Hello. Wanna party? Are pizza, swimming, a lot of laughs, good friends and a special seat at the ST2007 DVD showing a great mix or what?

It’s not too late to tell us you’re going to be there! But e-mail me your rsvp by tomorrow noon to make sure we get enough for everyone to eat!

In case you forgot, it’s all happening this coming Thursday, July 3 at 6:30PM at Josie Domingo’s residence at 8475 County Acres Lane, Sacramento, CA 95828. Bring your appetite, swim gear, towel and $5 per person to cover the cost of pizza and drinks. And if you plan to go home with that prized copy of the ST2007 DVD, bring your $35 check payable to SFTPAA or $35 in cash. Additional copies are priced the same. Copies are limited so be sure to get in line early.

Don’t forget to rsvp at salforque@aol.com!

Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director

Filed under: SFTPAA Event | No Comments »

Hello, Sinag-tala Family. How about not just one, but two, hot parties in July?

DVD Showing

We rock and roll - maybe even splash in the pool - starting at 6:30PM on Thursday, July 3 at the ST2007 DVD Showing at the Domingo residence at 8475 County Acres Lane, Sacramento, CA 95828. Everyone’s invited. But instead of going potluck as previously announced, we’ll take the no-hassle, all-you-can-eat pizza approach. A $5 contribution per person (same for all ages) will be collected when you get there. We also recommend that you bring a non-alcoholic beverage or two. We’ll handle the rest. With some luck the swimming pool might even be available. We’ll let you know. Just be ready for a lot of fun!

If you plan to get a copy of the DVD, please bring your checkbook or cash. The cost per copy is only $35. SFTPAA just wants to break even, so it will not be making any profit from DVD sales. Copies are limited and will be issued on a first-paid-first-served basis. No copies will be released prior to July 3, so you might as well attend the showing if you’re anxious. And just a reminder - making unauthorized copies is not legal and could cause SFTPAA to lose money.

To help us get an accurate head count for the big DVD party, please RSVP by Monday, June 30 via e-mail at SFTPAA@aol.com.

Alumni Picnic

Everyone who has a connection with the Sinag-tala Theatrical Revue - new, returning or whatever - is of course urged to attend. This picnic is the first step in our yellow brick road to the 20th Anniversary, and an impressive turnout at the starting line is going to be crucial for that exciting journey. We want the alumni interacting in a big way, as they should, in the plans for the anniversary celebration. Their ideas, voices and enthusiasm are needed now.

We especially need to get in touch with alumni who were with the Revue anytime between 1990 and 2006, because we no longer have current contact information for many of them. If you have contact with any of these alumni, please let them know about the picnic and have them contact Raul Bernaldez directly at raulbernaldez@aol.com. We may also be reached through our website, www.sinagtala.org . Or if it’s ok with your alumnus friend(s), you can forward their information directly to Raul. Current names, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, FAX numbers, mailing addresses and similar leads would be appreciated.

We also want everyone to know about our “That Was Then, This is Now” project. We’re asking past performers and volunteers to dig into their photo albums to submit one “before” photo of themselves working in their favorite Sinag-tala production, and an “after” photo of themselves today. Photos may be submitted in hard copy or CD format, or via e-mail in jpeg format. Retouching and airbrushing are not allowed Copies, not originals, are preferred. All photos will be displayed at the picnic.

In any case, the second head count is for the picnic. Please RSVP by Thursday, July 3. Please be aware also that there will be a modest cover charge to help with picnic expenses. More details will follow soon.

Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director

Filed under: Cast Info, SFTPAA Event | No Comments »

Sinag-tala greetings, everyone.

1. TAAL BAND BACKS UP CARNIVAL DE L’AMOUR. In our recent announcement of InterACT’s new dinner-theatre production, Carnival De L’Amour, we weren’t aware that the show’s back-up musicians included Sinag-tala Musical Director Dee Pizarro and members of the TAAL Band, Vic Marzan, Eddie Tejo. So we’re making that known. And it of course the facts that the show features our own Meb Bajar and Tuesday Taraya among the show’s vocalists, and that InterACT’s Artistic Director is Dennis Yep, who is also Technical Director for the annual Sinag-tala Theatrical Revue, bear repeating. The show has three performances from June 25 thru 27, all at the Sterling Hotel at 1300 H Street in downtown Sacramento. Seating begins at 5:30PM, followed by dinner and the show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $65, including dinner ($25 qualifies as a tax-deductible donation). Reservations are recommended. Call 916-267-7280 or send an e-mail to iact.tickets@gmail.com .

2. NEXT GIG: ST.MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This is just a reminder to all Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble performers that our next booking will be at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Elk Grove, where our recently-returned dancer, Ana Maria deYoung, and her husband, long-time supporter and self-designated Sinag-tala booking scout Norm DeYoung, will head up the hosting duties for the congregation. Rehearsals are taking place this week.

3. THE ST2007 DVD IS OUT! The much-awaited DVD of Sinag-tala 2007: A Theatrical Revue is coming off the burner! In keeping with tradition, we will be holding a potluck DVD party at 6:30PM on Thursday, July 3 - before you take off for the July 4th weekend - and everyone’s invited to join us for another casual but exciting premier viewing. For most of us, it will be our first chance to see the show from the audience’s perspective. Josie Domingo and her family has graciously offered their expansive residence at 8475 County Acres Lane, Sacramento, CA 95828 for the party. More information about the DVD price, potluck suggestions, driving directions, etc. is forthcoming. In the meantime, do reserve the date and do get the word out! By the way, this is a prelude to the big, upcoming Kick-off and Alumni Reunion Picnic.

4. CALLING ALL SINAG-TALA HOPEFULS. As previously announced, all interested kids 4 years on up, plus teens and grownups of ALL ages, are invited to attend the auditions for Sinag-tala 2008: A Theatrical Revue. Beginner and advanced levels are all welcome. Note that our auditions are not intended to weed out anyone but primarily to get to know the applicants’ vocal ranges, musical preferences, training interests, etc. Everyone gets to join the company, experienced or not, previously trained or not. Unless otherwise announced, all auditions will be held at the Sinag-tala Studio at 8275 Florin Road, Suite 180, Sacramento.

To help cover the cost of training materials such as CDs, handouts, song sheets, schedules, scripts, etc. a small materials fee ($10 per person or $20 per family) will be collected before you audition. However, we do not charge any tuition for the 12 weeks of theater and performing arts training that will be provided to all company members. Please see the attached forms. We recommend that they be downloaded and completed before you go to the auditions, but forms will also be available during the auditions.

Current touring ensemble performers are exempt from auditioning but may audition if they wish. Auditions are also optional for parents and seniors, but they are requested to drop by and fill out an application.

The auditions will be conducted as follows:

July 10 and 11 at 7:00PM - singing auditions
July 12 at 1:30PM - dance auditions (for 12 years and older only - may take 3 hours or more; be on time)
July 13 at 1:30PM - acting auditions

ALL performers, including dancers and actors (except touring ensemble performers, parents and seniors), MUST attend the singing auditions. Be prepared to sing any song of your choice. You may bring recorded music or your own musical instrument for accompaniment.

All dancers must attend the dance auditions. Wear only comfortable clothing and shoes. That means no tight or low-ride jeans, short shorts, short skirts, tight dresses, baggy pants, revealing attire, high heels, boots, open-toe footwear, sandals, or flip-flops. You must be able to comfortably turn, make wide movements, jump, bend and run. Long hair must be in buns or ponytails or held back from the face with a headband, hair pins, or clips. If you dance ballet or tap and have appropriate shoes, bring them also in case you are asked to demonstrate your skills.

For the acting auditions, bring a 2-minute literary piece (monologue, short story, poetry) to read aloud. Memorized pieces are acceptable. You may also be given a piece to read on the spot. Tagalog speakers may bring material written in Tagalog.

All new and returning company members are required to attend the July 26th Kick-off and Alumni Reunion Picnic at Elk Grove Park. More details will follow.

Training and rehearsals begin in late July. The Revue show dates are December 5, 6 and 7.

5. CALLING RESIDENT ARTISTS AND VOLUNTEERS. We need volunteers to staff the auditions, including sitting on the audition panels (resident artists only, in all disciplines) helping with set-up, registration and cleanup afterwards. All those available to assist should respond to this bulletin by Monday, June 30.

