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. 

Volunteerism shines in FACC Spring Picnic 2019

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Volunteers remain the backbone of any community or organization and this is especially true to the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC).

FACC's volunteers helped make last Saturday's (April 27) annual Spring Picnic held at the Pavilion of the McDowell Park in Charlotte, North Carolina a qualified success.

Jeffrey Minnick, husband of FACC 2019 treasurer Gina provided valuable assistance in putting up the Philippine flaglets that adorned the Pavilion. Minnick was helped by Dan Ray, husband of FACC area representative Marjorie Ray.

Minnick and Ray also mounted the backdrop of Philippine tourist spots using ropes, tapes and poles and arranged the long tables for the event.

Lydia Bordios, mother of Dorena Reynolds, came at 8 am to help Marjorie Ray in filling the balloons and placing covers on the tables.

Engr. Medel Alombro, brother-in-law of FACC 2nd vice president Ronnie Dennis who came from New Zealand helped FACC officers in installing directional signs to the picnic area.

Not to be outdone were the ladies who would served the food. The first volunteer to arrive was Lucy White who was recruited by FACC Auditor Emelyn Burgess to help.

Also on hand to help in serving the food were past 2017 FACC Secretary Carllyn Ave, Maritess Keenely, Juliet Serviss, 2016 FACC Secretary Liezel Bell, 2016 FACC 1st Vice President Jessica Esguerra, FACC newbie Antonia Hoyle and Suzanne Culi Silva Horne.

Intermission numbers were also given by volunteers like Eunice Lamber who sang Canadian star Celine Dion's hit “My Heart Will Go On.”

2016 FACC 2nd VP Cecel Perry came likewise and was the main “chopper” for the lechon (roasted pig) served during the picnic, the first major event held by this year's FACC officers.

The picnic was chaired by FACC 1st VP Muffy Therrien carried the theme Kapamilya, Kapuso, Kasiyahan (One Family, One Heart, One Festivity). Jeff Castaneda, assistant pastor of the Concord International Church (CIC) led the invocation.

Last Saturday's FACC Spring Picnic was yet another testament to both the commitment and the heart of the group's volunteers in connecting to the Filipino-American community in the Carolinas.

Spring Picnic at McDowell Nature Preserve on April 27

Filipino Americans in the North Carolina area, please mark April 27, 2019 as a red letter date on your calendars.

That's when the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) will hold its Spring Picnic at the McDowell Nature Preserve at 15222 York Road in Charlotte North Carolina, 28278.

The theme of this year's Spring Picnic which starts at 10 am and ends at 5 pm is “Kapamilya, Kapuso…Kasiyan" (One Family, One Heart, One Festivity).”

Muffy Therien, first Vice President of the FACC, said among the activities included in the program will be a zumba session with Marissa Borja and a yoga class with Jenny Mok. “It is family oriented," she said.

Prizes galore will be awarded to all participants and everyone is encouraged to bring their whole family to the FACC Spring Picnic.

“You might be surprised there will be a lot of surprises  if one brings the whole family,” FACC Area Rep Liza Salyer said.  

New FACC members will also be acknowledged as well.

The FACC Spring Picnic kicks off the year round calendar of events sponsored and organized by the FACC for the Filipino-American community in North Carolina and nearby areas.

“I always look forward to attending the Spring Picnic because I get to see my friends," said Lydia Bordeos, mother of FACC Secretary Dorena Reynolds.

A newcomer who requested anonymity said she is excited to attend and meet fellow Filipino-Americans in the Spring Picnic which will be held at McDowell Nature Preserve for the third time.

Food is potluck but the FACC said lechon (roasted pig) will be served during the event./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Past Carolinas Chamber president wins Maddox Award

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

A past president of the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) was cited as the 2019 George L. Maddox Awardee in simple ceremonies held at the Aldersgate Life Plan Services in Charlotte, North Carolina last February 20.

Nimish Bhatt, an incumbent member of the CAACC's Board of Directors, was his usual low key self when he received the prestigious award from Joyce Massey-Smith of the North Carolina State Department of Health and Human Services.

Smith relayed her division's appreciation of Bhatt's dedication to ensuring the  health and wellness of Asian seniors by providing access to health care, nutrition and even  transportation.

“Your advocacy for those senior citizens who need services is appreciated.  Your  effort and love, your commitment and passion is much appreciated,” Smith told Bhatt.

The Maddox Award is presented each year to persons, organizations or communities that excelled in meeting the needs of older citizens in the state.

George L. Maddox was an internationally known sociologist on the Duke faculty who helped shape the study of aging and human development.

Smith disclosed Bhatt's roots as an Asian-American born in Uganda, Africa to Indian parents who are missionaries and educators.  Bhatt is from Gandhinagar, Gujurat and is a civil engineer by education and profession.

In 1999 he was in the board of directors and the vice president of the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce. Bhatt is very active in the international American community and came to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1994.

