Broadway musical about Imelda Marcos earns Tony nominations

By WALTER ANG
April 30, 2024

NEW YORK — The disco pop musical about Imelda Marcos, "Here Lies Love," has earned four Tony Award nominations.

Pulitzer Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas (top row, left)
and Tony Award winner Clint Ramos (top row, 3rd from left)
led the Fil-Am producing team for "Here Lies Love."

According to the producers of the show, "We are deeply proud and honored to have brought this pioneering theatrical event to Broadway. The first all-Filipino acting company on Broadway received universal critical acclaim, celebrated by thousands of people from diverse backgrounds, including record numbers who experienced going to a Broadway show for the first time."

David Korins was nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Musical. Korns's unique set design required removing seats from the venue's existing space in order to transform it into a dance club environment. In what would have been traditionally the orchestra seating area, audiences stood instead on a "dance floor" and moved around with the actors who stood on a variety of moving platforms.

Korins previously designed "Hamilton," "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Beetlejuice."

The show also received nominations for Best Sound Design of a Musical for M. L. Dogg and Cody Spencer and Best Choreography for Annie-B Parson.

The 77th Tony Awards will be held in June to recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the 2023-24 season.

Tony winners

Even before earning this year's nominations, the show already had two Filipino American Tony Award winners involved in the show, Lea Salonga was part of the cast (playing the mother of Ninoy Aquino) and Clint Ramos was the costume designer. Both were part of the producing team.

Salonga won the Tony for best actress for playing Kim in the Broadway premiere of "Miss Saigon" in 1991. Ramos won in 2016 for his costume design for "Eclipsed" (for which he also designed the set), a play that starred Lupita N'yongo.

(The last Broadway show where Salonga and Ramos worked together was the 2017 revival of "Once on This Island" where Salonga played Erzulie, the deity of love and Ramos handled costume design.)

Bigwigs

"Here Lies Love" ran from June to November last year at the Broadway Theatre and had notable Filipino American personalities among its producing team, including Pulitzer Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas, cultural impresario Giselle Tongi, recording artist H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson), Black Eyed Peas' Apl.de.Ap. and stand up comic Jo Koy.

It took a decade for the show to reach Broadway. The show first opened off-Broadway in 2013 and won the Village Voice Obie Award for Music (Byrne and Fatboy Slim) and Lyrics (Byrne).

It then had critically acclaimed runs at the National Theater (London's West End) in 2014 and Seattle Rep (Washington) in 2017.

Ramos won the 2014 Lucille Lortel award for his costume design for the show's original 2013 run.

Reactions

In response to the show's 2024 Tony nominations, Ramos posted on Instagram, "Could not be prouder!"

Also on Instagram, Vargas wrote, "Theatre is that rarest thing: at once ephemeral and everlasting.

"And award nominations are one measure of success. Grateful for the much-deserved recognition of these extraordinary artists. And equally grateful for the unforgettable experience that is `Here Lies Love.'

"You cannot erase the history that was made with 'Here Lies Love' and I'm thankful to everyone, all the wonderful artists involved, all the performers who poured their hearts, all the producers who believed in the show, for this singular journey."

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148909/broadway-musical-about-imelda-marcos-earns-tony-nominations

Filipino American cookbooks for Filipino Food Month

By WALTER ANG
April 29, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

April is Filipino Food Month and is filled with a buffet of different in-person and online programs that are meant to engage, educate and delight food enthusiasts.

This annual event organized by the Filipino Food Movement has activities from coast to coast.

Even as the month comes to a close, love for food endures. One way to keep your appetites whetted is via cookbooks. For gourmands who are also book lovers or for anyone who is interested in learning more about how Filipino food is prepared in the US, here are some cookbooks by Filipino Americans.

Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed
By Abi Balingit

Named by New York Times as one of "The Best Cookbooks of 2023," Balingit gives her personal take on 75 recipes such as Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookie, Strawberry Shortcake Sapin-Sapin, Ube Macapuno Molten Lava Cakes, Matcha Pastillas, Melon Chicharron Crumble and Halo-Halo Baked Alaska.