6. CALLING ALL ALUMNI. Just another reminder - we’re looking for all past Sinag-tala Theatrical Revue or Theater Ensemble performers, resident artists, production staff and supporters. We want to involve them in the preparations for our 20th Anniversary in 2009. But we need to plan early, so we’d appreciate everyone’s help in locating the countless people with whom we have lost touch - many of whom were young children or teens themselves when we last saw them. We would appreciate receiving as much contact information as we can get hold of (legally, of course). We would also like to see as many of them as possible at the picnic on July 26. Do help us with our search, and do let everyone know about the picnic. You may direct questions to our website, www.sinagtala.org, or you may send an e-mail to SFTPAA@aol.com.

7. MISSING A KITCHEN ITEM? It might be at the Studio. We still have rice cookers, utensils, aprons, containers, ice chests, fire extinguishers, thermometers, extension cords and other items that were lent to us for our food booth fundraiser last June 8 and are waiting for their owners to pick them up. They don’t sing, dance or act but do prefer their own homes to the Studio. And to the owners, many, many thanks again to you for all your wonderful help!

8. DON’T FORGET TO GOODSEARCH. If you’re not familiar with this no-cost fundraising opportunity, visit www.goodsearch.com and learn how a simple and easy thing like searching the internet can help the SFTPAA pay its rent, buy supplies, build props and sets, construct costumes and survive. To designate us as your charity, use either the acronym SFTPAA or enter Sinag-tala Filipino Theater and Performing Arts Association. But in order for us to truly benefit, you’ll need to use the internet as often as you can, and you’ve got to persuade everyone you know who doesn’t “goodsearch” yet to begin doing so right away. As one might say - slam dunk! By the way, there are other charity giving sites that we’ll let you know about in the future.

Well, this is it for now. Rest assured that it won’t be too long before you hear from us again. And remember, if you didn’t find any typos in this bulletin, you may not have read the whole thing. Take care, summer lovers!

Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director

Filed under: ST Bulletin | 1 Comment »

Be a part of Sinag-tala 2008: A Theatrical Revue. Experience all aspects of the theater and performing arts during 12 weeks of free training in many areas of music, dance, acting and stage production. Learn to appreciate and bring to life the works of Filipino musical, dance and literary artists. Parents and seniors need NOT audition to join, but must complete the application forms in person at the auditions.

Children 4 years and older, and teens and adults are welcome. The audition dates are:

July 10 & 11, 7:00PM - Mandatory singing auditions for ALL performers, including dancers and actors
July 12, 1:30PM - Dance auditions (dancers must be at least 12 years old)
July 13, 1:30PM - Acting auditions (children, teens and adults)

Appointments are preferred but not necessary. Please be on time.

For singing auditions, prepare to sing any song of your choice, with or without accompaniment. Bring a CD if you wish.

For the dance auditions, wear clothing and shoes that permit easy turning, jumping, stretching, bending and quick movements. Bring tap, ballet and/or jazz shoes if you have them.

For acting auditions, bring any 2-minute literary piece to read aloud.

Auditions will be held at the Sinag-tala Studio, 8275 Florin Road (Suite 180), Sacramento, CA

A ST2008 Kick-off and Alumni Reunion Picnic will be held on July 26. Training and rehearsals begin on July 28. Sinag-tala 2008: A Theatrical Revue will be presented on December 5,6 and 7.

Filed under: SFTPAA Event | Comments Off

Hello again, everyone. We’re happy to say that we continue to add new friends to our network, including those who have been visiting our website, finding us on YouTube and similar sites, attending touring ensemble performances, and signing up at our display tables and booths. If you’re receiving this bulletin for the first time, it’s because you’re one of these new-found friends have said you’d like to know more about us. Welcome to the Sinag-tala Family! Here are some of the latest Sinag-tala updates.

1. ANOTHER FIESTA, ANOTHER CHALLENGING ADVENTURE. The largest single-day annual Filipino community event in the Sacramento area, The Filipino American Fiesta of Sacramento, was different for the Sinag-tala Family this year. Except for our yearly theatrical revue in December, never have our touring ensemble, their families and other supporters ever put in quite as much work into one event. As usual, there were those among us who were involved in the months of planning of the Fiesta, coordinating the entertainment, doing security work, coordinating vendors and booths, emceeing, stage managing, and performing. Everyone in the Filipino American Fiesta of Sacramento, Inc. - the organizers and their volunteers - deserve the highest congratulations for the tremendous job they did again this year. But as most of you know, in addition to that, the SFTPAA operated two food booths. The amount of volunteer time and labor combined that this required (over and above rehearsing for the cultural program), was staggering. So we want to thank and make special mention of those who endured the food booth work that day. First on the list are Aida Encarnado and daughter Inah, who planned the menu, did most of the shopping and all the food prep, provided most of the cooking appliances and utensils, and spent the most time on their feet that day (with Aida starting at 4:30AM and not sitting until late in the day). We also thank the Sinnung, Sanchez, Domingo, Kaulupali/Nisay, Green, Acosta, James/Castellano, Perez, Taraya and Andrion families; plus the Nazareno, Montemayor, Henderson and Lacerna siblings; plus Raul Bernaldez, Kristalyn Fong, Aljohn Tabion, Edison Dominguez, Martin Sinlao, Kenny Kaulupali, Kat Escobar, Brian (Inah’s friend), Sinag-tala Ninong and Ninang Ernie and Mila Santos; financial contributors Vicky Johnson and Ana Maria and Norm DeYoung, and everyone else who contributed their valuable time, labor, vehicles, skills and resources. Needless to say, we must also thank and congratulate the ensemble performers who put on a very entertaining performance following the tough act that was Sining Kumintang, the visiting cultural group from Batangas, which by coincidence performed a few numbers that were in the Sinag-tala repertoire. And of course, to everyone who patronized our booths - maraming salamat din po sa inyo!

2. ALUMNI SIGHTINGS. Not to copy TMZ or Access Hollywood, but we were pleased to see a number of not-so-often-seen-these-days-Sinag-tala-alumni during the Filipino Fiesta. It all brought home the fact that we’re working hard to build a database of alumni, in preparation for the July 26 Reunion and Kick-off and also the 20th Anniversary of the Sinag-tala Theatrical Revue next year. And most certainly, there were those who escaped our eye simply because the food booth kept us super busy. But among the friends we ran into or saw in passing were Efren and Ester Diaz; Gina and Doug Esperanza; AJ Crisostomo; Vanessa Valencia; Theresa Gantan; Danny, Gigi, Sarah Jo and Dennis Perez; Dwayne Reyes; Alexia Baltazar; Tuesday Taraya; Rodge and Rollie Mamauag; Frank and Nida Zabal; Dane San Pedro; Tony Solidum; and Fiesta co-organizers Dick Mazon (SFTPAA President), Gladys Imperio-Acosta, Maxi Villones, Kathy and Lee Pflaum, Cheryl Hutchins, Paul Manansala, Tim Kelly, and Fred Aquino. To those who have been inadvertently omitted from this list, please accept our apologies for this writer’s diminishing memory and eyesight. Do let us know if we’ve left anyone out.

3. INTERNATIONAL FAIRE TOMORROW. There will be an International Faire tomorrow, Thursday, June 12, in the lobby of the County Building at 700 H Street, downtown Sacramento. The SFTPAA will have a table display from 10:00AM to 1:30PM. In addition, there will be cultural entertainment and displays from different ethnic communities. Come by if you’re in the area. By the way, we would welcome any volunteers who’d like to help at the table. We’d like to thank Cheryl Hutchins for inviting us to share her organization’s space with us.

