Special cards from special kids

Archiana poses with her cards

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

It's a special kind of love they give every Christmas Day. They send cards they signed personally to people that matter to them in school as a way of showing their gratitude.

The students of Hopewell High School Specialized Academic Curriculum (SAC) sign and send these 20 Christmas cards before the winter break supervised by their teachers Catherine Rice and Stephanie Davis- Barnes. 

This SAC program at Hopewell is for students with moderate to severe disabilities.
There are 20 students and each of them signed the cards.  I happen to be one of the teacher assistants for this class.

For some students like Archiana Fleming, it was an easy task they took seriously. Archiana had good penmanship while others like Isaac and Gabby would sign theirs with bold letters. 

It doesn’t matter on what part they signed the card. Imani Palmer would sign her card by including the name of her imaginary friend Brianna, which Ma'am Barnes would caution her not to do so.

Some of the students can’t write and cut papers like other children. Cortez is one whose name was written by Archiana in the cards. Sophie’s Rouzeau-Sanders name was engraved by Ms. Elizabeth, the nurse. 

Aside from Archiana, Evelyn Franklin, Misael Campos and K’wan McClure would volunteer to help sign the cards assisted by the staff. 

“It is so much fun to let them sign the cards and they get such a kick out of it,” SAC teacher assistant Shelma Murray said.

This simple task helps the SAC students in developing skills and be thankful for simple things as well as learning the importance of giving back to others 

The card giving started last year. The other teacher assistants who gladly helped the students were Carmen G Garland,Rosaline Nwigwe and Mrs.Hill who wrote the name of one of the students.  

The 20 cards were sent to 11 people in the cafeteria, the media center, the technology department, coaches and curriculum in-charge and other teachers in other departments who helped them. 

These children also visited Dollar Tree a day before the winter break to buy gifts to people that matter to them. 

Most of them got gifts for their mom, dad, grandparents and friends but mostly for the family members. Ms. Carmen Garland reminded them to buy two gifts for people they would like to share their blessings with. 

The activity motivated the students into asking and participating. Gabby, a Ninjago fan, had this bird that she gave to her grandmother. Jasmine bought a candle for her sister and would have spent her money if not for her teacher's advice to save it for the next field trip. 

These and other activities are being prepared for these kids with special needs so they can make their own choices in life that's anchored on love and gratitude, qualities that are now vanishing in this increasingly hardened, cynical world. 

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippine is now employed as a  teacher assistant in one of the school systems 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 email susanap.dennis@yahoo.com as well as her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

The Our Lady of the Rosary comes to the Carolinas

The Our Lady of the Rosary Nuestra Senora de la Naval

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—The statue of the Our Lady of the Rosary NuestraSenora de la Naval is making its round of home visits here at the Carolinas.

It had been a long journey for the religious icon known as Nuestra Senora de la Naval starting from the Philippines all the way to here in the Carolinas.

Slowly believers, devotees and even non-Catholics here in the Charlotte area flocked to the homes where the Lady of the La Naval is welcome.

A new rosary group is formed that is committed to spreading the beauty of the rosary and how the lady intercedes on behalf of the devotees.

Last Friday the Our Lady of the Rosary was welcomed in the home of Kathryna Ronquillo Antone at 1731 Garrett Road, Indian Trail, North Carolina C 28079, last December 18 at 7 p.m.

Nuestra Senora de la Naval was radiant in her yellow vestment and crown with gold colors illuminating the surroundings. In her Facebook page created for the event, Malette Aquino-Oliveros posted:

“Welcome to our newly formed La Naval Rosary group! I am so glad that one of our friends have signed up for the month of December to host our rosary prayer meeting.”

Malette served as president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) two years ago. The host Kathryna Antone asked friends to help her welcome Nuestra Senora de la Naval. “Pls. join me in welcoming "La Naval Mary" in our home,” she said.

A number of families already signified interest in attending the rosary. Oliveros is happy and inspired that the rosary group in honor of the Senora de la Naval is slowly forming here at the Carolinas.

The statue is at home at her house at Concord but she is inspired by some force to start the rosary group if only to spread the good news to the community.

The statue traveled from the Philippines eight years ago and was sent to Malette Aquino Oliveros by her sister in law Dr. Blanca Oliveros who was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago.

“She is now cancer free,” Malette said. The statue was sent via DHL as a thank you gift to our family. The statue became a permanent feature in her beautiful home.

Malette didn't start the rosary group since she belonged to the Servants of the Holy Rosary which her older brother Arthur belongs.

