Panday Tinig to celebrate its 23rd year Panday Tinig at Carnegie Hall

VOL. 12, NO. 1
PUBLISHED BY THE PANDAY TINIG CHORAL ENSEMBLE
The Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble,
KAPALARAN concert,
at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall,
New York, October 20, 2007.
AUTUMN 2008
Panday Tinig
to celebrate its
23rd year
Panday Tinig will
celebrate its 23rd
anniversary on Saturday,
October 18, 2008, at the
Delta Hotel, 475 President
Kennedy. Montreal.
Cocktails will be served at
6 p.m. followed by dinner
at 7 p.m.
Traditionally, Panday
Tinig gives loyalty awards
to members who have sung
with the ensemble for 10,
15, or 20 years. Honorees
this year are:
PETER APELO,
20 years membership;
Photo: Leo Ruiz, Artists International, New York.
Panday Tinig at Carnegie Hall
One of
the dreams of a
choral group, or
any musician, is
to perform in a
venue whose
halls have
resonated with
music from some
of the world’s
greatest
performers. And
such a hall is
Carnegie Hall.
IN THIS ISSUE:
The Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble of Montreal had a dream...
And that dream became a reality when the choir was asked by Leo Ruiz, Founder and
Executive Director of New York’s Artists International, to do a full choral concert at Carnegie
Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, under the auspices of his organization. The occasion was to mark the
35th anniversary of the establishment of Artists International. And it would only be the second time
that a choral group has been invited to perform in Artists International Concert Series.
For the 31-member Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble, the musical adventure of a lifetime
was realized on October 20, 2007. With “Kapalaran” as the theme for the 2 o’clock Saturday
afternoon concert, the singers opened the show with the national anthems of the Philippines,
Canada, and the United States. Songs featured included kumdimans, balitaws, haranas, folk songs,
contemporary songs, and a song written and composed specially for the Panday Tinig Choral
Ensemble.
A contingent of supporters from Montreal accompanied the singers for a sight-seeing
tour and to attend the concert.
A post-concert reception followed allowing the singers and guests to savor the
afternoon’s show.
Proceeds from the concert was earmarked for the scholarship fund established in the
Philippines at Silliman University in Dumaguete city.
Panday Tinig brings “KAPALARAN” to Tudor Hall/ Pincourt concert…………………..….page 2
Panday Tinig honors four members on its 23rd anniversary dinner-dance celebration…..page 3
Profile: Marlene Birao – Catalyst for change through courage and generosity…………...page 4
JUN DIAZ,
10 years membership;
LILIBETH FLORES,
10 years membership;
CARMELA RAQUEPO,
10 years membership.
PAGE 2
TAMBULI VOL. 12, NO. 1
AUTUMN 2008
PANDAY TINIG BRINGS “KAPALARAN” TO TUDOR HALL
Photo: Peter Annett
A story of three daughters as their family moves from province to province and how their destinies evolve, captured through choral
music – that is KAPALARAN, the Filipino word for fate. That was the theme of the choral concert that the Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble
brought to the stage of the historic Tudor Hall, located at the 5 th floor of up-scale OGILVY, on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
It was a 1:30 p.m. show that brought a diverse crowd of mostly Filipino guests to find their way through Louis Vuitton merchandise
before reaching the floor where they would hear Montreal’s vibrant Panday Tinig conjure visions of life as three sisters move through the
different parts of the Philippines, framed by songs from those parts of the country.
To set the mood was the concert rendition of L.San Perdro’s arrangement of Pambansing Awit. Followed by Angel Pena’s O Canada,
specially arranged for the Panday Tinig.
Not to lose sight of our musical past was Lucio San Pedro’s Sa Mahal Kong Bayan, a kundiman with a love-for-my-country
sentiment. Fast forward to Bahay, a description of slum houses made of boxes, tires, scrap metal, cardboard – as opposed to the mansions
across the bridge. And who does not know Planting Rice (Magtanim hindi biro)… is never fun. Bulaklak, the Filipino version of G. Becaud’s
L’important c’est la rose, and arranged by M.de Leon, featured Dindo Miras whistling the intro with Ruel Arevalo on guitar and Magnolia
Camat doing the obligato.
