Celebrating Cagayan de Oro City's feast of St. Augustine in New York

Christian Coloso is flanked by other devotees

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” 

St. Augustine

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I open my article, a continuation of the St. Augustine fiesta stories of Cagayan de Oro City that I’ve started, with that quote because love is a universal subject, spanning time, space and borders.

The fiesta would be over by the time this sees print but since I'm on the far side of the pond, I join the other Kagay-anons in other parts of the pond in celebrating   the fiesta of Cagayan de Oro City's patron saint, St. Augustine.

In New York City, Kagay-anons at Queens celebrated the fiesta of St. Augustine a week earlier than the city schedule of Aug. 28. At the Church of Ascension at Queens, a Mass was held to celebrate the fiesta last Aug. 23. 

They celebrated the fiesta the same way Kagay-anons celebrate the city fiesta; with buntings, good food, dancing, fellowship, picture taking (selfies and groupies). But they kick it off with a Mass and the prayer petition.

In the New York celebration, the mass was officiated by Filipino priest Rev. Jovy Carongay, who is from Cebu City. In his homily, Fr. Carongay elaborated on the life and virtues of St. Augustine, who inspired his followers to follow his example. 

Christian Coloso said there were 130 people who attended the 6 pm mass. 

A former native of Ilaya, barangay Carmen in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines, Coloso is a devotee of St. Augustine.

His devotion to the city's patron saint didn't waver when he transplanted to New York 14 years ago. In a phone conversation I had with him, Coloso said he and the others New York based Kagay-anons started the fiesta celebration in the Big Apple four years ago.

“It was born out from a longing of the city we left behind and the faith we have for Senor San Agustin as intercessory prayers for us. We miss the fiesta,” he said.

He recalled that the New York Church had fiesta celebrations for the devotees of St. Nino, San Lorenzo Ruiz and other patron saints. 

Then he told others from Cagayan de Oro and other devotees about celebrating the fiesta in honor of their favorite saint.

Four years ago they started with the fiesta with the theme “loose change for change.” Those who attended brought dimes, pennies and quarters and sent them to fund little projects back home with the help of their friends and family.

From then on, the fiesta started usually after the Mass. This year the Mass is held at the basement of the church.

This year the devotees and the Coloso, Oco and Marte (COM Offices or Christian Coloso, Vangie Nagac-Oco, Jerome N Marte, spouses Joel Oco and Lasylee Marte) 
partnered to have a joint fiesta celebration.

In its Facebook page, COM Offices said it is a private group whose vision and mission is to serve, promote goodwill socially, academically and economically, undertake charitable works and participate in religious events. 

It says it is a non-political entity which share the same values of what is right and just for the common good or betterment to the service of the people. It partners with other groups that hold the same principles they adhere to.

Their motto is “Charity sees the need, not the cause.” As mentioned, the St. Augustine fiesta celebration is joined by other Fil-Americans born outside Cagayan de Oro who still have strong ties in the Philippines.

It is also providential that the COM anniversary also falls on the feast day of St. Augustine and the group's theme this year is “literacy in every school.”

Erica Oco, emceed the event. Lasylee Marte said they served Filipino food like adobo (chicken/meat stew), pancit (native or Chinese noodles), humba (pork stew), sapin-sapin (custard) and biko (sweetened rice). 

Marte said there was also lots of dancing and raffle prizes, with 50 percent going to the attendees and the other half to projects they want to fund in Cagayan de Oro. 

Many consider St. Augustine as their favorite saint for answered prayers. The faithful, especially Filipino Catholic mothers and their sons, count St. Augustine and his mother St. Monica as their patron saints. 

I read a few of his confessions and remain fascinated with his great love and passion for the Lord. It was through the long-sufferings and persistent prayers of his mother Monica that changed the life of Augustine. 

So again, I greet those in Cagayan de Oro a happy fiesta. Viva Senor San Agustin!

(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.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. 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)

Robin Williams's Filipino connections

Robin Williams with my friends Grace Albasin and Sandy Alm

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I LEARNED about comic legend Robin Williams's death in the news and as I join his countless fans and admirers in mourning his untimely demise, I was struck by this news item which detailed that his second former wife was a Fil-American.

Robin Williams's Philippine connection, if I can say so, was Marsha Garces whose father came from Bohol province in the Philippines while her mother was from Finland.

His second Philippine connection, albeit a fleeting one, involved him posing casually with friends of mine, Sandra Alm and her friend, Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro editor-in-chief Grace Albasin. 

Williams's death was yet another painful reminder that all of us, be they rich, powerful and famous or average people on the street, are mortals which means we can die anytime. 

