A new chapter unfolds for Forest

Me with Forest

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Charlotte, North Carolina--It was last June 3, when close to 100 friends of Lin and Miguela Grant gathered for the post-graduation party of the couple's eldest son Forrest held a the Lake Pavilion at Manchester Meadows.

The Grant family had been living in Rock Hill, South Carolina for years. Miguela or “Ghing” to close friends is from Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao in the Philippines.

She traces her roots to the Barros of Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental on her mother's side. Miguela is a relative of mine on my father's side. Her son Forest graduated from Rock Hill High School.  

Forest with his brother Ian Micah

The party started at 3 pm when the sun is out and the weather was cool. It was like a village fiesta in the Philippines with a mix of Filipino and American food laid out buffet style at the long tables.

Among the dishes served were Filipino favorites like adobo (chicken and pork stew), Filipino style barbecue, pancit (noodles) ginat-ang mongo (stewed mung beans), beef stew, lumpia (vegetable and meat rolls), chili, grilled hot dogs and so on. 

The sweets and fruits made me forget my diet and I reminded myself that it was a party and so I considered it my cheat day. But I did balance it with fresh vegetables like lettuce, celery, carrots and tomatoes. 

But back to Forest. The 18-year-old Forest is headed to Winthrop University to study engineering and music.  Based on what I learned, Forest was born here in Charlotte and baptized in the Philippines.

He eats rice and barbeque and loves Filipino and Italian food especially pizza.  Forest is a Marvel Cinematic Universe fan and superhero films in general and played percussion instruments and piano in high school.

Forest's mother Miguela told me that they buy Garfield comic books for him and his brother Ian Micah so they won't have to argue over who gets to read them first. 

“Kung akong bana mag palit ug Garfield books, kinahanglan duha gyud kabuok pero mao ra ang title kay mag away sila ug mag ilog kinsa ang una mobasa (If my husband buys Garfield books, he needs to buy the same issues for the two of them since they would fight and argue over who gets to read first),” she said. 

Ian Micah in particular, likes Lego blocks. Aside from comics, Miguela said her sons also share a common love for jigsaw puzzles.

A family friend, Zybel Opolentisima Riano, has this advice for Forrest: “Forrest, make a choice to wake up and be grateful for life. List and count your blessings. As you do,you will find out that it will open doors for you to be equipped in the next chapter of your journey. Cheers for your life.”

Aside from me and my husband Ronnie Dennis, others who attended the party Andy Villaluz Pagilagan and wife, Zybel Opolentisima Riano” Zee”, Sarah Jane Drake, Grace Williams, Imee Aguila Riano, Mike Riano, Bea Marie, Julland dela Cruz, Liezel Huckleberry and daughter, Julita Serviss and so many others.

Forest with his family