4. THE HARANA SHOOT AND SYLVIA LATORRE. In a recent bulletin, we announced Florante Aguilar’s film project about the harana and kundiman traditions. As mentioned at that time, the documentary calls for some characters with strong “native” ethnic features (as opposed to Spanish-mestizo- or mestiza-looking individuals) to play various provincial characters. There is a particular need for seniors (lolos and lolas) who sing kundimans or have experienced a harana (serenade) or have a related story to tell and would be willing to be interviewed on film. But others of all ages are also being sought both as interviewees and extras in rural costumes. However, the shoot schedule has been changed. The June 13 shoot at the Abucayan residence in Sacramento has been canceled. The filming will instead take place on June 14 in the Bay Area. For more information on exact dates, times and locations, please send an e-mail directly to Florante at florante@florante.org . Incidentally, the project also includes an interview with Philippine cultural icon Sylvia LaTorre, a number of whose songs we have studied and performed in various Sinag-tala programs and who will be participating in the Sunday service at 9:00AM this Sunday at Arden Church Center at the corner of LasCruces Way and Eastern Ave., a block south of Arden Way. Everyone is invited to attend the worship. The interview shoot will take place shortly afterward at the Abucayan residence. Some of the Sylvia LaTorre songs in our repertoire include Fiesta, Balut, Waray-waray, Alembong, Hahabol-habol and Ay Pag-ibig.

5. AH, DECISIONS, DECISIONS. TWO HAPPENINGS ON JUNE 21. Two separate events of note are taking place on June 21. One is the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Maharlika Lions Club, which has supported the Sinag-tala Theatrical Revue for many years through financial contributions, volunteer help and the participation of its many talented families as artists and performers in our training programs and productions. Our own House and Security Operations Director, Tim Kelly, reminds us that the Maharlika Lions anticipate being quite involved in our own 20th anniversary next year, and that by supporting their dinner dance on the 21st we would be exchanging some well-deserved goodwill. And we would indeed, so we encourage everyone to consider attending the Maharlika event. For tickets and other information, please contact Tim directly at TimJKellyUSAFVet@aol.com Other organizations who have also continually supported the SFTPAA in similar ways are sponsoring a concert featuring the Sining Kumintang, the well-traveled folkloric group from Buauan, Batrangas, on June 21 at the Luther Burbank High School Auditorium. These sponsoring groups include the Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity, Inc. and the Mabuhay Lions Club, who would also like to urge those who are interested to attend the concert. For ticket and other information about the Sining Kumintang concert, please contact Lilia Rivera at joeliliarivera@sbcglobal.net . Both events are highly recommended.

6. CABARET-WAY WITH MEREBETH BAJAR AND TUESDAY TARAYA. InterACT’s Artistic Director, Dennis Yep, who doubles every year as SFTPAA’s Technical Director, is taking “love, passion and carnival fun,” dinner theater style, downtown by way of Carnival De L’Amour, a cabaret production that will showcase two of our own artists, among others. See Merebeth Bajar and Tuesday Taraya, poles apart on the piano scale but both gifted and popular, perform favorite standards and show tunes at the very stylish Sterling Hotel, 1300 H Street, Sacramento from June 25 through June 27. Reservations are recommended. For more details, call (916) 267-7280 or send an e-mail to iact.tickets@gmail.com.

7. TOURING ENSEMBLE GOES TO CHURCH. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Elk Grove, that is. Our busy performers are booked to appear at the congregation’s special celebration at 6:00PM on Sunday, June 29. All ensemble performers interested in and available for this performance should contact yours truly ASAP. Rehearsals will begin on June 16. Please watch for details about the rehearsal schedule. Our thanks go to Norm and Ana Maria De Young for making the arrangements. Ana Maria will also be one of our featured performers. Another guest that evening, who will perform solo, will be alumnus balladeer Jose Rodriguez. We’re proud to be featured on the same ticket with him.

8. ANGELA-DEE ALFORQUE CHOREOGRAPHS FOR SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK. This year’s Sacramento City College Shakespeare in the Park series will feature The Tempest and Twelfth Nite at the Willam Caroll Amphitheater in William Land Park, starting on July 5. Both plays are going to be given non-traditional settings and will include original dance choreography in Afro-Carribbean and Cuban traditions by SFTPAA’s Associate Artistic Director Angela-Dee Alforque, who is a specialist in those dance styles. For show dates, times, ticket information and reservations, visit http://www.sacramentoshakespeare.net/stage_current.html

9. DATES DEFINITELY NOT TO BE FORGETTEN: JULY 10-13 and JULY 26. Why? The first three are when the auditions for Sinag-tala 2008: A Theatrical Revue will be held at the Sinag-tala Studio. The other date is when we will hold our Kick-off and first-ever Alumni Reunion Picnic at Elk Grove Park. We will need volunteers from our Artistic Staff to run the auditions and from the entire network to help organize the picnic. We will send out more details in separate future announcements. Meanwhile, please help us get the word out about both activities.

10. THE STATE FAIR BECKONS AGAIN. The Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble has been booked to appear at 4:00PM on Sunday, August 17 on the Promenade Stage (not Center Stage as in previous years) at the 2008 State Fair, Cal-Expo. Plan on getting the family discount ticket packages so that you can bring your entire clan, soccer team, office and/or church group to see us perform. We plan to include some new material in the repertoire, in preparation for the theatrical revue in December. Watch for details. And performers, please let me know ASAP if you are available for this gig.

11. STUDIO CLEANING. Our home needs cleaning. Cleaning requires some cheerful souls, muscle, cleaning supplies, implements and time. We will set aside either a Saturday or Sunday, or even both days, for a cleaning party. Hopefully, we won’t have to do too much after-party cleaning later. Can you help out? Let us know and watch for details.

12. PRODUCTION MEETING. The next ST2008 Theatrical Revue production staff meeting be held at 7:00PM on Sunday, June 22, at the Sinag-tala Studio, 8275 Florin Road, Suite 180. As we get closer to the end of Summer, we know that the work will get dramatically heavier. We really need more volunteers than ever to participate in the production planning. One agenda item will be the Kick-off and Alumni Reunion Picnic. Both artistic staff and business staff volunteers are urged to attend.

13. WE’RE KNOWN WORLDWIDE. The SFTPAA website is among the top five sites identified with the “sinag-tala” tag worldwide. We are also getting thousands of hits on YouTube, thanks to postings by Conrad Panganiban and Raul “Jobernz” Bernaldez. That means more and more people know about us. Encourage everyone you know to look us up. The more widely known our brand is, the higher our goals and standards get. Hopefully, that will translate to increased support as well.

Here’s where we end for now. Thanks to everyone for continuing to support the SFTPAA. And remember, if you haven’t found any typos in this bulletin, you may not have been reading closely enough. More good times are ahead!

Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director
Sinag-tala Filipino Theater and Performing Arts Association

Filed under: ST Bulletin | No Comments »

Hello again, everyone. We have fewer than usual items to broadcast this time around, but they do deserve special focus. Here they are:

1. WE WILL WORK OUR TAILS OFF AT THE FIESTA TO RAISE MONEY. There’s no clearer way to put it. As announced earlier, one of our fundraisers this year will be the Sinag-tala Food Booth at the annual Filipino Fiesta on June 8 at the Rizal Community Center. And as also announced, raising funds requires smiling volunteers. In short, we need you, dear friend - even if you can only smile an hour or two that day. Here are some of the tasks for which we need volunteers:

a. DRIVERS - to transport supplies, materials and equipment to and from the Fiesta site on Saturday afternoon (June 7) and as early as 5:00AM on Sunday morning (June 8). Drivers will also be needed to haul things away around 5:00PM on Sunday. All vehicles are welcome but pickups and vans are preferred.

b. CASHIERS - to handle money.

c. COOKS - to cook at one of 6 indoor and outdoor cooking stations, including barbeque grills.

d. KITCHEN/COUNTER ASSISTANTS - to take orders, assemble combo plates, assist cooks, manage supplies, serve as runners, etc.

e. CREW - to help unload transport vehicles, make and put up signage, decorate the booth, operate our power supply, set up tables, help with clean-up, etc.

And if you can’t volunteer, at least plan to buy a lot of food from us or make a generous donation upfront to help us defray the cost of ingredients and supplies. With longtime professional caterer and restaurant owner (for 25 years) Aida Encarnado supervising things, we know the food will be irresistibly and knee-shaking delicious, very Filipino and reasonably priced. To stay competitive, we won’t openly announce our menu just yet. But if you’re really dying to know - email me. By the way, the volunteers will get to eat for free. PLEASE volunteer.

Also, if you would like to volunteer but cannot attend the mandatory vendors’ meeting on Wednesday, May 28, just let us know. We encourage everyone to attend this meeting because it will greatly help reduce the chance of being assessed fees by health inspectors for non-compliance with the long list of regulations we must observe. But if you absolutely can’t make it, we’ll schedule a separate “in-house” briefing for our own volunteers later. Please confirm one way or the other if you can volunteer. Again, PLEASE volunteer.

