Session I

Workshop 1: “Theater of the Oppressed”

Through this workshop, you will explore how the recitation of the word can serve as therapy, prayer, self discovery, and a catalyst for change. Reflecting on experience through the eyes of love, you will be encourage to develop your power through words as words have served as a common denominator of hearts, cutting across all ages, color lines, religions, and politics, be prepared to explore

Presenters: 8th Wonder (Alan Maramag)

BIO

On July 7th of 2000 at Bindlestiff Studio- "the epicenter of Pilipino American art", Jeremy Bautista, Jocelyn de Leon, Irene Faye Duller, Alan Maramag, Lillian Prijoles, Isagani Pugao, and Golda Sargento came together through Jason Mateo to collaborate for a showcase of upcoming Bay Area Pilipino-American performance artists. The original mission of the show embraced the exploration of the Pilipino American diaspora through the character of its people, political circumstances, and ancestral legacies, with the challenge to present those findings in innovative, experimental, and interactive performance poetry. The show was unique in the sense that the presentations were characteristic of Pilipino oratory tradition of balagtasan (verbal joust) yet infused with hip hop stylings; signature of today's generation of young Pilipino Americans. Alongside their dynamic delivery, the content of each artistic piece addressed contemporary issues as it pertained to young Pilipino women, the push and pull of the immigrant community, and lost identities of the disenfranchised urban youth. With the urgent insistence of Pilipino American educators, artists, and organizers, 8th wonder - as the premiere arts collective of its kind, found themselves in high school and college classrooms, theatres, and conferences all over San Francisco bay area, then the west coast, and eventually all over the nation in a short but productive four years of existence. Not only performance artists, the core eight artists in the collective- who all live and work in the bay area happen to also be student organizers, musicians, theatre artists, film makers and educators. 8th wonder 's wide and varied experience has contributed to the multiplicity of the collective's work in various sectors of the community providing creative writing, theatre, and music workshops as well as organizing spaces and events to serve as forums for community dialogue and creative expression.

One of the main strengths of the 8th wonder has been the congruence between excellent performance art and steadfast community involvement. In all the work that we do as professional artists there has been an equally intense hands-on involvement in community development and empowerment whether it has been a circuit of writing workshops for the underserved Pilipino American urban youth, to chant workshops for anti-war demonstrations, to cultural presentations at national conferences. Hence, another strength would be the strong working relationships 8th wonder has developed and maintained among academia, social service organizations, and the San Francisco performing arts community.

Workshop 2: Fame Panel Discussion

FAME Panel Discussion Our panel will discuss our own individual experiences in the industry, work ethics and our culture's influence on us, new trends in music entertainment, the state of music and new media, and career advice to pass along to students considering a career in music business and marketing.

Presenters: FAME- Filipino-Americans in Music Entertainment

Panelists:

Manny E. Lorenzo, Jr. Director of Licensing, Business Affairs TVT Records/TVT Music Publishing

Myra deCastro Manager, International Marketing Island/Def Jam Records

Albert Lao Retail Marketing Coordinator SonyBMG Music Entertainment

DJ Yoshi (Eric DeTorres) So So Def DJ/Independent Radio Promotions/College Radio Former NBA DJ for the New Jersey Nets

Edwin Banacia Director of PR, Urban SonyBMG Music Entertainment

BIOS

MANNY E. LORENZO, JR.

Manny Lorenzo’s love for music began at the age of 5 while learning to put the needle on the record at his father’s record store in the Bronx, New York. This passion continued on to the age of 10 while singing in his church’s choir in Elmhurst, Queens. Manny’s career in the music industry started as a club promoter at the age of 16 in New York City. He has promoted special events and clubs for close to 17 years and has become one of the pioneers of Filipino-American-centric club promotions and entertainment in the east coast’s tri-state area, promoting in all of New York City’s major clubs past and present. While a music-business major at New York University, Manny began his music business career as a legal assistant at the New York City entertainment law firm of Tavel Thea and Baker where he had worked with such clients as the Notorious B.I.G., Redman, Cash Money Records, Three 6 Mafia, Shaggy, Teddy Riley and Blackstreet to name a few. Upon the close of Tavel Thea and Baker, Manny was asked to join one of the partners, as a paralegal, to her new situation at the law firm of L. Londell McMillan P.C. where he worked to assist in the representation of such other music clients as Free, from BET’s 106 and Park, reggae sensation Sean Paul, producer Ric Wake and Ruff Ryders Entertainment.

