LOS ANGELES - Concerned with the slow progress of TV networks in the area of diversity casting, the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) has released its 2011 report cards grading the networks’ past 2010-2011 season while simultaneously challenging ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to cast at least one Asian Pacific American actor as the main star in a TV show within the next three years.

NEW YORK -- A special screening of "Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio" will be held November 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Directed by Mario O'Hara, a multi-awarded writer, director and actor, whose credits as writer-director include Mortal, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Mga Bilanggong Birhen, Kastilyong Buhangin, Bakit Bughaw ang Langit, Condemned, Mga Bulaklak ng City Jail (direction only), Fatima Buen Story (direction only), Three Mothers One Child, Babae sa Bubungang Lata, Sisa, and Babae sa Breakwater, the film "will examine and look at the hearts of two heroes", namely Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo.

A Review

CHICAGO (jGLi) – Except for a Philippine nationally known actress Cherie Gil, the rest of the cast of Bienvenido Noriega’s “Bayan Bayanan, Letters From Home” play, were unknown outside the Filipino American community in Chicagoland. Yet its three-day debut last weekend at St. Scholastica Academy Theater at Chicago’s Roger’s Park neighborhood, played to a full house.

I would say the 1,000-capacity theater became a virtual classroom laboratory, promoting the Tagalog language when the play directed by Dr. Anton Juan, Ph. D., was delivered in Tagalog with snatches of English and French to educate the audience that its setting was in Europe – Geneva, Switzerland.

Honolulu (HI) – Photo entries by two photographers from the Philippines were adjudged first and second prizes in a photo contest sponsored by the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The photo contest was aimed to award photographers that dramatically capture APEC's priorities in 2011 such as in the areas of strengthening regional economic integration, advancing regulatory cooperation and promoting green growth.

Reynaldo C. Mondez' photo "Solar Energy Panels" won grand prize.  Another Filipino photographer's submission, "World-Wide", took second prize and was awarded to Romeo B. Doneza. Wong Chi Keung from Hong Kong, China, whose photo "No-Boundary Network", took the third prize.

The winning photographs were chosen by APEC judges from 204 photo submissions by 95 photographers in 17 APEC member economies.

CHICAGO (jGLi) – Fresh from directing the critically acclaimed romantic love story, “Rizal, Sweet Stranger, Untold Stories of Josephine Bracken, The Musical,” international award-winning playwright, Dr. Anton Juan, is back with the Chicago premiere of the play, “Bayan Bayanan (Town/To Town), Letters From Home” at St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago, Illinois on Nov. 11, 12 and 13.

MANILA -  Actress Gretchen Barretto says she is ready to start working on ABS-CBN's upcoming television series 'Alta', which is scheduled for taping Oct. 19.  The series also stars Sam Milby, KC Concepcion, Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo.

CHICAGO (jGLi) – Filipino American Las Vegas diva Lani Misalucha will be featured as Inang Bayan (Mother Country) during the world premier of “Rizal’s Sweet Stranger, The Musical” (Untold Stories of Josephine Bracken) on Friday (Sept. 23) at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday (Sept. 24) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the St. Scholastica Academy Theater on 7416 North Ridge Blvd., Chicago, Illinois.

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA -- "Kismet" star Leah Lim is disappointed that Australian theater has not yet reached its level of openness in allowing actors of different ethnic backgrounds play a wider range of roles in their production.

Lim, 26, of Wantirna South, a suburb in Melbourne, Australia, said her Filipino/Malaysia-Chinese background limited the roles she played.  Unlike in the U.S., where actors of various backgrounds including African-American and Mexican, have played traditional Caucasian roles, she said Australia has not allowed it yet.

Los Angeles, CA -- Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, who vocally brought to life voices of Jasmine from Aladdin and Mulan from Mulan, was honored Friday, August 19, as an official Disney Legend during the three-day D23 EXPO, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, according to Broadwayworld.com, an on-line site for Broadway Shows, Theater and Live Entertainment. The Disney Legends Awards program is a 24-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company.

NEW YORK -- In celebration of love without which its music ministry would have no reason to pray or sing, Himig Heswita is back in the United States for a spiritual concert series called "Be Not Afraid: A Message of Hope."  

Organized by the Ateneo Alumni Association Northeast Inc. (AANI) in collaboration with friends from the Filipino American community, the concert is for a limited engagement in New York and New Jersey beginning October 16-17 and culminating the weekend of October 22-23.

NEW YORK -- Move over Charice!  Here comes up and coming Filipino American singing sensation star from Freehold, New Jersey - Nina Waga Mojares.

Eleven-year old Nina was selected by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to sing "America the Beautiful" at the 2010 U.S. Open Tennis Championship at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York after auditioning at the Radio City Hall in midtown Manhattan last month.

MANILA -- First it was Sharon and KC. Then came Vilma and Luis.  This time around, it is singer-actress Karylle and Zsa Zsa Padilla in their first movie project scheduled to be screened on Mother's Day.

DELRAY BEACH, FL – Enthusiastic fans around South Florida, and even several coming from as far as Philadelphia, finally get their chance to see the film that is breaking attendance records in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

NEW YORK -- The Soho International Film Festival NYC 2010 will be showcasing 30 films from around the world including three Filipino films at the Heart of the Soho NYC on 394 Broadway in downtown Manhattan.

MANILA (Sept. 26) -- As the world becomes accepting of society’s decaying morals, as the world becomes more diverse in their beliefs and ideas, as the world allows distance between people, comes a film that focuses on the importance of mending relationships.  “A Journey Home” is a value-based, light family drama with surprises that traverses us to reflect on our relationships.   It captivates the soul and brings it back to where it belongs.  Its Philippine premiere will be held at the SM Mega Mall Cinemas 8, 9 and 10 on October 3, 2009.

NEW YORK (Sept. 21) -- “Imelda,” a new bio-musical that retells the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos -a highly controversial figure in Philippine politics, widow of erstwhile dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and owner of over 3,000 pairs of shoes - boasts an all-Filipino cast led by Jaygee Macapugay as Imelda, and Mel Sagrado Maghuyop as Ferdinand.

Filipino American Stephanie Reese, international singer, actress and philanthropist, will hold a Pre-Carnegie Hall concert I Am Stephanie Reese for her kababayans in the Philippines on October 2, 2009, Friday, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum, Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills Shopping Complex, San Juan.  Theater stalwart Audie Gemora is her featured guest.

GRAHAMSTOWN (July 17) --  For the first time in its presence in South Africa, the Philippines took part at the 2009 National Arts Festival held in this town from July 2-11, 2009. The South African National Arts Festival is one of the most important events on the country’s cultural calendar, and the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent.

SOUTH AFRICA (July 16) --  The award-winning film "Baler", featured last month in the Indio-Bravo Film Festival in New York City, was shown at the Philippine Embassy here on Sunday.  The event is the Embassy's project tp build a stronger camaraderie among Filipinos in the country and to introduce Philippine history, culture and its beliefs to the host country and the local community.

MANILA (July 6) --  Twenty-eight Filipino performing artists hailing from all over the Philippines, U.S. and Canada comprise Team Philippines at the 13th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) to be held at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, California on July 11 to 18, 2009.   This year’s delegation is led by Philippine National Director Carlo Orosa, Philippine Associate Director Oliver Oliveros, and KB Entertainment’s Kitchie Benedicto.