Oro priests hold US-Canada tour this July

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The singing priests of the Cagayan de Oro Archdiocese will hold a US-Canada tour from July to August this year.

Concert director Joseph Espadilla told me this, saying it is a “tribute concert to our retiring priests.”  “It is every priest’s desire to be remembered as who they are even when they are no longer active in their vocation,” he said.

Proceeds of the concert will help build additional rooms for the retirement house of the priests. The cast of the singing priests include Monsignors Columbus Villamil, Tex Legitimas, Rey Monsanto and Frs. Rolando Gabutera. Jesse Namocot, Harren Salon, Richard Deloso and Ely Dato.

They are assigned in different parishes and are blessed with the talent to sing and perform. This is the second concert held by the singing priests after the 2011 “Only in God” concert.

Espadilla, who directed performances in the Philippines and abroad confided that the priests had several rehearsals for their parts. “They have good voices. It would be a blissful joy to see the men of God in this performance,” he said.

The concert tour officially kicks off July 2 at Reno, Nevada two days after the group arrives in San Francisco, California and it ends during the Tapok in Vancouver, Canada on August 1 and 2. 

The performance would include the classic Visayan song Matud Nila and the Julio Iglesias-Willie Nelson song “To All the Girls I Loved Before.”

Fr. Rolando Gabutera, whose previous assignment at the archdiocese was the  improvement of the Catholic schools run by the parish, also said they hope that Filipino-Americans especially those hailing from Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental would help promote the concert so they can fully realize the dream of building a retirement home for priests.

It was also learned that many of the active priests who held different advocacies  in the archdioceses like Msgr. Monsanto, Legitimas, Abelardo Cabillan and Villamil are retiring from the priesthood soon. 

Most of these priests have been in the vocation for at least 30 years and their service shaped them into being instruments of God’s manifold blessings to His people. 

Espadilla said the concert is divided into three parts; the vocation, reflection and remembering. Here's the breakdown: 

Reflection:
They are called to serve and to listen to God’s voice. They have become the voice and hands of God. So they share the Gospel of love and salvation and reach out to those who are in need. 

Their calling to serve the people is a manifestation of God’s abundant love for mankind. It is manifested through God’s servants, the Priests.

• Vocation Jamboree Theme Song        All Cast

• Natawag ko na Ikaw / Ang Tawag Msgr Villamil

• Liwanagan mo Jesus Fr. Harren/Fr Datoy, 
                                                                           Fr. Richard             

• Lord I Offer Myself All Cast


“Let your light so shine before men that they may see the glory of God in You”. Espadilla said this saying is shown in the lives of the priests who mirror the glory of God by living godly, holy lives. 

Through this, the priests have also realized that as God has mirrored His life to them, they should also follow His examples so that God’s glory will reside in them too.

• Do you Hear the People Sing All Cast

• You’ll never walk alone Msgr. Tex Legitimas

• Lift up your Hands        Fr.Harren, Fr Richard, Fr. Datoy

• You Raise Me Up Msgr. Villamil

• I Don’t Know How to Love Him Msgr. Monsanto

• Together Forever All Cast

Remembering 

“Just as God has remembered you, remember me (us), God’s servants in your prayers.

Espadilla said it is the priests’ desire to be remembered not for what they have done but for what God has done through them and in them. 

“Their life testimony would serve as best avenue where people will always remember them, the unselfish and boundless love they have given even when this love is not being returned as expected,” he said.


• Believe All Cast

• Matud Nila Msgr. Tex

• To All the Girls I love before Msgr. Monsanto

• Matt Monroe  Medley All Cast

• Bring me Home Msgr. Villamil, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro 

Here's the schedule of the singing priests for those interested to catch their shows:

Reno, Nevada, July 2

Sacramento, July 3

Stockton, July 4

San Francisco, July 5

San Diego, July 10

Anaheim, July 11

Chicago, July 12

Kalayaan Hall, July 16

Boston, July 17

New York, July 18

Boston, July 19

Toronto, Canada July 23-24

Edmonton, Canada July 25

Vancouver, July 26-Aug. 2, Tapok, Thanksgiving Mass 

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Filipino-American community spirit unites behind Pacquiao

At the house of Kay Antone

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

IF there's anything positive that came out of that so-called “Fight of the Century” between the Filipino people's Champ Manny Pacquiao and American champion Floyd Mayweather, it's that it united the Fil-American community in the Carolinas. 