Filipinx: Heritage Recipes from the Diaspora
By Angela Dimayuga and Ligaya Mishan

In this tome co-written with food writer Ligaya Mishan, award-winning chef Angela Dimayuga offers 100 deeply personal recipes. With fresh spins on adobo (with coconut milk) and bistek (with ribeye steaks and orange juice), among others.

Cook Real Hawai'i: A Cookbook
By Sheldon Simeon and Garrett Snyder

Two-time "Top Chef" finalist Sheldon Simeon's recipes show the many cultures that have come to create the cuisine of his beloved home: native Hawaiian traditions, Japanese influences, Chinese cooking techniques and dynamic Korean, Portuguese and Filipino flavors. Recipes include wok-fried poke, pork dumplings made with biscuit dough, crispy cauliflower katsu and charred huli-huli chicken slicked with a sweet-savory butter glaze.

Instant Filipino Recipes: My Mother's Traditional Philippine Food In a Multicooker Pot
By Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino

Some traditional Philippine dishes require hours of braising, roasting, etc.. These 36 recipes were developed for the Instant Pot and most brands of multicookers. This collection promises to help home cooks prepare Philippine dishes adapted for an American kitchen in half the usual time. "Just like mom's cooking, you can achieve the soft tenderness and succulent flavors of favorite Filipino main dishes and desserts," according to the book.

Lemongrass and Lime: Southeast Asian Cooking at Home
By Leah Cohen and Stephanie Banyas

Leah Cohen, whose mother is Filipino, offers the exciting flavors of Southeast Asia at her beloved New York City restaurants. Her more than 125 recipes of authentic dishes with a modern twist ranges from addictive street food snacks like lumpia to Burmese Eggplant Salad, Grilled Cod in Banana Leaf with Yellow Curry, Crisp Banana Fritters, and even fiery cocktails.

I Am Filipino: And This is How We Cook
By Nicole Ponseca

Restaurateur Nicole Ponseca ran restaurants Maharlika Filipino Moderno and Jeepney Filipino Gastropub in New York. The book is part travelogue, chronicling food research forays in the Philippines, and has recipes ranging from traditional to contemporary, spread across nine categories.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148849/fil-am-cookbooks-for-filipino-food-month

Filipino American singers make their homecoming debut in Manila

By WALTER ANG 
April 23, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

NEW YORK — From the streets of New York to the avenues of Sucat, Muntinlupa, Filipino American theater performers will serenade Manila audiences in their debut on Philippine shores with a show titled "A Homecoming Concert."

Filipino American producers and performers
Lora Nicolas Olaes and Don Michael Mendoza will be part of "A Homecoming Concert." 

Headlining the show on April 29 at the 19 East performance venue in Sucat are Don Michael Mendoza and Lora Nicolas Olaes, along with special guests and seasoned international actors.

Both are also doing behind-the-scenes work. The show is from La Ti Do Productions, a cabaret and concert production company, of which Mendoza is the co-founder and executive producer. Olaes is the company's New York City community director and is also a co-producer for the show.

Mendoza, who goes by Don Mike, says, "It's called a homecoming event because being raised in the United States, this is my concert performance debut in the Philippines along with several other Filipinos in the cast, so it's a very special event."

Beginnings

Mendoza co-founded La Ti Do with fellow Fil-Am spoken word artist Regie Cabico as just a cabaret in 2012. But it has since gone on to produce more than just cabarets across the US, in cities such as Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Austin and Chicago.

The company has produced hundreds of cabarets, concerts and theatrical presentations. It has presented more than 1,000 artists including Broadway casts and veterans, internationally recognized spoken word artists and the American national touring casts of "The Sound of Music," "The King and I," "Miss Saigon" and "The Band's Visit" on its slates.

