Stories High 10

Yeah... I'm thrilled to have another one of my plays as a part of Bindlestiff Studio's Stories High Production of One Acts here in SF! Below is more info:

Press Release for Stories High 2008

Bindlestiff’s staple production, Stories High, reaches it 10th anniversary with a new batch of writers, directors and actors eager to grace its stage.

Stories High is a series of theater workshops that culminates into a show. Artists and anyone who is interested in getting involved with community arts is invited to choose from acting, playwriting, directing, backstage managing, marketing, and producing workshops, all at affordable rates. Stories High hopes to discover, cultivate, and nurture new emerging artists. This is Bindlestiff' s 10th Stories High workshop and show.

Teasers for your tastebuds:
A couple in a bitter feud during their one year anniversary…
An insecure English high school teacher makes sense of her past…
A young woman meets the mother of her savior…
The power of love, and the fight for it, during a dancing class…
A soldier chooses between his family and his perceived country…
A murderer commits his last act of violence…
A confused boyfriend must decide between fidelity and guilty pleasure…

Featured Plays:

One Year written by John Raposas and directed by Thomas Paras
Non-Sequiturs written by Cathlin Goulding and directed by Ava Tong
The Gift written by Conrad Panganiban and directed by Nicole Maxali
Not Quite Unrequited written by Ava Tong and directed by Christina Ying
The Last Verse in Despair written by Ed Mabasa and directed by Kevin Correa
Choices written by Josef Anolin and directed by John Raposas
Brothers & Sisters written by Mario “Nomi” deMira and directed by R.J. Lozada

July 31st – August 16th
Thursday- Saturday
$10 - $15 sliding scale

Off Market Theater
965 Mission Street
Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Writing Facilitator – Samantha Chanse
Acting Facilitator – Allan Manalo
Directing Facilitator – Jeannie Barroga
Producers- Anthony Tagudar, Susanna Yu &
Dianne Aquino Chui

For more information, please visit www.bindlestiffstudio.org. If you would like to make a reservation, please email Susie@bindlestiffstudio.org with the show title, date, and number of seats you’d like to reserve.

About Bindlestiff Studio
Established in 1997, Bindlestiff Studio is the nation's only independent and permanent community-based performing arts venue dedicated to the cultivation of emerging and established Filipino American artists. Its mission is to inspire community involvement and social awareness through the arts. Bindlestiff provides an affordable, professional theater to encourage artists to redefine the boundaries of social and artistic expression and provides the community access to diverse offerings in theatrical productions, music and film festivals, workshops in directing, production, acting, stand-up comedy, and writing, in addition to a children and youth theater program. Bindlestiff needs your support as it enters into a new phase of artistic and organizational development. To donate or to volunteer, please call (415) 255-0440 or visit our website at www.bindlestiffstudio.org

bakitwhy.com

So a couple of years ago, I bought the domain name called BakitWhy.com. Unfortunately, like everything else, I get caught up with things and never really got to realize everything that I wanted to do with the site.

But as all things that happen for a reason, some awesome people took the Domain name, after it had expired, and totally ran with it! it looks awesome and a great community! please check them out: www.bakitwhy.com

Lorraine A. De Arco - Performing Artist

I first met Lorraine 12 years ago when we were both part of the cast of Sinag-tala, a theatrical revue in Sacramento, CA. I can still remember hearing her amazing voice at the audition all those years ago, and she continues to amaze audiences with her talent. I don't want to take ANYTHING away from her accomplishments, so here's her bio:

Born in San Francisco, CA, partly raised in the Philippines, now residing in Sacramento County, Lorraine has been involved in numerous fundraisers & community events since the early 90s. She has been performing in Sinag-tala since 1993, and has served as its Associate Choral Director since 2003. She has opened for several Filipino entertainers such as Jaya, Ogie Alcasid, and Ms. Pilita Corrales. Lorraine has also performed with the Best of Broadway Revue and is currently one of the lead vocalists for the TAAL Band, led by Dee Pizarro & Loui Paman. In 2005, Lorraine portrayed the role of “Gigi” in the Diablo Light Opera Company's production of Miss Saigon (Pleasant Hill, CA). She was also featured in an episode of “World Musikahan” on The Filipino Channel last year, performing with the Philippine music industry legend, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab. Lorraine has performed the National Anthem in numerous sports events (since 2004) including the Sacramento River Cats, Sacramento Capitals, San Francisco Giants, Sacramento Monarchs (including the WNBA '05 Finals Championship game), San Francisco 49ers, and the Sacramento Kings (including the playoffs). She was selected to sing the National Anthem at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series at the Infineon Raceway in June '06. Lorraine also won the $10,000 Grand Prize at the first ever Cache Creek Karaoke Contest back in August '06. She is currently in the production of Runaway Stage's “Smokey Joe's Café” in Sacramento, as Brenda.
“Sing. Dance. Dream. Fly.”


