VIA Times – August 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Lou Maningas Cabalona
“To Filipinos, July 4th is also known as Filipino American Friendship Day so today and all this weekend, we are giving all of you the permission to kiss a Filipino in honor of the holiday.” I quipped in front of the 400 or 500 audiences watching us by the corner of Racine and Broadway Avenue in between our cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and Filipino Band, Hotdog’s “O Lumapit Ka” (Hey Come Near Me). I heard a wave of laughter among the crowd and a few excited screams arguably from Fil Ams who may have imagined being swarmed by total strangers asking for a kiss. Last July 4th weekend, our band, SamaSama Project, was invited to perform at the Windy City Ribfest for the first time. The event, on its 4th year, not only promised a great selection of rib vendors, it also opened its doors to a great pool of local artists on the community stage. This was also the first time, original Philippine Music was played on this event that draws 20,000 yearly. This is, for a major part, thanks to the new Executive Director of Business Partners, The Chamber for Uptown, Keith McCormick, who took on organizing the event for the first time. He shares, “This year, we really wanted to highlight and celebrate local talent and the rich cultural diversity our neighborhood and out city has to offer. We set out to make the community stage feel more reflective of Uptown, and I think we achieved that”
NEW FRIENDSHIPS AT THE WINDY CITY RIBFEST
I and the rest of the only Filipino Folk Fusion Band in the Midwest were more than willing to represent our country that we agreed to perform on 2 consecutive days – July 5 and 6! My husband Baron and I skipped our traditional holiday (FilAm) family party to prep for a two-day performance ahead but in many ways, it just seemed like we got invited to an even bigger yet intimate party of friends. You see, we’ve been together for six years now and have played for many different types of audiences in Cultural Fests, Art Festivals, World Music Showcases, as well as many, many Filipino concerts, Filipino festivals, picnics, birthdays, anniversaries, parties, and more Pinoy events than we can remember. But the truth is, I was nervous knowing that, for the first time, we would be performing to an audience that expected to be hearing country, jazz, rock, pop covers, even fresh originals – anything but songs from a genre they have never been exposed to. It felt like going to a gathering where you didn’t know anyone. Would they like it? Would they enjoy it as much as our Filipino and Filipino American audiences do? Will we grab their attention given we’re singing in a different language and, to add to that, a groove that is also unfamiliar to them? Who knows how ribfest-goers in Chicago would respond to our version a very old folk song “Ay Ay Salidumay” from the Igorot tribe in northern Philippines?
AN INSTANT CONNECTION
I got my answer right away after singing our first Filipino song on both days. I felt like my eyes lit up a micromillimeter wider for every head that turned towards the stage, two notches if they stopped chatting or walking or if they listened from far away enough their faces were blurry. Soon enough, everywhere I saw bobbing heads, shoulders and hips moving in rhythm, eyes opened or closed listening intently to every melody that comes out of the stage speakers. It didn’t matter whether they looked Caucasian or Hispanic or Asian, or anything in between. They enjoyed our music and we enjoyed performing for them. It was an instant connection. And it looks like it’s only the beginning. “So far, everyone has been raving about two things – the performances on the community stage and the food,” exclaims McCormick. “It is always a pleasure to work with such a great collection of artists, musicians and dancers like James Agena, Anna Patricia (Nicolasin), PACF and, of course, SamaSama Project! As long as I am here in Uptown, I will continue to work with the Fil Am community to bring authentic culture to our neighborhood.” If the realization that we could play true Filipino music in America was like falling in love, finally having undeniable proof that our music could have a following just like reggae or latin music is like knowing you found the One. This year, Filipino American Friendship Day truly had a more personal significance to me. What do you know? Perhaps, one day, we could be more than friends?
MAKE NEW ONES BUT KEEP THE OLD
Similarly, last August 2nd, Christ our Savior Church opened up their doors to the community hosting the congregation’s 1st Filipino Fest after 10 months of moving in the Portage Park Neighborhood. Having a large Filipino membership, Pastor Lito Guimary with senior members of the church, led by Carlos Tanglao envisioned sharing the rich culture of the Philippines to its predominantly Caucasian and Hispanic neighbors. The program featuring traditional folk dances by Church members, a “Harana” (Serenade) showcase, performances by brother and sister singers, James and Janae Agena, delicious Filipino food samples, and children’s games like “patintero”, “tumbang preso”, “pukpok palayok” and “pabitin” was well received by all guests. We, the SamaSama Project, were very honored to have headlined the event performing two 40-minute sets of (nearly) all Filipino music with our good friend, former drummer and church member, Josue Torres. We also caught up with Louis Carmelo Tan who also played with us in 2013 and is coincidentally a member of the church as well. Pastor Lito was optimistic that this could become a yearly tradition and expressed his interest in bringing the band back in the future. For now, we will just relish in the comment of one of the many who approached us between our sets. This gentleman shared, “I didn’t realize Filipino music could be so soulful. I wish I could understand what you were saying. But, I felt it”.
WELL WISHES
I hosted a Benefit Concert last Aug 1 at Michella Terrace Nightclub Restaurant for Jason De La Cruz, a prominent Talent promoter among the Filipino American community who suffered a stroke last June. All of us at Via Times News Magazine send our support to his family and pray for his full recovery.
Jason De La Cruz Benefit Organizer Agnes Cook, the event’s host Louella, and guests, Dr. Cleo Casambre, Abegail Corpuz and Lorena Perez of Nena Cosmetics (Photo Credits: Facebook)
Live at the Community Stage (Photo Credits: Castillos Studios, Inc)
SamaSama Project Drummers over the years at Christ Our Savior Filipino Fest – Ran Sevilla (2009), Baron Cabalona (2010), Josue Torres (2011 – 2012), Louis Carmelo Tan (2013) and Jonathan McNulty (2014 to present) (Photo Credits: B Lela Photography
Bro and Sis Power Singers – James and Janae Agena with their parents Jau and Aurora (Photo Credits: B Lela)
Louella with the ladies of Christ our Savior Church (Photo Credits: B Lela Photography)
SamaSama Project with Dean Diaz – backup, Ran Sevilla – lead guitars, Michaella Aloba – backup, Eddie Irizarry – trombone, Jon McNulty – drums, Louella Cabalona – lead vocals, Alfredo Rodriguez – trumpets, Jun Rodriguez – saxophone, Ben Corpuz – keyboards, Zachariah Wiedeman – backup and Baron Cabalona – bass guitar (Photo Credits: Castillos Studios, Inc)