"A Homecoming Concert" marks La Ti Do's first international production outside of the US.

The show's cast is rounded out by Ellie Chan, Brad Veitch, Annabelle Rosewarne, David Duketis, Natasha Dumlao, Shannon Cheong and Louis Stockil.

Guest starring are Nigel Huckle, Kiara Dario and Laurence Mossman from the "Miss Saigon" production currently running in Manila.

Also a reunion

The show also serves as a reunion for Olaes and Huckle, who is playing Chris in "Miss Saigon."

"When I played Kim in a production of `Miss Saigon,' Nigel was my Chris!" says Olaes gleefully.

Manila audiences will remember Olaes from when she played Meg in Repertory Philippines' staging of "Little Women" directed by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo.

In the US, Olaes' stage credits include "Stinky Kids the Musical" on Off-Broadway and the national touring production of "James and the Giant Peach."

Regionally, she has performed as Mary Magdalene in "Jesus Christ Superstar," Joanne in "Rent," Lucy in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Anita in "West Side Story" and Marcy Park in "Spelling Bee."

In the blood

On the backstage side of things, both Olaes and Mendoza's most recent foray on Broadway was being co-producers of "Here Lies Love," the David Byrne disco musical about the life of Imelda Marcos.

Mendoza's other producing credits include notable collaborations with The John F. Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Dramatists Guild Foundation, The Pittsburgh CLO, 54 Below, Green Room 42, Joe's Pub and The Bowery Poetry Club.

In addition to his work on TV and film, Mendoza is also a blogger and the creator and host of the podcast, "Producing While Asian."

An affinity for working in the entertainment profession is in the blood. Mendoza is proud to point out that his grandfather was broadcasting pioneer Querubin R. Hodreal, Sr.

Tickets will be on sale at the door and online at Latidopoductions.com. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148507/fil-am-singers-make-their-homecoming-debut-in-manila

Untold Philippine odyssey of a German Jewish boy finally revealed

By WALTER ANG
April 22, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES — During World War II, after escaping Nazi Germany, 13-year-old Rudy Preissman finds refuge in the Philippines. However, when Japan invades the islands, his family and their friends face new challenges.

Ralph Preiss (center) with his parents in the Philippines. 

Inspired by an astonishing, little-known true story, this epic odyssey will unfold in Filipino American playwright Boni Alvarez's new play "Mix-Mix: The Filipino Adventures of a German Jewish Boy."

The work is set for its world premiere at Los Angeles Theatre Center and is presented by Playwrights' Arena and Latino Theater Company. It will be helmed by Fil-Am Jon Lawrence Rivera, who is Playwrights' Arena founding artistic director.

The play is based on the real-life story of Ralph J. Preiss, who, at age 93, currently lives in New York and is planning to fly to Los Angeles for opening night on May 18.

The show's makers say it will be "grand in scale, exciting, touching, and at times hilarious." The show is using "mix-mix," a direct translation of the dessert halo-halo, as "a perfect metaphor for the mixed cultures that came together as the world contended with the horrors of World War II."

Jews in the Philippines

Rivera gives context as to how there were Jews in the Philippines at that time period. "Philippine President Manuel Quezon saved over a thousand Jews with his `Open Door' policy, even as most Jews were being refused entry around the world," he says.

"The Philippines, a developing country, was able to get these people out. It's a story you don't hear much about, and we're delighted that we'll present it during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month."

The play came about when, in 2020, Preiss spoke at the United Nations at a special event in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Olga Garay-English, an arts advocate and consultant based in Los Angeles, had been invited to watch the proceedings via Zoom. "I thought, this is a story that needs to be told," she says. She then brought Rivera, Alvarez and Preiss together.

Adventure amid danger

Alavarez and Rivera have long been collaborating together to bring Alvarez's plays to the stage. Previous stagings include "Apartment Living," "American Adjacent," "Bloodletting," "Dallas Non-Stop" and "Ruby, Tragically Rotund."