The story of the three sisters starts with the haranas. Haranas, as Ambassador Brillantes in his souvenir program message said, is a
form of courtship music. The man serenades a woman – on a moonlight night, looking up at her window, a specific style of music is
performed telling the woman of his admiration and love for her. The group performed Hatinggabi (Tagalog), Malinac Lay Labi
(Pangasinanse), No Du’duaem Pay (Ilocano), Sarung Banggi (Bicol), and Kahibulongan (Visayan) – haranas that these sisters heard as they
moved through these provinces. Tatlong Dalaga, an adaptation of Sa Lungsod Sa Buenavista, tells about the sisters and the turn of events in
their lives. Ate decides to move to Montreal as indicated in It’s My Turn. The male chorus sings Bye,Bye, Love and I Will Remember You. La
Vie En Rose indicates that Ate has arrived in Montreal. Recapping these events, the choir ends with One Moment In Time – capturing that
special moment when one can be free to choose one’s future and to make the best of it.
A post-concert reception followed with guests and singers intermingling to “strengthen our identity and solidarity which are
important in the continuing emergence of the Filipino-Canadian community” of Montreal.
Panday Tinig blends voices for
Pincourt church fundraiser
Photo: Peter Annett
The St. Patrick of the Island Church,
Pincourt, Quebec featured the Panday
Tinig in a fundraising concert titled “For
The Love of Music”, June 15, 2008.
Part I of the concert featured
Philippine religious and classical music
as well as international favorites. Part II
showcased songs and dances from
Broadway musicals.
rd
Romy Hufana (3 from left, front row), Pincourt concert organizer, thanks Panday Tinig.
PANDAY TINIG CHORAL ENSEMBLE
5355 CUMBERLAND, MONTREAL H4V2P1, QUEBEC, CANADA
Tel: (514) 485-7281; Email: panday@pandaytinig.com
Website: www.pandaytinig.com
PAUL IMPERIAL, Director of Music; EDITHA B. FEDALIZO, Pianist
SOPRANOS:
Marivic Aplaon, Magnolia Camat Bade, Raquel Estoque, Mellie Francisco, Anita Lo, Neldred Lorenzo, Theresa Pasiolan,
Mynia Penaranda, Bellie Ramirez, Mary Ann Vizencio
ALTOS:
Minerva Barriga, Lilibeth Flores, Gelyn Gao-ay, Erlinda Gascon, Marissa Meneses, Marina Ocumen, Carmela Raquepo
TENORS:
Ruel Arevalo Joselito Calizar, Jun Diaz, Jessie Pascual
BASSES: Edward de las Alas, Peter Apelo, Amir Billones, Gerald Castillo, Jun Lorica, Dindo Miras, Jowen Soguilon
“Harmony & understanding through music”
AUTOMNE 2008
TAMBULI VOL. 12, NO. 1
PAGE 3
Panday Tinig honors four members on its 23rd anniversary dinner-dance celebration
– YEARS MEMBERSHIP HONOREE:
PROFILE: MARLENE 20
BIRAO
– A PIONEER AND A CATALYST FOR CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY
PETER APELO is the „forever-young-looking‟ guy in the Panday bass section. He joined Panday Tinig in
his early twenties. “I can‟t believe 20 years have gone by so quickly, just like the passing of the wind”,
Peter said. Peter calls Panday Tinig, his extended family. He says without hesitation that „his 20 years
with Panday are full of happy memories.
Peter hails from Roxas City, Capiz. He enjoyed singing since childhood.
PETER APELO
During Peter‟s 20 years with Panday Tinig, he got married to Minerva Barriga, who eventually joined
the Panday alto section. They have two children, Jasmine and Jeremy.
