(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • april 12-18, 2012 B U.P. Talent Show For Diliman Scholarship Fund by Roman P. Mosqueda B.S., LL.B., LL.S., & J.D A gathering of musically-talented University of the Philippines alumni, from the U.P. Concert Chorus to the U.P. Madrigal Singers to other professionals in Greater Los Angeles and surrounding areas performed pro bono at Noypitz Restaurant in Glendale, California, on March 30, 2012, for a scholarship fund in U.P. Diliman. Sponsored by U.P. Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA), under the able stewardship of its President, Jasmin Gaite, the evening fund-raiser drew a sold-out audience to “A Salute to OPM” (Original Pilipino Music). Opening with Ryan Cayabyab’s “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” (“How Beautiful Our Music”) as Production Intro, the U.P. Concert Chorus Alumni delighted the audience with their sublimely-blended voices, followed by their rousing rendition of “Magsimula Ka” (“You Begin”). After about two and a half hours of grand style of music, the whole cast closed the show with the patriotic “Sabihin Mo Ikaw ay Pilipino” (“Tell That You Are Filipino”). Robert Shroeder, who took up Music Conducting with Flute as his major instrument, at the U.P Conservatory of Music, and current Musical Director of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), was Musical Director of the “A Salute To Original Filipino Music,” with Alex Lagman, another alumnus of the U.P Conservatory of Music major in Music Theory, acting as Assistant Musical Director of aforesaid show and pianist. U.P. Alumni Performers: Maestro tenor extraordinaire Sal Malaki of the Los Angeles Opera Company and a distinguished graduate and former faculty of the U.P Conservatory of Music, soulfully sang the original Cebuano love song of Nitoy Gonzales, “Usahay” (“Sometimes”), as only a classically-trained Cebuano that he is can sing to a wild uproar of approval. Bernardo Bernardo (“BB”), another U.P. graduate and former faculty, not only acquitted himself with his singing of “Sari Saring Babae” (“All Types of Women”), but also left the audience in stitches with his Filipino jokes, as only a sophisticated comedian and an Urian Best actor awardee that he is can impressively deliver. Dynamic duo spouses Ed (tenor) and Annie (soprano) Nepomuceno, both U.P Conservatory of Music alumni, and renowned choral and musical arrangers, enchantingly serenaded the scattered crowd with Constancio de Guzman’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (“Could You Remember”) and Ryan Cayabyab’s “ Iduyan Mo” (“You Swing). Annie Nepomuceno also movingly sang a Kundiman Medley, with the incomparable Sal Malaki. Also a graduate of U.P Conservatory of Music major in Piano and Voice, and now composer, multiawarded Juliet Posadas smoothly sang George Canseco’s “Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan (“How Can I Thank You”), and also magnificently played David Foster’s St. Elmo’s Fire on the piano, with Robert Shroeder brilliantly on the saxophone, both showing their splendid versatility. Florella Castro, a soprano and soloist and a U.P B.S. Geology graduate and Manila Metropolitan Theater Chorus alumna, impressively sang Nicanor Abelardo’s “Mutya Ng Pasig” (“Lady of Pasig”) with a soaringly glorious voice. Without any musical training, though first-place winner of the UP Alumni Association In America (UPAAA) Talent Singing Show at its 2005 San Diego Convention, Roman P. Mosqueda, a practicing attorney in Los Angeles and Cum Laude graduate of the U.P. College of Law and Outstanding Professional Award in Law of the UPAAA, dedicated his passionate rendition of Ernani Cuenco’s “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal” (“How Much Do I Love You”) to his wife in attendance, Dr. Mariedel Leviste. Antoinette Miraflor, also with a major in Music Education at the U.P Conservatory of Music and Music Director of two parishes as well as a music teacher in the City of Orange, artistically sang Manuel Velez’s “Sa Kabukiran” (“In The Mountainside”) with a sweet voice. Laida Capiral, another graduate of U.P. Conservatory of Music and a member of the Glendale Incarnation Church Choir, enchantingly sang Mike Velarde, Jr., “Buhat” (Since”) with a delicate voice and fine phrasing. Lastly, multi-awarded composer and librettist of the original major Filipino opera, “Karim at Jasmin” (“Karim and Jasmin”) and Doctor of Medicine, Ramon Sison Geluz, sang his own composition, “Awit ni Karim” (“Song of Karim’’), with an engaging voice and impressive technique. U.P. Chorus Performers And Other Musicians The famed U.P Concert Chorus Alumni, who performed at “A Salute to Original Filipino Music,” were: Spouses Joemari (former President of U.P. Concert Chorus) and Luningning Manahan (who played Princess Rajita in “Karim at Jasmin”), Certified Financial Planner Joel Barreto, Donna Baldwin How to be an acoustic artist by Jimmy Bondoc Philstar.com MANILA— In a recent global singing contest, I found myself as one of its judges alongside prominent leaders in the arts industry with theater stalwart Audie Gemora seated beside me. He then began asking how the acoustic scene was doing, and I told him that it is pulsating on a steady, consistelife anytime soon — bars continue to hire smaller, more affordable acoustic groups versus full bands. Acoustic artists like myself and friends like Paolo Santos are still on the shortlist of grand corporate events, family celebrations and the humble barangay fiestas that occur more regularly than people think. He then popped a question if could I teach an acoustic performance ” course in his summer workshop called My Talent. The thought of sharing my music and style of performance to youngsters and aspiring musicians was an exciting proposition. I then confessed a secret to Audie that I am secretly somewhat of a nerd. In my spare time, I write books and plays which in all probability may never even reach a publisher’s table. Currently, I am, in fact, in the middle of writing a How To Be An Acoustic Artist In Manila, an autobiography cleverly disguised as an instructional book. It talks about singing and guitar techniques, equipment guides, how to get along with producers, how to deal with criticism, how to continue learning, how not to learn passing fads, among others. Acoustic music is laid-back and has quiet energy. It holds a little Bohemian influence, a dash of hippie freedom and the rough and tumble portability of rock ’n roll. There is a strike-anywhere attitude in an acoustic musician, but conversely, the reserved energy of a lounge singer, carefully avoiding excessively high screeching and violent guitar strumming. When you begin to feel the summer breeze and see moonlit beaches, that’s acoustic music. When you have converted a disco song, stripped it into its bare essentials and have found the beautiful poetry hidden under its subsonic beat, that’s acoustic music. When you find the courage to string together a few lines about your pains and passions, and find yourself singing an original song to a crowd of strangers, who in one night, have become momentary friends through your lyrics, that’s acoustic music, perhaps at its finest. We all have our reasons for picking up an instrument, singing, or writing a song. Sometimes the reasons are unclear but the call to make music is undeniably there. At the end of the day, I believe that music like all human endeavor will call you — through an article or a friend’s referral that may lead you to a workshop, or a band, or a radio station, or a recording studio, or any environment among people like you who are simply searching for a way, a place and a method, to pour out this indescribable need to sing, play and write about a world so wonderfully musical and magical. Back to Audie’s query whether I would teach acoustic performing in his workshop, I immediately said, “Yes!” This summer, I am dedicating two days of each week to passing on the little things that can make big changes in a kid’s life. Some professional acoustic bands have expressed their interest in enrolling, too, just to learn more about the craft, and perhaps to exchange knowledge. Some young urban professionals with secret musical dreams are planning in joining as well, to try their hand once again at that guitar they used to strum daily in school, but have left to rust and gather dust in the attic. (who has performed at Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall), and other distinguished members: David Manguramas, Edgar Labor, Tom and Agnes Makiling, Eric Lomuntad, Margie and Toto Mortel, Lidia Leano, and Christina Esquerra. Other notable performers were: Joy Angeles, Levi Mangali, and Arnel Sayson. The wildly-applauded, sell-out show would not have been possible without a group of musicians backing up the vocalists. In addition to Conductor Robert Schroeder and much sought-after pianist Alex Lagwan, the other accomplished musicians were: Herbie Buted, Cecile Cruz, Angelito Molina, Vivien Larena, and Roy Venturina. Project Co-Chairpersons of the event, Mutch Cariño and Sal Malaki and UPAAGLA President Jasmin Gaite deservedly share the expressions of gratitude of a packed audience for a memorable evening of unsurpassed vocalism of heart-swelling, magically-enduring Original Pilipino Music. From the premier University of the Philippines, the inculcated spirit of nationalism lives on! (The Author Roman P. Mosqueda, express his own gratitude to the organizers of “A Salute To OPM” for inviting him to participate with gifted music professionals despite his lack of musical training at U.P. For Comments send e-mail to [email protected] or call (213) 252-9481, or visit his website at www.mosquedalaw.com.) BANK of Nevada has partnered with Culinary Academy of Las Vegas to promote job training and career development programs. Representatives gathered at the Academy’s Westside Bistro to celebrate the launch of the partnership. In photo are Mark Larson, Bank of Nevada EVP/ Regional Manager, Josh Haldeman, Bank of Nevada AVP, Steven Horsford, CALV CEO, Linda Mattoon, CALV CFO, Joyce Smith, Bank of Nevada SVP/RegionalManager, Rachelle Crupi, Bank of Nevada EVP, Jerrie Merritt, Bank of Nevada SVP and CRA/ Community Development Manager, Chris Fava, CALV COO, and John Guedry, Bank of Nevada President/COO. Photo by Connie Palen/ Bank of Nevada ‘The Kitchen Musical’ bags... PAGE B3 the happiness quotients globally,” said CheeK, creator of The Kitchen Musical and head of creative for The Group Entertainment (TGE). An original production by TGE, The Kitchen Musical is a genre-busting TV series featuring drama, music and food served in 13 one-hour episodes. It is a story about a rich, young girl fresh out of culinary school who embarks on a journey of selfdiscovery when she starts working for The Avilon, her father’s restaurant. It aired in 17 countries across Asia beginning October of last year. In the Philippines, it was aired on Philippine free TV via Studio 23. Local versions of the series are currently in the works for Italy, India and Vietnam. After the success of the show’s season one launch, it goes for a second run starting May 2012 across multiple platforms including more broadcasts on “Free-to-Air” stations across Asia.