Mindanaoan ladies join Eco Earth pageant in Las Vegas

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Two Mindanaons are participating in the Mrs. Eco Earth USA pageant scheduled on Feb. 8-11 this year at the Las Vegas Luxor Hotel.

Janet Pichon Hixon, a native of Davao City will join the pageant while Malou Tabada Cordery of Cagayan de Oro City, both in Mindanao, Philippines will design her gown for the event that is sure to draw hundreds of women from all over the country.

Janet, a 2010 Mrs. Asia USA winner and Malou, a sought after avant garde designer, both reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Janet was an Ambassador of Asian Culture and visited schools and intensive care units at hospitals.  The bulk of her volunteer works were done in her country of birth the Philippines. 

She told me about her conversations with children who told her sbout their needs, dreams snd aspirations which made her emotional. 

“Their(students) indomitable spirit and resiliency made me cry and I was reminded of some classmates and schoolmates back then,” Janet said.

She said her conversations with the children reminded her about the country's problems in education, health and the environment as seen in the annual loss of lives and property due to natural and manmade calamities in the Philippines.

Janet is a mother of an 18-year-old son named Lamoine and a 13-year-old daughter named Lindsey. 

She divides her time between her volunteer works here in the US and in the Philippines and is ever supportive of her husband Richard.

She was encouraged to join the Eco Earth competition to pursue her commitment to sustainable development while having fun doing it. 

“I am a winner already representing North Carolina and the Philippines. She is thankful to Malou and Edna Griffin, her personal fitness trainer, for helping her prepare for the event.

Malou, a mother of two, made a gown modeled by her daughter Alyson in a fashion show held in May 2017.

Speaking of Malou,she has relatives in the Tadeo Zayas family on her mother's side and Navarro Tabada on her father's side. 

The black and white Asian recyclable gown which takes its inspiration from the animated film Mulan is featured as one of several winning pieces during  the Charlotteseen Fashion Week in 2017,it was learned. 

One of Malou Cordery's creations

“The gown represents a beautiful warrior princess. My daughters Genevieve and Alyson were fond of Mulan and the funny dragon character played by Hollywood star Eddie Murphy,” Malou said.

The piece is a used hospital lab gown adorned with recyclable materials like table cloth and beads of old jewelry. In designing her pieces, Malou cites practicality as a guiding principle. 

The recognition from fellow designers and the community had not changed Malou who said she made the gown when Alyson came back from Japan after a year of schooling. 

Whatever happens in the pageant, both Janet and Malou had won the praise and support of fellow Filipino-Americans in the Carolinas. They are already winners. (For questions and comments email me at susanap.dennis@yahoo.com or follow me on Instagram at carolina1girl)

Exploring Lola's Closet

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

A thrift shop evoking an aura of grandeur. This is how I described Lola's Closet, a non-profit  thrift  store located at 9032 Bellhaven Boulevard in Charlotte, North Carolina 28214.

I visited the store upon invitation of its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hernandez and on entering, there was a sense of anticipation not unlike those one feels on watching actor Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones' movies.

On sale were works of art, decorations, clothing, shoes, dishes, new and old mirrors, rugs, restaurant chairs, compact discs, VHS tapes and vinyl records, books, electronics, seasonal items for Christmas,Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day and a lot more. 

The items are reasonably priced in line with the Hernandez couple's to raise funds for their favorite charities. Lola's Closet is named after Terri's grandmother.

“I was excited to know that Terri would name the shop as Lola after her grandmother, since Lola in Filipino is grandmother,” said Mark Hernandez, a native of Batangas province in the Philippines before he migrated to the US.

Mark worked in Bank of America for 20 twenty years and transferred to another financial institutions  and worked there for another decade before he retired. While at Bank of America, he met his wife Terri. 

The opportunity to set up Lola's Closet came when the previous owner of the building that used to be a furniture repair facility accepted their bid over others because of their commitment to serve a community and their enterprise as being non-profit.

Bryan Thompson, grandson of the original building owner, said his grandfather would “love that.”  Terri said she and Mark wanted to be “part of the history” of thenearly 60-year-old building.

