Cebu's Sinulog comes to North Carolina

Me at right with Cecile Spence and her husband Oscar, former FACC rep

THE spirit and flavor of Cebu's culture and religious devotion came to nearly 100 Fil-Americans at Albermarle and the suburbs as they celebrated the “Sinulog” or feast of the Infant Jesus in their own backyard.

Cecile Spence, a native of Cebu City, said this year marked the fifth time they celebrated the Sinulog in North Carolina and she hosted a gathering for this event for most Cebuanos now based in North Carolina. 

Those who attended came from as far as Charlotte, Monroe, Highpoint and Greensboro. The pilgrims started with the rosary as Mrs. Spence led the first decade of joyful mystery and passed it on to the other believers. 

The faithful also chanted and sang praises for “Sto. Nino” and prayed for more blessings for health and prosperity. This was followed by a novena for the infant Jesus and Visayan songs in remembrance of the Sinulog celebration in Cebu City.

Pit Senor is a very popular religious event in Cebu City, Philippines where pilgrims and believers and tourists get together and pray for the Infant Jesus who is believed to do miracles, according to testimonies from believers.  

Spence is married for 25 years to Oscar Spence who was an area representative of FACC during the term of past FACC president Paul Amigo. 

Among those who attended, GG Ash of Greensboro said she would not fail to join the gathering if only to show her love to the Infant Jesus.

Among those attending were Dallie and Donnie Espina and Margie and Fermin Placino who were among the early settlers in Charlotte. 

Filipino food like inon-on (vinegar fish stew), lechon (roasted pig), pancit (Chinese noodles) and adobo (meat stew) were served along with American food staples. This was followed by more dancing and singing./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Photo taken by Donnie Espina/Albemarle

Tagalog learning class opens at Eskwelahang Munti

THE Tagalog learning class at the Eskwelahang Munti (Little School) had just opened at the Asian Library in downtown, Charlotte, North Carolina

Gloria Cagadas-Grifenhagin, a retired school teacher of the Charlotte Mecklenburg  School (CMS) said the Tagalog class had four adult students so far. The two-hour class starts at 10 am and ends at noon.

Sometimes class is held at her home, Grifenhagin said. “The Tagalog learning class is open to any Americans or anyone interested to learn the Tagalog language,” she said.

In the 1930s, it was decided that Tagalog would serve as the basis for the national language of the Philippines; this language was called “Wikang Pambansa” (literally “National Language”).

Learning another language for kids is good since people easily retain knowledge and memory of another language in childhood. Adults can also benefit from learning a second language in order to exercise their brains, Grifenhagin said.

She said there is a study that shows that adults learning another language can help stall dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  

Classes are free of charge. The class meets twice a month for two hours either at the Asian Library or at the Grifenhagin home./Susan Palmes-Dennis 

FACC holds second oathtaking for new officers

The Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) held its second oath taking for the second batch of officers of the board at the Oasis Shrine at uptown Charlotte, last Saturday, Jan. 21.

Leading the new members of the FACC 2017 board were Edelweiss de Guzman as 2nd VP, Beth Rothermund, Tonette Batoon-Asay and J Andrew Arlegui as area representatives. 

Overseeing the induction of officers is Steve Mirman, FACC election member. In her speech Dr. Nini Bautista, one of the key FACC figures, reiterated the importance of volunteerism to the community.

She also reminded the officers about sacrificing some of their time and effort to build the FACC. Last Saturday's induction completes the lineup of FACC officers for 2017.

The FACC Board of Directors 2017 is composed of the following: Susan Dennis-president, Cip Onia -1st VP, Edelweiss de Guzman 2nd VP, Carllyn Francisco Ave-Secretary- Yulie Amar-Armstrong Treasurer- Dorena Reynolds-Auditor. 

Area representatives  who took their oaths were Miah Price, J Andrew Arlegui, Beth Rothermund, Jyoti Friedland and Tonette Batoon-Asay. 

Rogelio “RO” Lawsin, area representative for Mecklinburg County, is expected to take his oath soon./Susan Palmes-Dennis

New FACC officials for 2017 sworn in

FACC officers for 2017 taking their oaths of office

The new officers and Board of Directors of the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas, Inc. (FACC) 2017 were finally inducted to office last Saturday, January 14. 

Sworn in were Susan Dennis as president, Cip Onia 1st Vice President, Carllyn Franciso-Ave as Board Secretary, Yulie Amar Armstrong as Treasurer and Dorena Reynolds as Auditor. 

Also inducted were area representatives Miah R. Prize and Jyoti Friedland. Dr. Chris Villapando, director of Faith Formation at the Charlotte Catholic diocese conducted the invocation and he prayed to God to bless the past and present officers of the FACC which celebrates its 30th year in 2017.

Ashley Faye Perez then conducted the singing of the Philippine and American Anthems (Bayang Magiliw and the Star Spangled Banner). 

Elections Committee member and chairman Bert Rodriguez and Steve Mirman administered the oath to the officers with more than 100 witnesses in attendance. Rodriguez and Mirman were all past presidents of the FACC.

In a brief speech, Rodriguez talked about the value of social responsibility and altruism in serving the community as well as leadership among the volunteers. 

Rodriguez served as FACC president in 2011 and since then he and Mirman were members of the FACC Comelec (Commission on Elections).

In her acceptance speech, Dennis  talked about where FACC is headed in 2017 which is centered on its mission statement for the year. 

She said this year's mission statement and theme would be FACC in the 21st century: Beyond the Gala. 

Dennis said her leadership would be anchored on transparency and accountability.  

She likewise recognized existing Fil-Ams organizations in the area and how to collaborate and build alliances with them. 

Some of the projects that this year’s BOD would undertake were mentioned such as a revisit of the 30-year-old by-laws to adjust it to the changing times. 

In her message Dr. Nini RB Bautista, 2003 FACC president and CAACC chairperson emerita and past president, reminded the officers that the FACC is facing challenging times and tasks ahead.

Among these tasks, she said, is helping preserve and pass on the culture and values of the Filipinos to the younger generation of Fil-Americans. 

She likewise thanked all those who have served the FACC in the past in various capacities. Ram Cabanero, the FACC's 2016 press relations officer, emceed the program while outgoing FACC 1st VP Jessica Esguerra represented the 2016 president Robert Escobal. 

The swearing-in was attended by members of the FACC from as far as Salisbury, North Carolina. Past presidents Adelia Fallar, Lynn Lorenzo-Polk and Florami Lao Cordero-Lee were also in attendance along with Dr. Antonio Amor and Melo Acton. 

Also spotted during the ceremony were Mrs. Asia-USA 2011 Janette Pichon  Hixson, Guia Villapando, Gloria Grefinhagen ,director of the Eskwelahang Munti and husband Bill Grefinhagen. 

Even those who helped in the formation of FACC 30 years ago like Mila Oates of Mooreville attended the event. Award winning photographer and artist Alex Romero also took photos of the momentous event. 

In the meantime the oath-taking of the other members of the team like Rogelio Lawsin, Beth Rothermund, Tonette Baton-Asay and Edelwiess de Guzman would be held on Saturday, January 21 at the Oasis Shrine at 10 AM./Susan Palmes-Dennis with photos from Yulie Amara and Carilyn Francisco Ave taken from their Facebook accounts

FACC officers, members and their families and friends pose for this group shot