The Philippine Arts & Culture Center of Los Angeles - A Virtual Center

Filipino-Austrian Pianist Aima Labra-Makk

2007-10-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

Aima Maria Labra-Makk leads a solid career as a solo concert pianist, chamber musician and educator. Her perfo rmances and magnetic presence have earned her world-wide acclaim. European critics describe her playing as "peerless marked by high musical intelligence, colorful expression with physical robustness (to sound) with elegant ease of touch but never for the sake of display." Even the famous pianist and pedagogue Tatjana Nikolaeva highly praised the expressiveness and depth of her playing.

Born 1965 in Cebu City, the Philippines, Ms. Labra-Makk received her first piano tutorials from her pianist mother at age three. By the time she entered teenhood, she seriously committed herself to piano. After balancing rigorous and intensive piano lessons and high school academics, she proceeded to the University of the Philippines where she studied under Perla Suaco and earned a Bachelor of Music degree.

In 1985, she won the top prize of the National Music Competion for Young Artists (NAMCYA), piano category C. Overwhelmed and impressed by her technique and her performance, the judges decided not to award a second prize. The top prize in that category has never been won since then.

In 1986, she was granted acceptance at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria, where she studied under her mentor Eugen Jakab. It was at this same period too when she was granted numerous and generous scholarships such as the Bosendorf Scholarship, Martha Debelli Stipend, Alban Berg Foundation Scholarship.

In 1989, after winning the third prize at the First International Competition Franz Schubert and 20th Century Music in Graz, she started getting invitations to do recitals, radio and television recordings, and concert tours.

In 1990, with a unanimous board decision, Ms.Labra-Makk was awarded the highest honors in Concert Diplomate from the University of Music. She later received a recognition award from the Ministry of Education of Austria (Wurdigungspreis des Bundesministers fur Wissenschaft and Forschung).

She performs in key cities and venues in Europe such as the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Haydnsaal in Eisenstadt, Mirabell Palace in Salzburg. Stefaniensaal in Graz. and in Asia. She has also performed in international festivals such as the Vienna International Festival (Wiener Festwochen), 1st Women´s Festival in Eisenstadt (Frauenfestival), Liszt-Beethoven Symphonies for Piano Series in Wiesbaden, Germany.

In 1999, she was the featured pianist at the Easter Concert of the Liszt Society in Raiding, Austria. In November, 2001, she successfully made her U.S debut in Washington, D.C to a rousing applause and standing ovation. She has since played in Chicago, Los Angeles, Tennessee and Dallas.

As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with her husband Nikolaus Makk, who is himself an accomplished cellist, and with the clarinettist Peter Forcher to form the ensemble "Tonstrom". She sometimes play duo-recitals with her austrian pianist friend Janna Polyzoides.

She recently played at the Cultural Center of the Philippines to a full house and several standing ovations in the Filipino Artist Series 2003 Season . Her program included works by Bach-Busoni, Beethoven, Ausgusto Espino, Liszt and Bartok. A music critique from a national daily described in part, "Each selection that Labra-makk served was a tour-de-force, a showstopper that sprang from her belligerent spiritual self."

Labra-Makk is the only pianist who has recorded the complete solo piano works of Jenö Takacs on four CDs. Coming out too is her recording of the Takacs´ Piano Concerto, a world premiere recording, with the Savaria Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Tamas Pal. The CD is being released by Hungaroton, the leading classical recording company of Hungary.

Aima Labra-Makk and her husband Nikolaus live in a small and peaceful village in Oberschuetzen, Austria with their two lovely cats.

Aima Labra Makk's Concert at Santa Monica, Ca

Former Consul General & Mrs. Edwin Bael, Event Honorary Chairs, with Helma Christianne-Bloomberg, Founder of the International Society of Cultural Ambassadors and Naouma Haim of the International Committee of the Philharmonic Asso. of Los Angeles during Aima Labra-Makk's Concert at Santa Monica

Lea Salonga, #1 Filipino International Multi-Awardee in Musical Theatre (Single Role)

2007-09-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

Lea Salonga-Chien is a Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, and Theatre World award-winning Filipino singer and actress who is best known for her portrayal of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. In the field of musical theater, no other Filipino has achieved the same international recognition as Salonga. She has been the first to win various international awards for a single role.

