People, Events, Places (PEP)

By Susan Palmes-Dennis ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—From Charlotte, North Carolina all the way to Harrah’s Casino Resort in Cherokee, the ‘Sugala’ event of the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) that was held last Aug. 9 was met with enthusiasm from participants who had a grand time. Based on stories by FACC 1st Vice President Louie Anquillo and the social media posts of the FACC board of directors, this year’s Sugala was dedicated to the more mature members as a way of thanking them for supporting the organization since its inception back in the late 80s. The trip even covered beautiful Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. ‘We are being pampered today,’ said FACC past president Dell Fallar. While some members rode in their cars, most of them rode in one bus rented by the FACC and the passengers had a grand time playing bingo and singing karaoke. The passengers were also served food like donuts, peanuts, zucchini and cassava cake prepared by Evelyn Glass. The con...

Past and present FACC officials with Ambassador Jose Miguel G. Romualdez By Susan Palmes-Dennis ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—‘Be the ambassador of the Philippines.’ This in essence was the message delivered by his Excellency Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Miguel G. Romualdez to a small crowd of Filipino Americans gathered at the Ballantyne Hotel over the weekend. At the meet and greet organized by the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) Romualdez told the crowd that they ‘make his job easy’ by being good citizens of the states they live in and reflecting the best traits and virtues of every Filipino in their respective communities.  ‘That to me makes me feel good about it. It gives us the image of the country that we are proud, the Philippines.    We are known to be a country whose people are kind, hospitable, hardworking people all over the world. “ that is why whatever work you do as health professionals, teachers, or whatever give your best as ...

PH Ambassador to the US  Jose Miguel G. Romualdez By Susan Palmes-Dennis ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—It’s all systems go for the meet and greet between Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Miguel G. Romualdez and former and incumbent officials of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) in Charlotte, North Carolina this Saturday, March 29.   Incumbent FACC President Marissa Olarte thanked everyone who responded to the invitation for the event while FACC 2nd Vice-President Dr. Louie Anquilo said the two-hour meeting with Ambassador Romualdez will be held at noon at the Ballantyne Hotel. Data sourced from the embassy’s website stated that Ambassador Romualdez previously served as Special Envoy of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the US.  He was appointed by Duterte as Philippine Ambassador to the US in July 2017.    On November 29, 2017    Romualdez presented his credentials to then US President Donald J. Trump and assumed office as...

The 2025 board of directors of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) By S usan Palmes-Dennis ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—It was a perfect place and time to hold last Saturday’s (Jan. 25) oathtaking of the 2025 board of directors of the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC).  An intimate and elegant gathering was held for the event at the McCain House in Union Exchange at Monroe and the cold air didn’t dampen the fiery zeal of each of the 12 directors of the FACC in attendance. Sworn to office were Marissa Olarte as President, Liezel Perez Bell as 1st Vice President, Dr. Loie Anquillo as 2nd Vice President, Marites Olarte as Secretary, Barbara Averi as Treasurer, Ranilo Perez Jr as Auditor and Melissa Olarte as Press Relations Officer.  Area Representatives were Emelyn Burgess, Ram Cabanero, Evelyn Glass and Maribel Lankford.    Area Rep Erce Cobile was not around while 2024 FACC president Dr. Ed Tautjo joined the board of dire...

ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—Due to the diaspora of Filipinos all over the world,  the celebration of the June 12 Philippine Independence Day is now a global event. This year, the 126th year of Philippine Independence is celebrated by millions of Filipinos who foist the Philippine flags in the Middle East, Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and the US.  The beauty of the Filipino flag and its special meaning to every Filipino reverberates in each of their hearts even after leaving the homeland and migrating to other countries where they eventually made their new homes. Filipinos by the way especially those who are new to their host countries and wants to find fellow Filipinos won’t be disappointed if they go to Catholic churches.  Here in Richmond County, Americans with Filipino heritage and those who are still Filipinos working on their special visas celebrated Philippine Independence Day by hearing Mass at St. James Catholic Church.  Many attended the Mass including tho...

  By Susan Palmes-Dennis ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—As I write this, there’s a full week and a few days before March ends.     Incidentally, aside from commemorating the annual International Women’s Month, the last week of March also coincides with the annual observance of Holy Week starting with Palm Sunday on March 24. So it’s probably serendipitous that over the past weekend, seven women parishioners of St. James Catholic Church here trooped to the Carolinas cinema to watch the movie ‘Cabrini.’ ‘Cabrini’ tells the story of Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini, the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.    She and other sisters arrived in New York and was greeted by the sight of impoverished children, disease, prostitution and other crimes.  Cabrini encountered disappointment, difficulties and resistance within the Catholic Church hierarchy.    Maybe the resistance came out of frustration in failing to establish the Catho...