Quiapo: Extraordinary in the Ordinary

May 29, 2011 – As a young man I used to dread this place because of dirt, traffic and fear that I might get mugged or even killed just roaming in its streets. After more than ten years of being away from home, I went to Quiapo for a photo shoot with my brother, Roland, my sister, Deanne and my friend, Vic and found some of the most beautiful moments in the ordinary market day.

Quiapo

Photos taken at Quiapo at the heart of Manila, Philippines. These are vendors and bystanders around the Quiapo Church area. Taken while I was on holidays in May, 2011, my sister Deanne, my brother Roland, my friend Vic and I went there on a rainy Sunday morning, just in time for the market scene to unfold. I was a very significant, almost spiritual, experience.

Barrio Fiesta 2011

The Philippine American Association of Tampa (PAAT) will be celebrating another fun and colorful mini Barrio Fiesta and Santa Cruzan at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center on Sunday, August 7, 2011 from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. In this festival, expect lots of exciting Filipino food and merchandise from Filipino-owned vendors.

UP Madrigal Singers to Perform in Tampa, Florida

The Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. is proud to present the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers in a special evening concert on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 7:30 in the evening at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL 33626.

Mga Awiting Yoyoy

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A medley of comic songs by the late Yoyoy Villame performed by Marvin Gayramon (baritone), Emily Britanico Morales (soprano), Melanie Dujunco (soprano), Deeda Barretto (soprano) and Filmer Flores (pianist/accompanist) and arrangement by Nhick Ramiro Pacis. These fun Filipino tunes include “Diklamasyon”, “Granada”, “Bungalow”, “Nasalisihan” and the ever famous “Butse Kik”. Performed at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center in Tampa, Florida during the “On WIngs of Song 2003” concert by the Philippine Music Theater Foundation.

Bawat Bata

Arrangement for children’s chorus I wrote many years ago. Nice to find it at youtube! The presentation to the public of the 2011 scholars of the annual summer music workshop of the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir Music School in cooperation with the City Government of Mandaluyong. The presentation was held on May 9, 2011 during the weekly Monday Morning Program at the Executive Building inside the Mandaluyong City Hall Complex.

Missing Home

It has been almost two weeks since I arrived from the Philippines and I terribly miss the place already! I started editing the photos that I took – 15,030 photos worth 113 Gigabytes. I don’t enven know how to start! Well, I’ll just work on one photo at a time…

Ensemble Mir: Bulgarian Music of the 20th Century

March 18, 2011 – Went to watch Ensemble Mir’s “Bulgarian Music of the 20th Century” at the Saint Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Directed by Matthew Thomas Caine, the ensemble presented an all-Bulgarian 20th century music as part of the Saint Mary Church’s Winter Concert Series. The repertoire included works by Stefan Mutachiev, Claude Debussy and Todor Popov.