Production underway for 30th FACC Gala Night

IT'S still four months away from the 30th annual gala of the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) but the grand production is underway. 

This year’s event is a “Night of the Phantom” Masquerade Ball that would be held at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel on Oct. 14, this year. 

The FACC's annual program will also honor the legacy of the founding members who made possible what the FACC is today and its contributions to the Filipino-American community.

FACC past president Dr. Eumelia Nini Bautista de Gracia wrote that there is a nationwide survey conducted by the Smithsonian Institute  stating that the FACC is the only Filipino American institution which has remained unified today. 

“That alone is quite an achievement.” Dr. Nini said.

 Wearing of a mask is optional among the attendees that even FACC President Susan Dennis already signified her intent not to wear one.

But the FACC will issue a statement and a video soon on how to use a mask. Vice chairman of the gala committee J. Andrew Arlegui said those attending the event will experience an extraordinary gala.

For her part Edelweiss de Guzman, chairperson of the Gala Committee, said it is an all access party. She said the event is a must for every FACC member as she assured that it will be a night to remember. 

“This years Gala will feature well-known award winning dancers in dancing with stars and operatic singers,” de Guzman added. One of the featured singers is Rey Ann Fuentes, a famed Filipino singer in the 90s now based in Canada. 

There will also be a semi- production that would feature Philippine culture from the past to the present both in the Philippines and is still present in Filipino-American communities in the US. 

“It would be a funny production that would touch an emotional chord among Filipinos in both good and bad times of who we are."

 There will also be featured art and fashion showcase (museum style) with Fil-American models,” de Guzman disclosed.

For his part Cip Onia, the FACC first vice president said the gala would be the best time to meet with friends, social circles and one's own rosary group. 

He said the gala is a good way to meet people, particularly if one is new to the area.  “It's an opportunity during the year to dress and go to a party,” Onia said. 

Rogelio Ro Lawsin who would be the gala emcee  said the 30th gala will be an event to remember based on entertainment, food and amenities.

FACC auditor Dorena Reynolds and Beth Rothermund also said the gala will strengthen the bond among Filipino-Americans in Charlotte, North Carolina and keep Filipino culture alive within the community.

“Don’t miss the fun, join the 30th Annual Gala,” Reynolds said./Susan Palmes-Dennis

FACC's Silent Walk For Peace in Marawi on July 1

THE public  is invited to join a Silent Walk For Peace In Marawi sponsored by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) to raise awareness of the plight of families victimized by the conflict in Marawi City, Philippines on July 1, Saturday this week.

Those joining the walk are asked to be at the parking area by the train at East Boulevard of Freedom Park at 7:30 am Saturday. 

The Silent Walk For Peace came about after friends of FACC president Susan Palmes-Dennis in Cagayan de Oro City started relief services for families displaced by the conflict in Marawi City.

“The time to help is now, not tomorrow, ”  said Robert de la Serna of Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier University) who was in Marawi City days ago and distributed assistance to the women and children in the area.

Dela Serna is on an errand for Dr. Dures Tagayuna, governor of the Philippine Medical Association Northern Mindanao and a good friend of FACC incumbent president Susan P. Dennis.

It was learned that Xavier University plans to do a two-week intensive relief operation starting next week. 

Cagayan de Oro City is the capital of Misamis Oriental and houses Camp Edilberto Evangelista of the military's 4th Infantry Division. It is also the capital of northern Mindanao and is a three-hour drive to Marawi City.

A growing number of evacuees are now in the city. President Rodrigo Duterte met with some of the key players in solving the conflict in Marawi City in Cagayan de Oro and most of the wounded troops were sent to Camp Evangelista.

It has been a month since President Duterte declared martial Law in the island of Mindanao in order to contain and resolve the threat of the Maute terror group that had sworn allegiance to the terrorist group Isis.

The activity is aimed at raising public awareness of the plight of the Marawi City evacuees and the conflict that had plagued their city.

Amelia Lambert, an active FACC member, is excited about the activity and invited friends to attend the Walk For A Cause. “It's for a worthy cause,” she said. For more information please see the post at facc.ushttp://facc.us/ or at the FACC Facebook group page./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Fun, games, camaraderie in FACC summer picnic

Volleyball competition among summer picnic's highlights

by Susan Palmes-Dennis
with photos by Alex Romero

More than 200 people attended the Summer Picnic of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) held at the Park Road last Saturday.

FACC area representative Beth Rothermond said the event was attended by active members, their families and friends as well as first timers and returning members.

All were in a festive mood as they took selfies and posed beside the lake where most of the activities were held. “The attendance for the summer picnic is quite high this year,” Rothermond said.

The picnic began with an invocation by Joannes Ave, FACC 2013 1st VP followed by the singing of the US and Philippine national anthems. 

The day then kicked off with a Zumba fitness dancing activity headed by Elizabeth B. Onia- wife of FACC 1st VP Cip Onia who was later joined by Marissa Borja and her friend. 

Those who joined the Zumba class agreed it was a good warm-up for the program ahead. Among those who joined the FACC is Filipino-American Bernadette Cooper who works at a hotel and had been in the US for years.

She attended the picnic to join friends like Juralyn Jongco Hall. A volleyball tournament joined by groups like JMAT Realty, Concord International Church (CIC), Filipino International Community Church Charlotte (FICC), Grace Point International (GPI) and the De Guzmans ended with JMAT Realty coming out on top.