2. CALLING ALL ALUMNI AND NEWCOMERS. Our first official Reunion and Kick-off Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, from 10:00AM to 4:00PM at Elk Grove Park. This will be the first “salvo” in the build-up to our 20th Grand Anniversary nest year. So one of the first orders of the day is to gather as many, if not all, of the performers, artists, volunteers and supporters since 1990 who have been members of the proud Sinag-tala Family. So if you fall within this category (as most of you do) or know someone who does, please don’t procrastinate - contact Raul Bernaldez, ST 2008 Production Manager, with contact information immediately. Of course, this event will also be a huge welcome celebration for anyone joining the Family for the first time, so we’ve got our binoculars trained on the newcomers out there also. And do you have fun, fresh ideas for making our picnic Sinag-tala worthy? Raul is looking for volunteers with creative imaginations to serve on the picnic committee. Raul may be reached at raulbernaldez@aol.com . Keep watching for more details.

3. AUDITIONS FOR SINAG-TALA 2008: A THEATRICAL REVUE. Come on, we know there’s potential in everyone to be either a theater or performing artist. And we know many of you already are artists but just haven’t stepped forward. And we know that many of you don’t think you have what it takes, yet wish you could step on the Sinag-tala stage. Well, we’ve got just the thing for you. Singing, dance and acting auditions for Sinag-tala 2008 will be held on July 10, 11, 12 and 13. The exact times and venues will be announced soon. But do keep in mind that our auditions are not meant to weed out people. In fact, it’s our way of opening our doors to everyone and anyone who’s interested in being part of our programs, whether or not you’ve had prior training or experience. Since 1990, we have never turned anyone away yet and look what we’ve managed to do. The shy and nervous gained confidence and skills; the experienced got even better. We’re looking for participants of all levels and interests who think they can benefit from the free training we offer. Repeat - free training. We’re also looking for those who already have backgrounds in the theater or performing arts and wish to increase their experience or, if appropriate, would like to volunteer as teaching or resident artists. In short, we have room for everyone - including non-Filipinos. We are also especially interested in young adults, parents, aunts, uncles and grand parents joining us. In fact, parents and seniors are exempt from auditioning. All they need to do is fill out our application form. What could be easier? So keep these dates open.

That’s it for now, folks. We hope to see everyone at the Fiesta! And remember, if you didn’t find any typos in this bulletin, you may not have read closely enough. Enjoy the crazy weather and stay happy!

Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director
Sinag-tala Filipino Theater and Performing Arts Association

Filed under: ST Bulletin | No Comments »

Hello again, everyone. Full steam ahead, as they say. Here’s the latest in Sinag-tala news.

1. ANTIGONE CLOSES THIS WEEK. Starting tonight at 7:30PM, the River Stage production of Sophocles’ 2,500-year-old-but-highly-relevant tragedy, Antigone, will have its last four performances at the River Stage Theater on the Cosumnes River College campus. In a previous bulletin, we shared the exceptional press reviews about the production so we won’t repeat them. But it’s not often that classic Greek theater is done locally so we recommend that you try to see this one. If for nothing else, see it to see Julian Torrente and me. Seeing your resident artists’ work outside Sinag-tala is one way to evaluate their artistic competence. Besides 7:30PM tonight, the remaining shows are at 7:00PM Friday and Saturday, then 2:00PM on Sunday. By the way, I am offering 3 complimentary tickets to the first person(s) to request them by 5:30PM today. The tickets are valued at $18 each. Student and group prices are also available. Visit http://www.riverstage.org/ for more information.

2. AFGHAN WOMAN. Bina Sharif, the award-winning Pakistani playwright, actress, director and poet whose works have been produced off-Broadway and internationally came from New York last weekend under the auspices of the Ethnic Theater and Film Program headed by Angela-Dee Alforque at Sacramento City College. Bina presented a lecture at SCC on May 12 then staged her powerful one-woman play, Afghan Woman, at the college’s Art Court Theatre on May 13 to a hushed, captivated audience. Later that evening, she paid a brief visit to the Sinag-tala Studio to observe Andriana Castellano, Krystle Jong, Kat Escobar, Febelyn Acosta-Green and Ana Maria DeYoung in rehearsal for the Pacific Rim Street Fest. We are exploring the possibility of adapting one of her plays to a Philippine setting for possible production next year, along with Conrad Panganiban’s Garden of Dreams, as part of the Sinag-tala 20th anniversary commemoration. Congratulations to Angela for her successful two-year quest to bring Bina to Sacramento, and to SCC staff and faculty for their support.

3. NEXT UP FOR THE TOURING ENSEMBLE: PACIFIC RIM STREET FEST. Everyone is invited to enjoy the program that will be presented by the Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble at 11:30AM this coming Sunday, May 18, on the River Front Stage at the Pacific Rim Street Fest. This exciting all-day annual event, which will feature many other Asian American Pacific Islander cultural groups and other attractions, will take place as usual in Old Sacramento. The event is free. Bring your friends, relatives and a little cash so you can savor the great food sold there. And umbrellas, wide-brim hats and spritzers. A suggestion for neutralizing the hot weather: after the Sinag-tala show, cool off with refreshing halo-halo at the Loard’s Halo-halo and Ice Cream booth, operated by longtime Sinag-tala supporter Sal Marcellana (see item # 7 below). Most likely, they’ll be the only halo-halo vendor in sight, so there’s no excuse not to find them.

4. BURMA AND BURGOS AT ELK GROVE HIGH. The students of Sinag-tala alumna Cheena Chun, theater arts instructor at Elk Grove High School, decided to respond to the plight of the cyclone victims of Myanmar in a most interesting way. They will stage Benefit Night for Burma at their school theater at 7:00PM on Wednesday, May 21, which will feature feature music, dance, monologues, and one acts composed by the students themselves. But that’s not all. They are also featuring a short one act play loosely based on the disappearance of Jonas Burgos, the Filipino political activist whose widely covered disappearance in April 2007 at the hands of armed abductors is just one of scores of mysterious disappearances of Philippine activists and journalists over the past several years. According to Cheena, her non-Filipino students chose on their own to research and write about political disappearances believed by many to have been connected to government operatives. Another timely artistic endeavor. By the way, admission is by voluntary donation, with $5 as a minimum. Also, they are still looking for additional acts to include in the program. All Sinag-tala artists and participants are encouraged to volunteer as performers if not to see the show. Contact Cheena at misschunster@gmail.com for more information.

5. 4TH INTERNATIONAL KIDS DAY. The touring ensemble will also perform on May 31 at the 4th International Kids Day at Fair Oaks Park. Watch for more details about the event and our performance time.

6. THANKS TO DIO AGUSTIN AND OUR VERIZON ANGELS. After all these years, Dio Agustin, one of our longtime and most endearing Sinag-tala dads, and his colleagues at Verizon, continue to support the SFTPAA through their workplace matching program. Their generous, unsolicited annual contributions and the Verizon Foundation’s outstanding community giving program have been very valuable to us. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for their friendship and caring hearts and hope for their continued interest in our work. When you see Dio, be sure to let him know that you feel the same way.

7. THANKS TO SAL MARCELLANA. In our last bulletin, we encouraged the unheralded State employees who have been generously yet silently contributing to SFTPAA through the State Employees Charitable Contributions Campaign to allow us to mention their names publicly. A good number of you reading this belong to that selfless group. Among that group is our good friend Sal Marcellana, who wrote us this note a few days ago: “I prefer not to but do publish my name as a state employee supporting SFTPAA. Sometimes potential donors feel more motivated and therefore do the same or better when they see a colleague believing a cause they currently don’t feel too passionate about.” Thanks for the thought and for always believing in the SFTPAA mission. We hope other State employees will take his words to heart.

