People, Events, Places (PEP)

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 1 st 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 FAC...

Sofia Hnatczuk-Escobal with her father (second from right) and her twin brothers by Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina—About 20 days after receiving her Political Science degree from North Carolina State University, Sofia Hnatczuk-Escobal got admitted to law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Her admission fulfilled a long time personal dream to become a lawyer that she nurtured through the years.  Sofia specifically wanted to become a criminal defense attorney.  Showing a letter from Bianca Mack, the asst. dean for admission, Sophia was selected from a large pool of applicants due to her outstanding academic and personal accomplishments.  Born Sofia Ester Hnatczuk-Escobal, she is the daughter of past Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) president Robert Escobal.  Sofia loves to watch the long running TV show ‘Law and Order’ directed by Emmy Award winning producer Dick Wolf which delves into crime procedur...

By Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina---For my next feature on Filipino-American youths finding success despite  the COVID-19 pandemic, I bring you Jamie Lyn Burgess, who’s enjoying a beautiful summer after a fruitful school year 2020-2021. Jamie is responsible, obedient and respectful for an only child.  She loves gymnastics and shows signs of being a great gymnast at an early age. I couldn’t blame her for taking to gymnastics especially when she hits that great routine. Gymnastics is that sport in which a quitter never wins and a winner never quits. No pain, no gain so to speak.  Jamie is a 10-year-old 4th Grade student with a truckload of talents. She loves Harry Potter books , she can play the piano and sing as well as her mama Emelyn Burgess or ‘Em-Em’ to her friends.  ‘Em-Em’ sat on the 2019 board of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) and hails from Dumaguete City. Em-Em used to be the lead vocalist in a family band based i...

Me talking a group photo with Ma'am Susan (seated second from left) by Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina--First impressions are lasting impressions, so goes the old saying and this rings true for my meeting with Susan Valenzuela Soberano Mendiola at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We were guests of the gracious and hospitable Cora M Roxas at her home and she welcomed us with lunch. It was that time and place when I met Ma'am Susan and her husband. A petite 70-year-old lady who doesn’t look her age, she epitomizes graceful aging. To me she looks 20 years younger. Susan is the great granddaughter of Pio Valenzuela, the compatriot of the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.  She told me that she remembered reciting poems for her great grandfather Pio. It was a eureka moment for  me who had yet to meet any relatives of heroes that we read only in Philippine history books. The date of our lunch was also providential given that it was also my late father’s (Tatay) birthda...

Myself (second from left) with Barangay Macasandig Captain Aaron Neri (left)  By Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina--When I learned that Atty. Mateo Delegencia and Macasandig Barangay Captain Aaron M. Neri Sr. died,   I told myself to just pray for the eternal repose of their souls.   But I couldn’t keep silent about the stories I can share about them, two kind souls who, sadly, I cannot meet again. Both men died of COVID-19 complications based on what I read from the Facebook posts. Due to the quarantine restrictions in Cagayan de Oro City, their wakes and funerals will be limited to their immediate families and close friends. My friendship with them goes back many years. Atty. ‘Teting’ Delegencia was my law professor who handled subjects like Obligations and Contracts and Insurance Law. His law office before was at the ground floor of the Almirante building at Don Apolinar Velez street. My uncle Mauro Naelga rented the first floor of the Padero house...

  Christopher 'CJ' Helms Jr. showing off one of his certifications by Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina--Christopher Helms Jr. or CJ/Chris Jr. to his family, friends and classmates will graduate summa cum laude on Friday this week (May 14) at the University of North Carolina Charlotte ( UNCC). CJ is graduating with a Business Administration degree majoring in both Information System/Technology and Operation Supply Chain Management—the second or latter major in which he secured his summa cum laude ranking. He is the eldest son of Jean Helms—Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) area representative and her husband Christopher Helms Sr. (Chris), both residents of Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina.   ‘As parents we are so proud of him and we are so excited (for his graduation),’ the proud parents told me in a text message. Jean comes from the Ganila family in Guimaras province in Western Visayas of the Philippines while Chris is a native of North Caroli...

by Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina—On May 14 or Friday this week, Justine Patricia Estanislao will join her fellow graduates in a simple commencement ceremony at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC). The Filipino-American Justine will receive her Computer Science degree major in   Web and Mobile Applications. Her specialty is in developing mobile apps for online platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and so on. The May 14 commencement ceremony will be held in person owing to easing quarantine restrictions. ‘In choosing my profession, I want to be sure I’m happy with what I choose to do,’ Justine said. The chinita-eyed Justine already knew after graduation in high school that she wanted to attend UNCC only. But she didn’t know then what course to pursue. She spent her whole high school summer thinking what course to take. One thing she was certain of, Justine said, was that she wanted an education. But given the various degrees, she wanted to...