FACC to offer childcare services on 30th gala

For those wishing to but are hesitant to attend the Oct. 14 Gala of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel because of chiildren to care for, here's a solution for them.

The 2017 board of directors of the FACC will offer nanny services for a fee of 10$ each child. In this way parents can have a chance to enjoy the gala and remain confident that they are within distance to see that their children will be cared for.

The teens and children will be contained in one room with their nannies. This proposal was contained in a board resolution to address the concerns of parents who plan to attend but had children to take care of.

“But we can only accommodate 10 children and between the ages of 12-6 ” said Cip Onia, FACC 1st Vice President.  Aside from the $10 per child, parents are also requested to bring food, drinks, books and electronic gadgets. Space is limited to 10 so please contact the nearest FACC director and or pre-register at the nearest Board of Director near you.  

In the meantime there would be no selling of gala tickets on the door on the day of the gala to enable the officers to concentrate on the program./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Ray An to perform in FACC Gala Night Oct. 14

An 80s pop icon will perform in the 30th Annual Gala of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas, Inc (FACC) at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel on Oct. 14, this year. 

Ray An Fuentes was a popular 80s singer in the Philippines before he migrated to Canada in 1988 and became known as the singing evangelist. He still has the voice and moves and he will showcase his talents anew in the FACC Gala Night.

Ray An Fuentes who is Raymund Anthony Fuentes in real life  is a former member of the Fourth Congregation, the New Minstrels and the Circus band. 

He's also a composer and wrote songs for top Filipino artists like Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Martin Nievera and Janno Gibbs among others.  Catch him at the 30th FACC Gala Night and he may regale the audience with an additional song to his three-song performance. 

The FACC's 2017 board of directors also announced that there won't be any sale of gala tickets on the door or on the day of the event in order to give enough time to the officers to concentrate on the program. 

“This would really be an exciting night,” said Edelweiss de Guzman, who is this year's Gala Night chairperson.  It is an exclusive event and a must join party of the year for the Filipino-American community in the Carolinas. A night to enjoy and remember indeed./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Ashley Faye to sing anthems in Fil-Am youth summit

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Yes, this “chinita” looking girl is going to sing the American and Filipino anthems again for the Filipino American Youth Summit scheduled at the Asian Library on Sept. 16.

Ashley Faye frequently sings these two anthems—the US “Star Spangled Banner” and the Lupang Hinirang of the Philippines--everytime there's an event sponsored by the Filipino American community here in Charlotte. 

And she will again be called to sing these two anthems during the Filipino American Youth Summit sponsored by the Filipino American Youth Summit is sponsored by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC).

When Ashley sings, her back is usually turned to the audience so while they can only see her long black hair, her voice reverberates across the stage.

Three months ago Ashley turned 17 and this self-confessed fan of Philippine pop stars Yeng Constantino and Sarah Geronimo is beginning to sound and look like them. 

Right now though Ashley is into K-Pop or Korean Pop and when asked why she said “in music the language doesn’t matter at all, what matters is the feelings and messages that's being portrayed to the audience.”

Ashley also said music is a universal language that the world understands. A student of Rocky River High School under the Charlotte Mecklinburg Schools, Ashley used to dream of becoming a nurse.

But she dreamed bigger and now wants to become a doctor. Ashley started singing young when she would go with her cousins to sing carols in the Philippine neighborhood. 

She gets extra money but that's not her only benefit. Ashley said she really gets a kick out of singing songs with feelings. She remembered climbing on top of the table and singing her favorite songs whenever her mother or aunt plays them. 

Ashely remembered the delighted expressions of family whenever she grabs the hair brush and sings with it like a microphone, her voice filling the room she's in. 

Young and patriotic, Ashley remembered that students like her sing the national anthem during the flag-raising ceremony.

She's quite familiar with the two anthems and in fact knows them by heart because of the stories they tell about their respective countries. 

“In singing the anthems the whole experience is memorable because I represent the country's voice in that song—their story, their hope, their dreams and hopes for the future,” Ashley said.

She has a long way to go, but based on what she can do, Ashley has a bright future ahead of her. 

Fil-Am youth summit at Asian Library on Sept. 16

A SUMMIT for Filipino-American youths in the Charlotte, North Carolina area will be held by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) at the Asian Library on Sept. 16.

This one day event promises to be filled with fun-filled activities and lessons on leadership and governance, culture and heritage of the Philippies and how to deal with social media. 

The FACC hopes the event will tap potential future leaders for the group and the Filipino-American community in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. 

The training is divided into the following topics: Introduction to leadership, Civics, Philippine Culture/heritage, Introduction to legislative agenda, Impact of social media in leadership and learning FACC. 

The summit participants are expected to chose their leaders at the end of the day.  The training design was actually intended for two days but due to previous commitments it was squeezed into one day. 

The keynote speaker is Kirstan Feist, president of the Filipino American Student Association University of North Carolina Greensboro for school season 2017-2018. 

