Boy Jayson passes away as family asks for help

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--I was saddened on receiving word last night that Albert "Boy" Jayson, a friend and a neighbor from my hometown of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines, died of a heart attack.

I commiserate with his family consisting of his wife Esperanza Sabio Valdehuesa, his daughter Marie "Whong" Jayson Escalante, her husband Junmar Escalante and their son Noah for their sudden, untimely loss.

Boy with his wife Esperanza in the US

Boy as he was called by friends arrived in the US last Oct. 1 to fulfill his childhood wish to come to the US to visit his eldest daughter Whong and her family who had resided in the Charlotte, North Carolina area for sometime.

At 9:45 pm last Saturday Nov 17, while preparing for a trip next day to Washington DC to see the White House, he collapsed and never woke up. 

Boy was 64 and he left six children—five back in the Philippines and one in Charlotte. He was an only child and most of his relatives are in the Philippines.

As incumbent president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC), I want to ask for help to help the family bring Boy's remains back home in the Philippines.

The family is targeting to raise US $12,000 to cover expenses. This amount is big but if we work together and raise the amount then we can help reduce the family's burden.

Boy's daughter Whong said her dad died happy and was in fact so proud that he finally reached the US. On behalf of the family and the FACC, I am asking for help from all Filipino-Americans and those who read this blog to contribute what they can to help raise funds for the family.

Boy was a good father, a good husband and a good friend. He had a ready smile to anyone and enjoyed life as a businessman in Tagoloan town but he always dreamed of visiting the US and he realized it.

Now let us help his family bring him back home to Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines. Go click on the GoFundMe link provided here and give what you can to help them./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Boy with his daughter Whong 

FACC to hand out awards in Dec. 9 Christmas party

A total of 21 awards will be handed out by the 2017 board of directors of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) in its Annual Christmas party on Dec. 9. 

In a recent meeting, the outgoing FACC board decided to honor both members and non-members who gave time, resources, talent and ideas to help make the FACC's calendar of activities for this year 2017 a rousing success.

The FACC, the premier Filipino-American community in the US is now on its 28th year and it celebrated its 30th Gala Night last month as a culmination of sorts for its calendar year 2017. 

This year's awardees are categorized into the following : 1. Keynote speakers 2. resource persons and emcees 3. facilatators and volunteers.

Keynote speakers consist of the following: Judge Ty Hands of the 26th Judicial District ( Women’s Empowerment), Dr. Keith Alan Ayrons (breast cancer awareness),  Adelia Fallar (Teacher’s Recognition) and Kirstan Feist (FACC Youth Summit).

Awardees for serving as emcees (master of ceremonies), falicitators and resource persons are: Myra Tranquilino, Mirasol Abogi, Gloria Grifenhagin, Alex Romero,Ann Gonzales, Dhi Donato and Dr. Eumelia Nini de Bautista Garcia.

Volunteers who were always around and helping during events before and after the events : JP Ave, Beth Kremer, Ashley Faye, Elizabeth Onia and Marissa Borja, Dexter Reynolds and Dalangin Wheeler. 

Those helping out on special projects like FACC past president Florami Lao Cordero Lee, who is ever present in events and provide dance numbers for these programs and Amelia Lambert for extending assistance in the Walk for Marawi project are also given due recognition.

A special award will also be given to Mark Borja, the videographer in the 30th Annual FACC Gala. 

The awards would be presented during the FACC Christmas party at the Newell Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina on Dec. 9./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Annual FACC Christmas Party set on Dec. 9

Charlotte, North Carolina-- All roads lead to the Newell Elementary School at 325 Rocky River W. Charlotte,North Carolina 28213 for the Filipino-American community in the Carolinas on Dec. 9.

Reserve that date and remember that venue for it will host the annual Christmas party of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC).

The FACC Christmas party follows on the success of the Oct. 14 Gala Night and marks the last event to be celebrated by the incumbent FACC officers. The party will also feature the election of the FACC's Board of Directors. 

FACC Auditor Dorena Reynolds, who is this year's Chirstmas party chairperson, posted the announcement on the FACC's Facebook page. She said this year's party is dubbed Pasko sa Carolinas.

Hosted by the FACC's 2017 board of directors, the event will also serve as “the farewell party of the FACC's 2017 board of directors,” Reynolds said.

The annual Christmas party is the last official act of the incumbent officers of the FACC, the largest Filipino-American organization in the Carolinas.

The incumbent FACC officials are led by its president Susan P Dennis, Cip Onia  (1st VP), Edelweiss de Guzman Perry (2nd VP), Carllynn Ave  (Secretary), Yulie Amar Armstrong  (Treasurer), Dorena Reynolds  (Auditor) and J. Andrew Arligue  (Public Relations Officer).

The Area representatives are Rogelio Ro Lawsin, Jyoti Friedland, Tonette Batoon-Asay, Miah Price and Beth Rothermond. Ro Lawsin will host the event.

The FaCC Youth through its president Jayson Ave is this year's Christmas party vice chairperson. Reynolds also said there are a lot of prices to be given during the Christmas tree decorating contest, Christmas parol (lantern), games and door prizes.

FACC is providing the roast pig (lechon.). Read the FACC Facebook page for updates or email facc.us for further announcements. The party starts at 5 pm./Susan Palmes Dennis