One winner is the “bayanihan” or community spirit of Filipinos or in this case Fil-Americans who welcomed each other during parties held while they watched the fight on pay-per-view TV. 

The indomitable spirit of the Fil-Americans is very much alive and well as the parties gave them a chance to bond and what better way to do that than through house parties?

Boxing is a national past time in the Philippines ever since Pacquiao rose to prominence. Animosity among Filipinos is set aside whenever he fights and that's not a small achievement in itself.

Due to the prohibitive costs of pay-per-view, each Filipino-American household offered to pitch in some amount and held a potluck party to cut expenses. And there were quite a number of Fil-American households that did just that.

One was the party hosted by Dr. Henry Maglente and his nurse wife Kim at their home in Mooresville. The guests started arriving at 9 p.m. with some food and dessert. Kim said there were 30 people in hteir house including children.

Kim told me that before the fight, the men watched basketball, while the ladies chatted and prepared the sumptuous food at the table. Not to be outdone were the kids who were busy watching movie of their own selection.

“It was the first pary we hosted here,” Kim said. The guests left at one a.m. “Even the kids stayed late. We were disappointed with the results of the fight. Still it was fun to remember,” she said.

What made it memorable for the couple was the presene of friends who celebrated and commiserated with each other over Pacquiao's loss. 

Among those who attended was sport enthusiast Ro Lawsin who posted on his Facebook account “the party at Casa Maglente.” The guests were mostly doctors who are friends in the community.

Another party was hosted by Kay Ronquillo Antone  over at Indian Trail, North Carolina. Her family welcomed their 80 guests at their new home. “People started arriving at 7:30 pm....and stayed until almost 2 am,” Kay told me. 


“I made a lot of food....and also every family brought a dish, desserts and drinks. We had people watch the fight from our living room and our movie room. The guests were as young as four years old to as old as 70 years old,” Kay said.

Kay, the immediate second vice president of the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC), said she and her guests were “disappointed with the fight because of the scores of the judges.” 

“We all knew in our hearts that Pacquiao won the fight,” she said. A small group attended a party hosted by Tony and Ranni Cammarano at their Beatties Ford home while the Kelly and Lightle families hosted a more intimate party to watch the fight. 

In New York City, Lorelai Jamisolanim was invited by a group of doctors to the “boxing party” and while waiting for the main event, she discussed with them how the Filipino culture got “spilintered by time” unlike those of the Indians and Hispanics. 

Lorelai, who grew in a family of politicians headed by her late uncle, a mayor of Villanueva town in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao Philippines, said it was her first time to watch a Pacquiao fight.  “Since Mayweather was undefeated it made it more interesting.”   

I'm sure there were other families that did the same thing which showed that despite being divided and separated by culture and geography, somehow Pacquiao ends up uniting us Filipinos. At the end of the day, that's what matters. 

Dr/ Henry Maglinte (in blue shirt, standing) with his guests

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

St. Mark's Rosary Makers Ministry to distribute rosaries for 2015 Marian Congress

Susan Claire-Wild, St. Mark's Rosary Makers Ministry coordinator, poses with the group

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Members of the St. Mark Catholic Church Rosary Maker’s Ministry are excited to participate in the 2015 Marian Congress as they committed to making hundreds of blue crystal rosaries to those attending the event to be held at St. Mark here at Huntersville, North Carolina.

During the ministry's recent monthly meeting, the group coordinator Susan Claire–Wild encouraged everyone to reserve seats for the event. 

The ministry's mission is to make rosaries for the sick, hospice and the poor. They make over a thousand rosaries every year for St. Mark’s faith formation, baptism, communicants and RCIA candidates. 

The ministry already made 20,873 rosaries since 2008 and these are distributed all over the world. 

“We have a family here, the Lightles, at St. Mark Rosary Makers. We love to support mothers to be. It is our joy to give baby showers to our members that have been with us for a couple of years. We are all about pro-life,” Claire-Wild said.

