FACC summer picnic kicks off calendar amid lifting of pandemic restrictions

The FACC board of directors 

by Susan Palmes-Dennis 

Rockingham, North Carolina—After a one-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) is ready to roll out its calendar of activities starting with their annual summer picnic scheduled at the Shelter 2 of Park Road Park on Aug. 14.

As states across the country like North Carolina roll back restrictions, the FACC Board of Directors (BOD) secured their chosen venue at Park Road Park. FACC 1st vice president Yulie Amara said the Aug. 14 date falls on a Saturday which would allow every member to attend the activity. 

Amara admitted it was hard to secure the venue due to the long queue for places like Park Road Park as Americans become eager to return to their pre-pandemic lives.

Still, 2021 FACC President Rogelio Lawsin said it’s up to each attendee to decide whether or not to wear a face mask since the event will be held outdoors from 10 am to 2 pm.

The FACC’s board of directors and officers are still talking about the theme of the event and other details. They said they will soon make the announcement to the FACC community and advised that the community reserve the Aug. 14 date. Board member Doreen Reynolds, who showed enthusiasm for the event, said the Aug. 14 date would be a show of solidarity and cooperation within the FACC community

‘As we open up, please save August 14 and continue to support the FACC,’ Reynolds said. FACC president Lawsin said there are still activities lined up for the remainder of the year. ‘We are  ready to announce by July,’ he said.

This year’s FACC board of directorsd are Lawsin as president; Yulie A Armstrong, 1st VP; Dr. Ed Tautjo, 2nd VP; May Love as secretary; Doreen Reynolds as treasurer; Margie Macabodbod, auditor; Ronel Enriquez, public relations officer. FACC area representatives are Beth Kremer, Jean Helms, Evelyn Glass, Evan de Guzman and Jason Onia with Muffy Theirrien as ex-officio member.

Though much had changed over the years, including this COVID-19 pandemic, the FACC’s campaign to build solidarity and cooperation within the Filipino-American community in the Carolinas will continue and endure in the years to come.  Everyone is encouraged to stay tuned at the FACC FB group page for further announcements.


The future of FACC lies in their roster of Filipino-American youths who are being groomed to become community leaders. 


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