A beauty pageant for Muffy

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

A beauty pageant of sorts capped off the birthday party of Muffy P. Therrien at her Spencer Mountain home in Charlotte, North Carolina last January 6. 

The pageant is included in Muffy's Around The World contest and is now on its third year. This time the pageant was won by Amie Mendoza Ervay who represented Vietnam and was crowned Ms World. 

About 20 countries were represented in the contest aside from Ervay, other winners were Gayzel Carballo 1st runner up represented Saudi Arabia, Dhi Donato who represented India and is 2nd runner up, Elvie Bramich representing Indonesia landed 3rd runner up.

Other winners were Marjorie Enriquez Ray who represented Peru and won MS Talent, Connie Vitug who won Ms Congeniality and Alma Redelosa Alindao Butler who won Ms Photogenic, Best in costume representing Argentina was awarded to  Nora Gardner.

The contestants gamely wore native costumes of the countries they represented which they made themselves. They competed in both talent and the question and answer portions.

The funnier the answers, the better audience reaction which meant additional points. Those who sat as judges were Lynn Lorenzo-Polk, Marc Mcdaniel and Aloy Palting.  

This contest/pageant started in 2015 during the birthday of Muffy T Therrien. In its first year, Myra Tranquilino got the crown. 

Lest we forget, here's some background info on the birthday celebrant Muffy P Therrien: She graduated AB Psychology from Philippine Christian University and earned her masters degree at Strayer University specializing in Health Services Administration.

She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and she is also a member of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society and Golden Key International Honor Society.

While pursuing her MBA, Muffy worked as a Starbucks manager in uptown Charlotte. She has a seven-year-old daughter Miko who shares her interest in cooking.

Muffy loves to be around people and she helped enliven the spirits of Filipino-Americans in the Charlotte, North Carolina community particularly at the Gastonia area.  

Her friend Tonette Asay has this to say: “Nagalak ang marami mong kaibigan at kamag-anak sa kasiyahan na naganap sa iyong kaarawan celebrasiyun ng araw ng iyong kapanganakan sa Spencer Mountain, Dallas/Ranlo, NC nuong ika 6 ng Enero 2018 (A lot of your friends and family are happy at the joyous celebration of your natal day at Spencer Mountain, Dallas/Ranio North Carolna last Jan. 6, 2018).”

Asay, who represented Egypt, attended the party despite undergoing a cyst removal procedure in the chest and a face plastered on the left side a day before the event. 
  
It’s that one day of the year when people laugh and celebrate their birthday and they share it with people who care about them. That’s what happened to Muffy who got to spend her special day with friends at her home. 

I love birthdays and I am sorry to have missed your birthday party, Muffy P.  Therrien. I could have represented Timbuktu.

Boy Jayson passes away as family asks for help

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--I was saddened on receiving word last night that Albert "Boy" Jayson, a friend and a neighbor from my hometown of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines, died of a heart attack.

I commiserate with his family consisting of his wife Esperanza Sabio Valdehuesa, his daughter Marie "Whong" Jayson Escalante, her husband Junmar Escalante and their son Noah for their sudden, untimely loss.

Boy with his wife Esperanza in the US

Boy as he was called by friends arrived in the US last Oct. 1 to fulfill his childhood wish to come to the US to visit his eldest daughter Whong and her family who had resided in the Charlotte, North Carolina area for sometime.

At 9:45 pm last Saturday Nov 17, while preparing for a trip next day to Washington DC to see the White House, he collapsed and never woke up. 

Boy was 64 and he left six children—five back in the Philippines and one in Charlotte. He was an only child and most of his relatives are in the Philippines.

As incumbent president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC), I want to ask for help to help the family bring Boy's remains back home in the Philippines.

The family is targeting to raise US $12,000 to cover expenses. This amount is big but if we work together and raise the amount then we can help reduce the family's burden.

Boy's daughter Whong said her dad died happy and was in fact so proud that he finally reached the US. On behalf of the family and the FACC, I am asking for help from all Filipino-Americans and those who read this blog to contribute what they can to help raise funds for the family.

Boy was a good father, a good husband and a good friend. He had a ready smile to anyone and enjoyed life as a businessman in Tagoloan town but he always dreamed of visiting the US and he realized it.

Now let us help his family bring him back home to Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines. Go click on the GoFundMe link provided here and give what you can to help them./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Boy with his daughter Whong 

FACC to hand out awards in Dec. 9 Christmas party

A total of 21 awards will be handed out by the 2017 board of directors of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) in its Annual Christmas party on Dec. 9. 

In a recent meeting, the outgoing FACC board decided to honor both members and non-members who gave time, resources, talent and ideas to help make the FACC's calendar of activities for this year 2017 a rousing success.

The FACC, the premier Filipino-American community in the US is now on its 28th year and it celebrated its 30th Gala Night last month as a culmination of sorts for its calendar year 2017. 

This year's awardees are categorized into the following : 1. Keynote speakers 2. resource persons and emcees 3. facilatators and volunteers.

Keynote speakers consist of the following: Judge Ty Hands of the 26th Judicial District ( Women’s Empowerment), Dr. Keith Alan Ayrons (breast cancer awareness),  Adelia Fallar (Teacher’s Recognition) and Kirstan Feist (FACC Youth Summit).

