The FILIPINO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA

(FAANEGA)

cÜÉâwÄç ÑÜxáxÇàá‹

CEDAR SHOALS HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

1300 Cedar Shoals Drive, Athens, Georgia 30605 May 14, 2011 7:30 pm

`xáátzx To Fellow Filipino-Americans & Friends,

For Filipino expatriates like us who have lived for a while outside the Philippines, there always lingers a desire to be reconnected with our origins. Bonding to-gether to form an association like ours, for instance, is a manifestation of this de-sire that reflects our instinctive need, not just to pass the time with our “kababayan,” but more importantly to re-establish a cultural connection with those we share our traditions with.

Once in a while, an opportunity comes along that helps fill in such need. Today, a group of talented professional singers straight from the Philippines will present a show called “Aawitan Kita sa Amerika (I Will Sing For You in America). This cultural presentation is based on a TV show called “Aawitan Kita” that graced the television industry since the pre-martial law days in the Philippines. The TV show was a perfect venue to showcase both the Philippines’ rich musical and re-gional cultural traditions. Episodes were artistically and intelligently crafted to feature a Philippine province as the songs were carefully chosen to depict the way of life and the unique artistic heritage of each region.

This show promises to be a very enriching cultural experience for us Filipinos. It will be a rare treat to listen once more to the more melodious, authentic Philip-pine music presented in a contemporary zarzuela setting. As different forms of music have evolved through generations, there is nothing that can match the quality and richness of traditional Filipino music—devoid of the incomprehensi-ble lingo, if not the screaming, of present-day music.

Aawitan Kita is a truly rare opportunity to have a genuinely cultural experience. FAANEGA is privileged to have been afforded the opportunity to showcase the beauty of the traditional Filipino music. We hope you will enjoy and cherish your own cultural experiences, while watching the show.

FAANEGA Event Organizers and Members May 14, 2011

AAWITAN KITA SA AMERIKA: c|Ä|Ñ|Çtá át Tà|Çz câáÉ

ACT I

Aawitan Kita Theme 4/4 Medley / Cast

Lawiswis Kawayan / Lirio Vital Paalam (Constancio de Guzman) / Bimbo Cerrudo Anak Dalita / Rachelle Gerodias & Miguel Castro

Bituing Marikit / Raul Montesa Hanggang / Cris Villonco

Bella Filipina/ Richard Reynoso Sinisintang Bayan / Bayang Barrios

Aawitan Kita instrumental reprise / Live spiels Salawahan / Armida Siguion-Reyna Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan / Bayang Barrios

Intermission

ACT II

Tinubuang Bansa / Lirio Vital

Ako ay Bulaklak / Rachelle Gerodias & Bimbo Cerrudo Tunay na Tunay / Cris Villonco & Raul Montesa

Dungawin mo Hirang / Richard Reynoso Habang Buhay / Miguel Castro

Walang Hanggang Paalam / Bayang Barrios Canseco Medley / Cris Villonco

Huling Awit / Rachelle Gerodias

ACT III

Binabakas Ko Pa / Armida Siguion-Reyna (with Lirio Vital doing last line only) Kahit na Magtiis / Richard Reynoso Lagi Kitang Naalaala / Raul Montesa

Pag-uwi / Bimbo Cerrudo Mutya ng Pasig / Rachelle Gerodias

Bayan Ko / Bayang, Miguel & Cris, then all 3/4 Medley of fast Filipino Songs

Aawitan Kita Instrumental / live extro spiels

`xxà à{x Vtáà `xÅuxÜá ARMIDA SIGUION-REYNA

She received her Bachelor of Music degree, Major in Voice, from the Philippine Women’s University in 1955, the culmination of a college education that started at the Georgian Court College in Lakewood, New Jersey, USA. She ventured into film and television production much later after playing lead roles in Philip-pine productions of operas such as Lucia di Lammermoor, La Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Pagliacci and Merry Widow, and hosting a television talk show. Her first production, Aawitan Kita (Let Me Sing For You), a musi-cal featuring only the best of Filipino music ran for 35 years, the longest-running program on Philippine tele-vision. A faithful advocate of freedom of expression, she has tangled with practically every chief censor in the coun-try, and marched alongside fellow artists in the continuing struggle against censorship and prior restraint. From June 1998 to March 2001, she served as Chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classifi-cation Board. In 1991, Armida established Reynafilms, Inc., with her filmmaker son Carlos as resident direc-

tor. The family-based film production company outfit made a mark in Philippine cinema in 1991 when its initial film production of Hi-hintayin Kita sa Langit (I’ll Wait for You in Heaven), based on Emily Brönte’s Wuthering Heights, won a combined total of 18 awards from various local award-giving bodies. This was followed the next year by an unprecedented 27 awards for Ikaw Pa Lang ang Mina-hal (Only Love), an adaptation of Henry James’ Washington Square, then again the basis of William Wyler’s classic, The Heiress. She now writes a bi-weekly op-ed column for The Daily Tribune, and hosts and produces the monthly “Aawitan Kita sa Makati” under the sponsorship of the Office of the Makati Mayor’s Programs for the Senior Citizens of the premiere business district. BAYANG BARRIOS