JMAT Realty is headed by its captain Tristan Armstead and its members were Carls De Guzman, Tey Pam, Will MyHand, Jay Gozum, Nikki Demesa, Abbie Armstead, Rey Enriquez. 

Grace Point International is composed of Edwin Tranquilino, Aries Catindig, Lea Cantilleps, Arnold Cantilleps Jr., Thirdy Cantilleps, Janice Cortez, Garry Cortez, Connie Vitug and Aloysious Palting as its captain. 

The JMAT received a gift certificate of US $200 from Sushi Guro while GPI won $150. Participants were also excited on the raffle draw. 

The first winner was FACC past president Lynn Polk who won the Karaoke Mic while the second prize was won by Grant Armstrong. 

Sumptuous Filipino fare headlined by the famed lechon (roasted pig), pancit, adobo, fried langka, vegetable dishes and dessert like biko, macaroons and cakes were served to the guests.

Aside from Lynn Polk, the picnic was also attended by FACC past presidents Dr. Nini Bautista de Garcia, Adelia Dell Fallar and Florami Lao Cordero Lee and Robert Escobal.

New, old FACC members join summer picnic

Bee Dizon with FACC past president Dell Fallar

by Susan Palmes-Dennis
with photos by Alex Romero

Newly minted members of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) to hold another event similar to last Saturday's Summer Picnic at the Park Road Park. 

New member Bee Dizon made the request during the picnic after she got enthusiastic finding the FACC online through its website faac.us where she learned about the summer picnic.

Bee Dizon showed her desire to be active but asked that there be more events like the summer picnic to stoke her enthusiasm and other members. 

Dizon arrived in North Carolina two years ago after staying in California for 30 years. She lives in Clover, North Carolina and talked with FACC past president Dell Fallar during the picnic.

During the picnic, a Fil-American named Bernadette Cooper who works at the  Embassy Suites Hotel at Concord renewed her membership after almost 12 years of being inactive in FACC activities. 

Bernadette or Bern  arrived at 9 am to join her friend Juralyn Jongco Hall who is also new to FACC but has been attending FACC activities without fail. And there are still many Filipino-Americans out there whom FACC is inviting to join. 

Another new member is Susan Orlasan Kuen Nelson who lives in the Albemarle area. She had so much fun that she immediately bought the FACC Gala tickets for October 14.  “I enjoyed this, the camaraderie of kapwa Pinoy (fellow Filipinos).” 
'
Susan is from Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao in the Philippines. FACC treasurer Yulie Armstrong said there were 20 new registrants in the FACC during last Saturday's summer picnic.

Joining them were inactive members that renewed their membership and an American student of the Eskwelahang Munti (Little School) Tagalog Conversation class named Danny Edwards.

The FACC membership fee is US $10 per person and $15 per family. This year, the FACC raised its membership fee 29 years after its inception.  

The FACC is the umbrella organization for Filipino-American associations in the Carolinas and is a pioneer group in the area. There are existing Filipino-American groups either based on faith, profession, occupation or geographical boundaries like the Ilongo and Bisaya groups that FACC embraces in its fold.

A day of sports and arts in FACC Summer PIcnic

Filipino-Americans out for some fun and exercise can head to Park Road Park for the Summer Picnic of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) at 9 am on Saturday this week, June 10.

Aside from good food, great camaraderie and some sports activities, the summer picnic offers arts and crafts and an opportunity for Filipino-Americans and their friends to bond and have a fun-filled day.

The venue address is 6220 Park Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210. The Summer Picnic is the first of many summer activities to be spearheaded by FACC, an “Unang Hirit sa Tag-Init (First Salvo of Summer).”

The FACC Summer Picnic is  dubbed as Palarong Pinoy and the organizers scheduled an assortment of sports activities like volleyball and other games. About five teams already pre-registered for the volleyball event.

Among those mentioned as joining were the teams from Asheville and Rockhill,Gastonia  and other areas near Charlotte. At 9 am the picnic kicks off with a Zumbathon headed by Elizabeth “Liz” Bacalzo Onia who will be joined by Zumba teacher Marissa Borja.

A highlight of the summer picnic is the Kids Arts and Craft where anyone interested and willing to learn can join. FACC's 2nd VP Edelweiss de Guzman, an artist, illustrator and designer will spearhead the activity.

Krystal Lynn Rothermund

She would be assisted by Krystal Lynn Rothermund, a Fine Arts student of Rowan Cabarrus Community College and the daughter of Elizabeth Rothermund who sits in the FACC's 2017 Board of Directors and Kevin Rothermund. 

Krystal Lynn won book cover contests in middle school and high school and her art works are on display at the Visual Water Works in Salisbury and Novant Hospital. 

She is going for her university transfer in UNCG or ECU. Krystal was an AIG student from elementary through high school and has consistently done well in class. 

Also helping Edeweiss and Krystal is Natalie Claire Lawsin, daughter of FACC 2017 board member Rogelio Lawsin and Dr. Stella Lawsin. 

Natalie or NatNat as she is known to family and friends is a 4th grade student of Cambridge Program School, Langtree Charter Academy.  The arts and crafts start right after lunch. 

The resulting art works would be auctioned during the 30th FACC gala at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel on Oct. 14, this year.

Crunchy lechon (roast pig) would be provided by the FACC and everyone is also encouraged to bring extra food and water for the picnic which ends at 5 pm. 

Picnic organizers will also sell tickets to the 30th FACC gala and will also register those wishing to apply for FACC membership. So see you all there and have fun./Susan Palmes-Dennis