Eric C. Hugo golf tourney to be held April 22

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--Avid golfers in the North Carolina area are invited to attend the 7th Annual Eric C. Hugo Memorial Gold Tournament at the Divide Golf Club at Matthews area at noon of April 22. 

The invite was sent via email from Bert Rodriguez, past president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) to Cip Onia, FACC 1st Vice-President.

According to the event website, the golf tournament was founded by friends of Eric C. Hugo who passed away on July 2010. A month after his untimely demise, Hugo's friends each played a round of golf using his golf irons and driver in his honor. 

Thus was born the annual memorial golf tournament whose current edition is spearheaded by Bert Rodriguez of Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is held every spring.

Hugo was a high school alumnus of De La Salle University in Lipa, Batangas, Philippines and was a generous donor to the school together with his class of 1967. 

With his passing, Hugo's family and friends wanted to continue his generosity towards the school by donating the proceeds of the tournament to qualified but underprivileged young men and women so they can finish their education at a Christian high school under the De La Salle brothers. 

The selected students work during the day and attend class at night. “The cost for attending school in the Philippines is great, and we would just like to help them worry less about the expenses incurred with school since the monies they work for are earmarked for daily needs already,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriquez said they were able to provide educational assistance to indigent and deserving youth in the Philippines through the tournament. The donation amount in dollars is coursed through De La Salle University in Lipa, Batangas province for scholarships under the Eric C. Hugo Friends And Family Endowment Fund. 

Those interested to donate through the event can do so at their website www.golfwitheric.com.

Pinoy Noir to perform on FACC Spring Picnic

Dr. Edward Tautjo poses with his guitars

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--The Filipino-American band ”Pinoy Noir” will mark its comeback to the local performance scene with a guest spot in the Spring Picnic of the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas (FACC). 

Rogelio “Ro” Lawsin, a member of the FACC Board of Directors and a Pinoy Noir band member, reaffirmed Dr. Edward Tautjo's announcement. “Pinoy Noir is a cover band that plays songs from the 80s, 90s and this decade,” he said.

The band doesn’t play much because of their work schedule but they played at an FACC gala. 

The band is comprised of Dr. Edward Tautjo, Dr. Shela Villamor, Dr. Stella Lawsin, Dr. Ronel Enrique, Jigz Mangini and “Ro” Lawsin who played the drums. “There are still other members of the band,” he said.

The group was formed five years ago and performed not only during FACC activities but other occasions including those featuring concerts of visiting Filipino artists. 

The FACC 2017 Spring Picnic would be held at the McDowell Nature Preserve  Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. It starts at 11 am and ends at 5 pm. There will be games for kids and a talent show for everyone./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Former FACC officer Alberto Santillano passes away

The memorial service of the late Alberto Santillano was held last Friday, March 10 in California. Santillano died of cancer last February 26, 2017 and is survived by his wife Josephine Tamayo-Santillano and sons Albert Joseph and Ian.

Alberto was born on November 22, 1949 in Bislig, Tanauan town in Leyte province to Pomposo and Restituta Santillano. He was the 11th of 12 children of his parents and was the youngest son. 

He is known to his friends and family members as Bert.  An an active member of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas, Inc. (FACC), he became the group's press relations officer in the early 90s, said his sister-in-law Sherrilyn Tamayo-Siplon. 

Bert's golf buddies  include Bert Rodriguez, Lito Balcita, Marcial del Mundo and Astor Azarcon. Bert had surgery to take out a tumor last December but the cancer was aggressive.  

Bert was a very good friend of the Salcedos--Remy,Edgar and Sol and Leody and Julius. The Salcedos took care of him when Alberto transferred to Charlotte. 

Bert graduated class valedictorian in elementary school and enrolled at Sacred Heart Seminary for a year. He wasn't called to priesthood as God has other plans for him.

Bert transferred to St. Paul’s College in Tacloban City, graduating first in his class and was admitted to the University of the Philippines where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. 

He placed 11th in the government's licensure examination and  earned his masters degree. Bert was hired by Petrochem and was sent to Paris, France to understudy a similar plant. 

In 1985 he migrated to the US and was hired by Coco-Cola and FMC. It was in Charlotte, North Carolina that he met his wife Josephine Tamayo a registered nurse and together they had two children. 

After his retirement at Quality Transport,Inc  he spent his days volunteering in various civic and religious organizations. 

To his family, friends and colleagues alike, Bert had a life well spent. I join the others in praying for his peaceful eternal repose. May he rest in peace./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Alberto's wife Josephine and sons Albert Joseph and Jan

Shane Ericks joins Fe delos Reyes for ‘A Night of Music And Laughter' in Charlotte

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--Singing is in the DNA of Shane Ericks. She said she started singing when she was a girl during family gatherings.

“My family are proud to show off my talent to visitors,” Shane recalled of her chilhhood back in the Philippines.

Then one day a neighbor heard her sing and Shane became the youngest soloist in the church at six years of age. It helped that the musical director was her “ninang (godmother)” and she then went to singing in weddings.

Her mother gave her a guitar which helped in her journey to music. When she moved to Greenville, South Carolina to join her parents there, she uploaded videos of her acoustic covers of popular songs in YouTube and wrote her own songs.

She started performing in coffee shops and joined competitions, culminating in her winning the “Global Pinoy Idol” contest that allowed her to make special appearances in the Philippines. 

From then on, life changed dramatically for her and she never looked back. Shane had become a popular singer not only here in the US but all over the world based on the millions of hits of her YouTube uploads. 

And Shane will be the special guest of popular Fil-American singer Fe delos Reyes in her April 22 concert entitled “#Trending Fe delos Reyes: A Night of Music and Laughter” at the International House Auditorium, Midwood International and Cultural Center, 1817 Central Avenue,  Charlotte, North Carolina 28205.

When asked about her musical influences, Shane cited Gary Valenciano, Taya Smith of Hillsong United, Adele, Michael Jackson, The Carpenters, Justin Timberlake, Lake Street Dive, Bruno Mars, Michael Buble and Sara Bareilles.

She took a break from school due to a hectic performance schedule but Shane is determined to finish a degree in either commercial music or music therapy. 

This very talented girl said she can draw but admits not being able to do so in a long time. “I can do a moonwalk,” Shane replied and also plays tennis in her spare time.  She is also a worship leader in her church.

She loves music and avoids spicy food, preferring sweets instead. Shane also reads and likes photography but she is most passionate about her faith and helping people.

Catch Shane and Fe delos Reyes as they weave a “Night of Music and Laughter” at the  International House Auditorium, Midwood International and Cultural Center, 1817 Central Avenue,  Charlotte, North Carolina on April 22. 

To see how good she is, watch her perform her version of the Alicia Keys hit song “If I Aint Got You.”