In 2000, Manny decided to leave the music industry and join the ranks of the corporate world at Viacom Inc., where he was a corporate paralegal working on business agreements for Viacom’s Paramount Pictures Corporation. The experience Manny had gained at Viacom was great, but his passion for music entertainment was too strong. Manny rejoined a former colleague who had recently started the Hart Law Group, a small entertainment law firm working with musical artists and music deals in new media technology. It was shortly thereafter that Manny was asked to join the legal team of the successful a record company known as TVT Records. TVT Records is the country’s largest independent record company boasting some of today’s hottest hiphop acts including Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, the Ying Yang Twins and Miami-based Latino rapper, Pitbull. At TVT Records, Manny was hired as the Licensing Manager then promoted to the Director of Licensing, Business Affairs. Manny oversees the licensing of TVT Records for use in film/tv, advertising, videogames and internet, while also handling the licensing of songs written and produced by the team of writers for TVT Music, Inc., TVT’s publishing entity. TVT Music, Inc controls a stable of superstar producers including Scott Storch and Lil Jon. Manny handles the licensing of some of the hottest songs in the last few years including Chris Brown’s “Run It!, 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop”, Mario’s blockbuster “Let Me Love You” and Usher’s collabo with Ludacris and Lil Jon “Yeah!”

It is Manny Lorenzo’s love for music and his desire to share his experiences and assist others in achieving their musical dreams that drives him everyday. In 2003, Manny developed the FAME (Filipino Americans in Music Entertainment) event, along with his colleagues in CORE (Collaborative Opportunities for Raising Empowerment, Inc.), a not-for-profit organization composed of a volunteer group of young Filipino professionals in the New York Tri-State area. The FAME panel consisted of high-caliber music industry executives of Filipino descent from such companies as Motown Records, Def Jam Records, WKTU dance radio in New York City, Tommy Boy Records, 5th Platoon DJ group, and MTV/VH-1 Networks. The panelists discussed their personal experiences while navigating through the business of music and shared advice to fellow young Filipino professionals.

Manny continues to find outlets for his passion in music through his newly developed company Mind Right Media LLC, which hires and coordinates talent and develops showcases for two national car show tours, Hot Import Nights and DUB Magazine Auto Show. In recent years, Manny has produced a number of Fil-Am shows including shows for Pinay, One Vo1ce and funny man, Rex Navarette…and be on the look out for more in 2006…stay tuned!

Manny credits his success to his mother and his disciplined Filipino upbringing.

MYRA DECASTRO

During her final year at Baruch College, City University of New York, Myra began her introduction to the music industry by way of an internship in the marketing and publicity departments of the historical record companies of Capitol Records and the jazz-famed Blue Note Records. While interning, Myra had the opportunity to work on the marketing of some great records including Robbie Williams, Hanson and Traci Spencer. Based on her great work ethic and professionalism during her internship, Blue Note Records offered Myra a permanent position as an assistant marketing rep in their International Marketing and Marketing Development departments. At Blue Note, Myra worked on marketing the projects of Jason Moran, Cucho Valdes, St. Germaine and at that time a rising star, Norah Jones.

In 2001, Myra had been presented with the opportunity to work for a third historical record company, but this label was not historical because it’s artists included Frank Sinatra or John Lennon, as Capitol Records roster did or the likes of John Coltrane or Miles Davis, as Blue Note Records. This new record company helped birth the global takeover of the two most popular musical genres of our time, reggae and hip hop music. This label was called Island/Def Jam. Island/Def Jam was a newly merged record company that was comprised of Chris Blackwell’s label, Island Records, home to reggae legend Bob Marley and Russell Simmons pioneering hiphop label, Def Jam Records, home to hiphop icon Jay-Z, along with LL Cool J, DMX, Public Enemy, Foxy Brown and the early days of The Beastie Boys. At Island Def Jam, Myra was the assistant marketing rep for the label’s International Marketing department. In the last few years, Myra has risen up through the ranks of Def Jam’s International Marketing department. As a Marketing Coordinator, Myra had worked on the marketing and publicity of numerous record releases, including album projects from Jay-Z “Black Album, Kanye West “College Dropout” and LL Cool J “10.”

In 2006, Myra’s career seems to be in full throttle as Manager, International Marketing. She is starting the year off working with hiphop/r&b’s new young sensation, Ne-Yo. Ne-Yo is the new face of hiphop/r&b for 2006 and is making his run up the Billboard charts with hit songs “Let Me Love You” (which he co-wrote for Mario), Ne-Yo’s first single “Stay With Me” and his current hit “So Sick.” Myra has just returned from overseas with Ne-Yo, as he made press conferences, radio interviews and show appearances in Europe and more recently in Asia.

