Star-Studded Pistahan 2006

Apl de Ap and ‘Bebot’ Music Video Launch, “ Americana ’ and Broadway Singers Dazzle Pistahan For A Stunning Show & Parade

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Pistahan Festival, August 12-13, Yerba Buena Gardens , San Francisco

Pistahan Centennial Parade, August 13, starts at Spear & market, Opening Ceremonies 10am, Parade starts at 11 am along Market Street to Yerba Buena Gardens

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SAN FRANCISCO --  The word spreading like wildfire: Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas and Jeepney Music will launch and promote his “Bebot” music video to open the 13^th annual Pistahan on Saturday, August 12.  Other top artists from near and far form an array of stars that makes this festival and parade at Yerba Buena Gardens truly an event to go wild for “top quality, glitz and great fun,” Al Perez, Pistahan festival director announced.

Among the celebrities invited to Pistahan are:comedienne Fe de los Reyes of Americana , Made in the Philippines , Andrew E, American Idol’s Sway, folk legend Lolita Carbon of Asin, New York-based artists like Broadway Miss Saigon star Emy Baysic, Remy Aquino and May Nazareno, and many more are adding to Pistahan’s fantastic artist line-up.

(Up to press time, Andrew E.’s visa is being rushed so he can open at the Centennial Parade slated on Sunday at 5pm.  The Centennial Parade will some 100 contingents marching and dancing along Market Street with themed floats, community contingents and achiever awardees.)

Apl de Ap has been making music history by mainstreaming Filipino community issues to its broadest attention.  His 2004 “Apl Song” music video depicted the life of a Filipino World War II veteran while his current video “Bebot” again focuses on another issue in the Filipino community: heritage communities.

 Apl.de.Ap’s production company Jeepney Music and Patricio Ginelsa of Kid Heroes Productions recently completed filming two versions of the ‘Bebot’ video on location in Stockton and Los Angeles .  One version entitled GENERATION ONE focuses on the history of Little Manila in downtown Stockton during the 1930’s, a fitting commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of the Filipino community in America . GENERATION TWO is a modern look at the Filipino American youth today and includes notables in the community such as musicians Jasmine Trias, “Sway” Penala, and Camile Velasco.  The videos recently launched online at http://kidheroes.net which was viewed by over 50,000 people within the first 2 days.  Since there are no current plans to air the videos on TV, the producers are urging fans of the videos to share the videos online and post their comments for the record label.   

Apl de Ap and co-Centennial Achievers awardees—DJ Rocky Rock, Patricio Ginelsa Jr. and A.J. Calomay-- will be awarded their recognition of honor by  California State Assembly Speaker ProTempore Leland Y. Yee, the top Asian legislator and most consistent supporter of Pistahan and other community issues.  “I am proud to honor artists like Apl de Ap who are showing the way to serve our communities through music and advocacy of our important issues,” Assemblyman Yee said.

Big and small sponsors and donors are making a distinct visible presence as Pistahan’s generous supporters, reflecting on awareness of Pistahan’s advocacy through culture and the arts. Southwest Airlines, San Francisco Honda, Comcast, Western Union, AAA Northern California, Pacific Gas and Electric, Provident Credit Union, Silver Legacy, El Dorado and Cache Creek, Home Advantage Elite have come aboard, some for the first time, others returning after a satisfying experience of previous Pistahans.  “It’s always a pleasure to support Pistahan,” says Don Tena, president of San Francisco Honda, “artists have a home to come back to.”.

Al Perez appealed to community donors to support the festival and other activities of the Filipino American Arts Exposition, the nonprofit arts presenter of Pistahan by becoming a Ninong or Ninang of this cultural event at Yerba Buena Gardens. Some 100 Ninongs and Ninangs will help support the Parade street spectacle and Festival’s cultural extravaganza at Yerba Buena Gardens, a park incidentally  that was built over the neighborhood in south of Market where single-room hotel used to house Filipino farm workers (manongs) and hotel boys..

“Let’s support our festival  and artists like Apl de Ap who help build a great sense of community hsitory and power through culture,” says Perez

Print media support are: Philippine News, Manila Mail, Asianweek, Philippine Fiesta, Phil-Am New Today, Asian Journal  and Asian Inquirer  and www.inq7.nett.

For more information on how to sponsor, exhibit or join as a contingent to the Parade, please visit www.pistahan.net, for downdable PDF files of Parade and exhibitor forms.  Or call (415) 777-6950, fax (415) 777-6958, or email at faae@aol.com.  Interested sponsors, those who wish to be Ninongs and Ninangs may also contact directly Michelle Santos at 650-834-2836 or email at micelles31@yahoo.com; parade director Gerard Talampas at (415) 218-5664, or email at gerardtalampas@yahoo.com and booth manager (415) 756-1892 or email at cyrilsola@sbcglobal.net.