Feist is a junior at UNCG majoring in Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism. Feist shared that when he was still a representative of the UNCG in 2013, there were only 17 members.

Now the UNCG is the largest multicultural organization on campus consisting of more than 120 members. Feist is not new also to FACC activities since in 2012 he served as an usher and color guard for that year's gala.  

“Never lose sight of who are you and always remember your roots,” Feist told fellow Filipino-Americans in the Charlotte area.

Lecturers/facilitators include Gloria Grifenhagen, Ann Gonzales, Myra Tranquilino, Mirasol Abogi and Kirstan Feist. Those interested to attend can contact any of the board of directors of the FACC or you can email me at susanap.dennis@yahoo. com./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Lions of CDO tour the US

Mart Maandig, District Lions Governor with fellow members

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

Close to 50 Kagay-anons (natives of Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao in the Philippines) are in the US today for the 100th Lions Convention held in Chicago.

I learned about this from my friend Dorena Reynolds here in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the Lions who attended the event is Fred Buten, who used to work in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro and resided in Scions, Barangay Canitoan also in Cagayan de Oro.

The Lion District Governor is Mart Maandig, a former city councilor of Cagayan de Oro. Fred is the brother of Dorena's mother. When she told me about it, I was excited to see the group picture of the Lions in their journey to the capital cities of the US.

That got me started in reconnecting with Atty. Mart Maandig, a lawyer by profession through the web. He told me that there were 150 delegates from Mindanao and 42 from Cagayan de Oro.

“I’m glad I visited the US to attend the 100th Lions Convention,” Maandig said. The convention started last June 30 and lasted for five days. Maandig said it was held in Chicago where the group was founded in June 1971.

The event drew groups from 210 countries around the world. Maandig was proud that he was chosen to be the centennial district governor for 2016-2017. His rank is District Governor Mart B Maandig, Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow (PMJF).

Mart with some friends

As district governor, Mart heads all the clubs in Mindanao with 2,110 members and 53 clubs. The title of Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow is given when one member donates US $2,000 to the Lions Foundation for worldwide humanitarian projects. 

I knew some members of the Lions back in the Philippines and every now and then I saw the logo of the Lions in some benches or in waste dumspters. I also heard the name as sponsors in some activities. 



Lions is a service club just like the Rotary. But what makes them difffernt is that in Lions, it is a family membership. 

Lions also focused on four core programs namely conservation, relieving hunger, youth development and environment preservation. “Other projects are done on what the community needs,” the young lawyer said.

Lions, Rotary or Kiwanis clubs and other social-civic clubs in the Philippines are really partners of community development for a long time. They delivered all sorts of beneficial projects to the community and we should be thankful to them for that.

Just like any other clubs they have to work harder to recruit younger folk in the club beyond the children of their members and I think they are doing it . The presence of Atty. Mart as Lion DG is a testimony.

Atty. Mart Maandig was a city councilor during the term of former mayor Vicente “Donkoy” Emano. He was one of the administration councilors that would answer my questions all the time, even if the answers were limited.

I learned that Atty. Mart opened a bar review center in the city that helped those reviewing the bar exams in Mindanao sometime after he served his term of office. 

That is his contribution I guess. I have no idea if that review center is existing. Maybe I knew that he would make good in life and him leading delegates from Mindanao is something else.

He also said that after the convention the group rented a van and went to Niagara Falls and passed many counties and states before visiting New York. I saw the photo posts of Fred Buten with the White House and Congress as background.

The group planned to visit Texas on Thursday. I wish them luck. May these Lions continue to soar and help their fellow Mindanoans especially those in Cagayan de Oro. 

Fred Buten and his wife in New York

Good luck Atty. Mart hope you join Fred and his wife in visiting me here in Charlotte. 

Fred Buten and his wife are scheduled to visit Charlotte since his niece Dorena is the current auditor of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas, Inc.(FACC). 

Welcome to the US Lions from Mindanao especially those from Cagayan de Oro.

Eskwelahang Munti to hold reunion on Saturday, July 15

Myself (second from left) with EM's movers

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

THE Eskwelahang Munti (Little School) will hold a reunion for its students on Saturday this week, July 15.

Gloria Grifenhagen, school director of the Eskwelahang Munti (EM) and a retired teacher who worked at Charlotte Mecklenburg said the reunion will also be attended by EM's volunteers and staff who worked with them since it opened in 2013.

In its flyer posted at Facebook, Grifenhagen said the reunion will be an afternoon of fun, games and food.

Dr. Nini Bautista of the Filipino American Spirit group and a past president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) said a “boodle fight” consisting of one long table filled with food will be featured for the attendees.

Dr. Nini Bautista Garcia talks with seniors at a foster home

About 26 students enrolled at EM at the Asian Library when it opened on September 2013 at the Asian Library and classes were held at 2-4 pm every Sunday. 

Its school calendar was adopted from the Charlotte Mecklinburg School. The school received a grant from the Catholic Diocese Foundation of Charlotte while fund raising was done by the Filipino American Spirit group with help from the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC). 

