FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY’S “2011 ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR” COMPLETES FOUR-PART YOUTUBE SERIES TO PROMOTE ITS BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR, “PREFERRED SEATING” TICKETS NEARLY SOLD OUT
San Jose, CA, April 9, 2012 – The Akbayan Pilipino-American Organization of San Jose State University is still selling tickets to its much-anticipated 24th Annual Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN), entitled “S.P.A.M.”
The show’s story follows Rizae Morong (played by sophomore Aaron Asilo), an Americanized fourth generation Pilipino, whose newfound passion for the Philippine culture becomes challenges when he finds that the Philippines is becoming Americanized itself due to the monitoring of the Secret Pilipino to American Modifiers—whom the production’s title is named after.
The “S.P.A.M. Agents” aim is to make sure that all of the Philippines conform to its new non-Pilipino values.
To further explain the brainwashing methods of the “S.P.A.M. Agents,” a four-part YouTube commercial series was filmed in order to help promote Akbayan’s big event. Each commercial parodies products and services that Pilipinos use for enlightenment, yet have nothing to do with cultural history, pride, or hope. What follows each commercial is a narrative from a key character in the play, criticizing the advertised product or service.
The first of which features Papa’s Papaya Soap, a special soap designed to make dark skin appear lighter. Following the commercial is a spoken word piece performed by B-yan (played by junior Arlo Trinidad).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNFF1W-Q9bs&context=C430d7ecADvjVQa1PpcFOaJEbcO1TiVCE3cIiXv-U5O7xYpF_s_DQ=
The second commercial advertises Raymond’s Sampaguita Salon, where the stylists specialize in making wavy hair straight. A wavy-haired Christa (played by junior Celestine Urbano) sings about her pride for her hair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZr952akZvo&context=C4bcb953ADvjVQa1PpcFOaJEbcO1TiVFJpcoMyv85Wd0QmPW5oXXg=
The third commercial advertises using a clothespin to make one’s nose appear larger, while Rizae Morong interrupts to speak about the pride of the flat-nosed Pilipino image.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh-E5TFYAxs&context=C42ebd11ADvjVQa1PpcFOaJEbcO1TiVBxxsAWyZaDfOl_iPx02hGg=
The finale to the series is a commercial for Now That’s What I Call Music 172.5, a parodied music album that features Pinoy versions of popular American songs interrupted by the sophisticated J.C. (played by freshman Edamari Nagrampa) as she sings an original.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNvxBG-5G90&context=C410808eADvjVQa1PpcFOaJEbcO1TiVNdeEqlCa9umJf-t7cEie6g=
In addition to the theatrical presentation, S.P.A.M. will feature a wide variety of performing arts with emphasis on displaying the Philippine culture. There will be a choir singing songs in English as well as Tagalog, a live rondalla and student music ensemble, and a set of modern dances.
Being tied in with these entirely student-run performance aspects are the dances of the Philippine islands taught by Akbayan members that have more than 20 years of combined experience with other PCN productions and membership in cultural dance troupes.
“Through these Filipino folk dances that we’ll be teaching, we hope that people will walk away with inspiration to learn more about themselves,” said Jeffrey Monje, one of the PCN Coordinators and the show’s Head Cultural Dance Director. “Filipino folk dance is important because it’s our history.”
Akbayan’s 24th Annual Pilipino Cultural Night will have its opening night on Friday, April 27 and will conclude its last show on Saturday, April 28 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, located on Santa Clara and King Road.
Tickets are $12 for students with valid school identification, $15 general admission, and $18 at the door. “Preferred Seating” is also available for $20 and are first come, first served. Guests may also buy tickets online at akbayansjsu.org/tickets. See the attached flyer for additional information.
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/21875571569499/?notif_t=plan_user_joined
ProjectPEARLS, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and others in need in the Philippines will have a booth in the venue’s main lobby. Additional booths are available and those interested in vending are encouraged to contact Akbayan Treasurer Hide Reyes.
Special Thanks to Nikon, Elsie Cruz, as well as Charito and Emmanuel Monje for their caring support and sponsoring of this production.
About Pilipino Cultural Night
AkbayanSJSU.org/PCN
For over 20 years, Pilipino Cultural Night, or PCN, has been Akbayan’s biggest event every spring semester. The event is an entirely student-run theatrical presentation that centralizes an important theme in Pilipino-American society. Tied together by a theatrical play, music, dances, and other folk arts, members participating in the production receive on-stage performance experience while also broadening their knowledge of the Pilipino culture.
About Akbayan Pilipino-American Organization
AkbayanSJSU.org
Akbayan, meaning “Embracing in Friendship,” is San Jose State University’s premier Pilipino-American organization and is the reigning “ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR” as determined by SJSU Student Involvement. Originally a social outlet founded in 1976, Akbayan has since adopted the aspects of cultural awareness and community activism to become one of the most active organizations on the San Jose State campus with highly regarded events such as its annual Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN), Raising Awareness Amongst Pilipinos (R.A.A.P.) Conference, and its perennially competitive social presence in Cal State Fullerton’s annual “Friendship Games” competition.
About ProjectPEARLS
ProjectPEARLS.org
Education. Aspiration. Respect. Love. Smile. ProjectPEARLS is a small organization of families and friends who want to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in the Philippines without politics, religion, race, national origin, economic status, sex, color, or age.
###
CONTACT
Francesca Mateo, Jeffrey Monje
PCN 2012 Executive Directors
pcn[AT]akbayansjsu.org
(For any information on PCN.)
Sharoleen Amigable
Akbayan President
president[AT]akbayansjsu.org
(For any information on Akbayan.)
Hide Nakaishi Reyes
Akbayan Treasurer
treasurer[AT]akbayansjsu.org
(For donations, funding, and PCN vending.)
Kevin Candido, Joshua Cruz
Public Relations Officers
pr[AT]akbayansjsu.org
(For promoting.)