.Having released four albums, all but one of them independently, (“Bayang Makulay”, “Harinawa”, “Alon” and “Biyaya”), she has also acted in several movies (most notably the multi-award winning “Engkwentro” and the† musical “Emir”), and stage plays (i.e. last year’s “Quile”). She has also leant her talents to composing and performing several theme songs for TV, (“Engkantada”, “Mulawin”) and film (“Isipin Mo Na Lang”) for the independent movie “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros”. She was also chosen as one of the "ˆBayi” awardees for music in 2008. Her Biyaya album was awarded for the PMPC’s best alternative album of the

year. In 2009, she represented the Philippines in the 1st Asean Traditional Orchestra held in Korea, and just recently performed at the recently concluded Shanghai World Expo.

MIGUEL CASTRO

Miguel was a theatre and TV actor for more than 15 years before he ventured into singing in 2005. Since then he appeared in musicals playing the lead role in the original production of “Saint Louis Loved Dem Fili-pinos”, a musical for Dulaang UP, “Filipinas Circa” for the Cultural Center of the Philippines, “Once on this Island”, and “Jesus Christ Superstar”. He landed a spot in the Aawitan Kita sa Makati monthly shows, and has been performing with the cast since then. He also sings for Philippine Opera Company’s HARANA, and toured around the Philippines and some parts of Europe. Miguel is also a visual artist, and has exbited his works in the Philippines, Australia, New Caledonia, and Germany.

BO CERRUDO He released two albums, namely: an eponymous debut effort which spawned the hit remake “Pag Tumatagal Lalong Tumitibay” and

the 90’s ballroom dancing-inspired Retro Dancing. Thanks to extensive airplay and full-throttle slate of solo concerts, he earned the nod of music critics. It was in musical stage plays where his discipline and sponta-neity were honed and polished. He was able to snag plum roles in major musicals, among them Wang Ta in “Flower Drum Song”, Tony in “West Side Story”, Rama in “Rama Hari” and the Manila run of “Miss Saigon”, to name a few. He received rave reviews for his sensitive and fiery performances in every one of these en-deavors. He dazzled foreign audiences via sellout concerts in the US, Asia, Middle East and Europe, even performing on several occasions as ambassador of goodwill for the Philippine Department of Tourism. As a result, he has established a solid following composed of overseas Filipinos and foreigners alike.

RACHELLE GERODIAS Rachelle received her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Vocal Literature from the Eastman School of Music, in Rochester New York. She also holds a Professional Diploma in Operatic studies from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. In the Philippines, she graduated ‘cum laude’ from the Uni-versity of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. Rachelle was one of “The Outstanding Young Men” 2010 awardees. She is also one of the country’s most award-winning sopranos, having won 1st Prize in the Civic Morning Musicals Vocal Competition in Syracuse, New York in 1995 and being in the Aliw Hall of Fame for Best Female Classical Performer.

RICHARD REYNOSO

Richard won second in the 1st KBP Musicfest for Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika; was nominated in the 1990 Tinig Awards for the Classical and Kundiman Category; garnered four nominations in the 1991 Awit Awards for Best Performance by a Male Artist, Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Ballad Re-cording, as well as Best Revival by a Male Artist in 1992 and an award for Artist in Excellence given during the 1997 Philippine-American Convention and Exposition in California, USA. He had his share of interna-tional performances both as a guest and as a solo artist in countries such as the USA, British Columbia, Japan, Hawaii, Guam, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Amsterdam, Hongkong and Indonesia performing to both

Filipino and foreign audiences. To date, he has already released eight solo albums, six of which are in CD format with gold and plati-num awards to boot, his most memorable songs of which include Hindi Ko Kaya, Paminsan-minsan, Maaalala Mo Pa Rin & Kahit Sino. LIRIO VITAL

Lirio Vital became a household name by her beautiful renditions of Filipino love songs called Kundiman and has become a member of all -star cast of Armida Siguion- Reyna's television program Aawitan Kita. This Filipina artist has performed almost every part of the globe bringing the best what the Philippines could offer. She has done memorable stage performances at the Metropolitan theater like Ang Kiri, Maala-ala Mo Kaya, and Hindi Kita Mali-mot. Lirio has proven herself to be one of the most accomplished, versatile, seasoned performer. Lirio has done it all-recording, movies,television, stage and concerts. She, however, continues to come back, time and again, to enter-tain her fans and become herself again...as a real and vital artist.