Claire-Wild said the Lightles “make beautiful pro-life rosaries” and the ministry enjoys coming together monthly to “see friends and families, finding out where the rosaries are shipped to every month and upcoming projects.”

“We are here to help each other and support each other. We are blessed to have such wonderful caring people in our rosary maker’s ministry,” she said.

Claire-Wild said it’s not about the numbers but rather the love and all the prayers that go into each rosary given to each recipient. “We pray for the recipient's soul as we tie each barrel knot. That's what really matters!,” she said.

Claire-Wild recounted that the Rosary Maker’s ministry started six years ago and they will celebrate their sixth year of rosary making this fall. “We started with only four members at a round table more people join us each month,” she said.

“Children wanted to learn how to make rosaries. We now have over 40 active members making rosaries at home and we have meetings once a month - our church family we call it,” Claire-Wild said.

She said there are Divine Mercy rosaries for visitors, for the Our Lady of Guadalupe and also for the newcomers.

This year's North Carolina Marian Rosary Congress carries the theme “The family that prays together stays together.” The congress will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church Church at 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, North Carolina, 28078 on June 13, a Saturday.

The Most Rev. Bishop P. Jugis, J.C.D  would be the main celebrant. Guest priests, presenters and speakers are Fr. Pedro Nunez, an EWTN speaker from New Orleans and Father Ernesto Maria Caro, a priest from Mexico.

Nunez is a native of Cuba, an author, pastor and director of radio and TV programs in the diocese of New Orleans.  He has spoken on the power of the sacraments to sanctify every evangelizer” at the Atlanta Eucharistic Congress.

Fr. Caro is from Monterrey, Mexico and his ministry helps to deeply understand what it means to pray the Hail Mary. Ticket cost is $10 (or $15 after deadline, if tickets are still available).

Children under 17 and students are free but they must register with their parents.  Everyone is encouraged to register before May 15 for a discount.

The St. Mark's Rosary Makers Ministry in a group photo

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

FACC holds election, Christmas party on Dec. 6

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The election of the new set of officers for the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) and their annual Christmas party will be held this Saturday,  December 6.

This was learned from Tracy Borja, FACC Auditor and Press Relations officer who posted the announcement on the FACC's Facebook page and informed me. The theme for this year's party is “Give Love on Christmas Day.”

The annual Christmas party starts at 4 p.m. at the Crown Point Elementary School located at 3335 Sam Newell Road Matthews.

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

Hannah Laabid

The incumbent FACC officials are led by its president Malette Aquino-Oliveros Dr. Michael (Mike) Borja, its 1st vice president, Kaye Ronquillo Antone, 2nd vice president, Lota Mascarenas as secretary, Luisa Castaneda as treasurer. Tracy Borja as auditor and public relations officer. 

Area representatives are Blessel M. Butler, Mary Jane Maturan-Canippe,Terry Laabid and yours truly, Susan Palmes-Dennis.

The Christmas get-together will start with the invocation by Lota Mascarenas incumbent secretary while the Philippine National Anthem will be sung by all. 

Oliveros will give the opening remarks while the Pinoy Noir, a local band of doctors, will perform a special number. The candidates will be presented to the audience followed by a special routine to be formed by ATA World Champ Lance Lawsin.

Hannah Laabid will reportedly perform a gymnast routine. Details of the program have yet to be finalized, Borja said. Games and dances will also be featured. The FACC is encouraging members and guests to share their specialty dishes because the party is a potluck event.

A system was employed to ensure that every guest will bring a different dish to the table. This consists of the guests bringing food that corresponds to the first letter of his or her last name.

Letters A-D will bring adobo (chicken, beef, pork stew), E-H-pancit/palabok (Chinese egg noodles), I- L spaghetti, M-P fried chicken wings, Q-T desserts and U-Z vegetable dishes.

ATA World Champ Lance Lawsin

The nominees for the various positions are now with the FACC's Comelec. Section 3 of Article X of the FACC constitution and by-laws provide the committee on election shall be responsible for soliciting nominations for all offices insuring that the candidates nominated possess the qualifications to run for such offices and such nominations is accepted in writing by the candidate.

The committee shall oversee the manner of election, including the distribution and accounting og ballots.  The Comelec has the power to declare the elected officers. 