 Their goal is to give away all net proceeds to multiple charities that support cancer victims, veterans who are in transition and other charities in the future.

 Lola's Closet is no ordinary thrift store since they also sell handmade since they also sell handmade items and will soon teach crafts."I am also learning the differences between running a non-profit instead of a for-profit." the soft spoken Hernandez said. 

“ I always volunteer somewhere but I am taking care of my mother now, I can't volunteer anymore or go all the time, ” she said.

 She is kept busy sorting, pricing and arranging the donations that occupy the back of the building. Two utility rooms or garages were likewise filled with Christmas trees, decors, shoes, boxes of toys and Buddha statues, along with old chairs, tables, dressers and a lot more.

 They received these items from a restaurant that underwent renovation and from houses that were foreclosed and people moving or downsizing. Mark said one such donor called him up and told him to “clean out everything” at his house.

Both Mark and Terri said they need volunteers to help them process  the items and cited some volunteers as Jason Ave, youth president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) and David Glass. 

Though there are vintage items for sale like tea sets and porcelain ware from China, Lenox figurines(each beautifully crafted) from Great Britain and sculpture from the Far East, Terri said she isn't as excited about those items. 

“I am more comfortable taking a broken chair and up-cycling it,” she said. Having spent a large chunk of their lives working in banks and financial services  the Hernandez couple now focus their time and effort in Lola's Closet. 

“I'm not an outgoing person,” said Mark, FACC president in 2001. Despite this, Mark didn't allow his shyness to prevent him from working with his wife to set up the store which operates from Wednesday to Friday at 10 am to 4 pm and on Saturday at 9 am to 1 pm. 

They offer  up new items daily  which may or may not catch your fancy but be patient when shopping at Lola's Closet; you may find something worthwhile. You may even see the smiling face of televangelist Joel Osten at a book cover there.  (For comments and questions email me at susanap.dennis@yahoo.com or follow me at Instagram @Carolina 1girl).

Filipino-American store opens in Gastonia

Thelma Gorlach (wearing sweater,right) with friends

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

A convenience store that sells Filipino-made products opened last Monday at 2813 Lowell Road, Gastonia near Charlotte, North Carolina, the first Filipino store in the area.

Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid III cut the ceremonial red ribbon to formally open the Thelmat Store to the public along with owners Thelma Gorlach and husband Robert. The event was witnessed by friends and eager customers.

Pastor Terry Casino and his wife led the dedication ceremony with everyone present in prayers followed by the lighting of candles by the owners.

Thelma Gorlach said the store is a “leap of faith” that was made possible with her husband Robert's support along with encouragement from family and friends. Robert Gorlach is a psychotherapist by profession.

” It is a gift from God." she said. The closest Filipino owned store that sells Filipino products is in the Greensboro area that is far from Charlotte.

The Thelmart Store sells popular Filipino canned goods like Ligo and 555 sardines, carne norte (corned beef), noodles and rice, soy sauce, vinegar, Goldilocks bread and pastries, Lady's Choice and Reno liver spread.

All ingredients needed to make native Filipino dishes are found in the store like Maggi “ginisa (stir fry)” mix. JP Ave asked a Facebook friend if the store sells that flavored powder mix used to saute vegetables and meat or shrimps.

Beauty products like Eskinol, Johnson baby powder, Cream Silk and Likas Papaya are sold along with medicinal products like Vicks Vaporub. Thelmart Store is like a sari-sari or neighborhood community store in the Philippines.

Thelma Gorlach shows off one  of the store's products

The store also serves as a hangout of Filipino-American friends as it fills their need for social interaction not unlike the sari-sari stores found in Philippine barrios.

A sign which reads “A Taste of the Philippines” is painted on the store's glass door.
“There is a vacant room with sound system that can be used for Bible study,” Thelma said. 

She said she wants to expand the store to include other Asian products and if the business does well, she may even consider a Filipino-American store in the near future. 

Thelma's close friend Josephine Nichols said she is happy for her venture. “We should support this to break the negativity that Pinoy stores would not prosper.” she said (For comments and questions email me at susanap.dennis@yahoo.com or follow me at Instagram @Carolina 1girl).