Lea Salonga was born to Feliciano Genuino Salonga and Ligaya Alcantara Imutan in Angeles City. She spent the first six years of her childhood there. She is a sister of composer Gerard Salonga and granddaughter of former Senate President Jovito Salonga. She is married to Robert Charles Chien, a Chinese-Japanese managing director of an entertainmentcompany in Los Angeles , California.

Career Beginnings in the Philippines

Salonga became a successful child star in the Philippines. At the age of seven, she made her professional debut performing in the musical The King and I by Repertory Philippines. She became the lead star of Annie and joined other productions, such as Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Fiddler On The Roof, The Rose Tattoo, The Sound of Music, The Goodbye Girl, Paper Moon, and The Fantasticks.

She began her recording career at the age of ten with her first album, Small Voice, which received a gold certification. Her younger brother, Gerard Salonga, performed a duet with her on the song Happiness. Since then, he has collaborated with her many times as musical director or creative director.

International Career

Salonga's big breakthrough came when she was selected to play Kim in the megahit musical Miss Saigon in 1989. For her performance as Kim, Salonga won the Olivier for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical for the 1989/1990 season. From its original London home, Miss Saigon moved to Broadway in April 1991. Salonga subsequently garnered the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and the Theatre World awards for the same role.

In 1993, Salonga played the role of street waif Eponine in the Broadway production of Les Miserables, then flew to Los Angeles to perform the song "A Whole New World" (of Disney's Alladin) with Brad Kane at the 65th Annual Academy Awards, where the song won an Oscar. Salonga is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine.

In 1995, Salonga performed as Geri Riordan, an 18-year-old adopted Vietnamese-American child in the movie Redwood Curtain, which starred John Lithgow and Jeff Daniels. In 2002 and 2003, Salonga recreated the role of Lien Hughes on the soap opera As The World Turns, which was originally played by Ming-Na Wen years before. She also made a guest appearance in the medical drama E.R.

In 1996, Salonga was invited by Sir Cameron Mackintosh to play the role of Eponine for the 10th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables In Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. Salonga performed as part of a "dream cast" composed of Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, Judy Kuhn, and Philip Quast.

In 2002, Salonga returned to Broadway to play the role of a Chinese immigrant in a reinterpretatomion of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song opposite Jose Llana. This was after the reinvented musical had a very successful run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in 2001. Salonga played the lead role and with the show winning multiple nominations (including Lead Actress in a Musical) and wins from the Theatre Los Angeles Ovation Awards. It was considered one of the 10 best plays on Broadway in 2002 by Time Magazine. It garnered Tony Award, nominations for Best Book, Best Costume Designer, and Best Choreographer, and earned nominations fr the Outer Critic Circle, the Drama League, the , Broadway.com's Audience Awards, and Broadwayworld.com's Fans' Choice Awards as well. The well-received Broadway revival cast album was also a top contender at the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Musical Show Album.

In February and March 2005, Salonga played her first US concert tour in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlantic City, and Chicago. Dates in Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, Virginia followed in July 2005. On November 7, 2005, Salonga performed with a 26-piece ensemble to a sold-out crowd of 2,804 at the Isaac Stern Hall in Carnegie Hall for the benefit of Diverse City Theater Company.

Salonga's Disney film credits include the singing voice of Princess Jasmine for Aladdin (1992), and Fa Mulan for Mulan (1998), as well as the voice of Mrs. Kusakabe (Satsuki and Mei's mother) in Disney's 2005 English dub of Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro.

Salonga has performed for three American Presidents - George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and forHer Majesty Queen Elizbeth II, and Princess Diana.

In the 15th Asian Games held in Doha, Qatar on December 15, 2006, the closing ceremony concluded with a song "Triumph of The One" sung by Salonga at the Khalifa Stadium before an audience of 50,000 people.

