SINAG-TALA BULLETIN #08-11

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

SINAG-TALA BULLETIN #08-10

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