"Ralph has been a big part of the development process. Jon and Boni have the savvy and sophistication," says Garay-English.

"The play is told from the point of view of the kids. Ralph and his Filipino friends think this is all a great, grand adventure despite the dangers of the Japanese Occupation."

Playwright Boni Alvarez adds, "One would think the journey to get from Germany to the Philippines would be enough of a story in itself.

"Add to that spending four months in the jungle on a mountain hiding out from the Japanese, being put in charge of chaperoning a famous Filipina movie star, and meeting the President!"

Collaborators

The production stars Casey Adler, Alexis Camins and Angelita Esperanza as the three children, Rudy, Felizardo "Zar" Manzano and Ligaya "Mousie" Ybanez.

The rest of the cast includes Mark Doerr, Kennedy Kabasares, Myra Cris Ocenar, Jill Remez, Giselle Tongi and Mark McClain Wilson.

Tongi was most recently involved as a co-producer of Broadway's "Here Lies Love," a disco musical about Imelda Marcos.

Choreography is by Reggie Lee, fight choreography by Alvin Catacutan, sound design by Jesse Mandapat.

"Mix-Mix: The Filipino Adventures of a German Jewish Boy" has previews starting May 9, runs May 18-June 16, 2024 at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148439/untold-philippine-odyssey-of-a-german-jewish-boy-finally-revealed

LA’s Tikim Fest features Filipino American chefs

By WALTER ANG
April 18, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES — This Filipino Food Month, the Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm Arts) is hosting its second Tikim Fest, a month-long celebration of "Filipino arts and culture through culinary experiences."

The organization has partnered with Filipino American and Filipino chefs in Los Angeles and Orange County to showcase both traditional and Filipino-inspired cuisine through either a special menu item or prix fixe menu.

The festival also serves as a fundraiser for the group, whose mission is "to advance the understanding of the arts and diverse cultural heritage of Filipinos in the United States." Proceeds from participating restaurants will be donated to FilAm Arts.

Earlier in the month, Michael Dancel of Breezy Restaurant and Lounge, known for its brunch offerings, kicked off the festival with an offering of a special Breezy Paradise Pancake made with mangoes and strawberries.

Pastry chef Kym Estrada, who runs the pop-up San & Wolves Bakeshop, also participated with the availability of a variety box that included traditional Filipino desserts and her unique take on childhood classics. The vegan baked goods included champorado donut, buko pandan pop tart, calamansi bar, ube pandesal and cornbread bibingka.

Ongoing

Still ongoing for the festival is the modern Filipino brunch at the restaurant Lola's by MFK owned by chef Henry Pineda.

The kamayan feast includes garlic rice, beef tapa, longanisa, tocino and chicken adobo. There's also sunny-side-up egg, fried garlic, microgreens and edible flowers, lumpia, cherry tomato medley, green onion, fried garlic crumble and a selection of fresh fruits.

For coffee lovers, there is Teofilo Coffee, where proprietor Ron Dizon offers brews from a variety of beans from different regions in the Philippines.

Eugene Santiago's coconut jam is also on sale as part of Tikim Fest. Santiago is chef and founder of the Southeast Asian fusion pop-up Baryo. He's also chef at Union restaurant, which is located inside Compound, a nonprofit cultural and community space that includes an art gallery in the Zaferia area.

For the last week of the month, at the pop-up restaurant Sampa, every order of the beloved Ube Cheescake will have proceeds that support FilAmArts.

Owned by Chef Josh Espinosa, Sampa offers heritage classics like Pasta Palabok, Lechon Fried Rice, Crispy Duck Pancit and contemporary bold takes such as Spicy Calamansi-Glazed Cauliflower, Kare Kare Tamales, Calamansi Key Lime Pie, and Fili Cheesesteak, a calamansi-soy marinated filet mignon with queso de bola sauce in a french roll bun.

