FACC Gala Night: An evening of fun and good memories

Me wearing glasses with FACC president Malette /Aquino-Oliveros in white and Merly Penilla.

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

CLOSE to 500 persons attended the 27th Gala Night of the Filipino-American Communities of the Carolinas (FACC) with guests coming from as far as Durham, North Carolina, South Carolina and Washington DC. 

Registration was still ongoing even as the event rolled out said FACC Secretary Lota Mascarenas who handled the registration along with FACC cashier Luisa Castaneda outside the venue.

The lovely FACC ladies

Walks-in and out-of-town guests were accommodated to the event which kicked off with the singing of the Philippine national anthem (Lupang Hinirang) by Leia Anastacio followed by the US national anthem (Star Spangled Banner) performed by Marissa Helbing.

The Rocky River JROTC conducted the Flag Formation Honor guard while Sister  Edeva Jover of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena led the invocation. 

Acknowledgement of the FACC board of directors, district representatives and guests followed then FACC president Malette Oliveros delivered her welcome address. 

A big success
Oliveros recalled that her family moved to the Carolinas seven years ago and witnessed the growth of the Fil-American community during that time.

“Our FACC officers and representatives have zealously volunteered their time and energy to foster unity and harmony within the Filipino community as well as with other Asian communities. They continually seek to educate, promote and perpetuate the Filipino culture, traditions, heritage and values especially with the younger generation,” she said.

Dust N' D Attic performed live

She thanked her team, describing them as a “talented and dedicated group of officers and representatives.” 

Oliveros ended her message by praising her team. 

“Many thanks to all who made the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas 27th Annual Gala Night a big success, to all our performers, volunteers and donors, thanks,” she said.

A special message was delivered by Bill Biddle, the 2012-2013 Rotary Club President of Asheville, NC. The group Pinoy Noir provided the entertainment during the dinner.  

Then and now
It was followed by a play entitled “Anak (child)” performed by the Rocky River JROTC and directed by MJ Maturan Canipe. 

Canipe is part of the cast which also featured performers such as Allyssa Abalos, Maria Angela Ariola, Jose Bonilla, Muhammad Khan and John Mharlou Maturan. 

The play was followed by a slide presentation which carried the theme “Then and Now” that featured the Fil-American community in the Carolinas from the 60s to the millennium or Y2K generation. 

Each slide presentation was narrated with accompanying performances by one group. The 60s were narrated by Joan Ascalon,Wally Penilla and Cynthia del Mundo while the performers were Simon Oliveros, Andre Tautjo, Aaron Tautjo and Gabby Pagunuran.

It was followed by the era of the 70s and the performers were Estrellita Cuering, Dolly Esparagosa, Terry Mirman, Susie Bartiniski, Edna Mager, Marlyn Pahang and Mercia Sanches.

Then came the 80s which were narrated and performed byt Nenenette Costes, Emily Lorenzo, Lorena Ostrea, Gina Pagunuran, Belinda Villadarez, Cecille Tautjo and Malette Oliveros. 

Tribute
The 90s featured Blessel Butler, Terry Labid, Brenda Ferguson, Margie Clark, Raquel Robinson, Kaye Antone and Cecile Perry. Rounding out the performances were the millennial generation represented by Thomas  Oliveros and Kyle Lorenzo.

Oliveros also gave awards to past FACC presidents Dr. Nini RB Bautista, Dell Fallar, Wally Penilla, Bert Rodriguez, Rosalie Kirkly, Lynn Lorenzo Polk, Florami Lao Cordero Lee and Steve Mirman. 

A tribute was also given to FACC members and officers who passed away like past FACC president Dell Amor, Larisa Escobal, Bob Acton, Josue and Danny Cordero. 

Some of the awardees during the FACC Gala Night

Each member of their families received flowers like Dr. Tony Amor, while Florami Lao Cordero Lee received in behalf of the family of her brothers Josue and Danny.

The slide presentation turned sentimental when MJ Maturan belted a song. The first half of the program ended with the song “Hawak Kamay” (Hand in Hand) sung by the FACC 2014 officers and representatives.

The Fil-American group Dust ’N D Attic performed live with Alexis Riley giving a special song number.  Bert Rodriguez, Nenette Costes and Ben Lorenzo emceed the Gala Night.  

Indeed the Embassy Suites was a showcase for beautiful women and handsome men that one of the long time attendees, Juliana Virtudazo-Richards, described it as ”the best so far.”

My hubby with friends Faith Minase Springborg (right) 

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.

You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)