FACC area representative Terry Laabid extended the group's greetings to every member. 

”May this Chrsitmas end the present year on a happy note and make way for a fresh and bright new year. Wishing you all more blessings and may the coming year be filled with joy and prosperity,” she said.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Christmas Midnight Mass in Charlotte, North Carolina

Inside the St. Thomas Aquinas Church

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Everyone is invited to attend an early Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass) to be held at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church here in Charlotte, North Carolina on Dec. 5. 

Lota Mascarenas, a devout Catholic and a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) Filipino community said Fr. Patrick Winslow will officiate the Mass. I learned though that the community is still hoping that Fr. Leo Patalinghug, a Filipino priest would celebrate the Mass.

“Father Patalinghug is based in Maryland.”Mascarenas said. She said the choir will be composed of Filipinos singing classic Filipino Christmas songs like Gumising Pasko na (Wake up it's Christmas), Emmanuel, Tanging Alay (Sole Dedication) and Sa Yo Lamang (Only for You).

The Simbang Gabi at St. Thomas Catholic Church had been an annual staple for Fil-American Catholics in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.     

It is part of the Filipino culture on Christmas and part of the Misa de Aguinaldo and traditionally begins on December 16 and ends on December 24. The celebration is held at around four o’clock in the morning.

There's a well-known belief by Filipinos that a devotee who completed all nine days of the Simbáng Gabi will be granted the request that he or she made as part of the novena. This centuries-old custom is still popular to this day.

St. Thomas parish began serving the Catholic community of UNC Charlotte and the surrounding areas of northeast Mecklenburg and southern Cabarrus counties in 1978 and is proud of their diverse parishioners. 

The church also hosts the annual multi-cultural festival attended by different international Catholics in the area.

After Mass, the congregation will be invited to partake of classic Filipino Christmas delicacies like bibingka, (rice cake cooked on a clay stove) and puto bumbong (purple-colored rice pastry, seasoned with grated coconut and brown sugar), chocolate made from local cacao beans and salabat (ginger tea).

In its flyer posted online, the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church is also asking for contributions from families to bring their Filipino dishes. You can see it here in this link. Hope to see all of you there!

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

FACC Gala Night: An evening of fun and good memories

Me wearing glasses with FACC president Malette /Aquino-Oliveros in white and Merly Penilla.

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

CLOSE to 500 persons attended the 27th Gala Night of the Filipino-American Communities of the Carolinas (FACC) with guests coming from as far as Durham, North Carolina, South Carolina and Washington DC. 

Registration was still ongoing even as the event rolled out said FACC Secretary Lota Mascarenas who handled the registration along with FACC cashier Luisa Castaneda outside the venue.

The lovely FACC ladies

Walks-in and out-of-town guests were accommodated to the event which kicked off with the singing of the Philippine national anthem (Lupang Hinirang) by Leia Anastacio followed by the US national anthem (Star Spangled Banner) performed by Marissa Helbing.

The Rocky River JROTC conducted the Flag Formation Honor guard while Sister  Edeva Jover of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena led the invocation. 

Acknowledgement of the FACC board of directors, district representatives and guests followed then FACC president Malette Oliveros delivered her welcome address. 

A big success
Oliveros recalled that her family moved to the Carolinas seven years ago and witnessed the growth of the Fil-American community during that time.

“Our FACC officers and representatives have zealously volunteered their time and energy to foster unity and harmony within the Filipino community as well as with other Asian communities. They continually seek to educate, promote and perpetuate the Filipino culture, traditions, heritage and values especially with the younger generation,” she said.

Dust N' D Attic performed live

She thanked her team, describing them as a “talented and dedicated group of officers and representatives.” 

Oliveros ended her message by praising her team. 

“Many thanks to all who made the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas 27th Annual Gala Night a big success, to all our performers, volunteers and donors, thanks,” she said.

A special message was delivered by Bill Biddle, the 2012-2013 Rotary Club President of Asheville, NC. The group Pinoy Noir provided the entertainment during the dinner.  

Then and now
It was followed by a play entitled “Anak (child)” performed by the Rocky River JROTC and directed by MJ Maturan Canipe. 