~ Excerpted from Wikipedia.

External links (click below)

Official site

Lea Salonga aInternet Broadway Database

Lea Salonga Internet Movie Database

*Sony Entertainment Sr. VP Fritz Friedman and Philippine Consul General and Mrs. Edwin Bael co-chaired the very successful Premier Show of Flower Drum Song at Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. The event was supported by the Asian American Friends of the Theatre Group.

Tomiko, Floral Designer of the Beverly Hills Elite

2007-09-19T13:36:00.001-07:00

From his modest roots and humble beginnings at Sum-ag Elementary School in Negros Occidental to the University of Baguio in Luzon where he completed his Master of Arts in Science Education, Tomiko was set to conquer the world.

A man of many interests and artistic abilities, he became a freelance photographer at the Sydney Opera House and received the outstanding salesman award from the most prestigious chain of department stores of Australia. When he came to America, he was hired as a personal valet extraordinaire by one of Hollywood's famous show business personalities. It was during his employment there that the elite of Beverly Hills recognized his floral design talents as well as patronized him long after he left his job as personal valet. He pursued his artistic ability in floral design under the tutelage of a well-known French floral artist and from then on, traveled around the world to gain global perspective of his art. Tomiko received numerous top awards from different local and international competitions, and most of all, the admiration and loyalty of his elite clientele of Beverly Hills.

Tomiko has unselfishly shared his talents, elevating the image of the Filipino through his craft showcased in many affairs of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles and events of the Filipino American community.

*Taken during the Los Angeles Consular Corps Ladies Association Meeting held at Philippine Consul General's Residence in Beverly Hills.

(A Philippine banca decorated with fresh flowers)

*Tomiko's One-Man Floral Sculpture Exhibit at the Residence of the Philippine Consul General in Beverly Hills during the Opening of the 2001 Philippine Independence week-long celebration in Los Angeles.

(The Floral Sculpture Exhibit)

Vics Magsaysay: A Multi-Faceted Photographer-Artist

2007-09-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

"Solitude"
photo

"Murky Waters"

photo

"Galactic Shifts of Consciousness"
sculpture

"A World Within Worlds"

painting

Books authored, co-authored, & featured photos

Vics Magsaysay is a self-taught photographer, painter, sculptor, graphic and furniture designer, writer and an alternative healer. He studied chemical and civil engineering. His formal studies in the scientific field were soon replaced by his passion for creative expression catapulting him in the multi-faceted field of art. He was consultant art director of a five-star hotel in Manila and at the same time worked in his graphic design outfit as a graphic designer and advertising photographer. In 1977, he was recommended by the hotel to assist a photographer from the popular German magazines Stern and Geo. After a month of shooting extensively in the Philippine rainforests, mountains, valleys and cities with that photographer, the experience left an indelible mark in his consciousness. Vics traveled to many countries to compile his stock shots he sold to ad agencies, hotels and travel-related industries. His photos have been published in newspapers, travel magazines and coffee-table books in different parts of the globe.

After 20 years of design and photography, he started painting and doing sculptures in the early 90’s and simultaneously studied different modalities of alternative healing like acupressure, pranic healing, use of herbs and mind dynamics up to this period. He has had several one-man and group exhibitions in painting and sculptures in Asia and America. Place of Tides: Visualization using nature’s energies, written by Australian Margaret Taplin was published in 1999 using his nature photographs. He wrote a booklet, Love Thoughts: A prescription for all our worries a year after and before he migrated to America. Recently, he co-authored with American mentor legends like Brian Tracy, Charles T. Jones, Jim Rohn, etc., in Don Boyer’s book series, The Power of Mentorship: Developing the Leadership Within. Vics also has a regular observational and reflective column, Pool of Reflections, in several newspapers in California. Despite these works, he still continues facilitating workshops in healing, photography and, now, what he called P.I.P.E. (Psychological Induction for Personal Empowerment) for weight loss, goal-setting and removing deep-seated emotions, the root cause of many debilitating dis-eases. According to him, learning is a lifetime process. He never fails to attend seminars, be it about transpersonal growth or new-technologies about digital art. “Like in a classic Zen stories, we must always humbly empty our cup to receive more,” he quips.