Myra DeCastro is quickly becoming the international marketing face of Def Jam’s newest artists.

ALBERT LAO

Albert Lao started out his career in the music business in California as a DJ for Legend Entertainment and The Events Company while he was in college. By doing clubs up and down the West Coast, he was able to obtain an internship at PolyGram, which at the time was a major distributor of the Island, Motown, and Def Jam record labels. By getting his foot in the door there, he landed a position at Sony Music where he was put in charge of college marketing on the West Coast working with radio stations and numerous campuses including Arizona, Washington and even Hawaii.

After one year under his belt at Sony Music (Los Angeles), they offered him a full-time position as a Retail Marketing Coordinator in New York City responsible for the highest priority retail accounts in the United States, including Tower Records, Borders Books & Music, For Your Entertainment (FYE), and J&R Musicworld. In this position, Albert developed a merchandising and advertising schedule that supported all Sony*BMG new releases ranging from Pop, Classical, Country, Hip-Hop, and Alternative genres. He also created and pitched lifestyle cross-promotions with fashion and entertainment media partners as well as plan the major in-store appearances and autograph signings of Sony*BMG artists.

In his five year career he has worked with Jessica Simpson, INXS, Backstreet Boys, Chris Brown, Good Charlotte, Destiny’s Child, Steven Van Zandt, Shakira, Amerie, The Osbournes, Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Yo-Yo Ma, Il Divo and many more Sony*BMG artists. He is currently setting up marketing campaigns for upcoming albums by Matisyahu, Jagged Edge, Teddy Geiger, Lil' Flip and Pink.

DJ YOSHI

While having locked down the skill and ability to DJ at some of the hottest dance clubs in the country, the next goal that Yoshi set was to step into the music industry’s “mixtape game.” Yoshi collaborated with mentor DJ Phillee Blunt to record numerous mixtapes including releases such as Double Impact, 4Play, 4Play 2K, Dimensions, and Phonography, distributing over 100,000 units worldwide. In 2002, Yoshi was given a nomination nod for the “Best New Mixtape DJ“ for Justo’s 7th Annual Mixtape Awards. These Mixtape Awards have been rewarded to some of the most recognizable names in mixtapes today including DJ Clue, Kay Slay, Brucie B, Clinton Sparks, and DJ’s Echo & Vice. Although he did not win the award, it benefited Yoshi by driving him to work harder on his game. In October of 2002, respected radio personality/consultant Lee Cadena commissioned Yoshi to produce a cross-over mix segment for the LEEssential Elements CD. The Mixtape featured Yoshi along with: K-Sly(KKBT), J-Tyme(KUGS) and DJ Kut(WWPR). The CD was distributed nationwide by respected industry trade publication, the Urban Network Magazine. In 2002, Yoshi’s continued promotional support of the industry and it’s artists led him to become a member of the Tech.Nitions organization, an elite group of tastemaking DJ’s and industry executives.

It has been six years since DJ Yoshi stepped through the doors of WRNU and began his college radio show. His radio show has been featured three times in the Urban Network Magazine, three times in Radio & Records radio industry trade magazine, numerous times on RapAttackLives.Com and the Industry Insider. In May of 2003, he was selected as DJ of the Month by Platinum Queens Entertainment, an internet magazine. Yoshi’s radio show has led to multiple award nominations in recent years including (i) Hustler of the Year – 2003 Tech.Nition Awards, (ii) Rookie DJ of the Year: 2003 Tech.Nition Awards and (iii) College Radio DJ of 2004: Urban Network Magazine. After the votes were all in, Yoshi came out receiving the honor of becoming the 2003 Tech.Nition Rookie of the Year and the Urban Network’s 2004 College Radio DJ of the Year! His college mixshow has gained global recognition via the internet with requests pouring from Canada, countries in Europe, Australia, Japan and the Philippines.

Yoshi has two syndication deals that currently have his mixshow airing in over twenty countries and seven markets stateside. His ability to relate to a wide demographic coupled with his finely-tuned-skills has enabled him to play with DJ greats such as: Q-Bert, X-Ecutioners, Beat Junkies, Big Cap, Funkmaster Flex, Mister Cee, DJ Envy and Evil D. More impressing than that, Yoshi has rocked the turntables at shows with artists like: D.M.C, Buckshot, Amerie, Mariah Carey, Joe Budden, Jin, A+, GURU, Blacksheep, The Clipse, T.I., Mike Jones, Lil Flip, Fabolous, Bun B, and Wayne Wonder.

