About Us
An Address From Outgoing President Chris Holden
I want to say that I am not going anywhere but will support Cece through her presidency as she supported me through my term. I would like to thank you for all your support. The last three years were a team effort. There is no way any of us could have made it through this time without each other’s company, support, and prayers. I would best describe this last term of office as to back to basics. We focused on each other’s needs. We prayed and supported each other through this time of isolation at first and then we were able to start meeting and truly supporting each other as we recovered from the effects of the covid pandemic. We all know of someone who we lost either from age, cancer or covid during this time. We sent money back to our families, supported our church and others that were not fortunate to keep their jobs through these times.
Back to basics best describes us as we followed the purpose of the club: Celebrations- Gatherings with the Filipino family, Communicate and Elevate Each Other, Support Each Other in Sickness and Health, and Support Each Other’s Endeavor.
Our lives have permanently changed from this season of life. We now stand back as we talk with one another. Hugging is not the same but means more as we hug only people, we are comfortable with. The new world now relies more on electronic communication as we order more online, text more, and face time. We have changed FilAm’s way of communication to match the times. We now can vote via text. Thank you for all this time we had together, and I hope we can make more memories together.
Thanks again
Chris Holden
Past President of FilAM
Bio of Incoming President Cece Holden
Celenia “Cece” Orulfo Holden lived in a small town and attended Quezon Camarenis High School, Ragay, Philippines. She was married and blessed with two beautiful daughters Cecil Sestiand Lea McMillen. Cecil has a loving husband Jeff Sesti and there are two children Kadin and Jackson. Lea has a loving husband George “Mac” McMillen, and they together have two children Cooper and Hunter. Celenia married Chris Holden December 17, 2011. Through this marriage she inherited a stepson Michael Wright and a granddaughter named Kiara. Her life is full of joy with her family while spoiling the grandchildren.
Celenia enjoys working for Bunzl-Cordova Safety Products for over 17 years maintaining the showroom and supporting the sales team.
Previously, she traveled to Kuwait, Cairo Egypt, Lusaka Zambia Africa, London England, Bardos France and 11 other countries before settling in America.
Celenia is an active member of New Church Memphis. Some of the events included Mission Trips to Guatemala the Fall of 2016 and 2018. She built homes, distributed gifts, and food. She spent additional time having fun and celebrating life with the young children. She attended the Women of Joy Conference April 16,2022. She is serving on the following committees: Lord Supper Committee, Church Day Care, Church Home Makeover Events, Prayer Warrior’s Group and has participated in other special events.
She enjoys riding with her husband on their motorcycle. She travels, sings karaoke, and loves to dance. She loves the outdoors and gardening. Other hobbies include sewing, crochet, needle point, cross stitch, and quilting.
If her husband had to describe her with one word it would be “empathy”. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In other words, she is really blessed when she can help others in need. Most importantly, she enjoys having fun with her friends and family including the FilAm Association.