Website:
http://www.vicsmagsaysay.com/

eMail: vicsmag@yahoo.com 5/07

Thristan Mendoza, Child Prodigy Marimba Virtuoso

2007-09-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

Thristan Mendoza, or "Tum-Tum" as he is fondly called, is an internationally-recognized marimba virtuoso. He was diagnosed with autism at age 2 1/2. With inborn perfect pitch, he learned to play the marimba at age 5. Born in 1989 in Quezon City, Philippines, he is now a 6th grader in the regular curriculum at a traditional school, the O.B. Montessori Center. He also did excel in the Japanese Kumon method of mathematics but had to be withdrawn from Kumon to shift his concentration to other subjects as he was far ahead of his other classmates in his math abilities.

Tum-Tum has earned numerous national and international awards for his prodigious musical ability with the marimba. In 1997, the University of the Philippines, through its President's Committee on Culture and the Arts, presented him as a gifted child prodigy, the youngest ever featured so far and still the only special child. He is the only 2-time grand prize awardee of the McDonalds Philippines Makabata Award and in two different categories. In May of 2000 he received the Millennium Dreamer's Award given by the Walt Disney Company, McDonalds Corporation and the UNESCO in Orlando, Florida to honor children from 8-15 years of age from around the world who have made a positive impact in their respective communities by providing an inspiration to youth. In March 2001, Very Special Arts presented Tum-Tum with the Rosemary Kennedy International Young Soloist Award and he was invited to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Tum-Tum is looking forward to the release of his first CD/cassette album soon. Proceeds from the album will be donated to a special educational fund of the Autism Society of the Philippines for the benefit of indigent families who cannot afford educational intervention and other therapies for their special children. Using his remarkable musical talent, Tum-Tum, with the effort, support and encouragement of his dedicated, and grateful family, has done much to raise awareness about autism in the Philippines, and now internationally, donating countless hours to fund raising activities for the Autism Society of the Philippines and other organizations for the handicapped.

Meanwhile, Tum-Tum Mendoza shares his remarkable musical gift with the whole world, literally, around him. Additional information about Tum Tum is available through his parents, Belina and Victor Mendoza, who can be contacted at

vlm143@i-manila.com.ph.

Excerpted from the Article of

Darold A. Treffert, MD

http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant_syndrome/savant_profiles/thristan_mendoza

*Tum-Tum was given a special reception & performed at the residence of the Philippine Consul General & Mrs. Edwin Bael in Los Angeles after receiving the Rosemary Kennedy International Young Soloist Award & his performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., March 2001. He was accompanied on the piano by U.P. Conservatory of Music graduate, Juliet Posadas. His alternate performer at this affair was another 'special musical artist' polio victim, Marisa Montelibano-Apuan, keyboard-piano player & songwriter who won awards for her song "Wings To Fly". It was attended by some members of the Los Angeles Consular Corps, ASEAN Ladies Circle of LA, International Committee of the Philharmonic Asso. of LA & other music-minded mainstream & Filam friends.

Mark Justiniani, Surrealist Painter

2007-09-18T11:47:00.001-07:00

"Salamin"

"Biyahe"

"Halik"

"Prospect"

"Act Two"

About the Artist
Born April 25, 1966 Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Fine Arts Graduate major in Painting, University of the Philippines

The Los Angeles based artist is one of the country's most talented surrealist painters. A multi-awarded artist in almost all-national art competitions, he was granted the much-coveted Thirteen Artists Award by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1994. Justiniani is a well-traveled artist and has represented the Philippines in various international conferences, workshops and exhibitions in Japan, Denmark, Australia and the USA. Justiniani's industrious attention to his craft and informed, prolific imagination, make for timeless pieces of art, worthy of the most profound collection.