Upcoming

FilAm Arts aims to serve as a resource "to represent, celebrate and express Filipino culture and our unique Filipino American identity" and is "committed to serving as a cultural consultant to other organizations actively looking to further Filipino representation in the global community."

Alvin Catacutan is chairperson and Giselle Tongi is executive director.

As part of its goal to advance the understanding of the arts and diverse cultural heritage of Filipinos in the United States, it organizes several programs, including a cultural arts education program called Eskuwela Kultura.

It will hold its flagship event, the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture, later this year in September.

Visit tikimfest.com. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148259/las-tikim-fest-features-fil-am-chefs-filipino-dishes

Broadway fans: Get ready for Olivier winner Nicole Scherzinger

By WALTER ANG
April 17, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

NEW YORK — Filipino American performer Nicole Scherzinger won the 2024 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her work in the West End revival of "Sunset Boulevard."

Fil-Am theatergoers will not have to wait too long for a chance to see her on stage. The show is set to transfer to Broadway at the St. James Theatre this fall.

"Thank you to Andrew Lloyd Webber, my dear friend and mentor, for writing this masterpiece," Scherzinger said in her acceptance speech. "Thank you so much for writing music and lyrics that I can sink my teeth and my soul into."

"As a little girl from Hawaii and then growing up in Kentucky, coming from really humble beginnings, I always wanted to be a singer and do musicals."

The show is set to begin previews by end of September and with an official opening on October 20.

Recognition

This marks Scherzinger's second Olivier nomination. She was previously nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical in 2015 for the musical "Cats." She played Grizabella, who sings the musical's most famous song, "Memory."

Theater luminary Lea Salonga was the first Filipino to win an Olivier Award. She won in 1990 for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical for "Miss Saigon."

Salonga will also be back on US stages next year. Her successful London show with Bernadette Peters, Stephen Sondheim`s "Old Friends," is slated for Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre and Broadway's Manhattan Theatre Club.

After turning down an invitation from Will.i.am to join the Black Eyed Peas, Scherzinger rose to prominence as a singer member of the Pussycat Dolls in the 2000s.

She's since won "Dancing with the Stars," served as a judge on talent shows, including "The X Factor" and "The Masked Singer."

She has played Grace in "Annie Live!" and was the voice of Sina in Disney's "Moana" and starred in ABC's remake of "Dirty Dancing."

In good company

At one point in her acceptance speech, Sherzinger said, "I dreamed of so many roles that I wanted to do. And honestly, this role, Norma Desmond, was not one of those roles," to laughter from the audience.

"God works in mysterious ways because honestly it's one of the ballsiest and bravest things I've ever done. And I have the incomparable director Jamie Lloyd to thank for that."

Based on the black comedy film noir movie of the same title, the musical is about Norma Desmond, a faded star of the silent screen era, living in the past in her decaying mansion. When a young screenwriter crosses her path, she sees an opportunity to make a return to the big screen, with romance and tragedy to follow.

Scherzinger initially declined the role. But the director Jamie Lloyd had only her in mind for his take on the musical. In an interview, he said that he felt the singer "had a real connection to Norma's story" and that "Nicole, who has experienced great things and.in many ways has been dismissed as an artist and has never really been given the opportunity to show the world what she's really capable of doing."

Scherzinger is now known as one of the few high-caliber actors who have inhabited the role, which include Patti LuPone (who originated the role), Glenn Close and Rita Moreno.

More shows

"Sunset Boulevard" swept this year's ceremony with seven wins, including best director, best actor, outstanding musical contribution, sound design, lighting design and musical revival. ("Hamilton" holds the same record of seven wins.)

There are other Olivier-winning shows that Fil-Am theater fans can look forward to.

"Stranger Things: The First Shadow" won the Noel Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play and Best Set Design. This is a prequel to the Netflix show, slated for Broadway next year.

