Dealing with dengue

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

IT wasn’t a good past week for me because my grandson Christian Palmes Mejorada was hospitalized due to dengue.

His platelets went down and this set off alarm bells in my head because I 
know how dangerous dengue was.

Samsam is okay now and out of the hospital after a one week confinement. But the recovery took one full week and it was an anxiety filled week as Samsan’s platelets crashed from 160 to 59.

Samsam during a Church ceremony

His platelet count returned to 160. While I know dengue is a familiar disease especially in the Philippines, allow me to explain what it is.

According to a medical dictionary, dengue is an acute disease caused by a bite from a particular species of mosquito which can cause internal hemorrhaging that can prove fatal.

At the time Samsam was at the hospital I posted his plight on my Facebook account and asked, nay implored my friends to storm the heavens with their prayers to God asking that He heal Samsam.

I also asked for suggestions on what to do and what treatments to administer and the common suggestion was to use the weed locally known as “tawa-tawa.”

Of the 100 comments I counted tawa tawa got so many likes. Of course there were other alternative ideas such as durian ice-cream, carica syrup and pounded papaya leaves.

Many testified that their children, nephews and nieces got ill due to dengue and an extract of tawa-tawa helped restore their platelets.

Dealing with dengue isn't new to me. During my journalism days in Cagayan de Oro, I've been reporting about dengue cases and how “tawa-tawa” is said to be cure for that disease.

It pains me to remember the casualties of dengue, one of whom was the son of a family friend. Pitong de Torres, a certified public accountant at the prime of his life died due to dengue.

I thought this disease had been eradicated already but I learned that Samsam's class also had two children who contracted dengue during that same week gives credence to suspicions that the school had some areas that had become breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes. 

Samsam during a school program

Apparently nothing has been done within the 10 year period when dengue was on the rise. 

At best, palliative measures have been done by local health authorities such as information campaigns and the so-called '4 o' clock habit' of burning leaves and cleaning one's surroundings of stagnant water that breeds these mosquitoes.

I think these mosquitoes are hard to eradicate. We can't do that only by legislation but by study and concrete action.

I remember there was a study done by the College of Agriculture of Xavier University on the efficacy of “tawa-tawa” as dengue treatment using white mice. I don't know what became of that. 

What is keeping the government from finishing that research. No budget again? Are we waiting for other countries to finish the project for us? Dengue, like most diseases, can be cured if detected early. 

This is the country's chance to show to the rest of the world that we can do research and create our own cure for diseases that plague its citizens. It's a lot better than the waiting sheds being paid for by a congressman's pork barrel.

Until now, the Department of Health (DOH) still advises the public not to be dependent on “tawa-tawa” as a dengue cure despite its proven efficacy. 

Which is all the more reason why we should continue with the research to find the be-all and end-all cure for dengue.

Asian Herald publisher visits Little Schoolhouse

From left to right, Dell Fallar Dr. Chun, Gloria Grifenhagin and Grace Basilan

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The publisher of Asian Herald recently visited the students of the Eskwelahang Munti (Little Schoolhouse) at the Asian Library.

Publisher Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun was welcomed by the students with a traditional holiday greeting known as “Maligayang Pasko (Merry Christmas in English).

Aside from publishing the Asian herald, Chun is a well-known businessman and philanthropist who owns the Asian Library and donated several rooms for the Eskwelahang Munti held every Sunday.

Also present during the visit were teachers Adelia Dell Fallar, Gloria Grifenhagen and the parents. It was in September this year that the first Eskwelahang Munti opened on a Sunday at the Asian Library building.

Filipino American Spirit names recipient agencies for donor aid

Dr. Nini Bautista (in dark sweater) and Wally Pennila (left) before the Viernamese delegation 

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The Filipino American Spirit (FAS) board of directors already identified agencies that would receive the proceeds they raised in their fund-raising activities.

Filipino American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) Executive Director Wally Penilla told Straight from the Carolinas at the Asian Library last week that the six directors already meet and agreed to the list of recipient agencies that would receive the US $10,000 funds.

Of that amount, $3,000 will go to Catholic Relief Services, $1,500 to Doctors Without Borders, $1,500 to Gawad Kalinga, $1,500 to Ancop USA for typhoon relief and $1,500 to Ancop Foundation USA for the Bohol earthquake victims.

“We are on the process of allocating the funds.” Penilla said. He said the proceeds of the auction sale during the FACC gala night last November were intended for the quake victims before the onslaught of supertyphoon Haiyan. 

He promised this writer that they would furnish a copy of the transcript on the minutes of the meeting. 

Also former FACC official Dr. Nini de Bautista and Penilla received $250 from the Vietnamese group in a gathering held at the Asian Library.