8. WANT FOOD? YA GOT IT. BUT YA GOTTA WORK FOR IT. You have four choices (but we’re not talking about the menu yet). The SFTPAA will be selling fiesta gods-pleasing combo plates all day at the Filipino Fiesta on June 8 at the Jose P. Rizal Community Center on Florin Mall Drive, South Sacramento (across the street from the Southgate Public Library). We’ll announce our menu soon. Meanwhile, as a devoted Sinag-tala friend, your choices are to: a) be a food booth volunteer - we need 25 cheerful people; b) donate a contribution to help us defray our booth expenses; c) buy this gods-pleasing food at our booth; or d) do all three. We’re perennially busy, we’re a small organization, and we don’t get to do too many fundraisers. So this food booth is a BIG DEAL. We need help Please support this effort. Consider serving on the food booth committee so we can discuss what bases need to be covered and who will cover them. By the way, volunteers will get free food as long as they earn it first. We’ll meet next week - watch for the announcement. We will also be discussing our booth plans during the ST2008 Production Meeting on May 25. In addition, if you are willing to lend us any of these items, please let me know ASAP: propane barbecue grills (we need 3), stand-by gas generator, fuel for the grills and generator, large water containers with easy to operate spigots, large ice chests, buckets, paper towels, ice, oven mitts, aprons, barbecue utensils and folding chairs.

9. Item deleted…

10. DEE PIZARRO’S C.A.M.P. Musical Director recently announced the first-ever C.A.M.P., which offers an exciting summer music program. Here are the details, courtesy of Dee:

C.A.M.P. stands for Creative Arts Music Program. This is the 1st annual summer camp of its kind that will be held from July 25-July 27, 2008 at Folsom Lake and will be attended exclusively for the guitar and piano students of Dee Pizarro. Most teachers hold annual recitals, but Dee is thinking of fun instead of stress in the summertime.

C.A.M.P. is staffed by local Sacramento artists and will feature them facilitating in workshops and activities that will motivate and inspire them to have interest in other aspects of performing arts such as script writing, theater, rhythm and movement, vocal projection, relative tuning and use of the CAPO (for guitar only) etc. We will also be having an Awards Dinner and Program presentation on Saturday, July 26 at our campsite.

For information on registration and the fundraisers that are being planned for the camp, please contact Dee Pizarro at 916.802.4386. Contact Dave Acosta @ 916.952.0861 for the Texas Hold Em Tourney.

Well, that’s this edition of our bulletin. You know there’re more to come. And remember, if you didn’t find a typo in this bulletin, you may not have been reading carefully. Thanks to everyone as always for your interest and support. Have an enjoyable time, whatever you do!

Sonny Alforque
Artistic Director

Filed under: ST Bulletin | No Comments »

Hello there, everyone. It’s that time again to catch up on what’s happened recently in the busy Sinag-tala world or that we can look forward to soon. As you know, there’s never a shortage of news. Here’s what we’ve rounded up for this edition:

1. HEARTFELT THANKS TO KAISER AND STATE EMPLOYEES. The SFTPAA is very blessed to continue to receive very generous support from Kaiser-Permanente and California State Government employees who participate in their respective ongoing worksite payroll deduction programs. Some of them prefer not to be publicly acknowledged. So to play it safe, we haven’t mentioned names so far. But if you’re one of these donors and won’t mind us releasing your names, kindly let us know. We must add that some of these supporters have been quietly donating for years with little or no recognition in return, and are therefore very dear to us. Thank you, esteemed friends. If you’re a Kaiser or State employee but haven’t signed up yet for your worksite giving program, or if you work for another employer with a similar program, we encourage you to consider participating. It’s easy, safe and convenient - and any amount, no matter how small, can be pledged.

2. WE OWE RICHARD PASALO. A couple of bulletins ago, we thanked various Sinag-tala alumni who are now associated with youth-oriented performing groups such as Press P.L.A.Y. for proudly citing their Sinag-tala experience in the bios they submit for souvenir programs. One alumnus we regrettably overlooked was Richard Pasalo, who is a key artistic leader in Press P.L.A.Y. and who devotes himself to a string of community service projects. He attributes his onstage and leadership confidence to his Sinag-tala learning days and thoughtfully points it out in his list of credits. Thanks for mentioning us, Richard, and for continuing to extend your choreographic and dancing gifts to other youths. Keep up the great work.

3. WHEN HOLDING ON TO CASH IS LITERALLY HARD. Some still-unclaimed cash was found at the Studio recently after a recent rehearsal. If you think it belongs to you, please e-mail me some details that will help us verify that it was yours. Otherwise, it will be gladly added as an anonymous donation to the SFTPAA general fund.

4. A SENSATION AT THE SHERATON HOTEL. Congratulations go to the Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble for the wonderful program it put on for its first major booking of the year at the Justo wedding reception last May 3 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento. Under the artistic oversight of Booking Manager/Stage Manager/Emcee Sandi Corpuz, Assistant Director/Choreographer Krystle Jong and Choreographer Gladys Imperio-Acosta, the company performing that evening included Febelyn Acosta-Green, Dio Agustin, Cesar Atalig, Ashley Bates, Bryan Briones, Amanda Corpuz, Jennifer Domingo, Josie Domingo, Edison Dominguez, Heile Gantan, Elizabeth Green, Jasmine Henderson, Shawn Henderson, Krystle Jong, Kenny Kaulupali, Alaia Lacerna, Dick Mazon, Martin Sinlao, Alexia Sanchez, Nicole Sanchez, Aljohn Tabion, Ariana Taraya and Cece Torralba. Congratulations also go to parents Febelyn Acosta-Green, Josie Domingo, Leonard Nisay, Jackie Sanchez, Frank Sanchez and Dagma Taraya for running the backstage operations besides hauling costumes and props. Remember - the touring artists work hard all year to raise funds for and increase awareness about the SFTPAA - be sure to thank them personally when you see them.

4. NECKS CRANED TO SEE JASMINE AND SANDI. Because the audience seats were level, many attendees at the 2008 Local Hero Awards held on May 6 at the KVIE Public Television studio either stood up or peered between the heads in front of them during the InterACT staged adaptation of excerpts from the true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Among others, the cast featured our own Jasmine Henderson and real-life mom Sandi Corpuz in inspiring portrayals of the famous ill-fated Japanese youngster and her mother. As a toddler, Sadako Sasaki developed leukemia after the Word War II atomic bombing of Hiroshima and is celebrated for her pursuit of a Japanese belief that if one were able to fold a thousand origami cranes, his or her wish would come true. Her wish as she slowly died was for world peace. Directed by Dennis Yep and co-starring Heddy Chiang, the performance was part of the entertainment featured during the award ceremonies. By the way, Jasmine has toured local schools and other venues for a couple of years now in the role of Sadako and really deserves our applause.

5. MORE TOURING ENSEMBLE DATES. We weren’t kidding when we warned that they would be busy this year. As goodwill ambassadors and - when fortune comes along - fundraising foot soldiers, our Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble performers face a hectic itinerary. The company’s next engagement will be at 11:45 AM on Sunday, May 18 during the Pacific Rim Street Fest. We will perform on the River Front Stage, near the Yellow Schoolhouse and the Tower Bridge in Old Sacramento. The event is free to the public, so we hope to see a lot of you there. Following that will be the 4th International Kids Day at Fair Oaks Park on Saturday, May 31. Then there will be the Asian Community Fortune Festival on June 7 in the Sears Parking Lot on Florin Road and 65th Street in Sacramento, followed by the Filipino Fiesta on June 8 at the Rizal Community Center. At 6:00PM on Sunday, June 29, the ensemble will entertain the congregation at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Elk Grove. Those who wish to perform with the touring ensemble must attend the training and rehearsal sessions. If you’re interested but have not received the rehearsal schedule for the May 18 Pacific Rim booking, please let me know. Rehearsals for Ito Ang Gusto Ko start tonight. The schedules for the other bookings will be announced soon. Those who have not auditioned yet but would like to be in the touring ensemble should contact me ASAP to arrange for auditions.