There is also "The Picture of Dorian Gray" starring Sarah Snook of the wildly popular "Succession," which is buzzed to also potentially making a Broadway transfer.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148207/fil-am-theater-fans-get-ready-for-olivier-winner-nicole-scherzinger

Filipino American theater group Circa Pintig announces 33rd season

By WALTER ANG
April 16, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

CHICAGO — Filipino American theater group Circa Pintig held a gala to celebrate its 33rd anniversary and to announce its lineup this season, titled "Kapwa, Next Generation."

(From left) Filipino American theater group Circa Pintig artistic associate Giovanni Ortega,
executive director Ginger Leopoldo, Executive Director and artistic director RJ Silva
announced this year's line-up at their 33rd season gala.  

"We will have a mix of original works, community collaborations, monthly gatherings and staged readings," said the group's Executive Director Ginger Leopoldo.

The gala, which was held at the Rizal Center, featured some excerpts from this year's upcoming productions.

Starting off the season this spring is the world premiere of "Panther in the Sky" by Lani T. Montreal, a poignant and powerful piece delves into the narratives of four mothers and their sons who deal with poverty, violence and racism in Chicago. This will be a co-production with Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble.

Montreal's other plays include "Nanay," about a young Filipina coming to terms with her mother's secret identity as a manananggal, "Looking for Darna" and "Sister-Out-Law," among others.

Larry Itliong

Next up is the Midwest premiere of "Sama Sama: Solidarity in the Fields" by director and playwright Giovanni Ortega. The play centers around students who want to learn more about the experiences and plight of Filipino American and Mexican American farmworkers and labor organizers during the Delano Grape Strike of 1965. Fil-Am Larry Itliong is a central character in the play.

Ortega's other plays include "Criers for Hire," about women hired to cry at funerals, and "Allos: the Story of Carlos Bulosan."

This touring show was originally commissioned by East West Players Theatre in Los Angeles and will be presented in libraries, schools and community organizations.

Popular demand

Conrad A. Panganiban "Daryo's All American Diner," which was staged by the group last year, will be mounted again due to popular demand.

The play is about the resilience of a Filipino family who struggles to keep a business open at the height of the pandemic. The play sets the tone for how a traumatic act of violence can lead to an act of grace as family and friends come together during a time of crisis.

Panganiban's other plays include "Welga," a play about Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong, and "Esperanza Means Hope," which deals with domestic violence, and "The Perfect American," about how entrepreneur Beverly Marie Spencer wants to teach new immigrants how to become "perfect" Americans.

Theater Festival

The group also has activities that involve teaching artists who will interact with community members by asking for their personal stories in workshops and then transform the stories into theater and storytelling events.

Then come autumn, there are plans for Circa Pintig to host a Filipino American Theater Festival.

This year's projects has funding from the Neighborhood Access Program of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

For more information, visit circapintig.org. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148119/fil-am-theater-group-circa-pintig-announces-33rd-season

Filipino American stars with Steve Carrell in Broadway’s ‘Uncle Vanya’

By WALTER ANG
April 12, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

NEW YORK — Filipino American actor Mia Katigbak will join celebrity actor Steve Carrell in his Broadway debut as he plays the title character in Anton Chekhov's classic "Uncle Vanya."

Katigbak is an Obie Award winner for her performance in "Awake and Sing" staged by the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), of which she is the cofounder and artistic director. (Her company is celebrating its 35th anniversary next year.)

She has extensive theater credits in New York and some of her television credits include "How to Get Away With Murder" (ABC), "The Sinner" (USA), "Chicago PD" (NBC), "The Mysteries of Laura" (NBC) and "The Family" (ABC).

Fil-Am actor Spencer Donovan Jones is also part of the cast playing the part of the neighbor.

Star studded cast

Carrell is known for his role as Michael Scott on the television mockumentary series "The Office." He was nominated for an Oscar for his work on the film "Foxcatcher."

In the play, Sonia and her uncle Vanya have devoted their lives to managing the family farm in isolation, but when her ailing father and his charismatic wife move in, their lives are upended. In the heat of the summer, the wrong people fall in love, desires and resentments erupt, and the family is forced to reckon with the ghosts of their unlived lives.