Jimmy Patel, one of the speakers in the ceremony, said Bhatt is always helping other people. When meals were served during the ceremony, Bhatt was seen serving and talking with the diners.

“It is just amazing he has qualities and virtues that a true leader must have.  A true leader thinks he is a servant of the community. He told me 'I am a servant of the community not a leader',” Patel said.

Patel described Bhatt as humble, selfless, dedicated and committed, someone who will stick to what he pledged until he completes it. He said Bhatt had been instrumental in many projects in the community. 

Through his commitment, Patel said Bhatt is helping bridge the gap between the East and West in the Carolinas. Patel also lauded Bhatt for committing himself to projects both small and big, never tiring or complaining about it. 

During the Martin Luther King Jr.'s Day last January 21, Bhatt was given the Martin Luther King Jr “ Keeper of the Dream" award by the City of Charlotte for  exemplifying strong character, determination and humility in public service.”

Filipino-American is Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce president

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The newest president of the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce wants to build bridges between communities regardless of race, age and gender preferences.

Clad in a black pantsuit, 35-year-old Filipino American Ann Gonzales said she wants to dig deeper into her Asian roots and bridge the gap between East and West.

Ann, a student of Eskwelahang Munti, is the second Filipino-American to become chamber president after Dr. Nini Bautista.  She also has a family and an eight-year-old son and wants to honor her Filipino roots.

She stood tall among those present while addressing last Thursday’s “Meet and Greet the CAACC Leadership Team” at Aldersgate Life Plan Services.

Ann admitted to being surprised after being approached and learning that she was nominated for the post.  “We all grow up feeling doubt or uncertain about our abilities at some point in our lives,” Ann said.

She recounted  her career journey, starting with her learning about computers at 16 years old. Ann said there was only America Online (AOL) and Netscape at the time.

“There was just dial up and people were just learning how to chat online and Google was not the online search giant as it is today,” Ann said. She recalled chatting with a friend who built her own website.

“I was so enthralled with this that I learned how to code and build my own website. Through the years, I built even more websites but just for fun.  It was just a hobby,” Ann said.

This self-taught developer said her first official  client was a massage therapist in downtown Matthews. “I charged her only $100 to build her website and back then I still had to develop my skill set,” Ann said.

Through time and persistence, Ann honed her skills and a turning point came when she visited her client's booth at Westin Hotel during a business expo sponsored by the Charlotte Business Guild, now known as the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce .

“On seeing them I told myself 'This is what I want to do. I want to start my own business and be part of this organization,” Ann said.

In 2011 she started her own creative agency and sat on the board of the LGBT Chamber for  five years.  Ann became chamber president and served her last term last year.

“Being part of a Chamber of Commerce gave so much to me. It boosted my self-confidence. It gave me opportunities to network with people. I felt like I was part if something, a part of Charlotte,” Ann said.

Ann used her position to share her business success and to keep in contact with the community pulse. She said she loved her Filipino roots, having arrived in Charlotte in 1998.  Her mother is Filipino and her father is American.

Studying at the Eskwelahang Munti, Ann learned conversational Pilipino, the Philippine national language.  Ann said she was also surprised to learn during a training session in Houston sponsored by the Chamber Training Institute that 75 percent of the participants were Asian.

At that time she worked with Susan Allen of the US Pan Asian-American Chamber of Commerce. "I need to connect with our local Asian community,” Ann said.

True enough, six months later she met John C. Chen, Nini Bautista, Nimish Bhatt and the rest of the board at the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce.

Through her presidency, Ann wants others to know that self doubt should not lead people to defeat but used as motivation to pursue one's goals in life.

“If you want to start a business, do it.  If you want to work with Fortune 500 companies do it,” she said.  Ann assured all businesses in the Charlotte community that the chamber will be there to help them.

“We understand because we're also business owners. We operate non-profits. We've worked with the large corporations. We can relate,” Ann said.  She also called on those in attendance to build bridges rather than walls in order to help each other improve their lives socially and economically.

“Even if we're different ages, men, women, LGBT, straight, mom or dad and  entrepreneurs. We're Filipinos, Japanese, Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese and a myriad of other cultures,” Ann said.
( photo credits Vedant Raval)

Loving, helping the poor at Charlotte Amore

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Loving one another means helping each other and this was both the theme and challenge for the recent Charlotte Amore dinner and dance event held at the St. Gabriel Parish Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In a speech he gave for the event Jake Miranda, manager for ANCOP Foundation Inc.'s Southeast Asian region, cited a quote from the late Mother Teresa who said that people “will be judged on the basis of their love for one another.”

Jake Miranda with wife Rosemary and son Jeremy

The Charlotte Amore event also coincided with the annual celebration of Valentine's Day and February as the Love Month.  Amore is an Italian word for love and the event highlights the love shared by married couples.