6. ANGELA-DEE ALFORQUE ANNOUNCES FREE CITY COLLEGE EVENTS. Having connections to what seems to be the only community college ethnic theater program hereabouts is nice because we get to learn about rare theater events that genuinely delve into less-explored aspects of cultural diversity in theater and film. Sinag-tala Associate Director/Choreographer and Sacramento City College ethnic theater professor Angela-Dee Alforque has helped arrange for three upcoming events that we encourage everyone to support. The first is a student-produced and -directed play that will be presented by one of her students, Jamellah Kiswani, at 6:00PM on Sunday, May 11 in the Little Theater (aka Room A-6) in the Humanities Division Building at City College. Admission is free. The second is a free lecture by celebrated Pakistani-American playwright Bina Sharif on Monday, May 12 at 3:00PM in the Sacramento City College Main Auditorium. On Tuesday, May 13, at 1:00PM Ms. Sharif will appear in her own one-woman play, Afghan Woman, in the SCC Art Court Theatre. Admission will also be free. Afghan Woman offers a forceful and moving perspective on the impact that the bombing of Afghanistan after 9/11 had on the Middle Easter community. Given that we who are Filipino shake our heads when others seem to misunderstand our heritage and history, these events are all very much worth our checking out.

7. FEBELYN ACOSTA-GREEN’S MUSIC VIDEO APPEARANCE. This is technically belated news, but it was a pleasant surprise to see Febelyn Acosta-Green’s familiar face in I-Hotel, a music video produced in 2005 by the Bay Area-based band The Autonomous Region in conjunction with the Little Manila Heritage Foundation. The video included Rise of the I-Hotel, a documentary on the 28-year struggle for fair and affordable housing that was punctuated by the dramatic 1977 eviction of the residents of San Francisco’s International Hotel, many of them elderly Filipinos. The song I-Hotel won the 2008 DIY Festival Award for best video music. But back to Febelyn - she played various roles, although the film credits list her as one of the evicted tenants. Congratulations to Febelyn and her son Chris, who also appears onscreen, for helping to preserve the memory of the I-Hotel saga - a part of Filipino American history everyone should study.

8. ST 2008 PRODUCTION MEETING. The next ST 2008 Production Meeting will be held at 7:00PM on Sunday, May 25 at the Sinag-tala Studio, 8275 Florin Road. Among the agenda topics will be plans for a food booth at the Filipino Fiesta on June 8 as well as plans for the big July 26 Reunion and Kick-off Picnic.
Both activities are going to be really BIG deals, and Aida Encarnado and Raul Bernaldez, who are key workers behind them, will need a LOT of input and a lot of volunteer help. Please come to the meeting because we need you. We don’t mind people bringing food

9. FUNDRAISING IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT. This isn’t to say that we are financially unstable, but as most of us know, our enthusiasm level outstretches our treasury. Some may wonder why, even as we talk about our generous supporters and donors, we continue to look for financial support. The reason is simple: it costs a lot of money to run and maintain our programs. Studio space, performance venues, sound and light system rentals, insurance, printing, advertising, costumes, sets, storage and transportation comprise just a portion of operational costs, and these costs only tend to rise with inflation. Thanks to volunteer labor and in-kind assistance, we are able to get by with what we gratefully receive through grants, corporate help, ticket sales, touring ensemble fees and donations from the general public. But extremely kind as all these givers have been, it takes a lot of hard, year-round work to cultivate donors and to sustain the giving process, especially in hard times. And even then, we still have to skimp in certain areas in order to do affordable work of reasonable quality. We always wish we could do more. The key is to remember that we offer free and unique training and learning to community members who are otherwise not reached by many mainstream, larger-budget arts programs or even by schools. We could charge large participant fees as mainstream community arts organizations typically do, but our mission is to reach the broadest numbers of underserved people who do not readily pursue the arts due to different barriers, including economic and ethnic barriers. With your help, we can continue to fill the theater and performing arts training void in the Filipino and similar communities in ways that since 1990 no other programs have done. Please donate generously to the SFTPAA.

That’s it for now. Thanks for supporting the SFTPAA. Remember - if you didn’t see any typos in this bulletin you may not have read everything. Take care!

Sonny Alforque
CEO and Artistic Director

Filed under: ST Bulletin | 1 Comment »

Hello, everyone. As you might expect, there’s never a dull moment for Sinag-tala Family members. And since there’s quite a bit of goings-on that we have to share, let’s get started:

1. ANTIGONE GETS STRONG REVIEWS. We’re tooting our horn here, but at least we can substantiate what we’re bragging about. Here’s a sampling of what they’re saying about the River Stage production of Antigone:

” … this “Antigone” is powerful, provocative and more relevant than anyone could wish it to be. It comes at the audience full-force, beautiful in staging and unrelenting in emotion. (Sacramento Bee)

” … inventive and energetic staging … a fantastic turn by Sonny Alforque (as Tiresius) … this play (is) important and timely … (Sacramento News and Review)

Referring to Tiresius’ scene, “… a showstopper.” Referring to the play, “… the most intense, heart-thumping version of a Greek classic that Sacramento has seen in years.” (Capital Public Radio)

There are 12 remaining performances at River Stage Theatre on the Cosumnes River College campus on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through May 18. Come see me as Tiresius and Julian Torrente (Tiresius’ companion), along with 15 other strong actors. For ticket information and other details, please visit www.riverstage.org.

2. WHAT YOUR SFTPAA LEADERS DID THIS WEEKEND. On April 26, the SFTPAA Board held what is intended to be the first of a series of retreats this year. The Board members and guest Christine Lacerna, past SFTPAA President, did a fine and earnest job in re-instilling their consciousness of the organizational mission, roles and responsibilities of Board members, SFTPAA history and SFTPAA Strategic Plan. You see, your Board works extra hard for you - and not just onstage or backstage, either. In fact the Board itself is a continuing work in progress, going out of its way all year round to increase its knowledge about nonprofit governance and management in order to make sure the group’s best interests are served. The Board members who attended the retreat were Dick Mazon, Raul Bernaldez, Helena Piamonte, Kathy Kaulupali, Sandi Corpuz and yours truly. When you see your Board members, give them a nice pat on the back - or better yet, a hug. Even better: consider nominating someone or yourself to fill a Board vacancy - because we can use all the help we can get.

3. WHAT TO DO WITH THAT ECONOMIC STIMULUS REBATE? Boy do we have an idea for you. Naturally, most experts have been recommending you pay off your highest-interest credit card bills, or invest in tax-free growth shelters, or buy big-ticket necessities like home appliances, or buying retail goods. BUT there is another good suggestion if you can spare part or all of that check that will soon come your way if it hasn’t already - give to a charitable nonprofit organization. Like the SFTPAA. You know what we do, what it takes to do it, and why we count so heavily on private donations. Most importantly, you know how enormous the artistic, cultural and educational pay-off for your generosity is. Please keep us in mind. Thanks.

4. JENNIFER TAKES TO THE STAGE TOMORROW. Jennifer Domingo, our latest in a long line of venerable “Da Coconut Nut” soloists, is taking a turn at drama in St. Francis Elementary School’s Drama Club production of the play Tapestry tomorrow evening, April 29, at 6:00PM at the St. Francis Gym at 2500 K Street, downtown Sacramento. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students. St. Francis students are free. For more information, visit http://www.stfranciselem.org/index.html . There will also be a free performance at 8:30AM the following day, April 30, also at the gym. See this show if you want to see Jennifer’s fascinating “other side.” Break a leg, Jennifer!

5. APOLOGIES TO SOFIA TABUJARA. Typos and omissions seem to be a sure bet for enticing alumni out of the woodwork. We received a pleasantly surprising note from Sophia Tabujara recently to point out our neglecting to mention that she is among the memorable alumni who are now performing regularly with the hip-hop ensemble Press P.L.A.Y, and who were featured at the Back to the Future showcase held last April 19 at the Rizal Community Center. We’re really sorry that we left you off that long list, Sofia. But we’re excited that in writing us you mentioned you were re-joining us for the 20th anniversary next year. Keep dancing, Sofia!

6. THANKS TO DEE, LOUI AND VIC. Our mainstay Sinag-tala musicians, Musical Director Dee Pizarro, guitarist Loui Paman and drummer Vic Marzan - of TAAL Band popularity - have for years been doing an outstanding job providing both live and recorded musical accompaniment for the Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble. We just want to take time out to recognize their generosity and hard work. On April 27, they held their most recent recording session at Vic’s home. Thanks to them, we are now able to add several newer pieces to our vocal and dance repertoires. Look out for them at the next few venues on the touring ensemble’s itinerary. And if you can, give them a hand with their gear during those rapid load-ins and load-outs. They accept handshakes, high fives and thank-yous too.

