Four kababayans to receive aid during Spring Picnic

FOUR “kababayans” or Filipino-Americans were chosen as recipients of checks amounting to US $400 each under the “Giving Back” project of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC).

The turnover of checks will be held during the FACC's annual Spring Picnic to be held at the McDowell Nature Preserve in Charlotte, North Carolina this Saturday, April 29.

The “Giving Back project” was created by the FACC's 2017 board of directors to identify and help “kababayans” who are in dire need of financial and moral support. 

Any member can nominate “Kababayans” who can qualify under the criteria set by the program which is that the nominee should be known personally by the person that nominated him or her and is proven to need financial and moral support. 

The nomination is done by mail. Since the program was launched a month ago, the FACC received a number of applications from persons who recounted stories of sickness, accidents and tragedies of their nominees.

The nominations by Sony Krupp, Suzanne Culi Silva-Horne, Pastor Granville “Kris” Casino and Tonette Asay were verified by FACC Board Secretary Carllyn Ave as authentic. 

JP Ave, the 2013 1st VP and husband of incumbent Secretary Carllyn Ave donated $400 and FACC matched the amount. 

Another couple matched the amount donated by the Ave couple and FACC on learning about the stories of Eva Rhyne, Moises Ashley Galleto, Nicole Bonilla and Norma Coleman.

Asuncion Krupp aka Sony Krupp nominated Moises who lost both Filipino parents at a young age and is now under the custody of the Department of Social Services in Gastonia. 

In her letter, Suzanne Silva-Horne wrote that despite Eva's illness, she still thought of others even if her family has very little to offer.

Pastor Casino wrote that Nicole Bonilla is a smart, athletic and musically inclined student who unfortunately suffered a knee injury but is committed to finishing high school. 

In recommending Norma Coleman, Tonette Asay said Norma still dreams of being re-united with her grandson despite her advancing age. All the recipients have met the minimum criteria set by FACC for their project./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Everything ready for FACC 2017 Spring Picnic

The Spring Picnic organized by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) scheduled on April 29 or Saturday this week will have students of the Gardner-Webb University as special guests.

This was confirmed following the joint meeting of the FACC 2017 board of directors and the group of Jessica Esguerra sometime this month. 

This year’s Spring picnic carries the theme” Pista sa Nayon.” “Pista” or fiesta in the Philippine setting is a community celebration and an opportune time for renewing ties, forging new friendships and welcoming visitors with good food and parades.

“It is just the time to be happy and forget all the worries and cares of the world,” said FACC incumbent auditor Doreen Reynolds.  

She said the Gardner-Webb University students will be treated to the best of Filipino food, culture and entertainment. They are scheduled to arrive at 11 am, it was learned. 

Esguerra said at least 15 students are expected to attend the event at the McDowell Nature Preserve in Charlotte, North Carolina. The program starts at 11;15 am.

Among the native dances lined up for the event are Carinosa, Pandanggo sa Ilaw and Habanera De Jovencita. 

There would be a special presentation of the Angklung group who have gained a following in several Filipino-American events. 

Also expected to attend is 2014 Miss Pre Teen Greensboro and 2015 Pre Teen National Winner Juliana Alexandra Ramos Byerly. 

Byerly is from Jamestown, North Carolina and considers Charlotte her second home. Juliana was born in Pagadian City on September 13, 2003 and stayed in the Philippines for 10 months. 

Juliana is a straight A student and her favorite Filipino food are paksiw and noodles. 

The program starts with the singing of the national anthems of the Philippines and US by Ashley Faye Perez followed by an invocation by Pastor Granville Kris Casino and a welcome address by the FACC president for 2017. 

After Anklung's special musical number come the special dance performances. The program will be hosted by FACC Area representative from Mecklinburg County Rogelio “Ro” Lawsin and Ram Cabanero, immediate past PIO of FACC./Susan Palmes-Dennis