FAS is coordinating with all existing Filipino-American organizations from Charlotte to Raleigh in the Carolinas for the fund-raising campaign for earthquake and typhoon victims in central Philippines.

Spending Christmas dinner with the Dennis boys

The Dennis family flanked by Ronnie Dennis at extreme left and me at extreme right

'The family is the building block for whatever solidarity there is in society-Anonymous.

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

Every Christmas for the past decade, the Dennis brothers would gather for an early Christmas dinner.  The venue of choice is the home of Dean and Ann Dennis at Ellerbe, North Carolina.

William H. Dennis alias Bill, Larry Keith or simply Keith, Gary Dean often called Dean and Ronnie Dennis, the boy with no middle name so he's known as Ronnie N. Dennis as in Ronnie “No Middle Name” Dennis. 

They are the sons of William and Mary, both deceased. Five boys in the family and all good-looking especially Ronnie (pardon the bias). 

Eldest brother George Wayne couldn't attend because of health concerns and the distance from Tennessee to North Carolina. Catherine Peek, a beautiful woman of 80 years talked fondly about the Dennis boys who are all close to her and her sisters. 

She described Bill as a brother, who's always present when needed. Larry Keith is the brother who would always find things to do in the house. Dean, the baby of the family, is a perfectionist like the father. 

From left Ronnie Dennis, Dean, Keith and Bill

Catherine described Ronnie as the beautiful boy whom she tagged along wherever she went. She recalled bringing Ronnie to the barber shop or visiting friends.  “I love the natural curl of Ronnie,” she said.

I've been attending this gathering for four years  and every year I witness how these four grown men act like little boys and never tired of talking about growing up in East Rockingham and sharing about the good times with cousins Catherine Peek, Bobbie Caulder and Lora May Brown and nephew Randy Peek.  

This year the ”Dennis Boys” were in the other room sharing tales and stories with Dean's youngest son Christopher and joined by Greg Tew, boyfriend of Lorie Brackhahn (Keith's daughter).

Their laughter is infectious. Their stories aren't recycled with additional details to spice it up. Rather they share and join in each other's stories. 

I was reminded of the book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder who said something about hearts growing tender with children memories and love of kindred and how we are better throughout the year for having inhabited the spirit of a child again. These words fit the Dennis family perfectly.


I heard Ronnie giving instructions to Meghan, Keith's granddaughter, to go “to your grandpa and tell him, that Uncle Ronnie is the good looking uncle you ever had and I give you 5 dollars.”

Meghan would say no and make a counter-offer, telling Ronnie to make it $20 to the roar of laughter of those who heard the conversation.

But later the Dennis brothers would start talking about their respective families, children and grandchildren. Take for instance, Ronnie who told everyone that Madison, the granddaughter could not make it this year since she is attending a violin lesson every Saturday.

Dean also announced that he and Anne are planning to visit Okinawa in March to visit his son Gary and his family. Gary is with the US Air Force and is assigned in Okinawa; his wife Nikki will deliver their second child in March, promoting their first child Myles to big brother status. 

Dean's wife Anne said it had been more than 10 years since they've had Christmas dinner reunions and gently reminded all those present that they should meet up even once a year.

Every year there is an addition to the Dennis family. Actually an extended family and I am honored that they also include in their prayers my family back home.

The Dennis Christmas reunion dinner is usually held every first Sunday of December since it is the time of the year when each are not yet tied up their own lives. 

The family is getting bigger with the children who came with their family and the grandchildren who are always the center of attention. But all those who could not make are remembered in the prayers made by Dean Dennis.

The Dennis family growing closer and bigger with each passing year

As is always the case, the food is delicious; ham, chicken,turkey, collards green, dressing, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese, rice, gravy, rolls and for dessert pecan pie, chocolate cake and orange cake and soda, tea and water.

The food is cooked and served up by the beautiful wives of the Dennis brothers- Anne, Doris, Cheryle, and of course me.

Coming from a country where everybody is a family and reunions are always worth attending I love being a part of the annual Christmas reunion dinner.

It is that time of the year when everybody is accounted for and all are having fun with each other. I thank the Lord for being with this family.

Carolina features: The Christmas parol: A tradition close to Pinoys’ ...

Carolina features: The Christmas parol: A tradition close to Pinoys’ ...: Joannes Aves (in dark polo and glasses, left) teaches students how to make the Christmas lantern by Susan Palmes-Dennis The p...

The Christmas parol: A tradition close to Pinoys’ hearts

Joannes Aves (in dark polo and glasses, left) teaches students how to make the Christmas lantern

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The parol or Christmas lantern is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration and it is said that a Filipino home isn’t complete without this ubiquitous ornament come the Yuletide season.

