Aawitan Kita - Souvenir Program - Filipino American Association of

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 together to form an association like ours, for instance, is a manifestation of this desire 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 regional 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 Philippine 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 incomprehensible 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
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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 Philippine 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 musical featuring only the best of Filipino music ran for 35 years, the longest-running program on Philippine television.
A faithful advocate of freedom of expression, she has tangled with practically every chief censor in the country, 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 Classification Board. In 1991, Armida established Reynafilms, Inc., with her filmmaker son Carlos as resident director. The family-based film production company outfit made a mark in Philippine cinema in 1991 when its initial film production of Hihintayin 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 Minahal (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 Filipinos”, 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 spontaneity 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 endeavors. 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 University 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 Recording, 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 international 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 platinum 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 Malimot. 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 entertain 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), Fiddler 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 Little 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 various 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 Economic 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 MUSIC, as Caiphas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERTSTAR, Curtis Taylor Jr., in DREAMGIRLS all for Atlantis Productions. Outside theatre, he has appeared in various films,. He has taught Musical Theatre workshops for Repertory Philippines, Trumpets and ABS-CBN.
The Writer— BIBETH ORTEZA—Ms. Orteza obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (Imaginative Writing), from the University 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 enduring Aawitan Kita. She has so far authored two biographies: Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa, the Dolphy “as-told-to” tell-all; Chiz Escudero’s Say Chiz; and is currently working on a third. Ms. Orteza is a member of UP Board of Regents.
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
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
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 agreement, 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 temptation. 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 pastures elsewhere. Cris leaves but makes it clear she will be proudly Filipino wherever 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.