‘Sugala 2025’ bolsters camaraderie for FACC members, officials



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 contingent arrived at Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel Casino for the rest of the activities lined up for the day. ‘Everyone in the bus is ready to have the hands dirty,’ Anquillo said.


Anquillo said the group had a tour of the area including the board walk before unwinding for their packed lunches, some eating at the food court and others near the waters where the hotel was located. 


The group then left at 3:30 pm to visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at Cherokee. ‘We explored the old, traditional cultural and farm houses. A bonus was seeing a giant elk in front of us. As we proceeded back home, we passed the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains as a treat to end the day,’ Anquillo said.


Whether one is a casino or nature enthusiast, this year’s Sugala trip combined both experiences and it gave an opportunity for members to bond and meet up with the 2025 FACC board of directors. Tote bags were given to all who joined in the trip, Anquillo said as he hoped for more Sugala trips in the near future.


‘Sugala is an FACC initiative in which we arrange for our members and friends to have a day trip for them to have fun with each other,’ Anquillo said, adding they will plan more in the future depending on schedule and resources. (Video by FACC President Marissa Olarte)


PS: The homemade peanuts were made by Ludy Anquillo while the banana bread puto were made by Luming Garrido Champion as per latest info I got on the event). 



















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