Page 7 - 2018 JAN-JUN KAAKBAY

January to June 7
2018

Filipino Night on Broadway

The talkback was likewise an opportunity to
introduce to the Filipino-American and mainstream
audiences, the aims and goals of Broadway Barkada in
supporting the presence of more Filipino and Fil-Am artists
in the international performing scene.

Ms. Salonga encouraged the audience to support

Filipino and Filipino-American artists in their various projects

as this contributes greatly to more inclusiveness and

diversity in the arts. She noted the need to develop larger

Filipino and FilAm audiences for the arts globally so that

Ms. Lea Salonga joins Consul General Theresa De Vega, Consulate personnel and producers, casting directors, writers and other creatives
Filipino-American Community members at a Talkback after a staging of the hit would be encouraged to cast more Filipino artists and
Broadway production of Once on This Island (photos by Ms. Julie Lewis, AKA NY) experiment with Filipino storylines for projects.

Other cast members like Tony-nominee Norm

AKA NY, a New York-based Theater marketing Lewis, lead actress Hailey Kilgore, and Alex Newell likewise
group in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General took time out to meet the Filipino audience members.

and Filipino-American organization Broadway Barkada held a The costumes for the latest revival of Once on This
“Filipino Night” for the 25 February 2018 staging of the Island were designed by sought-after Filipino Broadway
costume designer Tony winner and University of the
critically-acclaimed revival of “Once on this Island” at the Philippines Theater Arts graduate Clint Ramos.
Circle in the Square Theater on Broadway.

Over 150 members of the Filipino-American

community, making up a significant percentage of of the

evening’s audience came to see the popular show featuring

Tony-award winner Ms. Lea Salonga in one of the principal

parts. Some members of the Fil-Am Community stayed on

after the performance for a talkback with Ms. Salonga and

other members of the cast and production team. The

talkback was moderated by Mr. Billy Bustamante, a member Photos L-R: Lea Salonga responds to audience questions with Billy Bustamante;
of Broadway Barkada and a rising Filipino-American theater Broadway veteran & Tony-nominee Norm Lewis thanks the Filipino audience; Julie
artist, last seen in the 2017 revival of “Miss Saigon”. Lewis & Billy Bustamante welcome the Filipino audience to the talkback.

“Broken Hallelujah” Screens at Philippine Center New York

Filipino film “Broken Hallelujah” directed by Roland Sanchez screened at the Philippine Center in New York on 8
January 2018 to raise awareness of human trafficking issues.

Organized by Rescue Homeless Youth Through Hymns, Movies and Spoken Word (RHYTHMS) and New York
advocacy groups against Human Trafficking, the screening drew an audience of over 60 persons who stayed on for a dialogue
with Roland Sanchez, an agent of the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), who wrote and directed the feature

film as part of his advocacy to educate the public on human trafficking.

For RHYTHMS representative, Filipino-American poet Grace
Baldisseri, the screening was a timely means of encouraging more community
members to educate themselves about the evils of human trafficking and the
need to help victims. Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega, for her part,
spoke of the need for more awareness and more concerted action to prevent
human trafficking which occurs in all parts of the world. She noted the seminars
which the Consulate in partnership with advocacy groups are part of its efforts
to educate the greater public on this issue.

Prior to the screening, RHYTHMS cited the contributions of ten Filipina

members of the Community in efforts to uplift the condition of the underserved.

These include: Angela Ponce of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega speaks before the New York, Kim Mende Itskov, Laura Garcia, Myrna Gutierrez, Gloria Cabrera,
screening with Director Roland Sanchez, Ms. Grace Evelyn Gonzaga, Rosario Magno, Zenaida Santos, Carol Sibbaluca, and
Baldisseri and emcee Ms. Potri Ranka Manis
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega .