People, Events, Places (PEP)

Anthea Neri-Best in the Broadway production of 'Oliver!' by Susan Palmes-Dennis To all my friends: I’d like to introduce an American actress whose paternal grandparents, father and the father’s sibling are personally known to me as neighbors and schoolmates in elementary and high school back home in Tagoloan town, Misamis Otiental in northern Mindanao, Philippines.  Anthea Neri-Best is the granddaughter of Iyo Dodo (Arestotelis Neri) and Nang Emma. Her father is Andy Neri who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. The other day Anthea Neri-Best messaged me which read thus:   ‘Tita Susan!!! I know your'e super busy, but I wanted to share the news and would love your help! We launched the crowdfunding campaign for our film, FACE ON. If you could follow the campaign, that'd really help us out: https://seedandspark.com/fund/faceonmovie#story And if you're able to contribute, that would really go a long way towards helping us reach our goal as well.  It only takes one person ...

By Susan Palmes-Dennis Rockingham, North Carolina—It was slightly just a week ago, or August 14, when the Filipino-American Community in the Carolinas (FACC) managed to hold its annual summer picnic at Park Road Park in Charlotte, North Carolina despite the threat of the Delta variant of COVID-19.  The FACC’s summer picnic was the first event staged by the group after nearly 180 days of hiatus caused in no small part by the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to COVID-19, all activities scheduled last year and early this year were canceled due to federal and state mandates.  In his welcome message, FACC President Ro Lawsin called on everyone who attended this year’s summer picnic to reflect on the blessings in their lives during the pandemic including having the chance to secure the facility at Park Road Park for their annual event. Anyway, on to the program. The first part was a Zumba exercise program led by Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Onia that delighted the crowd, some of whom either joined t...

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...