People, Events, Places (PEP)

Myself (second from left) with Barangay Macasandig Captain Aaron Neri (left)  By Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina--When I learned that Atty. Mateo Delegencia and Macasandig Barangay Captain Aaron M. Neri Sr. died,   I told myself to just pray for the eternal repose of their souls.   But I couldn’t keep silent about the stories I can share about them, two kind souls who, sadly, I cannot meet again. Both men died of COVID-19 complications based on what I read from the Facebook posts. Due to the quarantine restrictions in Cagayan de Oro City, their wakes and funerals will be limited to their immediate families and close friends. My friendship with them goes back many years. Atty. ‘Teting’ Delegencia was my law professor who handled subjects like Obligations and Contracts and Insurance Law. His law office before was at the ground floor of the Almirante building at Don Apolinar Velez street. My uncle Mauro Naelga rented the first floor of the Padero house...

  Christopher 'CJ' Helms Jr. showing off one of his certifications by Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina--Christopher Helms Jr. or CJ/Chris Jr. to his family, friends and classmates will graduate summa cum laude on Friday this week (May 14) at the University of North Carolina Charlotte ( UNCC). CJ is graduating with a Business Administration degree majoring in both Information System/Technology and Operation Supply Chain Management—the second or latter major in which he secured his summa cum laude ranking. He is the eldest son of Jean Helms—Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) area representative and her husband Christopher Helms Sr. (Chris), both residents of Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina.   ‘As parents we are so proud of him and we are so excited (for his graduation),’ the proud parents told me in a text message. Jean comes from the Ganila family in Guimaras province in Western Visayas of the Philippines while Chris is a native of North Caroli...

by Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina—On May 14 or Friday this week, Justine Patricia Estanislao will join her fellow graduates in a simple commencement ceremony at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC). The Filipino-American Justine will receive her Computer Science degree major in   Web and Mobile Applications. Her specialty is in developing mobile apps for online platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and so on. The May 14 commencement ceremony will be held in person owing to easing quarantine restrictions. ‘In choosing my profession, I want to be sure I’m happy with what I choose to do,’ Justine said. The chinita-eyed Justine already knew after graduation in high school that she wanted to attend UNCC only. But she didn’t know then what course to pursue. She spent her whole high school summer thinking what course to take. One thing she was certain of, Justine said, was that she wanted an education. But given the various degrees, she wanted to...