Obviously the lantern was used to light the way for churchgoers before the advent of electricity. It is originally made of thin bamboo frames and covered with colored cellophane or with rice paper.

According to Wikipedia, the design of the parol evolved from the five-pointed paper star lantern originally crafted by an artisan named Francisco Estanislao in 1928.

Estanislao’s creation was made of bamboo strips covered with papél de japón (Japanese paper), illuminated by a candle or kalburo (carbide) known as Japanese paper or papel de Japon.

The parol had two tails that looked like the rays of a star. Traditionally, paróls have a star-shaped framework made of bamboo sticks which are then covered by colored pieces of either Japanese paper or crêpe paper.

Materials for parols range from plastic, shells, glass, beads, foil, feathers, hemp, leaves, seeds, soft drink straws, wood and even metal.

Even here at North Carolina, Fil-American communities display the parol or lanterns in homage to the tradition back home.

I knew of two people who were proficient in making parols. One is Joannes Aves, the immediate past 1st vice president of the Filipino-American Communities of the Carolinas (FACC).

Joanne, who was taught by his late father to make parols in his elementary grades, now passed his knowledge to students of the Eskwelahang Munti (Little Schoolhouse) last month.

He said it was a pleasure seeing the children having a good time making the parols along with their teachers, volunteers, parents and guardians.

I also had a good time making a parol since it was quite a change of pace from buying a parol from the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail back home in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

During the demonstration, Joannes started by cutting the Japanese paper into shapes, one of which was the tail of the star. From these shapes, he assembled them slowly into the familiar Christmas star-shaped lantern that we Filipinos know and love.

The parol-making was such fun that it was extended up to Sunday School. It was so fun I wondered why I missed doing this back in school. Could be I wasn’t listening or I was sent on an errand by a teacher.

Joannes used materials from AC Moore. He told me he was making parols to be sold at the Christmas party of the FACC for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Haiyan in central Philippines.

Another person who’s proficient in making parols is a kababayan from barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro named Geraldyn Cabariban Jetton, who now lives in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Geraldyn Cabariban Jetton with her giant Christmas lantern

She said she learned making parols in elementary grade. Geraldyn aka Bebith said she uses dowel 3/13 sticks available in Walmart store where she works in lieu of bamboo sticks for her parols.

Geraldyn said she has been making lanterns for the past four years and this year she made one with a logo bearing her prayers for the Filipino victims of typhoon Haiyan.

”Every time I see lantern I am reminded of my family in the Philippines. It’s a tradition I want to hold close to my heart where ever I will be,” Geraldyn said. I could only agree with her sentiments wholeheartedly.

((This article also appeared in Sun.Star.com.ph. You can also follow me at Twitter at Susana Dennis@journ888)

Filipino home cooking for Fil-American Christmas charity dinner

Pinoy fare. Barbecued chicken and pork barbecue were among the dishes served in the party

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Those who attended the Carolina Christmas Party holiday dinner and fundraiser were served classic and modern Filipino food cooked by the lady chefs of the Fil-American Spirit (FAS) and the Filipino-American Carolina Community (FACC) last Friday evening.

The event hosted at the Asian Library by the Carolinas-Asian Chamber of Commerce also aimed to raise funds for the victims of supertyphoon Haiyan that devastated central Philippines a month ago.

Those in attendance ate appetizers like lumpiang shanghai, thin crispy spring rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauce and entrees like chicken adobo, a national dish of the Philippines consisting of braised chicken in a tangy, garlicky-vinegary soy sauce—a Spanish dish with a touch of the orient.

Pancit bihon, or Chinese rice noodles which are served on birthdays since they symbolize long life, were served in two versions; one with shrimps and the other vegetarian. 

Beef mechado, an Iberian Peninsula larded roast beef and perennial fiesta favorite in the Philippines was also available along with chop suey con camaron, stir fried veggies with shrimps in a light brown sauce.

Teriyaki salmon or salmon baked in a light teriyaki marinade with ginger and scallions were also on the table with lumpiang frito (fried roll) and sauteed vegetables.

But the real stand-out was the chicken and pork barbecue, marinated meat grilled on a stick. A Filipino version of satay (not to be confused with pulled pork) was likewise served.

“I waited for this barbecue the whole day,” FACC auditor Amira Q. Issa said. Sweet tooth treats include leche flan (caramel custard), assorted cupcakes, fruits 

While for desserts the popular leche plan, assorted cupcakes, fruits des saison and stollen, a German fruit cake. The menu was given the thumbs up by FACC members including past president Dell Fallar. 

For a fundraiser for Filipino typhoon victims, the menu was a sumptuous taste of home.