All is ready for the 36th FACC Gala this Oct. 25

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—It’s only days, even hours, away from the 36th Annual Gala of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) and excitement for the event among the Filipino-Americans is palpable, lead organizers said. 

Scheduled this Saturday (Oct. 25), the FACC Gala will open at 5 pm at the Le Meridien Hotel in downtown Charlotte and it’s expected to draw more than 500 guests, said FACC 2nd Vice President Edelweiss de Guzman Vogel, who chairs this year’s annual event. 

With North Carolina House Representative Maria Cervania as special guest, the 36th Grand Gala takes on the theme of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere, specifically entitled ‘Touch Me Not: Sulyap Sa Noli (A Glimpse of Noli). ‘

This novel along with its sequel El Filibusterismo is a dramatization of inequity and injustice in the Philippines during Spanish colonial rule. In particular the Gala will be treated to a dramatization of Chapter 16 of the Noli that delved into the lives of Sisa and her sons.

 The gala program will feature a pre-colonial presentation by the Dance Philippines of the Carolinas of Bahadian Maguindanao, a group founded by Tonette Asay.  This will be followed by a pre-colonial fashion show dubbed ‘The Kultura Filipina Couture Threaded Tradition Vibrant Tribal Vogue’ by Beth Kremer.

Also included in the gala program are a Spanish-era presentation by the Asheville Performing Artists of Brian Rodriguez and the Filipino American Student Union at UNC, Charlotte. 

The highlight of the night would be the awarding ceremony for the winners of the Mi Ultimo Award Declamation Contest and the Noli Awards.  The evening would also feature the best among the Filipino Americans in the North Carolina performers.

One such talent is Audrey Baran, a Filipina American dance maker, performer and educator based in Charlotte. Baran is the founder and artistic director of the contemporary dance company Baran Dance. 

She is dedicated to broadening definitions and accessibility of contemporary dance throughout the Southeast by presenting collaborative, multimedia performances and mentorship programs for emerging and evolving dance artists.

Baran’s professional and educational choreography has been described as a ‘full human placed with honesty, courage and creativity percolating simultaneously.’ 

Another artist to watch out for is Yael Pineda Hall, a highly accomplished performing artist celebrated for captivating global audiences.

Her distinguished career spans over two decades with performances in the Broadway musical ‘Disney’s The Lion King’ covering iconic roles such Rafiki, Shenzi and Sarabi.

She will return to the National Touring company of Disney’s The Lion King in November.  But before that, Yael Pineda Hall will perform ‘Bayan Ko (My Country)’ in the 36th FACC Gala, an unofficial anthem by Filipinos to mark their love of freedom for the Philippines.

Rounding up the gala program are Rommel Olarte who will sing the Philippine and US anthems while the group Purple Remedy Acoustic will perform during the cocktail hour. 

Playing host is multi-talented Jay Capistrano who has over 20 years experience in hosting major events and is president of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations Southern Region. 

The first FACC Gala was held in 1988 and initiated by the Jouquin couple. A year after the event came the birth of the FACC through its registration before the Secretary of State of North Carolina.

This year’s FACC Board of Directors is headed by President Marissa Olarte, 1st VP Dr. Louie Anquillo, 2nd VP Edelweiss Vogel, Secretary Tess Olarte Garcia, Treasurer Maribel Lankford, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Dhi Villapando, Auditor Ranilo Perez Jr., ex officio and secretary general Dr. Ed Tautjo and the following area representatives: Elsie Maurice, Marilou Vitug, Evelyn Glass, Ercie Cobile and Sophie Mack.

Completing the cast is the FACC Comelec chaired by me, Susan Palmes-Dennis with members Sherrilyn Tamayo-Simplon and Vida Arcamo Butler.

Interestingly, the words ‘consummatum est (it is finished)’ appear in the gala’s program of activities and this may well describe the works not only of Rizal but also the expectedly good turnout for this year’s FACC Gala—another feather in the collective caps of the Filipino-American community.