10 – YEARS MEMBERSHIP HONOREES:
JUN DIAZ
Jun Diaz is the soft-spoken member of the Panday tenor section. Jun joined Panday Tinig in the Spring
of 1998. He is awed by the fact that when he joined, Panday Tinig had its Kalayaan (Philippine
centennial independence ) concert at Place des Arts. “What good timing! What opportunity!” Jun said.
As Business manager for Panday Tinig, Jun is always thinking of ways of fundraising opportunities.
Jun Diaz is from Bayambang, Pangasinan. He spent a lot of time during his youth, joining the choir and
other singing opportunities. He is married to Judith Tagulao. They have one beautiful daughterKathleen Rosebelle.
JUN DIAZ
LILIBETH FLORES
Lilibeth Flores first joined the Panday Tinig in 1986. It was shortlived due to commitments that needed her
attention. She rejoined the choir in 1998. Eversince, she has become a strong voice in the versatile alto section.
Lilibeth is from Davao. She belongs to a family of singers. She fondly remembers how her family members had
once formed a choir for their home church.
LILIBETH FLORES
Lilibeth is married to Ruel Arevalo, a member of the tenor section of Panday Tinig. They have two beautiful
children – Justing and Jhayzel.
CARMELA RAQUEPO
Carmela Raquepo first came to sing with Panday Tinig in 1990. After a year, she left but came back in the
summer of 1998. She had since become one of the powerful alto singers.
Carmela is the Chairperson for the Panday choreography committee. Her designs of choreographic
movements for each song are truly artistic and original.
Carmela hails from Manila. As a young person, she joined several choirs. Upon coming to Montreal, she
yearned to sing again with a choir. She then found Panday Tinig.
Carmela is a loving mother to three lovely children – Desiree, Karl and Louie Gabriel.
CARMELA RAQUEPO
MARLENE BIRAO…..continued from page 4
“My courage stems from my faith in God! I am not afraid to make changes”, she exclaimed. “I feel I have a mission to fulfill…I am
always ready for challenges!”
Marlene Birao is the recipient of various awards and recognitions: 1990-FAMAS; ‟93 –Embassy of the Philippines; ‟95-Philippine Sports
Association, Montreal; ‟99 & „04-PHILBECAN; ‟99- 100 Most Outstanding Filipino-Canadian, Toronto; ‟02- 10 Most Outstanding FilipinoCanadian, Toronto; ‟04- Philippine Benevolent Society of Quebec; ‟04- Kalihukang Bisaya, Montreal; ‟07- Twenty Outstanding Filipino
Americans (TOFA), Washington, D.C.
“I was given the opportunity to serve the community in the best way I can. That is my greatest pleasure!” claims Marlene.
To the youth who are striving for an education in the face of financial challenges, Marlene says “Poverty is not a hindrance to success.
You must be strong! You must work hard. You must have faith in God.” With regards to community leaders, Marlene would like to see
honesty, hard work and humility as their shining virtues for our youth to emulate.
Marlene is married to Allan Schachter. They reside in Pierrefonds, Quebec.
PAGE 4
TAMBULI VOL. 12, NO. 1
AUTUMN 2008
MARLENE BIRAO-SCHACHTER: PIONEER AND CATALYST FOR CHANGE IN THE MONTREAL COMMUNITY
“I was given the opportunity to serve the community in the best way I can.
That is my greatest pleasure.”
To buy a building was a dicey decision but I took the responsibility of signing the
mortgage. I am glad I did, otherwise we would not have a center today.”
In the ensuing years, Birao had served the community in various capacities:
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


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1989-90: Director of membership – Philippine Folk Arts Society; Sports director for the
FEDERATION;
1990-1992: Vice president for the Filipino Bowling League;
1992-1993: President, Filipino Bowling League;
1993-1994: FAMAS president, her second term, making her the only woman voted twice for
this position;
1997-1998: Treasurer, Philippine Centennial Movement in Montreal;
1997-2004: Deputy chairman for the Kalihukang Bisaya Movement;
2004-2008: President, FEDERATION (FFCAQ)
As Kalihukang Bisaya chairman, Marlene Birao‟s two big projects were: (1) sponsoring
six deserving students in Grade School Education through the Cebu City YLAC Free
School Foundation Inc.; (2) joined “Witness”, a non-governmental organization against
human rights violations in Bukidnon, Philippines, by sending relief aid to the victims.