What I've read about Williams's death are none too pleasant as reports linked it to depression and drugs which are two of the most vicious enemies to a person's well being. There was a backlash on media coverage about his death.

Big fan

On a related side note, I recently came across a study on happy people around the world. The result show that it is the Danes or natives of Denmark who are the most happy.

The reason given for their bright disposition was they have “low expectations.”

A recent study conducted by Eden Strategy Institute showed that the Philippines ranked third behind Singapore and Malaysia on the Asian countries’ Happiness Index.

The study was based on more than 200 million social media accounts in the five countries covered by the study. It showed the Philippines scored 90 points in the Happiness Index, while Singapore scored 518 points, followed by Malaysia with 245 points.

That study showed that Filipinos “are among those who smile and laugh more often compared to other people in this planet.”  I asked some friends here in Charlotte, North Carolina to share their thoughts on this.

Malette Aquino-Oliveros, incumbent president of the Filipino American communities of the Carolinas (FACC) said she was a big fan of Robin Williams.

Malette Aquino-Oliveros

Resilient

“I'm a fan of Robin Williams. Loved him on “Bird Cage” and “Jumanji”, “Night at the Museum,” “Bicentennial man” and so many movies. Who can also forget Mork Mindy and his voice as the Genie in Aladdin?,” she said.

In her Facebook post after learning of Williams's death, Oliveros told her friends that ”awareness is the key factors to this silent disease (depression)...hug your loved ones now.” 

It had been said that Filipinos are among the most resilient of peoples around the world as evidenced lately by the victims of supertyphoon Haiyan (Yolanda back home in the Philippines).

Rain or shine, crisis after crisis, calamity after calamity, Filipinos are known to smile and laugh off their problems which amaze and befuddle foreigners.

What makes us Filipinos, even Fil-Americans so resilient? Former FACC president Lynn Lorenzo-Polk said it's our devotion to our religion that helps sustain us and shape our values and culture.

Lynn Polk

Religion

A Filipino acquaintance who requested for anonymity told me “we are religious.” It's also our being religious that allows us to forgive and forget the atrocities committed against us by our corrupt leaders back home but that's another story.

“I think, it's our religion. We are mostly Catholic and we always believe that God will take care of things,” Polk said.

Another Fil-American friend of mine, Nellisa “Beth Perez” Kremer agrees saying no matter how dark and challenging times get, Filipinos always look for that light in the darkness.

“When we are spiritually abounded with God’s love, we are content and we face the day with a smile and no room for depression,” Beth said. She also cites the Filipino's deep religious faith which allows us to hope for something better in the future.

“As one of the most religious people in the world, we pray and attend worship services regularly in the company of our family, who again we want to take care of and provide the necessities in life,” she said.

Example

Polk, who's been in the US for so many years, said she never reached those low moments in life. “Never in my lowest moments have I been depressed,” she said. 

The Filipino family's close family ties is also cited as another factor in the Filipino's continued optimism and positive outlook in life, Fil-Am friend Maria Corazon Benrokiya- Ducusin said.

Nellisa Beth Perez Kremer

Ducusin's view is shared by Nelissa who said “Filipinos are family oriented people; we face our challenges together as family. We are there for each other no matter what happen therefore we stand strong.”

We see these close family ties and bayanihan (community) spirit here in Charlotte, North Carolina whenever a Fil-American is giving birth, sick or having problems and his or her friends rally around to support him or her.

“And most of alll is our kind nature where we are willing to help anyone,” Ducusin said. 

Over at Greensboro, North Carolina, a Fil-American Nenette Zink said Filipinos look to their parents for guidance and example.

Positive step

“We saw how our parents raised us the best they know how, even in times when there is hardly any food on the table. We saw how hardworking they are. And they are accustomed to just being outdoors with friends and families,” Zink said.

The Filipino's resilience allows him or her to laugh at himself or herself and the situations they find themselves in, even if it looks hopeless.

Nenette Zink

Back in the Philippines, whenever they learn someone is seeing a psychiatrist, they immediately assume that he or she is insane, rather than seeing it as a positive step towards healing.

For that is how one deals and eventually overcomes depression, whether it be caused by alcohol, drugs or any traumatic experience.

The facts I gathered about Robin Williams showed that he also suffered from bipolar disorder, which causes extreme mood swings.

Neth Zink told me that depression affects every country and race and it usually affects those who expect so much and receive so little. “It also depends if there is help available to conquer that depression.”

I agree with Neth that family, friends, peer pressure and expectations are all factors that cause depression. To overcome it, he or she should have the courage to accept that they are experiencing depression and they need help.