Canipe is part of the cast which also featured performers such as Allyssa Abalos, Maria Angela Ariola, Jose Bonilla, Muhammad Khan and John Mharlou Maturan. 

The play was followed by a slide presentation which carried the theme “Then and Now” that featured the Fil-American community in the Carolinas from the 60s to the millennium or Y2K generation. 

Each slide presentation was narrated with accompanying performances by one group. The 60s were narrated by Joan Ascalon,Wally Penilla and Cynthia del Mundo while the performers were Simon Oliveros, Andre Tautjo, Aaron Tautjo and Gabby Pagunuran.

It was followed by the era of the 70s and the performers were Estrellita Cuering, Dolly Esparagosa, Terry Mirman, Susie Bartiniski, Edna Mager, Marlyn Pahang and Mercia Sanches.

Then came the 80s which were narrated and performed byt Nenenette Costes, Emily Lorenzo, Lorena Ostrea, Gina Pagunuran, Belinda Villadarez, Cecille Tautjo and Malette Oliveros. 

Tribute
The 90s featured Blessel Butler, Terry Labid, Brenda Ferguson, Margie Clark, Raquel Robinson, Kaye Antone and Cecile Perry. Rounding out the performances were the millennial generation represented by Thomas  Oliveros and Kyle Lorenzo.

Oliveros also gave awards to past FACC presidents Dr. Nini RB Bautista, Dell Fallar, Wally Penilla, Bert Rodriguez, Rosalie Kirkly, Lynn Lorenzo Polk, Florami Lao Cordero Lee and Steve Mirman. 

A tribute was also given to FACC members and officers who passed away like past FACC president Dell Amor, Larisa Escobal, Bob Acton, Josue and Danny Cordero. 

Some of the awardees during the FACC Gala Night

Each member of their families received flowers like Dr. Tony Amor, while Florami Lao Cordero Lee received in behalf of the family of her brothers Josue and Danny.

The slide presentation turned sentimental when MJ Maturan belted a song. The first half of the program ended with the song “Hawak Kamay” (Hand in Hand) sung by the FACC 2014 officers and representatives.

The Fil-American group Dust ’N D Attic performed live with Alexis Riley giving a special song number.  Bert Rodriguez, Nenette Costes and Ben Lorenzo emceed the Gala Night.  

Indeed the Embassy Suites was a showcase for beautiful women and handsome men that one of the long time attendees, Juliana Virtudazo-Richards, described it as ”the best so far.”

My hubby with friends Faith Minase Springborg (right) 

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.

You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Countdown to FACC Gala Night starts now

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) promises a bigger, better Gala Night next month and advised those wishing to attend to buy tickets now while supply lasts.

“Let this gala night on Oct. 25 be a uniting factor among us here at the Carolinas,” FACC president Malette Aquino-Oliveros told me. 

She said weekly meetings are already in full swing in preparation for the event. In between are the continuous text messages among the officers to meet the gaps in between days. 

Preparations for the registration, reception and program at the Embassy Suites 5400 John Q. Hammons, Dr. Concord, North Carolina 28207 are underway, Oliveros said. 

The theme for this year’s event is “Then and Now” or “Ganoon kami noon, Ganito kami ngayon in Tagalog,” Oliveros said.

She said the FACC is looking at the past to use it as a map for finding its direction in the future.  “The growth of our community is something to look as it has really grown through the years,” said Oliveros, who held various FACC positions in the past.

I learned that the FACC has the Gala Night as its signature event, the in the words of past FACC president Dr. Nini RB Bautista. The Gala Night is a three-hour festive event for Fil-Americans and their guests who were regaled with food, dances, songs and other entertainment. 

Oliveros said the gala night would also pay tribute to members “who had gone before us, like the late FACC president Dell Amor.”

She hopes that the Gala Night would help build unity among Fil-Americans in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and all over the US. 

This year’s Gala Night is the 27th to be held ever since the FACC was organized in l988 by spouses Lita and Rudy Joaquin . Tickets are priced at US $55 and sold by the FACC 2014 officers. 

“Tayo na mga kapamilya sa Carolina (Let’s all go fellow families in Carolina) :)))) and show off your pretty evening gowns and tuxedo suits or barong,” said Kay Onquillo-Antone,  FACC 2nd VP. 

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)