Describe the first time you realized that performing in front of an audience was what you wanted to pursue?
Good question. I honestly cannot give an exact age, but it did start out when I was really young. My first "public" performance was at the age of 5 to the tune of Olivia Newton John's "Xanadu" in my parents' hometown of Dauin, Negros Oriental (Philippines), at my Uncle Rodrigo's house (my father's younger brother). It started out just me singing & dancing along to the song.. all of a sudden, all these people appeared out of nowhere. I remember the living room packed with people, and there were even folks standing outside, peering in through the windows. They were very entertained by my show, I guess. I don't think that triggered my desire to perform in front of others--it was always IN me. it runs in the family... in BOTH families. Despite being such a shy kid, it was something I always wanted to do. I was always performing in front of the mirror, "practicing" my moves. At the age odf 10, I decided to join a singing contest at school. It was out of the ordinary for me because I was so damn shy. But I wanted to prove to MYSELF that I could do this... and so I did. I had no intentions of winning the competition (although I did make it to the Finals). Just wanted the experience to happen. However, it would take another 5 years before I would ever perform again.

What are some of your experiences you've had with auditions and how do you find them? Also, what advice can you give about auditions?
I'll be honest... Auditions are nerve-wracking! I hate waiting for my turn. I just want to get it done & over with. And once you're "on," you never know what they're thinking while you're doin' your thang.
My advice is to be punctual--ALWAYS. Be prepared. Always have a back-up! And try to be as professional as you can. As scared & nervous as you may be, don't show it. At the same time, don't be arrogant. Many times you will meet people who are overbearing & egotistical--don't let them intimidate you. It's a game they play. A lot are all talk--it's their way to dispirit you.

What are a some of obstacles you've run into while pursuing your dream, and what are the things that have kept you from giving up because of those obstacles?
I would have to say that many times I've been looked at differently because, well, of my race. When I started with this one theatre company years ago, no one really talked to me. Even though the production staff loved me, some cast members did not. I was part of a very small group of Asians. But that only encouraged me to do better. In fact, I saw it as a challenege. I wanted to prove to them that I had every right to be there as much as they did. After a while, the mood changed. Things were less tense than from the start. I don't let situations like that back me down.

What skills does a person need to become a performer and where can a person get these skills?
As a performer, try to get as much experience as you can. The more you do, the more skills you'll gain. You should allow yourself to take criticism. Seek the advice of someone who HAS the experience. LEARN with an open mind & heart. If need be, take lessons! It never hurts!

What advice can you offer to someone who wants to get into your field?
Like I mentioned before, be professional. Be prompt. Surround yourself with different parts of the performing arts. And most especially, be prepared to be backlashed. Not everyone will like you. You just have to learn to deal with it & do your part the best way you can.

How can people get a hold of you if they want more info about being a performer?
They can email me at RaineD7@peoplepc.com.

Conrad Panganiban - Web Designer

Well, I'll be the first guinea pig for this "interview" with... me. My day job is working as a Sr. Technical Designer for Gap.com. My other "jobs" are working on other websites, like this one, and doing as many theater things i can. I also believe in being active in the Filipino-American community.

What does being a Sr. Technical Designer mean?
It just means that I make the designs that the creative team for gap.com create interactive and shoppable. In short, I'm a programmer. I write code all day long using HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and ActionScript with Flash to make this happen.

Where did you learn how to do all of this?
I'm a geek. I actually started coding BASIC in jr. high. My first program was a choose your own adventure game based on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Then fast-forward many many years later when I was at the Academy of Art College. It was there where I learned HTML. All the other coding languages were self-taught, depending on what the project was and what needed to be done.

