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.