Katigbak will be playing Marina, the household nurse.

The starry cast of "Uncle Vanya" includes Alison Pill ("Star Trek: Picard") as Sonia.

Alfred Molina (Dr. Octopus in "Spider-Man: No Way Home") will play the ailing father and Anika Noni Rose (voice of Tiana in Disney's "Princess and the Frog" and Hulu's "Little Fires Everywhere") will play the wife.

They will be joined by William Jackson Harper ("The Good Place") and Jayne Houdyshell (Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building" and Greta Gerwig's "Little Women").

This production is using a new translation of the play by Heidi Schreck, who is known for her one-person play, "What the Constitution Means to Me," which is available to watch on Amazon.

Mia Katigbak 

In New York, Katigbak has acted with Ma-Yi Theater (originally founded as a Filipino American theater company and has since evolved into an Asian American theater company), New York Theatre Workshop, New Georges, Transport Group, among others.

Regionally, she has worked with Yale Repertory, Long Wharf, TheaterWorks (Hartford, CT), TheatreSquared (Fayetteville, AR) and Humana Festival at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, among others.

Her many recognitions include a Drama Desk Special Award, an Otto René Castillo Award for Political Theatre,  New York Independent Theater Award for Artistic Achievement and a Lilly Award for Trailblazing.

She was also a founding director of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists, serving as president of its first board.

"Uncle Vanya" is running at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at the Lincoln Center. It is currently in previews. It will have its opening night on April 24, 2024.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/147937/fil-am-stars-with-steve-carrell-in-broadways-uncle-vanya 

A play nurtured by nature aims to help audiences heal

By WALTER ANG
April 10, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

SAN DIEGO - If you only heard soundbites from Filipino American Thelma Virata de Castro as she talks about her latest project, you might wonder what kind of esoteric discussion is going on.

"Be a lizard." "Soil is alive." "Seedlings are magic." If you found out she is a playwright, then it might make more sense since she works with words and ideas.

These phrases grew from her desire to discover more about the gardening organizations in southeast San Diego and National City.

"I became involved as a volunteer and collaborator," she says.

"Through Project New Village, I've become a hyper-local farmer by donating my homegrown tangelos and sapotes for sale on their mobile produce truck."

"Paradise Gardeners provides gardening programs and maintains a free seed library at the Skyline Hills library. I volunteer at a native garden that they've established on a former landfill."

From her experiences and interactions with these groups, including community garden and education center Olivewood Gardens, De Castro says she "learned how the many aspects of nature are connected with our communities."

Healing

Now she wants to share the same insights, specifically the therapeutic benefits of nature, with more San Diegans through her new play "Where We Lay Our Sorrows Down."

In the one-act play, De Castro shows how a garden helps the protagonist Carmela, who has suffered personal losses in her family, find healing. Fil-Am actor Jaena-Mae Caguiat plays Carmela.

"As poet Ross Gay noted, joy and grief are intertwined. I worked with writers in underserved communities to explore how nature heals and sustains."

She says the play will use soundscapes and puppets to evoke the spirit of a garden where Carmela immerses herself in its [healing] magic.

The puppets and soundscape are designed by students from A Reason to Survive, a youth development organization that offers arts programs to "lift young people in San Diego's South County region to become confident, compassionate and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity."

Performances

Free performances will be held in Southeast San Diego, National City, and Paradise Hills, communities ranked in the lowest quartile of the California Healthy Places Index.

The first performance will be at the Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library, Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m.

The next will be at A Reason to Survive, Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

The final performance will be at the Skyline Hills Library, Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m.

Well-being

De Castro's collaboration with the gardening organizations and the resulting play is part of her "Cultivating Joy" social justice and community engagement campaign, a series of activities where she aims to empower writers and audiences as they explore their relationship with nature.

