What better way to celebrate Philippine Independence Day Weekend than to revisit the values and virtues of the Pilipino through music and fashion? The show is written to present Pilipino traits and talents through tenor Pete Avendaño and soprano Joan Cano plus a roster of excellent musicians and guest artists. The diverse and entertaining program of songs is interspersed with interpretations on Philippine costume by aspiring designers as presented in a Filipiniana Fashion Competition.
It is the perfect event to bring along people who would like to learn or relearn Filipino culture. The concert features world-class vocalists who delve in the requisite aria and kundiman, but who also branch out into pop and good ol’ karaoke, even. Joining Pete and Joan are: guitarist Ric Ickard, famous for his internationally-released album of Philippine melodies; Pinoy Pop Grand Champion USA and Ms. Philippines-USA Sheila Ferrari who shares hosting duties with vocalist and renown vocal coach Annie Nepomuceno; the Harana Men’s Chorus who recently had a sold-out concert, plus Paul Concepcion on the grand piano and guest musician Ed Nepomuceno.
The show features songs that speak of the Filipino’s love for family, for country, for singing and music, and even food! If you want to come away with pride in the talents of fellow Filipinos and pride in your own culture, come see the show on June 13 Sunday, 6:30pm at the Garden Pavilion of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International at 5930 Franklin Ave in Hollywood. Tickets that are already reasonably priced at $27 (free seating) and $37 (VIP) are on sale at $22 and $30 for all Will Call orders. Call Music Arts Events at (818) 322-5018 or email info@musicartsevents.com or visit the House of Silvanas at 4716 Fountain Ave (corner Vermont) in Los Angeles, or call (323) 667-9752. Part of the proceeds shall be donated to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Santa Monica Blvd.
Recently featured on LA18’s Kababayan LA was that on June 13, the audience can preview Filipiniana fashion as the contestant’s models shall be photographed by Frame 21, Red Glass Photography and M&P Design House before the show starts. As the artists are prepped by make-up artists Paula Mauricio and Erni Tejada, the audience can browse through Asian Journal and Balikbayan magazine, Pinoy Shirts on sale and custom order from Burog’s Barong. The audience can also join the raffle co-hosted by Filamnation.com. As the concert proceeds, the Filipiniana Fashion competition shall be judged, headed by couturier Alexis Monsanto. Cash prizes for winners shall be given by Terry Essence of Beauty along with lovely flowers from Ylang Ylang Floral Design.
Fashion students, young designers and non-professional dressmakers can still be part of the concert as the deadline for submission of entries is MAY 28. Register now to enjoy publicity perks and the opportunity to have new headshots. Enter in any of these categories: Full Gala Dress, Ethnic-Inspired and Men’s Barong. Entries can be existing creations, not necessarily custom-made for this event, as long as it is the contestant's own work and has not won any previous competition. Details and entry forms are available at www.musicartsevents.com/filipiniana.html.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
PETE AVENDANO was a featured soloist at the Gala Concert of The 
Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) at the Saban (formerly Wilshire) Theatre in Beverly Hills, performed with Charice Pempengco at FASO’s Handog Sa Pasko at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and portrayed the male lead in the Filipino Opera "Karim at Jasmin" at the La Mirada Theater. This seasoned tenor has also notably performed featured roles in the Singapore Lyric Opera’s Il Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, Il Trovatore, and Macbeth. As a tenor soloist, Pete emerged as a prize winner in the Kundiman Fiesta competition and finalist in the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA).
This former boy soprano-soloist of the Tiples de Santo Domingo graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Santo Tomas, and toured Europe, North America, and South America extensively with the internationally-acclaimed University of Santo Tomas Singers. Pete is now Music Director of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, teaches music at the Blessed Sacrament School, and directs the Children’s Choirs of Immaculate Heart of Mary School and Our Lady of Loretto Elementary School. Pete is a founding member of the UST Singers Alumni in America and the Philippine Chamber Singers of Los Angeles. His latest recording is a collection of Philippine Art Songs entitled “Kundiman.”
Prize-winning soprano JOAN CANO has conquered 
the Dr. Marjorie Peatee Art Song Competition, the NATS Buckeye Chapter Competition, the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and the Corfu International Music Festival in Greece. She has had featured roles in “Dialogue of the Carmelites”, “The Magic Flute”, “Carmen”, “La Caterina” and “Karim at Jasmin.” Joan has also been invited as a guest soloist by conductor Lim Yau in Singapore, to perform in Resphigi’s “Laud to the Nativity” and Britten’s “A Christmas Carol” at the nation’s famous Esplanade.
Joan’s twelve years of vocal culminated with Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 2007. Her music roots are from the University of Santo Tomas where she first earned her graduate degree, and where she was a chorister and soloist in the acclaimed University of Santo Tomas Singers with whom she toured internationally.
Guest Guitarist RIC ICKARD won first prize in both classical and jazz guitar competitions in the 1980 Philippine Guitar Festival, the first to ever win both categories, on the same day. Aside from performing around the world, Ric is a regularly featured artist at the annual Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Though his varied repertoire covers a broad musical spectrum, his album released by classical label Naxos is a collection of Philippine melodies.
The HARANA MEN’S CHORUS revisits the venue of their sold-out Valentine Serenade Concert “Songs From The Heart.” The Los Angeles-based group performs traditional and popular songs with courtship and love themes, in various languages. The group proudly proves the skill and versatility of the Filipino vocalist by tackling entertaining pieces and vocally-demanding arrangements, resulting in an eclectic but enjoyable program. The group is led by arranger/orchestrator Ed Nepomuceno.
Host SHEILA FERRARI started her career in musical theatre and later on she would be crowned Miss Philippines USA and North American Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Champion. Building upon her previous success, she went on to host Pinoy Pop Superstar in the US and Canada. Her quick wit and vibrant personality led her to be chosen to host ABS-CBN’s A Love Story Red Carpet Premiere and for MYX Music Channel’s hip hop show “The Hook” as a VJ. Sheila continues to perform onstage (Miss Saigon, South Pacific) and appears in films (Nobody Dates in LA, Prom Queen, Fame 2009).
Host ANNIE NEPOMUCENO is a renowned vocal coach and founding member of vocal trio Three of a Kind. She has won both Katha and Awit Awards for Vocal Arranging, having worked with pop groups as The CompanY and classical ambassadors the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Annie has also appeared in musicals such as “Once On This Island,” “Rama at Sita,” and Cabrillo Music Theatre’s “The King and I” in Thousand Oaks. Though popularly known as a vocal music specialist, Annie is also a publisher of choral music. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and Musicology from the University Of The Philippines. Her rare blend of academic music understanding, ethnic studies and mainstream pop music industry experience has enabled her to have both education and entertainment perspectives in her projects.
