Male dancers regale FACC crowd at 2019 Spring Picnic

Six men brought the house down with their performance of the Tahitian Dance during the annual Spring Picnic held last Saturday (April 27) at the Pavilion of the McDowell Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.

These six men were randomly chosen by Angela Sumcad of the Aloha Hula Dancers who provided the entertainment for the event sponsored by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC).

Some of the guys who gamely joined in on the fun were 2013 FACC 1st VP Joannes “JP” Ave, incumbent FACC 2nd VP Ron Dennis and Ben English, a newcomer from Germany who's married to a Filipino.

They and three other volunteers were” dressed” in coconut hush that resembled women’s brassiere and Hawaiian hula skirts. 

They were greeted with laughter from the packed audience at the Pavilion as they grinded and moved to the beat of the Tahitian Dance as taught to them by the dancers led by the husband and wife team of Bernie and Angela Sumcad.

Prizes were given to the top three based on audience response. Last weekend's picnic was the opening salvo of the FACC's calendar of activities for this year that culminates in its 32nd Gala on November 9 at Sheraton Hotel here in Charlotte.

The FACC's 2019 board of directors is headed by its President Tonette Asay who is ably assisted by vice presidents Muffy Therrien and Ron Dennis.

Rounding up the board were Secretary Doreen Reynolds, Treasurer Gina Minnick, Auditor Emelyn Burgess and area representatives Marjorie Enriquez Ray, Marissa Borja, Liza Salyer, Lulu Land and Rose Tally.

Also in attendance were past FACC officials JP Ave, Grace Basilan, Carllyn Francisco, Jessica Esguerra, Ram Cabanero, Edelweiss de Guzman-Vogel, Maryanne Cagurangan dela Pena, Leizel Bell and Cecel Perry, who graciously chopped the roasted pig.

Past presidents Dr. Eumelia Nini de Bautista de Garcia and Dell Fallar likewise graced the event. De Garcia served in 1998-1999 while Fallar served for two terms and is one of the incorporators of the FACC's Articles of Incorporation before the Secretary General Dr. Cris Villapando.