7. THE TOURING ENSEMBLE’S FIRST 2008 GIG. The Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble has been busily getting ready for its first major booking this year, the John Justo’s wedding reception (one of these days we’ll get the happy bride’s name) on May 3 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento. This engagement will feature Febelyn Acosta-Green, Cesar Atalig, Ashley Bates, Bryan Briones, Sandi Corpuz, Amanda Corpuz, Jennifer Domingo, Edison Dominguez, Heile Gantan, Elizabeth Green, Krystle Jong, Jasmine Henderson, Shawn Henderson, Kenny Kaulupali, Alexia Sanchez, Nicole Sanchez, Martin Sinlao, Aljohn Tabion, Ariana Taraya and Cecelia Torralba. Dio Agustin is making a guest appearance to perform Ilocano songs with us, as specially requested by the groom.

8. VIDEO PREMIER TO BE RESCHEDULED. In the last bulletin, we announced with a lot of excitement that a lunch party had been scheduled for the showing of the ST 2007 video at the Domingo residence. Well, we hate to disappoint folks, but there’s not only been a slight delay in the production of the video but also a schedule conflict. So stay tuned for updates. Thanks for your patience.

9. PACIFIC RIM STREET FEST BOOKING. The touring ensemble’s next appearance after the Justo wedding will be at the Pacific Rim Street Fest at 11:45AM this coming May 18. This performance will be at the festival’s Riverfront Stage, which will be located next to the Old Yellow Schoolhouse, by the river near the southwest end of Old Sacramento. We’re still finalizing the cast and program line-up for this event. But if you’re among the touring ensemble performers who have indicated that they are available on May 18, please watch for rehearsal schedule announcements. The tentative program includes Sakuting (bulilits and older kids), Ngansiba, Ito Ang Gusto Ko, Tinikling, Malong-malong, Araw Ng Kasal and other numbers. If you’re interested in appearing in one or more of these numbers, please be sure to free up your schedule for rehearsals. Available performers should contact Sandi Corpuz, booking manager, at kellys90210email@yahoo.com to confirm their interest in participating.

10. FLORANTE’S HARANA DOCUMENTARY. Florante Aguilar, the highly-regarded guitarist who performed well-known Filipino kundiman and folk songs last year with Lori Abucayan at our VIP Reception for ST2007, is at the moment working on a documentary film on the harana - the old and perhaps fading traditional cultural form of serenading. His nonprofit production company, New Art Media, and the Pacific Ethnographic Research Society are jointly looking for singers, actors and interview subjects interested in appearing in the film as “locals” and interviewees. Florante and his crew will be in Sacramento on June 13 to meet interested performers and conduct interviews. The shoot will be held, also locally, on June 14 and 15. Here are the types of people they are looking for:

Singers:
2 matandang lalaki (knows and can sing old harana songs)
2 matandang babae (knows and can sing old kundiman songs)

Actors:
2 kids - boy, girl
2 men - old, raw and ethnic looking
2 women - old , raw and ethnic looking

Interview subjects - Anybody who has a special story to tell about the custom of harana, preferably first hand experience. This includes lolos and lolas who either serenaded and have been serenaded, to recount the experience.

This promises to be a very interesting, educational and culturally useful project, and we congratulate Florante for the effort. We can all help to make this documentary a reality. And it would be even nicer to see members of the Sinag-tala Family in it. If you’re interested or know others who are, you may contact me at salforque@aol.com or Florante Aguilar at florante@florante.org .

11. ARTISTS TOUTING THE SINAG-TALA BRAND. We want to congratulate and thank artists like Angela-Dee Alforque, Lorraine De Arco, Punky Larot, Krystle Jong, Brian Rivera, Conrad Panganiban, Gladys Imperio-Acosta, TAAL Band, Malou Carlos and others who have gained their own personal followings over the years, and media coverage along with it, for constantly remembering to mention their Sinag-tala experience in interviews, feature articles, live appearances and program bios. We also appreciate the students who make it a point to list Sinag-tala projects among their credits in the printed programs for their school productions and concerts. We tend to take for granted the immense marketing value that even the small mention of the word Sinag-tala presents. The number of people who have never heard of us will of course outnumber those who do for a long time. But while statistics aren’t available, we do know from anecdotes and personal experience that our brand is being passed around in many ways and is now familiar to growing numbers of people within and outside the arts world. This only benefits us in our efforts to attract potential donors, volunteers, audiences and program participants. Raul Bernaldez, our heroic board Vice-President, is taking the lead in showing that just about any member in our network can help market the Sinag-tala cause through powerful platforms such as YouTube. Check out the postings of Jobernz on YouTube, which have gained hundreds of thousands if not millions of subscribers. His postings include the “Sinag-tala” tag, which is acquainting countless surfers with our name. If you know how to navigate social networking sites like MySpace and Friendster, or even if all you can do is send e-mail, you should take into account the remarkable ways in which you can share the gospel about the SFTPAA to people all over the globe. With the 20th Anniversary coming up, your help will matter a lot. A LOT.

12. DOING ANY SPRING CLEANING? If you have, you might be coming across personal surplus items that have been taking too much space in your home but could be useful to SFTPAA. If you have any of the following that are gathering dust on some shelf or in some corner, consider dropping them off at the Sinag-tala Studio at 8275 Florin Road, Suite 180. Or you can contact me and I can make arrangements to pick them up. Here’s a partial Spring Cleaning Rescue List:

a. Photocopy or printer paper, both white and colored (as long as they’re usable).
b. Paper towels.
c. Vacuum cleaner.
d. Hard-bristle brooms.
e. Long-handle dust pans.
f. Dry erase markers.
g. Staplers.
h. Staple removers.
i. Room deodorizers.
j. Oscillating desktop or floor electric fans.
k. Hand tools - hammers, crescent wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, box cutters, squares, drills, sanders, rasp files, etc.
l. Filipino costumes - ternos, kimonas, long skirts, balintawaks, salakots, bakya, bahags, malongs, indigenous tribal clothing, etc.
m. Light plastic, see-through garment bags.
n. Working laptop.
o. Power strips.
p. Three-hole punch.
q. Hardware supplies - electrical tape (all colors), masking tape, duct tape, picture hanging hardware, carpenter’s glue, paint stirrers, buckets, bungee cords, ratchet ties, rope, etc.

If you have items not listed above but which you know we can use, please drop them off anyway. By the way, our space is limited so we unfortunately can NOT accept bulky items like furniture, desk computers, appliances or the like. Whatever else you can donate, we’ll appreciate greatly.

13. LAST BUT NOT LEAST - KEEP GOODSEARCHING. If you still haven’t started, or don’t know what it’s all about, see the blurbs at the very end of this e-mal.

And remember, if you didn’t find any typos in this bulletin, you may not have been reading carefully. Take care, everyone and enjoy the pleasant weather.

Sonny Alforque
Artistic Director

Filed under: ST Bulletin | No Comments »

Hello again, everyone. A lot’s been going on, and we want to make sure everyone’s up to speed on things. So here goes:

1. ADVOCATE HATS ON, PLEASE. As we’ve said before, one of the most important roles of a nonprofit arts organization is to look after the best interests of the arts community, particularly those in the nonprofit sector. Our good friends at the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and the California Arts Council have given us a lot of support over the years but rarely ask for anything in return. This time, they’re counting on us to help them. Please read the attached text of an appeal sent by SMAC’s Anja Aulenbacher to us and fellow CA Arts Awards grantees about the urgency behind Assembly Bill 2728, which could potentially increase funding for the California Arts Council by $30 million. This, in turn, would increase support for community arts efforts Statewide. We owe it to agencies such as SMAC and CAC to go to bat for them because they work extremely hard to go to bat for groups like ours. We encourage you to contact your legislator and to send us a copy of whatever correspondence you send them. By the way, this is one type of political activity that nonprofits are allowed to pursue.