That was nine years ago and she and her husband belonged to the Holy Rosary group when they transferred here in Charlotte.

Several years passed since then and the Lady de la Naval stayed home Malette was driven to spread the devotion to the lady.

Then two years ago she became rhe president of the FACC and she made time to tell stories about her statue when there are visitors in her house.

Then last year her close friends Dr. Emily and Ben Lorenzo asked if they can start the rosary group. “That was the start and I brought the La Naval Lady to the Lorenzos and we prayed the rosary,” Malette said.

Then another friend Lalaine Castillo who heard about the Lady joined the group in saying the rosary when there is a family requesting for the lady to visit their homes.

“I invited the two families and Tracy and Mike Borja to our house to pray,” Malette said. Suddenly, Kaye Antone called Malette and asked to join the rosary group.

Now, there are eight families in the group. Lota Mascarenas, a devout Catholic, volunteered to print the prayers for Our Lady of La Naval Rosary group.

“This is just a great year for me to spread the word of our Virgin Mary to pray the Rosary,” Malette said. She recalled that Paul Amigo nspired her to form the rosary group.

“He called me years back and told me that there's some Filipinos around this area that I can call and asked them to join. He and his wife Nena Amigo are devoted to the Charlotte Rosary groups. They are one of the founders,” Malette said.

Malette admitted that her devotion to the rosary started when she was still a young girl. “My mom gave me a miraculous medal to pin on my under clothes to keep me safe from harm and temptations when I was growing up,” she said.

Malette said her mother's side of the family has an image of the Dolorosa, the weeping Mary who is at the procession during the Holy Week observance in Calauag, Quezon province.

The rosary is held in devotion to the Virgin Mary. It consists of a set number of specific prayers. First are the introductory prayers: one Apostles’ Creed (Credo), one Our Father (the Pater Noster or the Lord’s Prayer), three Hail Mary’s (Ave’s), one Glory Be (Gloria Patri).

In the Philippines, the months of October and May are the busiest months for the devotees of the Virgin Mary. As a Catholic myself, I firmly believe that those who invoke the intercession of the mother under any title would be happy and find peace in their lives.

The rosary devotees at the house of the Antones familty

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems 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 email susanap.dennis@yahoo.com as well as her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Security and the K 1 Visa

Family members comfort each other. Photo by Associated Press

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Charlotte, North Carolina- House Republican leaders announced a new legislative proposal aimed at boosting national security by changing the nation's visa waiver program.

They said the bill would get a vote by next week. A counterterrorism task force headed by the Republican committee chairman announced the bill on Thursday, and predicted it would pass with an overwhelming and bipartisan vote. 

The bill came on the heels of the carnage at St. Bernardino, California a week ago resulting to the death of 14 people and wounding 21 others. 

It is the first suspected terrorist attack in US soil after the infamous 9-11 and it kept me thinking about it for days as it  involved the fiancée visa or K 1 Visa.  I was reminded of my coming here in the US under the fiancée visa and because of what happened I recalled the process in my brain. 

I came to the US five years and six months ago under the fiancée visa. A fiancée visa is a visa issued to the prospective wife/husband of an American citizen.  

It is valid for 90 days after which the petitioned would return to the country of origin if marriage is not consummated. It is said to be the easiest visa obtained. 

The news media had a grand time talking about the fiancée visa that I was reminded of what happened to me inside the US Embassy and my observation of the system. 

The US K1 visa is not broken. There is no need to fix it despite what happened in San Bernardino but there is a part on the process overlooked by the US government. 

Tashfeen Malik, now the most popular Muslim woman of modern times came to the US on a fiancée visa which I supposed was issued in Pakistan, her country of birth. 

Tashfeen was one of the suspects in the San Bernardino carnage and is believed to have influenced Syed Rizwan Farook, the husband who was born and raised in the US. Many are of the opinion that Tashfeen radicalized Syed into committing the evil deed they did a week ago. 

But why did the US embassy failed to learn that Tashfeen had been to countries suspected of being inhabited by terrorists or those engaged in the radicalization of Islam?

My take is that in every US embassy there are local employees and it was the local employees who interviewed, processed the papers and eventually recommending that it reach the US consul. 

In my case during my interview, the first two sets of interview were done by Filipinos who were employed by the US embassy. These local employees look at the papers like birth certificate, affidavits, other papers, passports. 

Those Filipinos who worked with the US embassy worked religiously scrutinizing any mistakes in spelling, dates and they would be happy to see any discrepancies on documents presented.  

