Filipino American Artists Network

NAAAP Convention: Creating New Connections, Part 1

Last modified on 2008-09-16 09:58:45 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I didn’t know NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) existed until Jhemon sent me an evite about the NAAAP Convention a few months ago. I knew he was involved in some sort of Asian American organization but I thought it was mostly physicians because he’s a doctor.

In any case, I signed up for the full event and I also ended up being a member. I think I was subconsciously looking for an Asian American professional organization to connect with. In addition to that, I had a discount registering to the convention for being a member. That was a BIG PLUS. LOL.

NAAAP

I attended the optional Leadership Institute which is a pre-convention session. Even though I signed up for the corporate track, I was secretly pleased that they merged the nonprofit track and the corporate track. It’s like you get a two-fers. But seriously, it’s nice to know how the nonprofit works. I always thought that if you’re a nonprofit, you shouldn’t make a profit on your projects but it doesn’t have to be that way. I just learned the term, “social enterprise.” They are social mission driven organizations which trade in goods or services for a social purpose. The profit that you gained, you put it back to your operations. Naomi Takeuchi of 1000 Cranes Business Building was the speaker during the morning session for the nonprofit track. She clearly explained to corporate people who doesn’t know anything about the nonprofit lingo how to “Build an Effective Board.”

During lunchtime, I chanced upon Billy Wing, Sales Executive of Clippers who is one of the volunteers/ organizers at the convention. We catched up on what’s going on at the convention and he introduced me to Belle Hsu, Marketing Director of Project By Project. Belle’s nonprofit organization is really interesting in a sense that their goal is to partner with another nonprofit organization and dedicate their services for a year.  Their last partner in Southern California was Visual Communications and the one in New York was Asian CineVision. They have an annual Food and Wine Tasting Benefits and features only the top local chef in the area.

In the afternoon, Jinsoo Terry, owner of Advanced Global Connections spoke about, “Managing a Global and Multicultural Worforce” in her fun presentation. That lady is a character. There’s something about her that you just instantly like. Maybe because she’s funny or because at 2pm, I was still listening to her and not dozing off (when I get bored). She really got my full attention. She stresses that what makes a person different doesn’t necessarily makes it a weakness. It could be a strength and it just depends on how you see it.

The Welcome Reception was hosted by Larissa Lam who was named one of the top independent artists by the Independent Artist Registry in 2006. During that time I met members and prospective members who are liking the idea of joing NAAAP. I particularly connected with Melanie and Ron Li who are married and are both a member of NAAAP Chicago. After the welcoming reception, Belle and I went to see the screening of “Ping Pong Playa” and sat with the sweet couple.

This movie was about a Streetwise swaggering Christopher “C-Dub” Wang, a suburban guy who waxes political on all things Asian American and clings to pro basketball pipe dreams. But when misfortune strikes his family, C-dub must overcome living at home, working a dead-end job and his worldly older brother, to run his Mom’s ping pong classes and defend the family’s athletic dynasty. This movie is opening in theatres this coming September 5. It’s strength is that it’s commercial enough without losing it’s identity. This movie has a great potential in the market if given the chance. I think the Asian American Community should support this movie. The movie is very funny, entertaining, and skillfully crafted by the production team. It has it’s touching moments which is very endearing because you could really relate to them. The child actors are just amazing.

During the next two days, I totally missed the morning sessions which was not a problem as I later found out because the NAAAP staff recorded the sessions. Awesome. I almost missed lunch last Friday but the organizers were so helpful that they made sure I was served lunch. This is a fact. A way to a member’s heart is through his/her stomach.

Asian American Women Leading in the Entertainment Industry

The next two seminars really speaks to my sensibilities as an artist. “Asian American Women Leading in the Entertainment Industry” features actor/director Elizabeth Sung; Cherry Sky Films director, Joan Huang; actor/producer of Sweet Violet Films, Emily Liu; producer, Jamie Lai; and LA18’s Kababayan LA, Janelle So. Sachi Koto of Sachi Koto Communications moderated the session. It was motivating to hear these women relates their professional experiences and positive attitude amidst their current struggles.