2. KRYSTLE’S APRIL. If you go by the number of one’s gigs in a month, Krystle Jong deserves the April medal. On April 12, she was featured in Saving FACE (Filipino Artists Celebrating Expression), which was the title of this year’s Pilipino Culture Nite production at CSUS. She performed Fil-I-Am, one of the finer original spoken word pieces created for the Sinag-tala Theatrical Revue, and co-written by Krystle herself. Sinag-tala alumni Leejay Abucayan, Angel Lobo, Deidre San Pedro, Joyce Tabujara and Bobby Roy were also featured at Saving FACE as performing and exhibition artists. Krystle will reprise Fil-I-Am on April 19 at Back to the Future, the 2008 Filipino Fiesta kick-off event at the Jose Rizal Community Center (see item #3 below for more details), where Krystle will also sing the National Anthem. At 7:00PM on April 25, she will be a featured runway model and performing artist for Magnum Opus’ Sacramento Fashion Show at the Tsakopolous Galleria, 828 I Street, downtown Sacramento. For Magnum Opus ticket price and reservation information, visit www.sacramentofashionweek.com . And in between all this, Krystle will be leading our Tinikling Academy classes over the next few weeks. Congratulations on and keep up the great work, Krystle. Aren’t we glad the young are young?

3. BACK TO THE FUTURE. The Filipino American Fiesta Association, in cooperation with the hiphop group Press P.L.A.Y., will be officially kicking off Filipino Fiesta 2008 at 7:00PM on April 19 with the talent showcase, “Back to the Future,” at the Luther Burbank High School Auditorium, 3500 Florin Road Sacramento. The following individual and group artists, including a number of past and current Sinag-tala performers, will be appearing: Press P.L.A.Y., Boogie Monstarz, Flexible Flave and Legendary Steps, Funky Fresh, Gabe Cordero, XLE (Krystle Jong), Shades, Stepboys, Steve Nader, The High Notes, The Kim Altamero Project and XPosed. Aside from the fact that Kyrstle Jong and Sinag-tala alumni Joe Larot, Jason Magsuci, Derek Javar, April Bambao, Joanne Bambao, Joyce Tabujara, Jasmine Garcia, Rodge Pasalo and Kim Altamero will all be sharing the stage for this event, the Sinag-tala Family has had a deep connection with the Filipino Fiesta for many years. If you go over the history of the Fiesta, even as its name evolved, you’ll find Sinag-tala folks listed among its most active planners, organizers, cultural artists, stage managers, field volunteers and financial supporters of the Sacramento area’s largest annual Filipino community event. Watch out for the Fiesta on June 8 at the Jose P. Rizal Community Center. Help keep this iconic event alive.

4. MEET ONE STEP DOWN. As many know, the Maharlika Lions Club, which ranks among the local groups long associated with Sinag-tala projects, doesn’t lag behind as a promoter of the performing arts. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the popular Maharlika Seven, the up and coming One Step Down boasts of versatile Maharlika musicians and singers who are also from the Sinag-tala Family. SFTPAA Board Member and Production Manager Raul Bernaldez, along with longtime supporters Friz and Merwyn Diaz, will take turns at the vocals and trade different instruments when they perform favorite oldies this Saturday, April 19, at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. For admission and other information, contact Raul at Raul Bernaldez@aol.com . We wish you the best and thank you for all you’ve done, One Step Down and Maharlika Lions.

5. TAKING THE GEEK OUT OF GREEK. As we announced a while back, a powerful modern take on what is often regarded as the most famous tragedy by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles is coming to River Stage at Cosumnes River College. Already a couple of thousands of years old, the play Antigone, adapted by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Julie Mesina and directed by multiple award winner Frank Condon, is given a contemporary feel that will remind you of a familiar world event. Hint: Iraq. And coincidentally, yours truly will appear as Tiresias, the blind seer who fortells the kingdom’s deadly future, and Julian Torrente plays The Child who guides the man through the tormented city. There will discount-priced preview performances at 7:30PM on April 16, 17, and 18, followed by opening night on Saturday, April 19. The show runs thru May 18. For more information, visit www.riverstage.org . By the way, Roy and Aurora Herburger of Herburger Publications, who have been major Sinag-tala backers for more the better part of 18 years, have also been key River Stage donors for years.

6. ST 2007 VIDEO SHOWING. While commercially videotaping last year’s Theatrical Revue was ruled out due to budget constraints, persistent Josie Domingo and her circle of trans-Pacific relatives and friends managed to arrange at the last minute for volunteers to put together a video team. We’re expecting the previewing of the resulting DVD to take place starting at noon on May 4 at the home of Josie Domingo. All ST 2007 company members, volunteers and supporters are invited to join us for lunch and to view the DVD together. More announcements are to come. But save the date.

7. CIRCLE JULY 26 WITH A RED PEN, TOO. While it’s early, that is. That’s going to be a special day because it will not only be the date of the annual kick-off for the Sinag-tala Theatrical Revue; it will also be what could be billed as Sinag-tala Reunion - The Big One, hopefully with lots of long-unseen faces showing up. And it’ll be something we haven’t done in a while: A PICNIC IN ELK GROVE PARK! More details will follow, but in the meantime, everyone is assigned the same mission: help us track down as many Sinag-tala alumni as possible so they can be invited. The upcoming 20th anniversary (in 2009) is going to be a huge, historic commemoration that all alumni deserve to be part of. The picnic will be sort of a starting line. So current mailing and e-mail addresses, phone numbers, married names, etc. - if you have them - would all be appreciated because many of them were just children with soprano voices, if not single, when last heard from. Send all leads to us.

8. AMANDA NEAL HITTING HIGH NOTES ON A SCHOLARSHIP. Proud Dad Greg Neal recently informed us that daughter Amanda, who last joined us on the Sinag-tala stage when she was in middle school, has taken that noble path to opera and classical voice. She is currently enjoying a scholarship at the prestigious Music Conservatory at Loyola University in Louisiana, new Orleans as she majors in Musical Performance with a concentration in Opera. That’s monumental, from where we stand, considering not only that time has flown by so quickly but because we don’t cross paths that often with young Filipinos seriously considering opera as a career specialization. Congratulations and much success to you, Amanda. We share your family’s pride. We hear that Stephanie Neal, Amanda’s sister who is now a Loreto High School sophomore, is developing towards a coloratura herself, with sights on taking the conservatory route as well. We know you’ll make us proud, too, Stephanie. We hope to see the Neal clan at the forthcoming alumni activities.

9. AND HOW ABOUT THAT ROEL ALMARES, RECORDING EXECUTIVE? Alumnus Roel Almares wrote us recently about his having started Phased Records, a new record label, and the May 31, 2008 release of “Joints,” a compilation CD featuring 12 young Fil-Am recording artists from cities across the U.S. Not surprisingly, a few artists in the album have Sinag-tala in their veins, directly or indirectly. Lori Abucayan has performed with us before and since then led a professional recording, concert and TV career; and Angelace, three sisters who have been singing and recording professionally since their grade school years are either daughters, nieces, cousins or granddaughters - depending on your reference point - of the Mamauag Family whose members have graced Sinag-tala productions in the past. We congratulate Roel and his featured artists, and wish them much success.

10. GUESS WHO JUST GOT THE SACLIGHTS.COM SALUTE? If you know local showbiz websites and blogs, it shouldn’t take long to guess - why it’s resident Sinag-tala artist Lorraine De Arco, Artist of the Week, of course. But don’t take my word for it. Check out http://www.saclights.com/people/rained7/ for the feature profile written about her and listing of her coming gigs. And her profile even mentions Sinag-tala. We can’t dislike that. Thanks and congratulations as always, Lorraine.

11. WELCOME, APOLLROSS AND WELCOME BACK, ANA MARIA. The touring ensemble welcomes its newest children’s ensemble member, Apollross Reyes, and long-missed returning dancer Ana Maria DeYoung. For those who weren’t around for Apollross’ audition, see and enjoy her school talent show performance on YouTube, search topic Apoll’s Star. For those who want to see dance discipline, stick around for Ana Maria.

Well, in our case, there’s no such thing as that silly, trite expressoin: “nuff said.” That’s because there’s always more to talk about than time to talk about it. So we’ll come back with another bulleting before too long. We appreciate and thank gracious supporters like Vicky Johnson and Sal Marcellano who have actually gone out of their way to tell us that they enjoy reading our bulletins. Thanks to everyone for the interest.

Sonny Alforque
Artistic Director

Filed under: ST Bulletin | No Comments »

Hello again, everyone. Congratulations - you survived another April Fool’s Day. It’s not too soon for another bulletin, what with all that’s happening in the Sinag-tala neck of the woods. Here’s the latest: Read more…

Filed under: ST Bulletin | Comments Off