Opening of Thelmart Store with Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid III in attendance

New FACC officials sworn in

The FACC officials including Ronnie Dennis (seated center) and myself (standing center) at the Asian Library

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

An oath taking ceremony for officials of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas, Inc. (FACC) was held at the Asian Library in downtown Charlotte over the weekend.

FACC Comelec Chairperson Maria Te administered  the oath taking for seven  officers, five area representatives and one ex-officio officer forming the FACC board of directors for 2019.

Those who took their oath as witnessed by family members and guests  were Tonette Asay, FACC president; Muffy Therrien, first VP; Ronnie Dennis, second VP; Dorena Reynolds, secretary; Gina Minnick, treasurer; and Susan Dennis, press relations officer.

Those chosen as area representatives were Rose Talley, Lulu Land, Rommel Barrientos, Jllani Wallace and Marjorie Enriquez Ray. FACC immediate past president Jyoti Friedland is this year's ex-officio member.

FACC past president Erlinda Polk opened the program by sharing how the early Filipino-Americans launched the FACC Gala which paved the way to the creation of the FACC's Articles of Incorporation. 

Polk mentioned Rudy and Lita Joaquin, Bill and Glo Grifenhagen, Wally and Merly Penilla, Don and Nellie Ocampo, Lito and Estrel Balcita Marshall and Cynthia del Mundo, Frank and Lucy Cabugwasan and Dell Fallar as pioneers.

Polk served for two years as FACC president. During the program she acknowledged the help of her VP Bill Grifehagen who credited the full cooperation of every member and official for FACC's continued existence.

“That was the FACC of yore," Polk said as she concluded her opening remarks by reminding everyone present that FACC's greatest strength is its unity and that any division will only weaken it. 

Another FACC immediate past president, Dr. Nini Bautista de Garcia, also thanked Jyoti Friedland's group for their sacrifices and contributions to the community as she handed each of them a folder containing their individual recognition. 

In her speech, Jyoti Friedland talked on community engagement and shared her experiences on this last year. 

This was followed by an intermission number from Roditha Fuentes Terado, a 2017 FACC teacher awardee, who performed “Ang Lahi”, a song popularized by Filipino singer Regine Velasquez. The song echoed what Polk said about Filipinos being united regardless of political and religious affiliation..

FACC President Asay closed the program by thanking past presidents and past officers while giving a glimpse about plans being readied by the FACC's board for this year. 

Myra Tranquilino, a 2017 FACC teacher awardee, hosted the program with Emelyn Burgess,incumbent auditor  who also conducted the American and Philippine anthems.

FACC past president Steve Mirman did the opening prayer in lieu of Carllyn Francisco Ave.

Among those who attended were Eskwekahang Munti Director Gloria Grifehagen who came with her husband Bill, FACC past president Malette Oliveros and Dell Fallar who with Mirman reviewed the salient provisions of the FACC by-laws, Duane Asay and other guests.

The program concluded with a fellowship lunch. (For comments and questions email me at susanap.dennis@yahoo.com or follow me at Instagram @Carolina 1girl).

Carolina Pinoy youth book drive for Pangasinan school kids

Pamela Maturan (center) poses with some kids and the collected books

It's never too late to report last summer's activity at the Carolinas especially if it is a noteworthy endeavor.

A book distribution project headed by Pamela Maturan and her friends resulted in the delivery of more than 300 children's books to students of the Labit East Elementary School in Pangasinan province, Philippines.

Pamela, her sister Ella and her friends Alexa Anquilo, Juliana Ordonio and Christina Borromeo and their families and friends along with the NC Pinoy kids launched a book drive with Romeo Marata, a graduate of Labit East Elementary School. 

In a comment on Pamela's Facebook account Marata said “Pam and company you're so young and already are developing the art of cheerful giving and sharing to your less fortunate brothers and sisters in the Philippines.” 

The book giving received so many likes and earned so much online praise.
NC Pinoy is a group of families in the Carolinas who share a common passion for sports, camping and celebrating family events. Susan Palmes-Dennis (For any questions and comments email at susanap.dennis@yahoo.com)