SINAG-TALA BULLETIN #08-06

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

SINAG-TALA BULLETIN #08-5

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

SINAG-TALA BULLETIN #08-4

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