While we mourn for the loss of Robin Williams, we also pray that he regales the heavens with his jokes. That others like him continue to entertain us mortals who still continue to live in this Earth.

For more readings see this link. 

(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.

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)

Distressing medical costs in PH

Taken from dailymail.co.uk

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The Ebola virus is making headlines across the world and while I'm worried about it, reading the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro story about the regional Department of Health (DOH-10) being worried more about dengue that Ebola reaching northern Mindanao is correct. 

We have our own menace in Cagayan de Oro that's reached Ebola virus like proportions (more so) and it's not Ebola but dengue. 

I can only pray that the experimental vaccine injected on the two Americans who came home because they contracted the Ebola virus would work. But that's not my focus now.

My topic is still related to health but it is all about financial costs of being sick in the Philippines especially if one has dengue and it hits home more than the Ebola virus.

Two weeks ago my husband Ron had his gall bladder removed. We stayed at the hospital for five days not because of the surgery because it is simple, but due to complications. 

Insurance
His medical issues are huge but no worries about it because he is a hypochondriac. But the anxiety I felt over his stay in the hospital is the same as the time he had heart surgery three years ago.

On the day that he was discharged we were given a packet of discharge instructions. The instructions detail the procedure, medications to take and also a reminder on a follow up visit to the doctors. 

Taken from worldmeets.us

It also say the home care procedure and when to call the doctor complete with the numbers and emails. 

The packet helps the patients to navigate outside the hospital and the recovery following the procedure.

All the patients have to do is to take care of himself/herself. 

No worries about anything. This is not the scenario for outgoing patients in the country of my birth. 

I am not talking about the rich people, I'm talking about people like me and my family who continue to worry about medical costs despite (especially because of) Philihealth insurance (costs). 

Businesses
In the Philippines there are very few patients who are happy after being discharged. Most think about the debts/mortgage or debts to politicians who might have written hospitals for a discount or if one is lucky gave money to the family.

In fact there were stories before of patients who couldn't be discharged unless titles to sewing machines/TV/refrigerator/ laptop and even lands are brought to the hospital. 

Taken from usa.healthinsurance.com

Or in worse cases where patients are detained until payment or down payment.

A lot of Philippine hospitals would deny this but you never lack for people who will testify otherwise.

I have nothing against the private hospitals; they are also businesses and they need to earn profits to continue to operate. I don't believe that hospitals run on charity alone.

But it's draining for families to think about where to get the money to pay the hospital bills. The patients themselves end up being a lot more sick than when they were admitted in the first place.

Free payment
That's not what we want for our sick. That's why I came upon stories of patients who would rather not go to the hospital because they would know the costs of going there this despite their Phiilhealth coverage. 

Philhealth coverage ensures free payment if the patient only suffers from “flu” or “kalibanga” (diarrhea or constipation) but if it's a severe illness that has names too complicated to pronounce in street lingo, then sorry but the buck stops there. 

The Ebola virus strain. Taken from math.utah.edu

Major illnesses include dengue and God forbid, Ebola virus. 

In the US, particularly in Charlotte, North Carolina payment will be covered by private insurance firms like Medicare or Medicaid and if there are any excess charges, these will be charged later.

A little Google search and I came across this online definition of Medicare which “is a government health insurance plan for people 65 or older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. 

It helps to pay for care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care. Medicare coverage can also include doctors’ services and prescription drugs.

No patient left behind
Under the health care law, Medicare benefits have been expanded for preventive care and drug coverage. Covered services usually include doctor visits, hospital care, vaccinations, prescription drugs, vision, hearing, long-term care, and preventive care for children.”

It's true that there are citizens that don't have insurance but patients are not denied hospitalization. The government can then ask the private sector for help.

Taken from www.icrc.org

This isn't to compare US health care with Philippine health care but to illustrate my dream of a time when health care in my country of birth would improve so much that it doesn't leave any patient behind. 

I dream of the day when Filipino patients go to the hospital and not worry about bills, thus being spared of both their physical and financial distress. 

I can only dream that Philippine leaders won't isolate themselves in their air-conditioned rooms and content themselves with the thought that they have done enough by registering their constituents under PhilHealth. That's still a dream but I have every right to continue dreaming about it. 

(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.

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)

Doing some nail work

Taken from bodypro.ca

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

WHEN I came to the US, I was worried about my ingrown toe nails. I brought with me a nail cutter and a nipper, only to be surprised to see that they've got all kinds of nail cutters and nippers.

My first visit to the nail salon was filled with surprises. Here in the US, a manicurist charges quite a sum depending on the kind of services you want and the salon's location.