Awardees for serving as emcees (master of ceremonies), falicitators and resource persons are: Myra Tranquilino, Mirasol Abogi, Gloria Grifenhagin, Alex Romero,Ann Gonzales, Dhi Donato and Dr. Eumelia Nini de Bautista Garcia.

Volunteers who were always around and helping during events before and after the events : JP Ave, Beth Kremer, Ashley Faye, Elizabeth Onia and Marissa Borja, Dexter Reynolds and Dalangin Wheeler. 

Those helping out on special projects like FACC past president Florami Lao Cordero Lee, who is ever present in events and provide dance numbers for these programs and Amelia Lambert for extending assistance in the Walk for Marawi project are also given due recognition.

A special award will also be given to Mark Borja, the videographer in the 30th Annual FACC Gala. 

The awards would be presented during the FACC Christmas party at the Newell Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina on Dec. 9./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Annual FACC Christmas Party set on Dec. 9

Charlotte, North Carolina-- All roads lead to the Newell Elementary School at 325 Rocky River W. Charlotte,North Carolina 28213 for the Filipino-American community in the Carolinas on Dec. 9.

Reserve that date and remember that venue for it will host the annual Christmas party of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC).

The FACC Christmas party follows on the success of the Oct. 14 Gala Night and marks the last event to be celebrated by the incumbent FACC officers. The party will also feature the election of the FACC's Board of Directors. 

FACC Auditor Dorena Reynolds, who is this year's Chirstmas party chairperson, posted the announcement on the FACC's Facebook page. She said this year's party is dubbed Pasko sa Carolinas.

Hosted by the FACC's 2017 board of directors, the event will also serve as “the farewell party of the FACC's 2017 board of directors,” Reynolds said.

The annual Christmas party is the last official act of the incumbent officers of the FACC, the largest Filipino-American organization in the Carolinas.

The incumbent FACC officials are led by its president Susan P Dennis, Cip Onia  (1st VP), Edelweiss de Guzman Perry (2nd VP), Carllynn Ave  (Secretary), Yulie Amar Armstrong  (Treasurer), Dorena Reynolds  (Auditor) and J. Andrew Arligue  (Public Relations Officer).

The Area representatives are Rogelio Ro Lawsin, Jyoti Friedland, Tonette Batoon-Asay, Miah Price and Beth Rothermond. Ro Lawsin will host the event.

The FaCC Youth through its president Jayson Ave is this year's Christmas party vice chairperson. Reynolds also said there are a lot of prices to be given during the Christmas tree decorating contest, Christmas parol (lantern), games and door prizes.

FACC is providing the roast pig (lechon.). Read the FACC Facebook page for updates or email facc.us for further announcements. The party starts at 5 pm./Susan Palmes Dennis

Ray An Fuentes to speak, perform in 30th FACC Gala

Multi-awarded singer and songwriter turned traveling evangelist Ray An Fuentes will be a keynote speaker and performer in the 30th Gala of the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) to be held at the Renaissance Charlotte Sites Hotel this Saturday evening, Oct. 14 this year.

Known for his popular duet tune “Umagang Kay Ganda” with singer Tillie Moreno, Fuentes was lead performer in Philippine Broadway musical adaptations such as the Wizard of Oz (where he played the Scarecrow), Cats (as Rum Tum Tugger), Evita (as Che Guevarra) and Jesus Christ Superstar (as Judas Iscariot).

As one of several pop icons in the 80s, Ray An Fuentes paved the way for then budding artists like Gary Valenciano to make their mark in the Philippine entertainment scene. 

He was also among a handful of Filipinos to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall of New York, Ray An sang with artists like Sandi Patti, First Call and Phil Driscoll.

Recently the Canada-based Ray An was the main performer for the Full Gospel Businessmen’s World Convention in Florida and was a guest artist in pastor Tony Evan’s church in Dallas, Texas.

Aside from this he was the main performer in the “God Help Us” men’s conference in Macon Georgia. He was given a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in 2002 from the U.S. Congress for “Outstanding and Invaluable Contribution to the (Filipino) Community.”

Ray An also gave command performances for the Washington D.C. Diplomatic Corps at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Sultan of Malaysia and the King of Morocco. 

Married to Sylvia Gozun with whom he has children named Miguel, Julio and Daniella, Ray An leads a full time faith based ministry for the past 28 years and traveled extensively to the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East.

Whenever his schedule permits, Ray An visits the Philippines to touch base with Filipino fans and gives the occasional performance or two as evidenced by online videos uploaded in YouTube. 

As both keynote speaker and a scheduled performer in the Oct. 14 Gala of the FACC, Ray An will perform three of his best known songs. 

As a true-blooded Filipino artist, Ray An will always have a place among Filipino-American communities in the US, Canada and the rest of the world./Susan Palmes-Dennis  

Sterling lineup of performers for 30th FACC Gala Night

EVERYTHING is set for the 30th Gala Night of the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina next Saturday, Oct, 14.

A sterling lineup of performers have been tapped to ensure that this will be a memorable evening for everyone in attendance.