EM taught students about Philippine history, geography and culture including literature, music and performing arts along with traditional values. Through visits to senior citizens's homes, EM also taught students to show love and respect to elders.

Today the FACC's 2017 board of directors is campaigning to spark interest among young Filipino-Americans in studying the culture and heritage of their parents in the hope that they would incorporate Filipino values as they become future community leaders.

EM recently opened a Tagalog Conversation class composed of American adults interested in learning Tagalog. The school recently held its graduation ceremony with their students singing live the “Dahil sa Yo (Because of You).”

Filipino-Americans urged to join leadership course

The deadline for application for the free 11-week on leadership course of Charlotte City's Civic Leadership Academy is on July 14, Friday this week.

In an email sent by Dr. Eumelia "Nini" Bautista Garcia to the 2017 board of directors of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC), it was learned that the course is designed for Charlotte residents.

"I hope someone from the Filipino American community will be able to avail of this opportunity in order to help promote their growth,” she said.

Charlotteans (residents of Charlotte) ready to take the next step in being community leaders and improving the quality of life in all of Charlotte's neighborhoods were advised to take the course.

Dr. Bautista said the course will provide participants an opportunity to grow in  their leadership, analyze issues using data, connect with decision makers and other Charlotte leaders and make a difference in their communities.

During the Civic Leadership Academy, participants will:

·         Receive a personalized Leadership Assessment and 1 session of executive coaching

·         Learn how to efficiently utilize your leadership style to positively impact community

·         Enhance understanding of Charlotte history and culture

·         Develop relationships with other leaders in the community and local government

·         Learn how to use data to articulate challenges and advocate for community resources

·         Learn to navigate issues through local government

·         Commit to using your leadership skills in the broader community

The academy is limited to 35 participants who must commit to attend at least 9 sessions. To review the workshop schedule or apply, visit http://bit.ly/2jAABLm.

Applications must be received by July 14th since sessions begin September 13th. 

For additional information contact Lacey Williams at lacey.williams@charlottenc.gov or 704-336-2175./Susan Palmes-Dennis

FACC holds Silent Walk For Marawi City

Last Saturday, more than 20 members of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) joined in a Silent Walk For Marawi City that covered three miles back and forth.

The participants gathered at the greenway across Asian Library at Baxter Street at downtown Charlotte for the walk. 

Dalangin Wheeler, a retiree from the court office who has been in Charlotte for 30 years led the prayer before the walk. In her prayer she asked help from heaven for solutions to the peace and order problem in Mindanao. 

This writer who is the incumbent FACC president gave updates to every FACC member on the situation in Marawi City based on accounts of journalist friends covering the area. 

Among those who joined the walk were Cip Onia, incumbent 1st VP, Edelweiss de Guzman 2nd VP, FACC auditor Dorena Reynolds who is from Tagum Davao, Tonette Batoon Asay who came from Cagayan de Oro and Miah Respecio Price. 

Also joining the walk was former Mrs. USA-Asia Janet Pichon-Hixson who is from Davao City prior to migrating in Charlotte. Hixon was 2nd VP for FACC in 2013. 

Other participants were Amelia Lambert, past FACC officer who labored in contacting members to join the walk as well as taking pledges of support, Dhi Donato, Lannie  of Lake Wylie who came with her children and Lydia Burdeous also of Tagum City in Davao province and other non-members who were invited.

There were others who were unable to join but sent in their donations and pledges. 

The collected money will be sent Dr. Dures Tagayuna, incumbent governor of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) in Northern Mindanao. 

The FACC learned that Tagayuna and other doctors are spearheading a medical mission on July 26 in Cagayan de Oro where the evacuees,wounded soldiers and the dead are brought in from Marawi City. 

The FACC was informally launched in 1988 by a handful of Filipinos headed by Lita Joaquin and a handful of friends to provide information and promote understanding of Philippine culture and heritage to the Americans and other cultural communities in North and South Carolina. 

FACC has now developed into a strong community of Filipino-Americans. It is helping in community building not only in Charlotte, NC but also had supported projects and donations to worthy cause in the Philippines.

The Filipino-Americans here in Charlotte are monitoring the events in Marawi City which is still under threat from the Maute terrorist group.

Lydia Burdeos said the search for peace in the country should be a concern among all Filipinos abroad.

De Guzman said she was sad with what is happening there and joined the walk despite a grueling work week. "We've got to be engaged of what is happening," she said. 

The walk is considered as a preliminary activity aimed at creating awareness on what is happening in the country. The FACC board of directors is considering to sponsor a forum or a symposium on the Mindanao situation.

The FACC also made contact with Robert de la Serna of Ateneo de Cagayan/Xavier University,office of the Vice-President for Social Development,concerning the relief operations conducted by the school. Filipino-Americans in Charlotte may be far from the conflict zone but they still grieve for the families who lost their loved ones due to the conflict./Susan Palmes-Dennis