Stephanie Reese

Here’s another talented Filipino-American who’s making a name in Los Angeles, California. She is Stephanie Reese, who’s a singer and musical theater actress and who is in town to star in her first solo concert in Manila, “I Am Stephanie Reese.” The concert is slated for May 4, at 8 p.m. at the Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center.

Stephanie, who has earned the moniker “The Standing Ovation Queen” from fans and industry insiders in the US, can perform her diverse repertoire of Broadway, Opera, ballads, pop, kundiman and even hip hop, switching from one to the other with relative ease, without missing a beat!

At a recent concert in Beverly Hills’ famed Crustacean Restaurant, Stephanie sang with Patti La Belle and Natalie Cole before a star-studded audience that included Quincy Jones, Angela Bassett, Magic Johnson, Michael Bolton, Oliver Stone, Paris Hilton and Jamie Foxx.  Stephanie had her entire audience on their feet with her rendition of the popular aria, “Nessun Dorma.”  Ms. La Belle has since described her as “the little girl with the big voice,” a fitting picture of one who stands five feet one inch in height and weighs 100 pounds.

Stephanie, who was born and raised in Seattle, has starred as Kim in “Miss Saigon” in Germany; Esmeralda in Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” also in Germany; Princess Tuptim in “The King and I” in London’s West End;” and Sophie and Sharon in the Tony Award-winning play “Master Class” in Los Angeles before settling down in the US to pursue her career as a solo artist.

“I always love musical theater, but I was doing eight shows a week for several years, from 1998 to 2003.  Even though I was singing and acting in different productions, I’ve realized that I want to be more creative and explore other parts of myself as a performer,” says Stephanie.

Upon her return to the US, she has toured the West Coast in an autobiographical one-woman show dubbed as “The Journey,” which she wrote, directed and produced.  She has always been booked for shows in the other parts of the US, Canada, France, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China and the Philippines.
Stephanie has so far released two albums – “The Voice” and “Stephanie Reese At Her Best.”  Her next album is due soon. It will include some of her original songs.

Moreover, she was named Performer of the Year at the Las Vegas 2nd Annual Trade Show.  She also received an Award of Excellence for Entertainment and Performing Arts at the 19th Annual Reflections Awards.

Stephanie first visited the Philippines three years ago through the Gawad Kalinga (GK) movement, the global effort that raises money to build homes for poor families in the Philippines.  She got involved with GK at a very challenging time in her life and it was through this advocacy that she found the strength and courage to move forward.

“I Am Stephanie Reese” at the Teatrino will be a personal musical journey of the accomplished singer and actress, which she again wrote and directed.  Stephanie will present a varied repertoire of music – from Classics and Standards to Broadway and Opera.

For tickets to “I Am Stephanie Reese” cost R1,000 each. The concert has been made possible with help from www.Cherple.Com, a free two-way text messaging service on the Internet, and www.JustGoPhilippines.Com.

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Ryan Cayabyab, Music Museum tie up for kiddie talent search

From the pigeonhole:

The Music Museum Group, Inc. (MMGI), following through its commitment to make a lasting contribution to the local music industry by developing and recognizing young Filipino talents, has joined hands with The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab (TMSRC) for a scholarship program for young singing prodigies.

Called “Musmusikwela 2009” (Eskwelahan ng Musmos sa Musika), the project is open to boys and girls aged 8-12 and is a 10-month, 3-level course. It starts with a talent search and auditions in May, followed by the sustained, full-scale training of the chosen music scholars from June 2009 to March 2010. The Maestro, Ryan Cayabyab, will personally conduct the auditions and train the chosen scholars in voice and stage performance during the full training period. Scholars will perform in recitals at each ascending level. At the last recital, the remaining scholars will be presented to the music industry and to media.

Auditions will be held on May 10 and 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Music School of Ryan Cayabyab at Park Ave., Lower Level of Robinsons Galleria in Pasig City. All interested parties are invited to pre-register for the auditions by filling out forms available at TMSRC, Theater Mall near Music Museum and Teatrino at the Promenade in Greenhills. Registration is free.

Selection of scholars will be done after the audition. MMGI, which made a commitment to recognize and develop young Filipino talents during its 20th anniversary celebration in August last year, will provide for the tuition fees and the food and transportation allowance of the selected scholars. “Musmusikwela” has been envisioned to be a yearly talent search.

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Free medical services for the press and media practitioners

UNTV 37 will now be regularly providing free medical services for members of the press, press photographers and this is also open to all who work at any TV and Radio stations. This will be held every first Sunday of the month, starting on May 3, at UNTV 37 headquarters at # 907 Brgy. Philam, EDSA, just across Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Services include medical consultation and check-ups, minor surgery, optometry, dental services and laboratory exams, ECG and X-Ray.

Beneficiaries may also avail themselves of free medicines. This activity is part of the medical mission being pursued by the station, dubbed as the “Your Public Service Channel,” spearheaded by Daniel S. Razon and supported by Bro. Eli Soriano of “Ang Dating Daan.” Free medical services are also provided everyday from Monday to Friday in “Clinic ni Kuya,” a regular segment of the show “Good Morning Kuya,” anchored by Daniel Razon  and shown from 4:30 to 9 a.m. on UNTV.

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FDCP releases First Phil. Film Catalogue

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is pleased to announce the release of the first Philippine Film Catalogue which is published at no cost to filmmakers.

This is a landmark project since this is the first time data on Filipino films are published in a single publication. Included in this catalogue are 124 film titles: 102 mainstream and independent feature films, four short films and 18 projects in development or in progress.

This Philippine Film Catalogue is an important step in FDCP’s objective to reach an international audience for Filipino films. The Catalogue will be distributed to international film festivals, film markets, conventions and trade missions. It was first introduced in the recently concluded 2009 Hong Kong Filmart where the FDCP reached out to worldwide buyers and distributors and festival directors and programmers.

Recent Filipino films have been called “some of the most exciting in Southeast Asia.” This catalogue demonstrates why this is so and why the diversity and dynamism of Philippine cinema deserve to be at the forefront of world cinema.

As a major project for 2009 that will further enrich the various services the FDCP provides the local film industry, the Catalogue shall be updated annually. As such, the next edition will feature films of 2008-2009.

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Tidbits: Happy b–day greetings today, May 2, go to multi-awarded actor Eddie Garcia, Gov. Raul Daza, PR girl Annie Ringor, Imee Marcos, Louie Cruz Jessica Adevoso, Tacing Nicart, Claudia Boehr, Fely P. Borje, Guillermo Rafael “Gio” Colet Orbos, Dr. Emma Flores, Annabelle Cordon, Johannaui T. Cadungog, Catherine P. Chan of Cityland-Vito Cruz branch and Harold Ligon Tabora… Happy wedding anniversary to Ramon and Nelda Samson… Carlota “Lota” Delgado-dela Rosa, widow of the late Ambassador Rogelio dela Rosa was 88 when she died last April 28. She left behind children Ramon, Reynaldo, Ruby and Regidor, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Another son, Rudolph has passed away. Her remains were cremated…