CRIS VILLONCO Cris began her singing career at age nine, and performed on stage, film, and television as an actor, singer, and recording artist. Her theatre credits include Les Miserables (Little Cosette), Larawan (Patsy), Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Frances), Alikabok (Bising Vallejo), Love’s Labor’s Lost (Rosaline), Fid-dler on the Roof (Hodel), Hamlet (2008 Gawad Buhay! Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play as Ophelia), Orosman at Zafira (Zafira), Romeo and Bernadette (Bernadette), Legally Blonde (Vivienne), A Lit-tle Night Music (Anne) and The Joy Luck Club (Waverly). On television and film, she has Aawitan Kita, ASAP, SOP, and appeared in numerous television drama and musical specials. She also performed in vari-ous commercials. In the year 2000, Cris sang at the St. Peter’s Square for a Jubilee mass officiated by

Pope John Paul II. That same year, she was featured in TIME (International Edition) as a Hero For The Planet in May 2006. Cris graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with concentrations in Music and Eco-nomic Development. RAUL MONTESA

A musical theatre veteran of 20 years, he has counted among his proudest achievements his inclusion in the original casts of Miss Saigon in Germany, Manila, Hong Kong, and Singapore, in all of which he played the role of Asst. Commissar. His numerous roles over the years include Combeferre in LES MISERABLES, the Wolf in INTO THE WOODS, the voice of Audrey 2 in a LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Anselmo in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Dr. Neville Craven in SECRET GARDEN and was in the ensemble of SWEENEY TODD all for Repertory Philippines. He played the role of Mr. Lindquist in the Manila and Singapore run of A LITTLE MU-SIC, as Caiphas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERTSTAR, Curtis Taylor Jr., in DREAMGIRLS all for Atlantis Produc-

tions. Outside theatre, he has appeared in various films,. He has taught Musical Theatre workshops for Repertory Philippines, Trum-pets and ABS-CBN. The Writer— BIBETH ORTEZA—Ms. Orteza obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (Imaginative Writing), from the Univer-sity of the Philippines (UP) in 1975. She is married to film director Carlos Siguion-Reyna. They have two children, Sara and Rafael. Orteza enjoyed success as a comedienne on film and television, hosted her own variety shows and several morning shows, and wrote top-rated and award-winning television comedy shows such as Iskul Bukol, Hapi House, Okay Ka, Fairy Ko, and the long en-during Aawitan Kita. She has so far authored two biographies: Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa, the Dolphy “as-told-to” tell-all; Chiz Es-cudero’s Say Chiz; and is currently working on a third. Ms. Orteza is a member of UP Board of Regents.

EVENT ORGANIZERS

Co-Chairs: Dr. Sherwin Lopez & Dr. Josephine Ticsay Lopez Mr. Sonny Fincher & Dr. Frances Valido Fincher

Dr. Cesar Escalante & Ms. Arlene Mirandilla Escalante

Members: Jeprey Gemao, Raquel Hilario, Edwin Hilario, Fred Lao,

Gigi Magsalin, Lilia Melendez, Alex Olvido Jorge Paragas, Steve Weber, Esther Sherman, Joe Erasga

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Ms. Armida Siguion-Reyna and the Aawitan Kita cast and crew members

Church of the Nations , Athens, GA Fook’s Food, Athens, GA

FilAm Star Café and Bakery, Atlanta, GA FilAm Association of Greater Atlanta

Golden Dragon, Athens, GA Buffalo’s, Athens, GA

Mr. Dion Muldrow, Cedar Shoals High School Ms. Rosemary Milsap, Cedar Shoals High School

Briefly, the Aawitan Kita storyline: First, between the spinster Armida and her old maid niece Lirio. Armida keeps on reminding Lirio that all is well and good in the country. Lirio seems to be in agree-ment, but truth is she’s secretly pining for the big love of her life who left for the US many years ago and promised to come back for her but still hasn’t. What Lirio doesn’t know is that she and Armida share the same story, that Armida’s heart had also been broken in the same way. Then, between the OFW Bo and his wife Rachelle: Bo leaves Rachelle in the care of his best friend Raul, to work abroad. Oceans apart, the couple tries to keep their marriage going with phone calls, text messages and e-mails. They are both miserable with the separation, but they have no choice. When Raul woos the lonely Rachelle, her loyalty is with her husband so she does not give in to tempta-tion. But she is so affected by their distance; she dies, ironically in Raul’s arms. Raul sends Bo a text, informs him of Rachelle’s death. Finally, the goings on among the young: Bayang personifies mother country and around her the activists cluster. Miguel does not waver from the path, but Cris and Richard have separation issues especially as Cris is set to seek greener pas-tures elsewhere. Cris leaves but makes it clear she will be proudly Filipino wher-ever she goes. Richard takes his cue from Miguel’s idealism soon and plunges into community work. We end with the crisscrossing of storylines: Bayang, Miguel and Richard remind all that country comes first. Lirio chances on Armida trying to sing “Babalik Ka Rin” but emotionally unable to; she sings the song for her aunt but on a much stronger tone. Raul surmounts personal grief. Bo returns to homeland not bitter but just glad to be home. Rachelle, we imply on her way to heaven, a pleasant memory, the “Mutya ng Pasig.” It turns out that the story is a flashback for Cris, now living away from home. Her mind so much on her roots, she sings “Bayan Ko,” then proceeds to do a big fiesta song and sing it simultaneously with the folks back home—including the dead Rachelle—for such is life in the Philippines.