Through "Cultivating Joy," De Castro also offers free writing workshops and readings. "Cultivating Joy" is supported by Far South/Border North, a regional collaborative that supports artists and cultural practitioners working in service of the health and well-being of communities.

"Where We Lay Our Sorrows Down" is presented by Asian Story Theater, where De Castro's previous collaborations include "The Fire in Me" and "Halo-Halo."

Other Filipino Americans involved in the play include co-director Claudette Santiago and disabled and transgender actor Elias Enguancho.

For details, visit thelmaviratadecastro.com. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/147811/a-play-nurtured-by-nature-aims-to-help-audiences-heal

New food offerings and other events this Filipino Food Month

By WALTER ANG
April 9, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO — Here is a serving of good news for Filipino Americans who crave the tastes and flavors of Philippine dishes but may not be too skilled in the kitchen or may not have access to Filipino restaurants or just want the convenience of something quick and easy to prepare at home.

Filipino American frozen foods manufacturer Ramar Foods has just introduced its Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao.

"This fiery rendition of siopao promises a tantalizing blend of authentic flavors. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and using only the finest ingredients, Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao is a culinary masterpiece designed to delight even the most discerning palates," said PJ Quesada, vice president of Ramar Foods.

"Each bite offers a harmonious fusion of succulent pork filling infused with a bold medley of spices, all enveloped in a soft, pillowy dough. This is a true testament to Ramar Foods' commitment to quality and taste while keeping its integrity to Asian flavors."

Each resealable bag comes with four siopao. The siopao can be microwaved, steamed or prepared in an oven. It is available at select Asian retailers.

Snack or meal

The launch coincides with Filipino Food Month, a celebration showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Philippines.

This annual event is organized by the Filipino Food Movement, of which Quesada is the founder and chairperson emeritus.

Quesada expressed excitement about the new product. "We are thrilled to introduce Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao. At Ramar Foods, we blend tradition with innovation. With this latest offering, we are reimagining a Filipino classic to cater to the evolving preferences of our customers," she said.

"Whether enjoyed as a convenient snack or a satisfying meal, this new addition to the Magnolia lineup is poised to become a household favorite."

The Ramar Foods Magnolia line includes a broad selection of food favorites catering to the Filipino American community's palate in ice cream, dim sum snacks and a variety of meat products.

Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao joins Magnolia's other siopao flavors, chicken asado and pork asado. Magnolia also has frozen siomai and cocktail-size lumpia.

Magnolia's other frozen pork products include sisig, barbecue and a slew of longanisa flavors: Vigan, sweet, hot, sweet garlic, cured, sweet hamonado, etc.

Filipino Food Month events

This year's Filipino Food Month has kickoff events in San Francisco, New York and Las Vegas to inform the public of the month's different activities and programs that are meant to engage, educate and delight food enthusiasts.

Fil-Am chefs will be part of Kulinarya Live, a series of online cooking workshops and demonstrations. Scheduled chefs include Melissa Miranda of Musang in Seattle, Augee Francisco of Kabisera West in New York and Cat Carlucci of Istorya popup in Las Vegas.

Diners in select cities in Northern California, Las Vegas, Nevada and the East Coast can dine at participating restaurants for a chance to win a roundtrip ticket to the Philippines and other prizes.

In New York, a merienda event at Platform by the James Beard Foundation (located in Market 57 food hall) will feature chefs LJ Almendras, Leah Cohen, Diana Manalang, Woldy Reyes and Dale Talde. It will be hosted by restaurateur and cookbook author Nicole Ponseca.

The month will end with a culminating dinner, titled Dinner at Bahay Buko. This will be a collaboration of chefs, restaurateurs and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada.

"Let's come together to savor the flavors, embrace the culture, and celebrate the diversity of our Filipino cuisine during this exciting month-long event," said Quesada.

For more info on Filipino Food Month, follow @FilipinoFoodMovement on Facebook or Instagram.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/147777/new-food-offerings-and-other-events-this-filipino-food-month