Feeling like royalty with my umbrella

Me with my daughter GG

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

THE other day a friend of mine, Zona “Onic” Gamones, commented over at my Facebook page that I am “sosyal (classy)”since I don’t use “payong (Tagalog word for umbrella) anymore.” 

She made the comment when she saw my photo while attending the 4th of July celebration here at Birkdale village. Zona didn't know that I am still using an umbrella. In fact it's a permanent fixture on me along with a cell phone and a book during summer.

As you can see I love my umbrella. It's summer and I couldn't handle the heat or the heat couldn't handle me either whenever I'm complaining about it. Very few Americans use umbrellas, they do so only when it rains hard and in fact even if it rains, they just run to the nearest building or shop. 

I always “umbrella myself” so to speak back in my native land, the Philippines; now here at Tar Heels (North Carolina), I have many umbrellas of different colors and kinds because the summer heat can get really uncomfortable.

Taken from Wikipedia

Some people look at me as if I am crazy every time I carry my umbrella or “payong”  since I'm the only one doing it within their immediate vicinity. But now I've mustered the courage to use it, not caring about what the others think. 

Four years ago I was conscious about using an umbrella since my hubby advised me that “American women don’t use umbrella even if it rains”  

I asked: What happens when it rains? He replied, ”run." It was okay at first, but after several days and after seeing the marks on my face, I told myself, no way this is damaging.

I have to insist what is best for me and that means using the umbrella whenever I go out no matter what people say about it. This resulted in me consulting Wikipedia about the umbrella's origin.  

Taken from Wikipedia

Some interesting facts about the umbrella which made me believe that I feel like royalty whenever I carry it along with me. 

“The first umbrellas were for protection from the sun and were possibly inspired from the canopy of a tree, which would offer a cool shade from the heat of the day,” according to Wikipedia.

The same Wikipedia page also said the origins of the umbrella came from China in the 11th century B.C. although ancient sculptures showed it was found in Nineveh, Persepolis and Thebes (Egypt). 

Parasols were also used in India. The first umbrellas mostly came from big trees or a hat on a stick, which gave rise to the umbrella, as we know it today.”

Use of the umbrella passed through civilizations and would you believe only the wealthy and members of the ruling class used the umbrella? From Rome, Greece, France, to Egypt and Middle East, the royals use it then—hence why I felt like royalty. 

But of course, it is not the umbrella that we see today. The umbrella of ancient times is quite big. Imagine Cleopatra carried by slaves with someone holding the umbrella for her. Then the umberlla found its way to China.  

Almost all umbrellas are made in China now (I am not surprised China made everything from small to big items)

In many parts of the Philippines, the umbrella has many uses: 1. It is  used to ward bad elements, the tip of the umbrella if sharp or pointed are used as protection against thieves and robbers; 2.  Or inside public utility vehicle when males push their way intentionally to feel up the breasts of a female passenger, who then uses an umbrella to parry these unwanted advances; 3. Not only from the sun but rain; 4. To prevent getting sunburn; 5. Decoration 6. A cane 7. A non-talking companion and so many other uses.

But now, I used the umbrella for my beauty needs. I told my husband if somebody asks him you why I use an umbrella, he would answer “she is of royal blood, and  a princess in the Philippines.“

An American lady approached me the other day and told me it's “pretty good to use that.” For me, the umbrella is one of my last links to the country of my birth.

Taken from Wikipedia

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas. Visit and read her website at www.susanpalmes-dennis.simplesite.com. Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.

You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

A day of Cherokee Indian culture

Me, Ronnie and my daughter GG make a stopover

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

As my husband Ronnie, daughter GG and I headed to Cherokee, North Carolina from Tennessee, my thoughts wandered to what I've heard about the place.

Cherokee, North Carolina not only houses a casino but is actually inhabited by the Cherokee, a native Indian tribe. When we arrived there, we saw signs around town printed in English and Cherokee. 

The city itself is anchored by the Harrah's Cherokee Casino. We decided on a side-trip not to the casino but for a quick study of culture and heritage of Cherokee culture.

I've been interested in learning more about Cherokee culture after reading a true story written by Forrest Carter called ”The Education of a Little Tree” that talks about the Cherokee people. 

It is an interesting read, especially about the mountains and nature. 

So while we were at Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ronnie, GG and me crisscrossed to Cherokee, North Carolina passing through Smokey Mountain, the mountain ranges and valleys over tunnels and rich abundant greens.

After breakfast at the hotel we went to Pigeon Forge, the next town after Gatlinburg since gas prices there were lower compared to Gatlinburg and every penny counts to dear Ronnie. 

From Pigeon Forge, which Ron described as a city that looks like a beach without the ocean, we passed through the entrance of the great Smokey Mountain National Park.

The entrance is accessible between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The great Smokey Mountain is one of the most pristine natural areas in the eastern US and I think it is a world heritage site.

The long drive is very good, there were no bumps because the roads were smooth, though a bit curvy as we followed a long line of the cars and trucks ahead. 

I saw all kinds of trees and wild flowers and it was a breathtaking view especially if you stop by the Overlook. 

There you see for yourself nature's magnificent beauty magnified and maintain by humanity.

There were also small mountains covered with white smoke while traffic signs were abundant and clear for both drivers and passengers. The road was only two lanes going up and down, which slowed us down for sometime. 

In addition to the mountains and rich valleys there are crystal clear waters gushing out of creeks and brooks. It looked cool and inviting, with floating leaves and branches. 

There were old and young trees, both competing to blanket the surrounding environment with their green blanket of leaves and branches. We passed three tunnels and reached Cherokee after an hour and several minutes.

We immediately went to the welcome center to find what’s going on there on a Saturday. 

There's something about heritage that I appreciate and draws me to. 

The book “The Education of Little Tree” mentioned about Grandma who told the central character Little Tree “If ye don’t know the past, then you will not have a future.” 

With that in mind, we went to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. I saw a big statue of an Indian and I had my picture taken with it. We saw all manner of crafts outside the museum that tell the history of the Cherokee Indians.

In one of the booths, an Indian trader was generous enough to write my name in Cherokee for free which is quite a treat.

I was really amazed seeing all the Cherokee Indian artifacts. We headed to another booth where we danced with Cherokee Indians and had our picture taken  for a fee of course. 

Just between you and me—when I was a kid growing up in Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental province, northern Mindanao in the Philippines, the only way I can make my siblings go to sleep early was to tell them that there were Indians coming.

After spending the whole of Saturday, June 29, at a Cherokee Indian museum, I learned a lot more and appreciated the rich history and culture of one of many native American Indian tribes.

I wish to learn more as well as spend more time soaking in the place and the clean fresh air there in the immediate future.

I close this article by sharing with you again Grandma's line from “The Education of Little Tree.” “If ye don’t where your people have been, then ye won’t know where your people are going.”

For more information about the Museum of the Cherokee Indian please click on this link.  http://www.cherokeesmokies.com/history_culture.html.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas. Visit and read her website at www.susanpalmes-dennis.simplesite.com. Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.

You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)