He said this love for one another is demonstrated through faith in action which means helping each other, especially those who cannot help themselves.  

ANCOP, an acronym for Answering The Call of the Poor, is a non-profit organization organized by the Couples for Christ to help the poor.

The CFC is a ministry by the Catholic Church for its married faithful.  Miranda told those in attendance that the Amore dinner and dance event is a fundraiser for poor but deserving scholars in the Philippines.

About 10 students will be added to the 21 beneficiaries of the scholarship program to be funded by the dinner dance event through ANCOP's Child Sponsorship Program. 

The Charlotte Amore event is the first to be held for this purpose in the Charlotte area.  Food was provided by Love Garden while the husband and wife team of Bing and Meng Lorenzo hosted the event which drew more than 200 persons in attendance.

Among those who provided entertainment were the group Pinoy Noir Lite, guest band Tarah and the Emojis and the CFC Charlotte.

Giving individual song and duet performances were Emelyn “Em-Em" Burgess, auditor of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) , past FACC president Bert Rodriguez and Leia Anastacio. 

Scholars, songs and dance in Charlotte Amore event

Me with hubby ||Ronnie

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

At least 200 turned out for the first Charlotte Amore dinner and dance event spearheaded by the Couples for Christ  to raise funds for their ANCOP Child Sponsorship Program.

The event held at the St. Gabriel Parish Center was well organized from the registration up to the lining of people for food. About 261 tickets were sold for event hosted by the husband and wife team of Ben and Meng Lorenzo.

In his welcome remarks Jake Miranda, Manager of ANCOP Foundation (USA) Inc.'s Southeast Asian region, said there are 21 students fron the Philippines who will receive scholarships for a year based on the presence of the attendees.

Rogelio and Stella Lawsin cited for sponsoring three scholars

Another 10 scholars will be sponsored by pledges, he said. Sr. Edeva, O.P led the prayers before meals while the diners were serenaded by classic love music.

Miranda said the Charlotte Amore event mirrors the celebration of love between husband and wife, children and friends and this love is demonstrated through faith in action. ANCOP is an acronym for Answering the Cry Of the Poor. 

ANCOP is a non-profit organization founded by CFC, an international Catholic lay organization committed to helping the poor. Couples for Christ, in turn, is a ministry for married couples in the Catholic Church.

Miranda cited the program's guiding principle by paraphrasing Mother Teresa, who said that people “will be judged on the basis of their love for one another.” 

Aside from the dancing, also making the event an evening to remember were performers from the guests like the group Pinoy Noir Lite and guest band Tarah and the Emojis.

Pinoy Noir Lite which is composed of Dr. Edward Tautjo, Atty.Leia Anastacio and Dr. Ronel Enrique sang a medley of Filipino  contemporary classics and guest band Tarah and the Emojis.

Also on hand were the CFC South and North  Charlotte who danced to the popular love songs  and Vanessa Carino who sang popular tunes like “Can't Take My Eyes off You.” 

Emelyn “Em-Em" Burgess sang a medley of Beatles' hits. Burgess is the auditor of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) and sits in the group's board of directors. 

Past FACC president Bert Rodriguez was also game as he sang the classic “Put Your Head On My Shoulder.”  He and Burgess later did a duet of the song “Endless Love.”

Burgess and Carino also sang “The Greatest Love of All” with Leia Anastacio. Several awards were also given. Among the recipients were Steve Mirman, Lisa McNamara, Nana Nonato, Malette Oliveros and Jessica Esguerra  for early bird arrivals.

John and Lucille Moses were also given appreciation gifts for being the longest married couple among the attendees. John is 98 while Lucille is 93.
Also awarded were Peter and Belinda Villadarez as Mr and Mrs. Amore.

Host Dr. Bing Lorenzo with the oldest couple in the event,

Malette Oliveros and Jessica Esguerra  were also cited for selling the most Amore tickets. 

There were also awards for Best Dressed Couple, Best Dressed Male (Danny Falk) and Best Dressed Female (Mia Bacho). Rogelio and Stella Lawsin were also awarded for sponsoring three scholars in the Philippines.

Seen during the event were Dr. Eumelia “Nini" Bautista, FACC past president and past FAS president with her sister Grace Basilan; FACC past president Florami Lao C. Lee with husband Wyatt; Gloria Cagadas Grifenhagin, founder of Eskwelahang Munti Charlotte; and FACC 2019 secretary Dorena Reynolds with her mom Lydia Burdeos. 

Also in attendance were Mr and Mrs. Marcial del Mundo, Mrs. Bert. Rodriguez, Dr. Mike and Tracy Borja, Mildred Cordova, Maryanne Cagurangan DelaPena and husband, Dhi Donato,Faith Minase Springborg, Sr. Zeny Mofada,O.P  and a lot more.

Stay tuned for more stories on Amore.