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2007 Year in
Review
2007 proved to be our busiest year yet with many gatherings and
important events allowed us to come together as a cohesive community
of Filipinos and Americans.
A very big thank you to all of our members, especially those who
chaired committees, volunteered and went that extra mile to
contribute to the successes of the various events we held this
year. And a special thank you to our Officers for 2007. Our
President, Arnel Marucut; Vice-President, Charlie Rice; Secretary,
Vivian Brown; Treasurer, Bing Rice; Auditor, Herme Huff; and our
three Board of Directors, Rick Rodriguez, Virginia Rodriguez, and
Rem Navarro.
Santo Nino Festival
Our now famous FAC-WNC Cultural Dance Troupe kicked off our year
with our first ever participation at the Santo Nino Festival,
sponsored by our sister association the Filipino American
Association of Greater Columbia (FAAGC) in Columbia, SC.
Our troupe represented our association with dignity, class, and
flair. Dancing three dances, including Subli, Tinikling, and
Sinulog, our dancers paid homage to the infant Jesus in this
important celebration and festival in His honor. They became the
talk of the town, even almost a year later.
Valentine’s Party 2007
The Valentine’s Party was full of fun and excitement. Our dance
troupe performed two ballroom numbers under the new dance directors,
Brian Rodriguez and Marilou Marucut. The big event of the night
went to three special young ladies who have made our association
very proud. Starting a new tradition, the association sponsored the
first ever Miss FAC-WNC. This honor went to Khristy Fontillas,
daughter of Wilson and Lulu Fontillas of Arden. Our first runner up
went to Lee Huff, daughter of Herme Huff, of Lake Toxaway. Our
second runner up was Kimberly Lankford, daughter of Neil and Alicia
Lankford of Waynesville. These three extraordinary young women,
proved to quite accomplished at such young ages. They all have
bright futures ahead of them and have represented their heritage and
our association very well.
Easter Picnic
Our annual Easter Picnic and Egg hunt proved to a windy and cold day
to gather outside at Lake Louise in Weaverville. But, our members
persevered and took the time to enjoy great food, games, fun, and
the all important Easter Egg Hunt. Our children couldn’t be happier
with games and entertainment and prizes for all. The annual ‘Best
decorated Egg’ competition went to the Nelson sisters, Tatiana and
Sara, daughters of Tom and Eva Nelson.
Memorial Day Picnic
The holidays are great excuses to get together and gather as a
community, and the Memorial Day Picnic was another one of these
events. Held at…., our members were once again treated to a lot of
food, games, and fun, all in preparation for the sunny days of
summer.
13th Annual Gala
Our biggest event of the year was held on a hot day in July at the
Renaissance Hotel in Asheville. Our dance troupe, under the
direction of first time dance directors, Brian Rodriguez, who has
been our assistant dance director for many years, and Marilou
Marucut, our first lady. From March to July, our directors,
dancers, and volunteers have been working hard in preparation for
this all important event. From sewing costumes, painting backdrops,
making props, planning, seating arrangements, choreography,
rehearsals, our volunteers and dancers put in a lot of work to make
this event the most successful in history. Breaking several
records, including the most attendance we’ve ever had of close to
300 guests, plus the fundraising going into this event, made this
year’s Gala the biggest yet. Our emcees, Mary Ann Ar, our former
dance director, and Tom Nelson, a former officer, helped to
highlight our dance troupe and keep the crowd entertained in between
numbers. All in all, this event proved to be a lot of hard work for
such an important cause. It is our one event that celebrates our
community of Filipinos and Americans, it helps to preserve and
maintain our heritage and culture by showcasing it for this one
evening.
From the beautiful colors of costumes, props, the elegant swaying of
dance, the fun and excitement of a show, this year’s Gala event has
been our biggest and most successful yet. Thank you to all of those
who were involved!
Labor Day Picnic
In the days that follow the Gala, most of us took time to rest and
relax and enjoy the end of summer. What better way to celebrate the
end of sunny days and relaxation by gathering at the all important
Labor Day picnic. Of course, we had great food, fun and activities,
held at Lake Julian in Skyland, but more importantly, Labor Day
means Election time. Voted again to their official posts, Arnel
Marucut – President, Charlie Rice – Vice-President, Bing Rice –
Treasurer, and Rem Navarro – Board of Directors, and welcoming two
new officers, Brian Rodriguez – Secretary, and Ladie Armena –
Auditor. With many familiar faces, and a couple of new, 2008
promises to be just as successful a year as 2007. Congratulations
to all officers past and present and thank you for all the hard work
done!
Halloween Party
With the changing of color and all the leaves falling, the autumn
months have finally arrived. Our annual Halloween Party held at
Church of Christ in Hendersonville, was full of the usual food and
fun, but even more so, it was a chance for all of us to enjoy some
trick-or-treating and dress up. There were costume contests,
dancing, games, and overall a lot of fun for all our kids, and
kids-at-heart.
Volunteer Projects
While we all enjoy gathering as a community and having fun, it is
also important to give back to the community in which we live and
help those less fortunate. In years past, FAC-WNC sponsored
different volunteer opportunities to give back. In 2007, our
association brought these projects back.
Loving Foods Resources, lead by Rem and Camilla Navarro, is an
organization that packs boxes of food for HIV/AIDS patients in
need. Many of our members, each month, took time out on Saturday
mornings to lend a helping hand.
ABCCM – Women and Children’s Shelter, lead by Virginia Rodriguez,
was a project that was done in years past that was brought back.
Taking time out to cook and prepare a lunch for women and children
in the shelter, our members were greatly appreciated in sharing
their time and effort by helping the less fortunate.
Thank you to our leaders in these volunteer projects and to our
members who continuously gave back to the community.
Summary
This year has had many successes, none of which wouldn’t have been
possible without our members, but more importantly, to those members
who made volunteered, planned, chaired, and worked behind the scenes
in all of our events this year. Thank you to the committee heads of
each event, committee members, volunteers, dancers, planners, and
Officers for making 2007 such a wonderful success.
These efforts have helped to strengthen our community even more by
uniting all of us in order to preserve and keep intact our rich
cultural heritage.
As 2007 draws to a close, let us reflect on all our endeavors and
lives this past year as we look forward to a bright future and all
that it holds in store for us next year in 2008. |
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