33rd FACC Gala Night takes center stage on Nov. 12

 


By Susan Palmes-Dennis

Rockingham, North Carolina—Surprises and entertainment galore await members of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) as their 33rd Gala Night takes center stage at the Hilton Charlotte Airport Hotel this Saturday, Nov. 12.

The 33rd Gala Night of the FACC carries the theme ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas Sights and Sounds, Pearly Night of Elegance and Glamour’, said FACC 2nd Vice President Beth Kremer who is one of four hosts of the headline event to be attended by both members and non-members alike.

Based on an initial copy of the program received by yours truly, the 10-minute ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas Vignette (PInoy Ako)’ portion of the Eskwelahang Munti (EM) of Charlotte is scheduled at 8:10 pm of the Gala Night. In case more details of the 33rd FACC Gala Night come out, I’ll post ASAP.

At any rate other highlights of the 33rd FACC Gala Night are as follows in no particular order: The Tradisyon Na Kasuutan Ng Mga Pilipino (Traditional Filipino Costume) featuring the creations of Fil-Am fashion designers of Charlotte namely Venancio Tadeo, Edelweiss de Guzman-Vogel and Malou Cordery at 6:55 pm.

Venie Tadeo will showcase the traditional clothing of Luzon natives while artist and educator Edelweiss De Guzman-Vogel will feature the fashion of the Visayan islands.

Malou Cordery, who is from Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental will feature her own modern interpretation of the traditional clothing of five tribes of Mindanao. Like de Guzman-Vogel, Malou’s work made their way to the Paris runway.

Since Mindanao is a land of many ethnic tribes and the ‘Land of Promise,’ Malou said her presentation will reflect that reality.  

Then from 7:55 pm onward, the following performances will be held: A Tagalog interpretative dance by the mother and daughter team of Karen and Caroline Dalton followed by a special song by Emelyn Burgess.

Dance partners Angela and Bernie Sumcad will perform the ‘Pearly Shell’ dance while special awards will be given by Yulie Armstrong, Edward Tautjo and Beth Kremer. For more activities on the 33rd Gala Night, please see a photo of the program proper.

Oh, I almost forgot: A folk dance medley will be performed by Dance Team Philippines 2022 at 8 pm.  The  Dance Team Philippines won the Asian Festival in 2021 and will also perform the Sinkil Dance. Not to be outdone, the Couples for Christ of Joiee Arrojado will perform the  Sinulog dance and a serenade of original Pilipino music (OPM) songs will be performed by R’yanah Tanchico.

Concluding the evening’s performances will be the FACC 2022 board of directors who will take part in the presentation ‘Let’s Go Travel to the Pearl of the Orient Seas’ with the FACC Youth group.  Also rendering some songs are Dorena Reynolds and Kevin Villanueva.  

FACC 1st VP Ed Tautjo mentioned in an interview at ‘Susan Live’ on Monday that he’s confident that the 33rd FACC Gala Night will be a welcome affair by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas to cap the year 2022.

For her part, FACC President Yulie Armstrong said based on ticket sales there are 550 attendees expected to attend the event. Last held in 2019, the FACC Gala Night was shelved for two years at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychiatrist Dr. Rosen  Lawsin is the guest speaker for this year’s event. FACC 2nd VP Beth Kremer is this year’s chairperson of the 33rd Gala Night with Ed Tautjo and Ralph Frasca.

The Gala Night at Hilton Charlotte Airport Hotel will open for registration to members and non-members alike starting at 4 pm, Kremer said. Again, I will post more details of this major event once these are available. See you there!

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