And in an attempt to close out 2003 real strong, Yoshi became the NBA’s official DJ for the New Jersey Nets basketball team. During his tenure, Nets fans gravitated to the excitement of Yoshi spinning from the New Jersey Nets Sound Stage, taking requests, filming All Net TV skits, spicing up Public Announcements, and being an overall presence within the arena. His ability to please tens of thousands on any given night coupled with his charisma and fan appeal made him a true force. Furthermore, he proved his ability to pick and break music by setting 2005’s season introduction song as T.I.’s “Bring Em Out,” which did not hit the air waves until three months after the basketball season started.

The year 2006 has nothing but potential for DJ Yoshi. He recently was chosen by Jermaine Dupri to be a part of the So So Def DJ’s family; he has also founded the Sports Entertainment DJ’s organization. With confirmed appearances on radio, TV, magazines, advertisements and the global tour later in the year, DJ Yoshi has proven to live up to his potential and plans to play a part in the future of entertainment.

EDWIN BANACIA

Edwin Banacia is responsible for creating comprehensive media plans for new and established Sony Urban Music artists, as well as for overseeing all aspects of publicity for various priorities. A media professional with years of experience, Edwin Banacia brings unyielding passion, vision, creativity and dedication necessary for success in a cluttered media world. With a proven track record, he is credited with breaking Xzibit into mainstream popular culture, helping Destiny’s Child become the highest selling group of all-time, the transition of Bow Wow’s image from “kid” rapper to triple-threat icon and working with the largest superstar artists that include, Jagged Edge, Lil’ Flip, Beyonce, Fugees and John Legend to name a few.

Mr. Banacia was instrumental with developing a young unpolished R&B group into a successful major label artist, all the while under the public scrutiny due to the group’s reality show, “Blowin’ Up!: Fatty Koo” on the BET Network.

Notoriously known for never missing a day of work, Mr. Banacia is currently developing and executing media plans for upcoming albums from Lil’ Flip, Jagged Edge, DMX, Ray Cash, and the latest artist to sign with Kanye West’s label G.O.O.D. Music, GLC. With albums in-stores now, Sony Urban’s first reggaeton artist, Voltio, along with Bow Wow and gospel superstar Tye Tribbett are in the capable hands of Mr. Banacia.

Most recently Edwin Banacia served as Manager, Media, Columbia Records, since 2003. During his time with Columbia Records, he created memorable and highly effective publicity campaigns for a wide variety of artists beginning with Xzibit’s “Weapons Of Mass Destruction,” continuing through Anna Nalick’s breakthrough, "Breathe," among other incredible Columbia Records’ recording artists.

In 1997, Edwin joined the staff of Classified Records as Southeast Manager, Street Team. Working with struggling independent artists such as Pinay and Jocelyn Enriquez, he developed an appreciation for recording artists and the challenges they face. In 1999, Edwin joined the staff of Arista Records as an unpaid intern. While there, Edwin became experienced in all forms of music as he was surrounded by A&R heavyweights like Hosh Gureli, until coming to Columbia Records as Assistant, Media, later that year. In 2003, he was named Manager, Media and later became Director, Media at Sony Urban Music.

Edwin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of West Florida.

Workshop 3: Ebri Dei Kong Pu (Everyday Kung Fu):
How Nanay & Tatay's "Palo" becomes Survial Training in our homes

BIO

Spunk Ichiban

(Punong Guro) Chief Instructor / Director � Filipino Fighting Arts Academy Program Driector / Founder � Warrier Arts of the Philippines Museum

Spunk ichiban is and always will be a Pilipino Community Philanthropist / Community Activist dedicated to the propagation and preservation of the Pilipino Martial Culture, Science, and Heritage. He has spoken and demonstrated on the unique subject of cultural history and the combat arts of the Philippines at over 50 different High Schools and Universities, Culture & Non-Profit Organizations throughout the East Coast. His unyielding personality coupled with the ingenuity of humor assists him in delivering the message of strength, struggle, and empowerment to the Pilipino people.

Spunk Ichiban believes that all Pilipinos are "Mandirigma" (warriors) and have the ability to conquer any challenge that we as a people face: financially, socially, and personally. He has recently spoken at SUNY Albany and the University of Florida.

He has developed the Filipino Fighting Arts Academy as a means to develop future leaders in the community by cultivating strength, courage, and resolve through martial arts, cultural dance, historical research, community activism, and humanistic relations with all people. Spunk has also embarked no a new exciting project poetically called the Warrior Arts of the Philippines Museum that will encompass Tribal Traditions, Combat History and Historical figures of the Philippines.