Prices range from 25 to 45$. When I say American manicurists operate on your nails, they don't go deeper into the nail and instead operate on growth areas. Nail “doctors” here in the US use nail file and sponge and a massage instead of just working on the toes. 

Taken from wikipedia

I remembered a time when I was unable to walk for a week because the toe got infected and I have to take antibiotics. 

I have a friend who would look for the best hand to do an operation on her nails.

She said she was told by her manicurist that her ingrown toenail is already deep.   

Back home in the Philippines, our manicurists are prepared with enough cotton if things get bloddy and pulverized capsules to be placed on the sides of the bleeding toes.

Over here in Charlotte, North Carolina, most nail saloons are owned and operated by the Vietnamese. I have yet to see one operated by a Filipino or manned by Filipinos. 

The nail technician (manicurist/pedicurist) is either male or female (back home it is always a woman otherwise a male beautician or manicurist is assumed as gay). 

I asked Janice, a Vietnamese manicurist or nail technician, how many years she's been on her job and where she learned the trade. She told me that she's been a manicurist for five years and she learned English in Manila. 

Taken from wikipedia

She studied in a  manicurist school in the US where she learned such skills like (obviously) cleaning nails, pedicures, acrylic nail application, nail art ad nail health. 

As in every career, updating one's education is essential to earn a pay increase. But going back to my nails, I prefer to have them cleaned without having the ingrown nails taken out or picking out the dead skin through a nipper.

But between us, had I known I would in end up here in the US I should have taken cosmetology specializing in manicures instead of a paralegal education.

Since it is costly to my budget I devised the following steps to clean my toenails in between the weeks before my appointment with the manicurist and I want to share it with you: 

1. I always take note of the date I went to the nail spa or saloon.

2. A week after my pedicure or manicure I clean my nails with an old toothbrush and brush the nail and areas in the nail.

3. Then after brushing I use a pumice sponge (eponge ponce) for over the foot nails and rub the sponge in the skin of my ankle.

4. Apply a foot lotion and wait for next 5 minutes before rinsing so that the nails would be soft and this includes the cuticle.

5. After my bath and beauty rituals I sit down and pamper my nails and feet by applying lotion.

6. Immediately I get hold of the nail pile, pusher and nail essentials and start cleaning.

7. I have learned also to apply my nail polish and change it every week.

These are nail essentials that I do for my nails in between going to the next visit. Also you can click this link. 'Til next time, have a good day. 

(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. 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 fun day with the Carolina Panthers

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

THE Carolina Panthers football team are not only for adults but for kids as well. Here in Charlotte, North Carolina, watching them play is a family event.

I've talked to two young adults and their experiences before and after watching the team play. One young admirer is Jaden Glenn Kremer who had to earn in order to see the Fan Fest last Friday, July 25.

Jaden blowing the candle on his birthday cake

Jaden, formerly of Charlotte and now presently residing at Roanoke, Virginia said event was a surprise from her mom Nelissa “Beth” Kremer and dad Brent Kremer.

“We spend a few weeks working so hard at the store,” Jaden said. Jaden's grandmother Linda Kremer owns and operates a printing shop at Roanoke, Va.

“As a reward my mom took me to Charlotte,NC to watch the Fan Fest. It was my first time to watch all the Panthers players and I was excited to see them. I saw my favorite quarterback Cam Newton,” the eight-year-old Jaden said.

Jaden, an animal lover, also loves football and basketball. He's a student of Grandin Court Elementary School at Roanoke, VA. Jaden loves Cam Newton because of the quarterback's ability to run the football.

“He can easily figure out a blitz,” he said. Jaden's favorite linebacker is Luke Kuechly. Another young Carolina Panthers fan is 13-year-old Richard Gregory Armstrong of Whitewater Middle School.

His interests include video games and the outdoors especially football. Like Jaden, Greggy is also a Cam Newton fan. Greggy was delighted to see Newton signing autographs for fans.

Greggy Armstrong

“Even for kids like me it was awesome seeing him and the others there. Their music was loud and they had face painting and you could even meet Sorper the cat,” Greggy said.

Fan Fest was a free event to honor Panthers fans The gate was opened at 5 PM and the program ended at 9 PM with beautiful fireworks.

“There was so much smoke in the sky I could not see me. I also saw a Hammer limousine, it was long too,” said Greggy, the son of Ric and Yulie Armstrong of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Jaden Glenn was also delighted with the autograph signings, the fireworks and dancing light shows. “I'm thankful to my mom for taking me to the Fan Fest and for making me so happy,” Jaden said.

(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. 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)