Tribute to Fil-Am composers set for Nov. 14

LOS ANGELES–Renowned U.S.-based Filipino composers will be saluted by the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) in its next concert on November 14.

Among the composers to be celebrated are Oscar-winner Robert Lopez (“Let It Go”), Cecile Azarcon (“Lift Up Your Hands”), Odette Quesada (“Give Me a Chance” and “Till I Met You”), SJ Gandia (“Tayo ay Pilipino” and “Hanggang Huli’y Ikaw”), Aaron Paul del Rosario (“Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin”) and Dodjie Simon (“Tatak ng Pilipino” and “Ikaw Lamang”).

Most of these celebrated and award-winning songwriters are expected to grace “FASO Goes Pops!” at the landmark Alex Theater in Glendale.

“There’s a certain FASO fever. ‘It’s almost like an addiction,’ a friend of mine, a recent FASO fan convert, put it. Once you get it, you keep wanting for more!” said FASO board president Arlene Ferrolino.

She said further: “Past FASO concerts of various themes have kept audiences excited, thrilled and always clamoring for more. ‘FASO Goes Pops!’ will not disappoint. Staying true to its vision of being the vehicle for artistic excellence in the Filipino community and being an avenue of growth in helping to develop love and pride of Filipino music, this concert will feature the best of Filipino-American talents.”

Ferrolino also said, “Interestingly, as I’ve spoken to new FASO fans, those who listened to FASO for the first time. I’ve found that invariably, they have heard good things about FASO beforehand. When they had the opportunity to listen, they were not only pleased with what they saw and heard. They told me that it was, indeed, far beyond their expectations. I’m sure that whether you’re a seasoned FASO fan, a recent FASO follower or a first-time supporter, ‘FASO Goes Pops!’ will be an unforgettable musical experience for you.”

The only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines is once more giving exposure and boost to deserving young singers. After three rounds of auditions, a line-up of outstanding performers, some of whom are as young as 8 years old, will get a chance to sing memorable pop songs with the beloved orchestra.

Arlene Ferrolino

These are Bryce Gomez; Ian Chen, who plays Evan Huang in ABC’s “Fresh off the Boat”; Jokai Dawson, who will be performing “Billie Jean”; Sydney Haik; Gian Paolo Jimenez; Michael Keith Pronda; Mikaela Bautista; Therese Masangcay; Denise Gonzales; Gabrielle Current, 2015 Rose Parade princess; Shelby Miguel; Kaitlyn Fajilan; and Daryl Ogalino, ABS-CBN’s “TFCkat USA” Grand Singing Champion 2012 and “Tawag ng Tanghalan” Grand Singing Champion 2008.

These talented performers will join Dennis Jardiel, Erwin Andaya, Mike Zuniga, Nilo Alcala and Sharon Rose Orosco as guest vocalists.

Also featured is the FASO Children Ensemble, composed of Sophie Nack, who plays Sadie in NBC’s new sitcom, “Truth Be Told,” Andreas Makiling, Elizabeth Cruz, Casteen Legaspi, Nicole Padilla, Jolleen Mejia and Sabrina Evangelista.

FASO’s musical director and conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder will lead around 55 orchestra members in an enjoyable program of current and classic pop compositions. Tapped to arrange pieces for the sure-to-thrill concert are Louie Ramos, FASO board vice president and arranger-in-residence, Saunder Choi, Melvin Corpin, Vince Reyes and Naldy Rodriguez.

“FASO Goes Pops!” is sponsored by Island Pacific Supermarket and SMART World Mobile. The show is for the benefit of FASO, a non-profit organization, to sustain the orchestra as it continues to serve the community with performances, and its youth programs, which include the summer music camp.

Tickets to the show on Nov. 14, 7:00 p.m., are now available online: https://www.alextheatre.org/event/faso-presents-faso-goes-pops.

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