 I personally thank them since their presence made a difference. 
The Filipino virtue of bayanihan, to paraphrase Dr. Nini, helps promote “unity, harmony and progress” among Filipino-Americans and instill the value of community service in them towards everyone.

Our apologies to those who waited long at the line to get their food. These are small inconveniences but we promise to learn from this in our next event. 

And in behalf of the FACC Board of Directors 2017 and past FACC officers, I thank everyone who helped and attended the Spring Picnic. You made the difference and brought honor for ourselves and our country of birth.