Awards and Distinctions

2000 Philippine Representative. Sydney Biennial 2000
2000 Finalist Philippine Art Awards. Metropolitan Museum, Manila, Philippines
1999 Jurors Choice Award. Philip Morris Group of Companies Philippine Art Awards, Manila, Phils.
1999 Philippine Representative to the ASEAN Art Awards. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1998 Chosen as an individual artist and as a member of Sanggawa. Philippine Contemporary Art Exhibit in US & abroad. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Traveling Show
1998 Presidential Award, as member of Sanggawa. Philippine Centennial Mural Project at the Heroes Hall, Malacanang Palace, Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines
1998 Chosen as part of the Philippines Centennial Show, Alab ng Puso. Metropolitan Museum, Manila
1998 Award as member of Sanggawa. Philippine Representation for the Hakata Riverain Project, Public Art Project, City of Fukuoka, featuring the works of Contemporary Asian Artists, the Mural, Engaging Echoes. Asian Art Museum of Fukuoka, Japan
1997 Mahilaw Award. The Most Outstanding Victorianon of the Arts, Negros Occidental, Philippines
1996 Commissioned as member of Sanggawa. Mural project of ABS-CBN Studio 1, Manila, Philippines
1994 YoungArtists Award. Thirteen Most Outstanding Achievement of Young Artists in the Philippines Cultural Center of the Philippines
1992 First Prize as a member of Jamming Ground. Environmental Mural Making Contest. Quezon City, Philippines
1990 Grand Prize. 7th Metrobank National Painting Competition. Manila, Philippines
1989 Award of Excellence. 22nd National Shell Student Painting Contest. Manila, Philippines
1982 First Prize. Dominic Savio Drawing Competition, Don Bosco Victorias, Negros Occidental Philippines

from artsentralasia.com

to check out the artist work:

http://homepage.mac.com/markjustiniani/Menu9.html

The Madrigal Singers of the University of the Philippines

2007-09-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

The Philippine Madrigal Singers is the most awarded and acclaimed choir in Asia, having consistently won all the prizes in the most prestigious choral competitions for many years. Because of their impressive track record and musical virtuosity, the Philipppine Madrigal Singers is now regarded as the one of the world's best choirs.

The group performs a variety of styles and forms but specializes in the madrigal, a polyphonic and challenging musical style popular during the Renaissance where singers and guests would gather around the table during a banquet to sight-sing and make music together. This served as the inspiration for their unique style of singing - singing in a semi-circle without a conductor.

The influence of the Madrigal Singers on the Philippine and Asian choral scene has been far-reaching. It has graduated more than 200 choral and vocal pedagogues from its ranks, actively involved in organizing and conducting choirs. Its corps of composers and choral arrangers continue to produce new compositions and choral settings of Philippine and Asian songs, thus contributing to the growth of choral literature in Asia. The Singers maintain an active concert tour schedule, averaging two concert tours a year. Their outreach concert tours take them to far-flung areas of the Philippines, seldom reached by choral artists.

In June 1997, the Philippine Madrigal Singers came home from their ninth world concert tour, winning the grand prize in the Grand Prix European de Chant Choral Competition in Tours, France, besting the five other grand prize winners of the most prestigious choral competition in Europe: Guido d'Arezzo, Italy; Debrecen, Hungary; Varna, Bulgaria; Gorizia, Italy; and Tolosa, Spain.

The Madrigal Singers first earned critical acclaim during their performance in the First Choruses of the World Festival at the Lincoln Center in New York in 1969. This concert welcomed them to the international choral community, eventually paving the way to joining the most distinguished international choral competitions - Spittal, Austria; Arezzo and Gorizia, Italy; Neuchatel, Switzerland; Debrecen, Hungary; Varna, Bulgaria; Tolosa, Spain; and Marktoberdorf in Germany, and winning all the top prizes.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers was organized as the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers in 1963 by Prof. Andrea Veneracion, proclaimed National Artist for Music in 1999. The group is composed of students, faculty and alumni from the different colleges of the University of the Philippines. Its present choirmaster since 2001 is Mark Anthony Carpio.