Marlene Birao has indeed come a long way since her days in Cebu. She hails from
Bato, Toledo City, Cebu, Philippines. She graduated, valedictorian, from the University
of the Visayas High School. As a recipient of the Modesta Scholarship Award, Birao
finished her Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree, major in accounting, at the
Marlene Birao has been synonymous with Colegio San Jose Recoletos, Cebu. During her Commerce degree studies, she also
leadership in the Filipino community of Montreal pursued courses in law for two years. “Studying and working simultaneously is hard, but
I did it”, Marlene recalled.
for the past twenty-four years.
Marlene Birao seated at the presidential chair,
Malacañang Palace, Manila, during the
Ambassador‟s/Consuls‟ Genera/Tourism
Directors‟ tour in the Philippines, July 14, 2008.
It took only two years, since her arrival in Canada
in 1982, when Marlene started to make her mark
in being a pioneer and leader. In 1984, she
started the Feast of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu
at St. Kevin‟s Church. In the same year, she was
one of the organizers of the United Filipino
Homemakers Club, a group that helps domestic
workers in dealing with various problems.
After working as a manager at a wholesale store in Cebu for ten years, Marlene worked
her way to Canada via Madrid, Spain. She toured in Europe and went to France, Italy,
London, Belguim, Austria, Germany and Sweden, Switzerland and Holland. She has
visited parts of Asia such as China, Japan, Bangkok, Malaysia and Singapore. She had
gone to Hawaii and the rest of the United States. “It was with the dream to see the world
that made me come to Canada and I have seen about a fourth of the world, so far”,
Birao said.
Marlene Birao was elected president for FAMAS
in 1988. It was during her term that the building,
now known as Philippine center of Montreal, was
purchased.
Daycare.”
Looking back to that year of her FAMAS
presidency, Marlene takes pride in having had
“the guts” of accepting responsibility as a
guarantor for the mortgage for the purchase of
what is now known Philippine center.
Friends remember how Marlene had displayed such generosity. On her first wedding
anniversary in 1988, she requested her friends to give her money as gifts, which she
th
then donated to FAMAS. She did it again on her 60 birthday. She distributed the
money which she received as gift to various charities which include Save a Family Plan,
UNICEF and Pillars Trust.
“I am very grateful that I have made it this far despite my humble beginnings in
In 1986, with the desire to extend her Montreal,” Birao said . “For the first year, I worked as a domestic helper”, Marlene
opportunities to help others, she became a continued, “then I worked in a manufacturing company for fourteen years. During that
director, responsible for fundraising, for the time, I helped many friends and “kababayans” to find jobs”.
Filipino Association of Montreal & Suburbs In 1998, Birao obtained her diploma in Early Childhood Education from Vanier College
(FAMAS). The following year, she served as in Montreal. “I applied for a subsidy from the government to start a daycare and I got it”,
director for the Federation of Filipino Canadian Marlene said. “The transition from my 14-year job to the daycare was easy”, she noted.
Associations in Quebec (FFCAQ).
Today, Marlene takes care of nine children at her daycare called “Los Niños Home
Marlene Birao is also known for her generosity and fundraising abilities. “I am not rich
but money is not everything in life. It‟s more rewarding to be able to help those who
have more needs than I have,” said Marlene.
“When I took over the presidency in 1988”, she Marlene considers her two greatest accomplishments, as a community leader, was her
recalled, “FAMAS had about $100,000 in its FAMAS presidency, in which she helped in securing the Filipino Center; and her
coffer. But nobody thought of buying a property presidency of the FEDERATION during the conflict on the legitimacy of the association.
that the community could call its own.
Please see Marlene Birao…page 3