FACC 2019 Spring Picnic draws more new members to fold

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

A lot of newcomers based in the Carolinas attended the annual Spring Picnic spearheaded by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) last April 27.

FACC incumbent Secretary Doreen Reynolds confirmed the registration of new members to the organization.  “The newcomers registered that day,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds, who was also among those elected 2017 FACC officers, said the new members are from other cities or states and even came from other countries.

When they were called to the makeshift stage, some of the newcomers introduced themselves as coming from Germany. England, Saudi Arabia and Spain and New Zealand.

There were also newcomers from New Jersey, California and Hawaii. Jeffrey Houle and his wife Antonia Houle were from New Jersey.  Jeffry works in a bank while wife Antonia, a native of Bohol province in Central Visayas, Philippines, works as a caregiver.

Ben English is German by birth and married Filipina Flor An English. The two have daughters named Kyriclisan and Kyriann. Mother-in-law Florencia Viray also came from the Philippines.

From the United Kingdom are Erwin and Mary Anne Manan and their children Eunice and Rafael.  From Saudi Arabia are Randolph Millare, wife Cristy who is the sister of  Manan. Randolph and Cristy’s daughter is named Rana Moreen Millare.

“This picnic is a global community showcase with Pinoys in it,” said one of the participants. The picnic started at 11:30 am with an invocation led by Pastor Jeff Castaneda of the Concord International Church. 

Tonette Asay,this year’s president gave the welcome remarks and talked about the FACC’s history to those in attendance, including two past FACC Dr. Nini Bautista de Garcia and Dell Fallar. 

Cris Villapando, the Secretary General led the prayers before meals. FACC Auditor Emelyn Burgess rendered 10 songs and she was helped by 1st VP Muffy Therrien who also sang a few numbers and did a duet with Burgess.

Eunice Lamber sang “My Heart Will Go On” while the FACC’s board of directors for 2019 performed a dance number to the tune of “Kiss me, Kiss Me” by popular Pinoy singer Sarah Geronimo.

The greatest entertainment of the day was the Hawaiian dance from the Aloha Island Hula Girls by spouses Bernie and Angela Sumcad. This was followed by games like Maria Went to Town followed with Area Rep Liza Salyer leading the way.

Prizes were also given during the picnic such as the early birds which went to Jeffrey and Antonia Houle and complete family attendance that was awarded to the Millare and Moy families. 

The youngest attendee award was given to Eris Benedictos de Guzman, daughter of Eileen de Guzman who is less than a year old. The oldest attendee award was given to Lydia Burdeos who is 76 years old.

Near the end of the picnic, the 2019 FACC board of directors acknowledged the support of donors like Michael Lee, Marissa Borja, Jllani Wallace, Emelyn Burgess, Diane Dante’s, Dr. Nini Bautista de Garcia, Alma Butler,Josephine Nichols, Dorena Reynolds and Amy Ervay.

Gina Holder of Balikbayan Box donated one free balikbayan box. Amy Ervay took charge of the First Aid care of Caro Mont.

This year’s members of the Board of Directors are: Pres: Tonette Asay, 1st VP Muffy Therrien, 2nd VP Ron Dennis, Secretary Doreen Reynolds, Treasurer Gina Minnick, Auditor Emelyn Burgess. 

Area Representatives are: Marjorie Ray, Marissa Borja, Jllani Wallace, Zlourdes Land, Rose Talley and Liza Salyer and Ex-Officio Jyoti Friedland. Past President Dell Fallar serves as this year’s advisor.