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

FACC elects first batch of youth officers

Incumbent FACC officers and members

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) had its first elections for its youth officers after a whole day training activity at the Asian Library in Charlotte, North Carolina last Sept. 16.

Elected president of the FACC Youth group is Jason Ave, a freshmen at Mallard Creek and son of FACC secretary Carllyn Ave and 2013 FACC 1st VP Joannes “JP” Ave.

Other elected youth officers were Kryzle Kwan also of Mallard Creek High School as vice president, Andre Braza of Central Piedmont Community College, Ashley Perez as treasurer and Pamela Maturan as press relations officer.

Kryzle is the daughter of this year's FACC teacher awardee Mirasol Abogi. Dr. Eumelia “Nini” Baustista, 2003 FACC President and a global awardee, inducted the pioneering batch of FACC youth officers. 

The FACC Youth group is being pilot tested by the FACC's 2017 board of directors to groom them for future leadership roles in the FACC. 

The FACC youth officers were elected by more than 25 participants after their whole day training on topics like Introduction to Youth Leadership, Responsible Use of Social media, Civic Engagement and  Philippine Culture and Heritage, Travel Philippines, and Introduction to Parliamentary Rules. 

The facilitators were Myra Tranquilino who also served as emcee, Ann Gonzales Mirasol Abogi, Gloria Grifenhagen, Alex Romero, Dr. Eumelia Nini Baustista and keynote speaker Kirstan Feist.  

The attendees were:

Gracie Armstrong, Piedmont Middle School;

Grant Armstrong, Piedmont Middle;

Greg Armstrong;

Philip O’Berry;

Hannah Gabiana, W.C Friday;

Therese Gabiana, North Gaston High School;

Grace Onia, Hickory Ridge Middle;

Andre Braza, Central Piedmont Community College;

Christian Pauyon, Olympic High School;

Edward Butler, Weddington High School;

Jaden Kremer Woodrow Wilson;

Lydia Reynolds, Newell Elementary School;

Lynsey Reynolds, Newell Elementary;

Derek Reynolds MLK Middle School;

Jason Ave, Mallard Creek;

Christina Borromeo, Carolina International Al;

Pamela Maturan Ardey Kell High School;

Alexa Anquilo, Marvin Ridge Middle School;

Ranny Barrientos, Charlotte Secondary School;

David Glass, Rocky River High School;

Alexa V- Northwester High School;

Ronnie  Palermo, home school;

Kryzle Kwan, Mallard Creek High School;

Ashley Perez, Rocky River High School;

Dazel Cularte, CC Griffin Middle School;

Kurt Wwan of MCHS.

Keynote speaker Kirstan Feist is the president of the Filipino American Student Association of the University of North Carolina (FASA) in Greensboro and is a member of Class 2019 taking a course in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality.

In his speech, Fiest told the participants that a leader should be a problem solver and effective communicator, able to empathize instead of just sympathize as well as adapt to any situation and turn these situations around for resolution.

Fiest said a great leader should be able to touch base and earn the trust of his/her followers. 

When asked what they remember about the Philippines, the 25 particpants answered that they knew Gen. Douglas McArthur, Boracay Island and Filipino fastfood chain Jolibee. They also know that it is a heavily populated country.

Gloria Grifenhagen talked about the Filipino bayanihan spirit while Mirasol Abogi talked about everyday civic engagement by the students. It was during her topic that some of the participants mentioned national hero Jose Rizal as a politician.  

Alex Romero then told the attendees about the different fiestas and places in the Philippines while Dr. Nini Bautista held the young audience's interest when she talked about the FACC and FACC Youth and the journey of Filipinos here in US as well as the galleon trade. 

Lastly, Ann Gonzales  used the acronym Share to serve as guidelines for Filipino youths in using social media. She spelled Share as S- for safe, H- helpful, A for Artistic, R for respectful or regret and E for Education. 

Gonzales told the participants that privacy in social media is never 100 percent as  job recruiters will scope out the online profile of their applicants.  It was already past 4 when the elections were held and the event wrapped up.

Hannah Gabiana said she wished there was more but then there is always another time.