And it is when everything is okay with the papers that the applicant is told to proceed to the US consul. Reaching the consul is no longer a problem. The ambiance is more relaxed just like on my case.  

I can remember how strict the Filipino embassy employee was when she  interviewed me. She was so arrogant and asked vicious questions. That time I told myself, what kind of employees are these? 

Well now, I can think Filipinos employed at the embassy were doing their job by protecting US interests. Was it the same with the local employes at the US embassy in Pakistan who approved Tashfeen’s papers?

Why these local employees failed to detect the places traveled by the petitioned when it can be seen in the passport or during the interviews? This I ask on the assumption that there are local employees in the embassy. 

In Tashfeen’s case, did the local employees of the embassy commit lapses and failed to see her connection to ISIS or Al Qaeda?  These are among the questions to be asked. 

I see that in the next few days those who coming to the US through the K 1 Visa would have a hard time entering the country and the American citizens would be frustrated with the system. 

Personally I see no reason that time and resources would be spent discussing and finding loopholes in the K 1 visa. It is just simple- ISIS and Al Qaeda have partners and in this case partners within the system.  

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems 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 email susanap.dennis@yahoo.com as well as her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

On aging gracefully

Taken from youbeauty.com

by Susan Palmes-Dennis 

SO many times we've come across the question “what is the secret of aging gracefully?” I joined those who gave their answers at my Facebook page. 

It received quite of a response from all over Planet Earth. The only thing common is all responses came from my friends. It received 27 likes and more than 50 comments. 

Responses came from friends all over the world. Most are personally known to me in the course of my work, in my inner social circle and through social networks. 

Never mind their ages, education, sexual preference, jobs, passion, political affiliation and religion, they're people I met in my journey through life. Like me, they're in love with life and they want to make their voices heard.

Just for the record, those who generously gave their time to make the response were two doctors, one nurse, three lawyers, two judges, teachers, retirees, office workers, programmer, journalist, government employee, business people, a writer/blogger, housewives and three former beauty queens from my home city of Cagayan de Oro and hometown of Tagoloan, both in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao, Philippines.

Safe to say that the responders cut across all sectors of society. Those that earned the most likes said that attitude and acceptance were keys to aging gracefully. 

Other comments include exercise and diet, having close community and family ties, singing, dancing, skin care and good sleep. Family bonding earned quite a number of likes as well as staying focused in life and using dependable beauty products

In rough order of importance, here are the secrets to aging gracefully from my friends. 

Taken from drstandley.com

Acceptance:  As you get older, it’s important to accept the fact that you’re no longer capable of certain tasks and instead find replacement activities.

Ronnie Dennis, my husband, was the first to respond with ‘acceptance” Ronnie is 67 years old who loves life. He retired but he never tired of life. 

Though he is restricted in doing certain things because of pain and his myriad medical issues which have kept him low to the ground, but he's still happy.  

Zaida Eduave--An epitome of what beauty is all about I remember her as a beautiful woman every time I saw her at their house in Tagoloan town, Misamis  Oriental. She is the daughter of my teacher and sister of my classmate Nonalyn Eduave Zamudio. “Accepting changes and indulge in meaningful and positive activities like family bonding and uplifting oneself spiritually,” she said.

Urcel C Mulvey--Acceptance of the reality that we will all grow old. Life cycles or cycle of life, characterizing the course of one's existence of a person. Urcel Mulvey is a town mate who got crowned Miss Tagoloan several years ago and now resides in New York. 

She said acceptance is easier said than done but there are tools to make it easier. How to accept the ways things now requires laughter and smiles, Urcel said.

Anette Tooby, Cristina Pinon, Yeng Adis and Adelle Flores—while these four women live very far from each other, they are of the same certain age and I assume they talk in unison about having fun, smiling and laughing in order to age gracefully. 

Ma Theresa Camannong summarized it all by saying ‘I always find the funny side of everything.” As a judge, Camannong may be enjoying herself in the courtroom no matter how serious the proceedings could be. 

From promotehealthwellness.com

Attitude. It was Adelia Fallar who posted that attitude in life helps people age gracefully. Attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior. 

I love what Peter Mojica mentioned about keeping stress at bay by having a positive attitude in life. I agree with Adelle Flores though it's hard to do it. “Go with the flow of the river of life.” 

It's hard for some people because they never know if the river is deep or shallow. I guess it has more to do with sometimes going with the current. Some may see it as conformity but for others it is an affirmative posture. 

