Stories from the 34th FACC Gala Night


 

By Susan Palmes-Dennis


The winners of the Filipiniana attire, barong Tagalog and long evening gown contest held during the 34thGala Night of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) held last Oct. 7 had their own stories to tell about their attire which they shared with yours truly.


Foe Tonette Asay, her winning Filipiniana gown was designed by a T’boli fashion design student. The ethnic cloth cannot be replicated locally here in the US and is only used to accentuate the belt or chaleco for special occasions.


The hat called ‘Sloong Kneba’ is a symbol representing a bird’s beak. The intricate design pattern originated from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato province. 


Asay said the cut of the dress is unique and the butterfly sleeves highlight the national Filipino terno. The color white stands for purity, the red is the blood of ancestors while black symbolizes the soil from which they come from.


The yellow color was added to the gown to set the wearer apart as a performing artist who thus need to be more noticeable on stage, Asay said. ‘The patterns were worn to celebrate the key events of one’s life such as birth, marriage and community gatherings etc.,’ she said.


The winner of the best Barong Tagalog, Dr. Michael ‘Mike’ Borja, was all smiles as he joined the other winners. His outfit was the same thing he wore to his wedding to wife Tracy Borja 31 years ago.


The Barong Tagalog was an embroidered long sleeve with an undershirt. It’s the official national attire for Filipino men that is woven from pina or abaca fiber. 

Barong Tagalog is the official national dress for men in the Philippines woem from pina or abaca. 


Borja was a former first FACC Vice President in 2015. His wife Tracy Borja, a CPA wore a yellow dress for the gala and was also past FACC officer. 


Allow me to reprint Dr. Borja’s own account of the barong Tagalog he wore during his wedding in his own words: 


‘I wore it to my wedding 31 years ago. We got married at Sanctuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park. We went to Liliw or Lumban ( can't remember) Laguna, crossing a river by banca to get to this small village where they make the Pina cloth which was hand embroidered.’


‘At that time this place was only accessible by banca, not sure why.  The reason we got it there is because Tracy's family is from Sta Cruz Laguna and I think her mom suggested it.’


‘After I brought the material to Tesoros in Manila to get it tailored and designed to suite my own personal style for our wedding. I remember it was quite a journey and very memorable.’

◦

Meanwhile the best in long gown was won by Concha Becker, wife of retired Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Charlotte. Winners were judged on poise, bearing, elegance and style. 


Later a raffle draw was held and the first winner who snagged a coach cross body purse was Zulma Cruz, a Puerto Rican by birth and her husband Jose who won a US $100 card. 

The Cruz couple sat at table 11 and were the guests of my husband Ronnie Dennis. It was their second time to attend the Gala on invitation by the Dennises. 


To sum it up the 34th FACC Gala Night was, in the words of FACC past president Dr. Nini de Bautista, a ‘multi-cutural and diverse event’ since it was also graced by the Asian American Pacific Islander and Latino Community. 


This year’s FACC Gala Night is led by Dr. Ed Tautjo, Beth Kremer,1st VP, Liezel Perez Bell, 2nd VP, Aurea Barbee, Secretary, Elsie Maurice, Treasurer, Dr. Stella Lawsin, Auditor. Janette Byerly, Marissa Olarte, Jigs Yalong, Ces Tautjo and Barbara Averi, Area Representatives.  Stay tuned for more FACC Gala Night stories.




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