Article from the Philippine Madrigal Singers Website: http://www.philippinemadrigalsingers.com/

*The Philippine Madrigal Singers have performed numerous times in different venues in Los Angeles

Welcome to our Grand Opening Today...

2007-09-15T11:03:00.001-07:00

Tomiko, Event Floral Designer
with ArtsyGutsy, Event Organizer

Dear Friends,

Thanks a million for your wonderful replies & warm greetings

on occasion of
The Grand Opening of

The Philippine Arts & Culture Center of Los Angeles.

ArtsyGutsy from The Center

From: CG Mary Jo Aragon , Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles

Congratulations

for putting together this virtual center in promoting Philippine arts and culture.

I wish you more success in your future endeavors.

Warm regards,
ConGen Mary Jo

From: Madeline Quiamco, Manila

Congratulations!

Your website is really elegant yet with a distinct atmosphere.

Projects the Filipino as a classy art lover.

Will pass it on to others.

Mabuhay ka!

Madz
Associate Dean, Graduate School
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)
Annapolis Wilshire Plaza
11 Annapolis St.
1502 Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila

From: Raul Sunico, Manila

Congratulations on the inauguration of your Philippine Arts and Culture Center of Los Angeles,

and all my best wishes for its success.

Best regards.

Raul Sunico

From: Dr. Juanita Santos Nacu, San Diego

You are a treasure!

Thank you for sharing

your rich and elegant cultural experience and awareness with everyone.

You are a Lady of Class.

Carry on.
Doc

From: Ted Benito, Los Angeles

It's absolutely amazing!

And something where we can share our thoughts, dreams, and art.

Let's hope that one day, your virtual center,

will become a true cultural center that we can all be proud of.....

Cheers!
Ted

From: Dr. Riz Oades, San diego

Nice! I'm impressed.

Congrats.

Riz

From: Evelyn Dumdum, Manila

Thanks for the invite.

Wishing you the best as you manage the Center.

Kind regards,

Evelyn

From: Blessie Trott, San Diego

Kudos to you...

You are really gifted with flair and elegance!
I really enjoyed my visit to your blog.

Congratulations and more power to you, my dearest friend!

Blessie S. Trott
CEO
Asian Charities Inc.

From: Vivian Valdez, Los Banos, Laguna

More blessings to you and the Philippine Arts and Culture Center of Los Angeles!

Cheers!
Vivian

From: Gilda Jacalan , Korea

I wish you all the best

in doing something

every Filipino, home and abroad, can be proud of.

MABUHAY!

Gilds

From: Ninpha Gatdula , Manila

Congrats!!!

I forwarded this to my friends worldwide especially there in L.A.

I believe this is a very effective way to showcase and market our rich and colorful Philippine Arts & Culture.

Hope to see you there next time...

My warmest regards.

Ninpha Gayon Gatdula
Ayala Land Intl Sales,Inc.

From: Vics Magsaysay, Los Angeles

Congratulations on this new blogspot!

Will contribute art/photos and articles to your

new L.A. Philippine Arts and Culture Center.

Again, more power to this important blogsite.

Thanks.

Vics Magsaysay

http://www.vicsmagsaysay.com/

From: Dr. Anacleto Millendez, Northern California

Congratulations!

This is awesome.

I love the music.
Thanks!

The Beautiful Heart Foundation

From: Ron Osmena , Los Angeles

Congratulations on the grand opening!

This is a truly great way to showcase talented Filipinos who are based here.

I would also love to send you my work.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you

Ron Osmena
www.ronosmena.com
"The Art of Freezing Time Brings Unimaginable Images To Life"

From: Des Lee , Illinois

Congratulations!

I am happy that you have forwarded me this web.

Pls. include me in your updates.

Good luck & God bless,

Deslee, Park Ridge, Il

From: Jocelyn Eusebio, Los Banos, Laguna

Friends,

You might be interested .
Enjoy and relax.

Joy

From: Edna Consing-Concepcion, San Diego

MAGNIFICENT!!

You are THE Goddess of Fine Art!
Thoroughly enjoyed this!
Thank you for sharing your gift of the arts with us!!
Edna