This positive outlook should not be a one shot deal. It should be everything you do as in “be positive in everything”, Cristina Pinon said. But it's easier when people surround themselves with other people who share their outlook. 

How? Kathryna Ronquillo Antone nailed it by saying that people “surround themselves with positive people......then people have less reason to soak in worries.”

Another friend, Tonette Batoon Asay said ‘if there is a joke laugh it loud. Humor starts the day right!.” Olive Pacuribot said happiness should only be on the  outside but inside too. 

My long time loyal friend Dadie Maribelle Magallanes suggested thinking positive always while Maria Wilma Jalalon Acenas also said aging gracefully means being happy inside. 

Superkeng Quoi said a good perspective and outlook in one's life keeps people young while former Miss Cagayan de Oro Happy Ballesteros Raagas said aging gracefully means “taking responsibility for one's happiness and consciously doing good by avoiding body toxins like cigarettes and alcohol.” 

“Also, always smile,” she said. My godson, lawyer James Judith said aging gracefully is like maintaining a car. “Always change the oil,” he said. Don't know what he meant by that but it may mean changing gears every once in a while.

I think that's also what government information officer Amy Ubalde Baino meant when she also mentioned about “changing oil” to keep young.

Jonathan Robosa said one should eat oatmeal and exercise regularly while former Miss Cagayan de Oro titlist Lerma Only mentioned about walking daily and using sea salt as body scrub.

Another friend, Glenda Mori Blair, mentioned skin care and good sleep while another judge, Cris Lyn, said one should keep a healthy mind, body and spirit and lots of creams in order to age gracefully.

Dr. Stella Lawsin posted "good aesthetician". Melody Imbing @ Ming Koh Ming, who distributes beauty and health products, added that people should use Royale Products to keep young. Right Ms. Melody?

Taken from nestle.org

Dorena Buten Reynolds (Doreen Buten Bordious Reynolds), said singing and dancing are essential while writer Ricardo Maullion said aging gracefully means spending time in study, sports, creative writing, God and community. 

Close family ties was mentioned by Zaida Eduave while my cousin Mavieh Adis Collins emphasized faith in God as an ingredient to aging gracefully. Health and beauty experts I searched online also suggested this.Dolly Wheeler shared this view about spiritual growth.

My friends in England Ruth Chamen on being happy and David Breden mentioned about eating spaghetti bolognese topless. He added 'and alone."  My favorite obstetrician and gynecologist Caroline Orimaco said peace of mind as important. Mavieh also said being happy means ignoring negative criticism to keep a stress-free life.

To end this thread, I quote Lynn Lorenzo-Polk who said people should stay positive and make lemonade out of lemons. To be oneself and not let anyone change you and to look forward when things don't turn out good.

Lynn also said people should always be nice to others and not think of themselves as better than anyone else. Criticism should be held off unless absolutely needed.

“Life is better than you think because in the end, you should always know that God loves you and that should make one smile and stay young,” she said.

In the words of my favorite hairstylist Carla Salvana, one should live life fabulously.
People should stop comparing themselves to others and learn to be content with what one has rather than being jealous of others. 

Another useful attitude is to choose to believe the better option. For example, if your partner often works late, accept that he is overwhelmed with deadlines instead of telling yourself that he just doesn’t care enough to spend time with you. 

Or as another friend in the Cagayan de Oro media, Mike Banos, would say “you talkin to me?.” To paraphrase a line by the great comedienne Phyllis Dillier “So what if your back goes out more than you do?

With these suggestions from friends, all wise beyond years, you can be full of punch and strength no matter how old you are. Thank you to all my friends. Hope I didn't miss any of your comments.
PS:thanks to Irma Libo-on for the video. Dont forget to click and read words in color you may find the secret of aging.
Well I almost forgot read a book. 

Taken from healthnews.com

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems 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) 

Giving room for the vaginas to breathe

Taken from medicaldaily.com

by Susan Palmes-Dennis 

IF mothers know better, then grandmothers know best.

I'm reminded of my mother (Nanay) and grandmother (Lola) after reading online about feminine hygiene. It was just a line about “let the vagina breathe” that I was reminded of the two important women of my life. 

Why? These two women in my life said something about letting the vagina or in the Visayan dialect ”bisong” breathe a little. 

It was not explained to me nor did I ask them what they meant. In my mind, I had to ask why should we girls and women allow the “bisong” to breathe when it is part of our bodies already and it doesn't have a nose. 

I forgot about it until yesterday when I read online about certain underwear that are good for the vagina. Let the vagina breath, I can hear my mother and grandma tell me. To which I responded are you kidding me?