TheA_rtist with Janelle So

The last session  that I attended for that day was “How to Work with Media: A Guide for Businesses and Organizations.” Anny Hong moderated the session and the panelist were Bill Imada, IW Group; Marian Shima, Los Angeles Times; Leyna Nguyen, KCBS/KCAL. They advised on what’s the best way to get your events get coverage in the media among other things. Bill made a strong point about the reason why we don’t see enough Asian Americans on television to dispute stereotypical myths. It’s because of the general trait of Asian Americans tendency to keep to himself. He urged the Asian American audience to speak up. That’s why I started filamartists.com. We need to have more voice out there.

Nylon Pink

After my first session, I connected with Susie Willems-Geeroms from Wells Fargo and Roger Fong, an entrepreneur who was one of the NAAAP organizers when it was just starting out. It is interesting to note that Susie has been helping and really supportive to her boyfriend’s dream of becoming a filmmaker.

Room To Improv

The NAAAP National Awards Gala Dinner celebrates the accomplishments of the NAAAP chapters & ventures. The best chapter went to the Atlanta Chapter and the best venture was Colorado. Congressman Mike Honda, House Representative of the 15th district of California was the keynote speaker. At the end of his session, he invited leaders to participate and getting involved in the public policy because it affects the Asian American Community. I think it’s still going on to that underlying theme of speaking up. After that, almost everybody headed towards the historic backlot of the Fox Studios after dinner where we had an entertaining nightcap. Room To Improv, Nylon Pink and Tina Kim performed that night. While Susie and I were waiting at the lobby before moving to the Fox Studios, we get to meet Ronald Sagudan, AAPI Veterans Liaison of the Center for Minority Veterans; Ed Joaquin, VP and General Manager of the Taste of Asia Festival; and Ramon Guevara, an Epidemiologist from the County of Los Angeles Public Health who revealed to me his passion for drawing comic characters.

Tina Kim

The Saturday lunch “Showcase of the Stars” featured  diverse industry leaders as part of the panel. They were Al Gaylor from Cisco; Liz Kinniburgh from Sodexo; Melanie Gitaadji from McDonalds and Jessica Park from Aramark. That’s when I get to know the Boston Chapter. It’s kinda weird how it happened. I was almost running late again and when I get to the ballroom, I was just looking at any random table where I can sit down and have lunch. I consider Boston as my second home because we usually visit my hubby’s family twice a year in Boston. And I’m no sports fan but my hubby converted me to be a loyal Red Sox, Patriots & recently Celtics fan. I tease him about the Celtics, though. Ming Hui from Putnam Investments; Philip Hui from Spiracur; Samson Lee, president of Boston Chapter; and Aidan Trung Nguyen, Events co-chair was kind enough to let me sit with them.

to be continued…

http://www.naaap.org/

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A Homage for Lucrecia Kasilag, First Lady of Philippine Music

Last modified on 2008-08-19 10:05:50 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

GMANews.TV reported that National Artist for Music Lucrecia R. Kasilag died of pneumonia last Saturday night. Kasilag, 90, wasn’t only a composer but also a performing artist and a leader in music education. She innovatively fused Filipino ethnic music with Western music, using indigenous instruments in orchestral productions and led many Filipino composers to experiment with such an approach. She did this with works like the prize-winning “Toccata for Percussions and Winds, Divertissement and Concertante,” and the scores of the Filiasiana, Misang Pilipino and De Profundis.

Lucrecia Kasilag

Lucrecia Roces Kasilag was born on August 31, 1918 in San Fernando, La Union. Her mother encouraged her interest in music.

She went on to gain scholastic achievements from elementary until she graduated. She was a valedictorian and a Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English in Philippine Women s University. She received her Music Teacher’s Diploma at St. Scholastica’s College and then went on to teach piano and music theory at SSC, and then at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music from 1946 to 1947. After that, she returned to PWU to teach and in 1949, Kasilag received her Bachelor of Music degree at the PWU. Having received a PWU fellowship, she then pursued graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York under a Fulbright Travel Grant in September of the same year where she received her Music fellowship. She studied theory under Dr. Allen I. McHose and composition under Dr. Wayne Barlow and completed her M.A. in 1950.