Did you always want a career being a programmer?
Oh good golly NO! I actually was a computer science major at CSU, Sacramento, before finding out that there was a lot of math involved with the major. Not really having a deep love for numbers, I switched majors to MIS (Management Information Systems) under the Business Program. But then there was this programming class in COBOL which I failed 3 times! Needless to say, I knew right there that programming wasn't for me. So, after 5 years at Sac State, I left college (aka dropped-out) to search for what I could do for a career with the rest of my life. I moved to San Jose and took up Graphic Design at a Jr. College. Then after a tour of the Academy of Art College with my then-girlfriend, I enrolled into my new foray into higher education. After graduating with a BFA in New Media in 2000, I got a job as an Design Intern for a Production Studio in San Francisco called Images in Light, Inc. The studio had a total of 5 employees... and I was #6. One of the reasons I got the job was because I knew HTML. Since then, I've bounced from job to freelance work mostly as a programmer than a designer - which after the dot.com bubble burst was a good place to be. But the last 2 years has been spent as the lead HTML programmer for Gap.com. So, it's really weird that I've come full circle from failing a programming class to having a position as a programmer for one of largest clothing retailers in the world.

What advise can you offer to someone who wants to get into your field?
Keep learning. The internet is always changing and people will always want new ways to interact and shop using the internet. Like right now, I'm learning this new thing called AJAX. You also need to have the discipline to teach yourself. Your stock goes up as an employee if demonstrate your willingness to learn on your own - meaning job security. I also think that a big asset you can have is to be a people person. People will want to work with you more easily if your just a nice person and just be yourself.

How can people get a hold of you if they want more info about getting into this field?
I'm always open to answer anything. And if I can't, I'll try to find someone who can. Here's my email address: conrad@bakitwhy.com

BJ Alisago - Community Activist/Artist

The first post for bakitwhy.com is reserved for BJ Alisago. He is one of my best friends who passed away just over 2 years ago - and he is the inspiration for making this site happen. His life was spent making things happen by following his heart. Hope this inspires you on your life's path as it has for many of his kasamas.

Fondly known as BJ and Bitoy, he was a culture keeper and political activist who will always be remembered for his entertaining antics, gorgeous voice, and graceful gift for dance.

In 1993, BJ moved to Sacramento to attend Sac State where he became a local hero with the Sinag-Tala cultural group and the Ebó Okókan Afro-Caribbean Drum and Dance Ensemble. He appeared in his first Sinag-Tala Theatrical Revue in 1994 and was a soloist in many subsequent shows and touring ensemble engagements. For two years B.J. served as the principal male dancer for Ebó Okókan, performing various styles of Afro-Cuban dance.

In 1997, he moved to San Francisco and got involved with Teatrong-Tanan (TNT), a local theater group dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the Filipino community and its contribution to the diversity of the U.S. He worked on nearly every TNT production -- on stage or backstage --as actor, singer, musician, dancer, and technician. He also performed with the Interactive Asian Contemporary Theater (InterACT) and Tongue in a Mood.

In 1998 BJ went on the Venceremos Brigade to Cuba, a trip which inspired him to integrate his art with international solidarity work. There he learned Afro-Cuban dance and music directly from the people and was inspired by the advanced healthcare system which provided universal care for all Cubans. BJ extended this onsite learning to his own homeland through the Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP). In 2002 he organized and attended the now annual “Cordillera Day” delegation, where he learned indigenous instruments, songs and dances from Igorot people in the Northern Philippines and shared his singing and dancing at various venues throughout the islands.

BJ expanded his folkloric and musical theater chops. As frontman for ‘Diskarte Namin’ -- a San-Francisco based band dedicated to advancing the welfare of the Filipino community and all working-class families through music -- BJ educated adoring audiences about the struggles of our community -- from the Manongs to overseas contract workers (OCWs) to the indigenous people of the Cordilleras through song.

He was an inspiring cultural worker who touched the lives of countless people from the California valley to the Philippine mountains. Towards the end of his all-too-short life, BJ was planning for a career in health care. Inspired by Cuba's system and his experience with revolutionary health care in the Philippines, BJ studied to be an EMT and volunteered at San Francisco General Hospital. He dreamed of going back to the Philippines to bring health care to neglected communities.

There is a BJ Alisago Memorial Fund that set up to help the San Francisco community. One way to continue to share in BJ's vision of community is to buy a product from his store on cafepress - The BJ Alisago Fund Shop.

Welcome to bakitwhy.com

"What do I want to do with my life?" "Why do I feel 'stuck?'" These are some of the questions that I've asked myself and continue to ask. Bakitwhy.com was started to help answer these questions by asking other people who are doing what they have a passion and drive for.