Flowers
A little throwback: back in the days after the end of the school year I would be spending a month with my Lola Mimay nee Geronima Ejem Espellarga. She lived that time in Diclum, Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon province.

Those were the times when days are longer and nights are shorter which gives children enough time to play. I can still recall the fresh air and the humming of the birds. 

My lola would always remind me before retiring for the night to wash my “flower” so that it can breathe. Sure enough she had a ready “gallon of water for me.” 

But what I considered most memorable would be attending the Mass every Wednesday at the Chapel of Mrs. Dolying Tugot because it would mean a lot of “suman” (plain sticky rice) or “biko” (sticky rice sweetened with brown sugar) afterwards.

It was one of those times when we chanced upon a group of young women aged between 18 to 22 years old who wore fitting clothes. It was only later when I realized that these women may have come from a golf course in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon province near Mrs. Tugot's place.

But that's not the story, the story is all about my lola's comment when she saw those young ladies. She commented that their “flowers couldn't breathe.” 

No answers
That was the second time she mentioned about a feminine private part and the importance of breathing.

Without me asking or my lola talking to me, she said something like “ka pioot ba pahangini sad na ninyu inyu flower (That's so tight, please give some air to your flower).” I don’t know if they heard my lola say it as she was actually talking to herself. But I heard her say it and I can still recall it to this day. 

Then as I grew older my Nanay would remind me about the same thing, saying a female's privates should always be cleaned to allow it to breathe.

In fact if you can remember I wrote once about the “underappreciated napkin” and that I used layers of petticoats during my regular periods instead of using tight shorts in order to allow the vagina to breathe. 

Now I read that part and I was reminded about what my Nanay and Lola said and it could be true right? Because they are not around anymore and my little Susie and Arianne might ask me one of these days about it and I have no answers for them.

Feminine hygiene
Back in those days I have no idea whether it was true or funny at all. Right now I thought that was funny. 

Naturally the vagina should stay clean and dry enough to breathe. If not, women should wash it because of the pH content and the risk of infection. What a woman wears can affect the health of their vaginas. 

My Nanay also commented about those mother-daughter moments especially when talking about the a vagina or ”bisong” and how it should be given time to breathe. 

I'm only amazed I didn't laugh out loud so many times when talking about it with my mom. And now many years later, here I am having read about an online post which I could not find now (thanks senior moments) on feminine hygiene and I am reminded about the topic.

Anyway the obvious first tip for women in allowing the vaginas to breathe is not to wear tight underwear or pants. A little online research and I found that certain types of fabrics and styles worn close to the genitals can raise heat and moisture. 

Comfortable
This can lead to bacteria overgrowth and infections. So women, please avoid wearing tight clothes to prevent this problem from happening. I Googled and saw that ancient women had no universal rule in undergarments.

People wore what was comfortable, available, or necessary for modesty -- or nothing at all. So wearing nothing is not only a fad of the present, it had been done before.

Since the vagina is producing acid by itself and acid produces heat I think then it should be given a little space to make it comfortable. Yep, if only the vaginas can talk it would really complain that we use tight jeans too much.

Well I have to analyze the comments of my Nanay and Lola in light of the present environment. I think what they meant then has something to do with wearing cotton underwear. 

Synthetic fabrics can exacerbate the acid. There are women who don't wear underwear just like their ancient counterparts. How I wish I can do that but my age requires me to wear one because I leak most of the time. 

Air out
I could not hold my urine anymore. It comes with age I guess.  I am "leaky" pretty frequently. Still, I just need to be free and let my vagina "breathe." I don't know, it's just a feeling I get where I feel like I need to air-out.

There would nothing wrong if you wear cotton underwear. What about a thong? Would wearing that help because it occupies only a part of the butt? I have no idea as I don’t use one. 

It is strange that I am reminded of my Lola and Nanay in the ways of the present. But I know now what they meant by it.  There would nothing wrong if women wear cotton underwear and avoid thongs. 

Try not to wear tight-fitting clothing and change sweaty workout and wet clothing. So to the women reading this post, let the vaginas breathe and they may have less than one thing to worry about.

Taken from healthcareasia.org

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems 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) 

Pampanga fish vendor now sells in the Carolinas

Taken from seaeaglemarket.com

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

If I said it once, I'll say it a thousand times. I love to tell the stories of Filipinos who are proud of their upbringing.

One such story is a fish vendor in my birth country the Philippines who is now a proud fish vendor here in the Carolinas. 