Leading the performers is  Ray Ann Fuentes, an 80s pop icon in the Philippines before he migrated to Canada in 1988 and became known as the singing evangelist. 

Watch out for yourself since he has still the moves and voice. Fuentes is a keynote speaker who will deliver an inspirational message to the community. He's doing double duty tonight as he will render three songs from among his repertoire of hits through the years.    

Also in the lineup are the Couples for Christ Sisters composed of the ladies of an International Catholic lay ecclesiastical movement who will perform The Charleston dance. 

The Charleston dance is a 1920s hit set during the era of jazz music, speakeasies, and Flappers and is named after the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. 

The dance was popularized in US mainstream entertainment through a 1923 tune called ”The Charleston”  by composer/pianist James P. Johnson who originated  the Broadway show “Runnin Wild.” 

The CFC Sisters consist of Mirasol Abogi, Mae Armstead, Joy Arrojado, Ida Bauer, Luz Blackwell, Nenette Costes, Diding Cuering, Baby Erikson, Meng Lorenzo, Marie Miranda and Lorena Ostrea. 

The jazz music will be provided by Andre Anthony Duran Braza who is headed to the Appalachian State Univeristy to study a Performing Arts course next year. He sings in the church choir at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church. 

Andre is part of the Chamber choir at Butler High School and got the gold trophy for a choral award along with the best musician and best actor award.  

The next performance will be delivered by the Grace Point International Group Care, the Philippine Dance Group of North Carolina and the Charlotte Dance Group.

They will perform the Ensemble Marawi dance which shows the ordinary life of Maranaos in Marawi City in Mindanao, Philippines. 

The dance is composed of four elements; the Kini Kini or beauty and elegance, courtship, Malong or hand movements representing the waves of Lake Lanao and the use of tubular cloth called Malong Landap and the war dance.

The dancers featured tonight are Florami Lao Cordero Lee, Maria Corazon, Alma Redelosa Alindao Butler, Tonette Asay, Muffy P Therrien, Marissa Borja and Marilou Connie Vitug.

The War Dance will be performed by world class extreme martial artist Lance Lawsin, son of FACC board of directors members Rogelio Lawsin and Dr. Stella Lawsin.  

The Ensemble Marawi Dance is especially important owing to the situation in Marawi City which had been placed under martial law by President Rodrigo Duterte last May due to the terrorist violence instigated by the Maute group.

Credit to the choreography and direction goes to Tonette Asay, an FACC 2017 Area representative. 

Asay is a founding member of Kagayhaan de Oro Theater Arts (Kota), a group created by the late Fr. Demetrio of Ateneo de Cagayan or Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao in the Philippines. 

Also in the Gala tonight is world class award winning duo Gabriela and Dmitriy of Dance USA.  

The anthems of the Philippines and the US will be performed by Rommel Olarte, lead singer of the Dust N’ D’ Attic band. 

Olarte, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class 1994, had been born with a musical spoon in his mouth as described by his wife Christine.

Lastly let us watch a skit portraying the lives of Filipinos back home as we see how they coped with the process of migrating to the US and how it had changed their lives for the better. 

In sum the performances featured in the FACC's 30th Gala are dedicated to the 12 incorporators who gave their time, resources, mind and money to draft the FACC's Articles of Incorporation and the By-laws. 

These 12 incorporators are Orlando Angeles, Carlos Balcita, Frank Cabugwason, Danny Cordero, Adelia Fallar, Virgilio Ipapo, Lindo Javelona, Wally Penilla, Luz Quinio, Bertito Rodriguez, Rosario Sapinoso and Larazo Siplon. 

There were also those who likewise offered their talent and time to help the 12 incorporators and we also thank and are grateful to them for helping build what the FACC is today.

We also thank the spouses Lita and Rudy Joaquin who initiated the first FACC Gala 30 years ago. This event paved the way for the founding of the oldest 
Filipino-American community in the US as chronicled by Dr. Eumelia Nini Bautista de Garcia. 

With these words, let us lift the curtains for the 30th FACC Gala. May everyone  in attendance have a great time on Gala Night.

CFC Sisters to perform The Charleston at FACC 30th Gala

THE Couples for Christ Sisters (CFP sisters) will perform in the 30th Gala of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) at the Renaissance Charlotte Sites Hotel on Saturday evening, Oct. 14 this year.

Joy Arrojado of the CFC group confirmed this to the FACC officers, saying the CFC sisters will perform the Charleston dance, a popular 1920s dance born during the era of jazz music, speakeasies and flappers.

The dance is named after the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina and popularized in US mainstream entertainment by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson.

Johnson originated the Broadway show "Runnin' Wild" and it became one of the most popular hits of the decade.

The CFC Sisters dancers are Mirasol Abogi, Mae Armsstead, Joy Arrojado, Ida Bauer, Luz Blackwell, Nenette Costes, Diding Cuering, Baby Erikson, Meng Lorenzo, Marie Miranda and Lorena Ostrea.

In support of the FACC and the ANCOP, the CFC Sisters are sure to entertain the FACC crowd with their rendition of the Charleston./Susan Palmes-Dennis