ABOUT US SinagTala came about when its founding executive director, Martin Lopez was still living in the State of Connecticut. He had just left a corporate consulting job and was preparing to return home to the Philippines in May 1999 to be with his family and contribute to the artistic development of his country. SinagTala was born in discussions with his shipper, who also believed in promoting the shining stars of Filipinos in the arts. The opportunity arose to collaborate with Filipino-Americans in Connecticut for 3 simultaneous screenings of the award-winning film, Rizal in August, 1999. The inclusion of a Filipino art exhibit and food festival made this a very unique experience for viewers, who were then exposed to the talents of Filipinos in various art forms. The following year, SinagTala collaborated with Connecticut College and Northeastern University in Boston to launch a week-long Filipino arts festival that included 2 films (Rizal and Batas Militar,) concerts featuring classically trained Filipino musicians living in New York and Boston (soprano Evelyn Mandac, pianist Cynthia de Leon and flutist Ildefonso Lauron), art exhibits and food fairs. 2 other concerts followed featuring the UST Singers and the Bukas Palad Ministry. In June 2002, SinagTala helped organize the Celebration of Philippine Independence with the Boston Pops Orchestra under the baton of Maestro John Williams and featuring flutist Ildefonso Lauron. SinagTala moved to the Philippines when its founder Martin Lopez decided to take permanent residency there in July 2000. Since then it has complemented the search and exposure of Filipinos in the arts with the need to also develop audiences who would appreciate them. SinagTala's first project was a collaboration with much respected author, Reynaldo Alejandro in the production and launch of the coffee table book, Pasig, River of Life. Following that was the first free Christmas concert and fund-raiser, which has become an annual event. The Home Concert Series was launched in 2002 to provide smaller venues for Filipino musicians to be heard in casual settings but before very eager audiences. In February 2003, the SinagTala Performing Arts Series began with the Debut of Juilliard trained pianist, Aileen Chanco with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra in their new home, the Philamlife Theater. Reflections, the Lenten concert with the Hiraya Men's Chorus and the San Beda College Chorale followed in April at the San Beda Abbey. In August, SinagTala returned to the Philamlife Theater for the Sopranos featuring a pool of 14 of the most talented Filipina musicians: sopranos, Lilac Cana from Toronto, Thea Tadiar from London, Rachelle Gerodias from Manila and Eileen Fernandez from the Divine Mercy Mobile Center for Music and Arts Therapy. Performing with them were pianist Lourdes de Leon Gregorio, the all female Athenaeum String Quartet and MusiKalinangan (Philippine Bamboo & Gong Ensemble.) Also in 2003, SinagTala began to branch out into different directions by which to promote Filipino artists. It created Sining Pamana, an art exhibit and auction to acknowledge the accomplishments of over 150 Filipino visual artists while simultaneously raising funds for 3 churches and a seminary in Iloilo and Negros islands. SinagTala also entered the wedding and memorial service niche by which to provide Filipino families with the best of Filipino musicians to share in their life moments. SinagTala.net was also launched in 2003 to provide added exposure to Filipino artists particularly those on the SinagTala roster. Please browse around. Read about SinagTala and its artists. See photos of past SinagTala events. Hear what some of the SinagTala artists sound like. Be a part of our family! Let us know how we can further improve especially as we celebrate our 5th year in 2004. Many exciting events have already happened including the Philippine debut of blind pianist and tenor, Carlos Alberto Ibay, who performed in venues around Manila, Pampanga and Tarlac including the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Luneta. (Please see reviews and feedback) Please check the lists of all events undertaken by SinagTala since its inception.