Marilyn Leiter nee Marilyn Santillan Regala Leiter of Spartanburg, South Carolina is a former native of Betes, Guagua in Pampanga province, Philippines. I met Marlyn at Facebook and she tells me that she is proud of her trade.

With her husband Brian, Marilyn sells fresh fish and shrimp at their house every Friday and at the Spartanburg flea market on Asheville Highway every Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Like most Pinoys, Marilyn is proud of her heritage. She finished college by selling fish and helping her mother tend a sari-sari store. 

“Until now we still have the sari sari store in the Philippines but they are not selling fish anymore because I am not there anymore,” Marilyn chuckled.

The couple is licensed to sell fish in the Carolinas. Every weekend they have different fishes to sell like snapper, white bass, white perch, flounder, shrimp, gray snapper, salmon fillet and catfish.

“We always have tilapia and shrimp. We get our fish from the commercial fishermen. We are licensed to sell fish in our state. Prices aren't the same all the time because it's hard to catch fish. It depends on the season I guess,” Marilyn said.

She said tilapia, shrimp, snapper, white bass and catfish are best sellers and they have a lot of Hispanic and Asian American customers. Marilyn also met a lot of friends in her three-month old business and looks forward to more success in the future.

If you're in the Spartanburg area in South Carolina, please do buy from them. I'm already introducing all my friends to Marilyn. Be sure to look them up at this website. 

More on other Filipinos in the Carolinas soon.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems 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)

Saving the coconut trees on Palm Sunday

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Sorry for this late post on Earth Day that was celebrated last April 22.

But I sense that the Holy Spirit is working in me so I continued working on it.  I told myself to share this article about Earth Day and how it dovetails into my religious practices here at North Carolina and in the Philippines. 

Last Palm Sunday at the St. Mark Catholic Church I noticed, just like in the past five years that I've been attending Mass, that church goers don't bring palm fronds.  

It is the” church people” who would be giving each churchgoer who attends Mass in Church. It was a discernment moment and I find it awesome because there is no wasted palm fronds to be blessed. 

I recalled spending Holy Week (semana santa in Filipino) in my hometown of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines. Holy Week in my town and in other parts of the country were usually hot and humid and the roads are bare.

As kids then, we didn't mind the heat as we gathered coconut leaves. I was with my brothers and sisters as we were given marching orders by my mother to bring “lukay” or coconut palm.

I remember that we got the “lukay” there at the Natumolan area close to the house of Tia (auntie) Belen Neri. I remember she is the daughter of Iyo Dodo Neri ”the hilot (healer).”

We usually ripped the coconut tree of its branches and leaves and carry it all to the house and along the way many would ask from us. I recall Iya Meldad Tadeo would ask for leaves and she won't bother asking where we got it. 

I also recalled that we made the tree “opaw (bald)” by plucking its branches and leaves and wondering if it would ever grow again. We never bothered asking for permission from the owners and just hacked away on the leaves and branches with our bolos.

It was still an innocent time and neighbors were friendly and don't know anything about trespassing. If we harvested on a Friday then we worked on the “lukay” on Saturday with the radio turned on and listening to a Diego Salvador drama.

Over the years people have became too zealous and they would bring the whole branch or tree for the priest's blessing. I know that blessing the palm would bring blessings and I don't blame the overly religious for doing this because they believe it would also help them ward off evil.

To many the palm fronds would occupy a space in the altar or in a prominent space in the house that can be seen by family members who would be blessed and reminded of the importance of Palm Sunday.

Thus over the years, I came to imagine that the coconut trees would hide for fear of being bald as they are stripped of their branches and leaves for the Palm Sunday observance. 

Everything is forgotten after the celebration of Easter Sunday when we resume our mundane practices. 

We observe Palm Sunday to remember who Jesus was and what He did for us. Palm Sunday reminds us of the price He paid for us.  He could have stuck around in Jerusalem and let everybody continue to cheer for Him or traded His donkey for a thoroughbred but He did not.  

He got busy doing the work He was called to do despite knowing what it would cost Him. Excuse me- this is not all about our religiosity as it is more about preserving the coconut tree. 

Coconut trees are diminishing in the Philippines and it is best for Filipinos not to uproot the coconut tree just to keep with practices on observing Palm Sunday. 

What if it is the church that would  distribute the palm fronds to each family? 
It is good to limit the distribution of palm fronds in order for each family to appreciate its value.

After all when the Lord created the world, He intended for us to take care of it. 

#palmsunday#religiouspractices#dominggosasalukay#earthday#savethetree#cocunuttree   

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems 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)