UPAAA launches spring concerts

Sounds of Manila

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) proudly announces two spring concerts that will showcase Filipino choral, folk and pop music, while raising funds for its scholarship programs.

The concerts are “Tempus,” a hybrid recital at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana on April 28, and “Alay Kay Inay” (A Gift to Mother), a virtual pre-Mother’s Day celebration on May 6.

“Music is our shared language across cultures, to paraphrase (Henry Wadsworth) Longfellow,” notes UPAAA President Jose David, Jr, MD.  “And we hope that UPAAA’s efforts will help bring Filipino music and Filipino musical talent to even more U.S. audiences.”

Featuring a performance of “Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein, and the world-premiere of “Pastol,”a choral devotion based on Psalm 23 by Filipino contemporary composer Eudenice V. Palaruan, “Tempus” is the final recital of Filipino conductor Emmanuel de Leon, Jr, a Doctor of Music Arts candidate at University of Notre Dame. Like Palaruan, de Leon, Jr is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines, and the 2021 recipient of the UPAAA International Student Assistance Grant (ISAG). De Leon, Jr acknowledges, “I am a UP alumnus studying in the U.S., and the funds helped me continue my research, music encoding and video editing. I am grateful to UPAAA.”

UPAAA is spearheading a fundraising campaign for “Tempus.”Among the donors is UP alumnus Dr. Francisco S. Sy, a professor of Public Health and chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).  He states, “I cannot imagine a world without music.  It is an essential element of life.”  

Jun Polistico

Beyond choral music, the playlist for UPAAA’s annual fundraiser “Alay Kay Inay” will feature music across various genres—from folk and Spanish-influenced to jazz, OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and US pop.  UPAAA Community Outreach and Advocacy Committee chair Joy Pasamonte Henry observes, “Filipino music reflects a rich history, including the influence of American pop music.”

This year’s “Alay Kay Inay” performers include:  Sounds of Manila, the premier OPM band in the US; the Awit Award-winning music icon Jun Polistico; emerging talent Kayla Tejero; and UP Alumni and Friends Rondalla of New Jersey, beloved music ambassadors.

Three musical acts from the San Francisco Bay Area will also perform, including tenor and long-time choir director Leon Palad; singer Tiffany Carandang who performs solo, and as part of the band, The Aura; and vocalist Jacqui Naylor with multi-instrumentalist Art Khu, who are known for “acousting smashing”, an arranging technique that combines the lyrics and melody of a jazz song over the groove of a rock song, or vice versa.

UPAAA Ways & Means Committee chair Minnie Corpuz-Castillo, RN heads the all-volunteer team that is putting together “Alay Kay Inay.” She says, “This UPAAA signature event is our most heart-warming one. Mom plus music equals a combination that’s hard to resist, and we look forward to seeing our regulars in the audience, and welcoming new attendees.”

“Tempus” is a free event and open to the public.  Tickets are required for in-person attendance and can be obtained by emailing info@upaainamerica.org.  “Alay Kay Inay” is a virtual event and also open to the public.   

Corporate sponsorship and patron opportunities are available.  Contact Joy Celo, MD at info@upaainamerica.org.

For media inquiries, contact either Lisa Boquiren or Joe Santos at press@upaainamerica.org.



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