With all that she learned from her studies, she applied it with fervor when she came back in the Philippines. Kasilag then became Dean of the PWU College of Music and Fine Arts in 1953. In 1957, she put together the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center, which undertook research and organized theatrical performances. Later, she became Chairperson of the Philippine Society for Music Education in 1971, then Chairperson of the Asian Composer’s League in 1975. In 1977, she retired from her position as Dean and became Dean Emeritus of the PWU College of Music and Fine Arts. In 1989, she garnered The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awardee for Culture and the Arts. She also served organizations like NAMCYA, the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In addition, she has held other positions including Director of the Center for Arts and Humanities of the PWU, honorary adviser to the Asian Arts Festival, Chairperson of the League of Filipino Composers, president and artistic director for the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and three years as special consultant of the Office of the President under the Aquino administration.

Kasilag, known as the First Lady of Philippine Music, was named National Artist for Music in 1989. Her prolific body of work amounted to over 250 compositions that include folk songs, opera and orchestral works. Some of her major works were “Love Songs,” “Legend of the Sarimanok,” “Sisa,” “Philippine Scenes” and “East Meets Jazz Ethnika.” She was the former head of the Asian Composers League and continued to create music until this year.

In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, actress Boots Anson-Roa recalled about five years ago, Mowelfund honored her at the CCP. She performed her unique composition “Basura Rap” with Andrew E with such confidence, skill and poise her even in her weakening health condition. Pianist Cecile Licad, who is currently based in New York considered her years at the CCP, “..was the golden age—the growth of all the arts, especially music.”

Her death is extremely a sad news for the Philippine Art Scene but rest assured that her music will live on in the hearts and minds of Filipinos across the globe.

Sources:
http://museeks.com/
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
http://www.globalpinoy.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6j5bwrnvT0

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Vote for the New Seven Wonders of Nature

Last modified on 2008-08-16 16:52:26 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I was about to take a nap before getting back to work again but I came across this blog from filipinasoul and mentioned that, ” the nominees of the Philippines for the New Seven Wonders of Nature are slipping from their top ranks. The Tubbataha Reef is now at Number 9 from its previous spot at #8. It is followed by Chocolate Hills at #10 (previously #9). The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Mayon Volcano maintain their spots at #11 and #20, respectively.”

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Tubbataha Reef

Chocolate Hills

Mayon Volcano

The New 7 Wonders of the World were announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, July 7, 2007 – 07.07.07.

According to the New 7 Wonders of the World, the top 77 Official Nominees will be eligible for consideration by the New7Wonders of Nature Panel of Experts for inclusion in the group of 21 finalist candidates. The live ranking is updated twice a day.

To know more about this campaign, check out the New 7 Wonders of the World website at: http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/about_the_campaign/

Here’s a video of Mel Tiangco making an appeal for Filipinos to put in their votes at

New 7 Wonders of the World

Pictures from: www.tubbatahareef.org, www.micgui.com, teukzel.com, commons.wikimedia.org

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BakitWhy Beach BBQ

Last modified on 2008-08-14 15:57:14 GMT. 2 comments. Top.

BakitWhy | Pilipin@ American Lifestyle is a fresh online community dedicated to uniting Pilipino-Americans and friends globally. Whether it’s connecting to our pamilya back home, or creating discussion with our kaibigan in the states, BakitWhy serves as a complete outlet, forum, and network for all Pilipino-American interests.

BakitWhy asks “why?” in Tagalog and English, languages which represent the duality of identity for Pilipino-Americans. We hope to stimulate the minds of inquisitive Pilipino-Americans around the world through fun and/or insightful posts and discussion. Likewise, we hope that Pil-Ams can utilize BakitWhy to strengthen local communities, bring up important global and local issues, and enhance their network of friends and allies.

As contributor to this online community, I’m really excited to get to know this group. They do reach out to the Filipino American community by being present to the events and not just having an “online presence.” As I mentioned before in my other blogs, it’s really important to network within your community. It benefits everyone and shows the best side of human nature.

So, come and join me this Saturday, Aug 23, from 11am – 9pm. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy. Food and entertainment will be provided and will continue through until night time with a bonfire. Feel free to bring friends and/or something to share. See you there!

Location
Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, CA between Piers 24 and 25. Look for the tent with the big BakitWhy banner.

Parking
Parking is $10 for the beach lots, but there’s also free first-come-first-serve parking at the nearby Jack in the Box.

What to bring
You, towel, shovel, sand pail, body/boogie board, any food you want to share, your friends, mom, lolo.

You can check the out at http://www.bakitwhy.com