Ayala Foundation Presents LONG SEASON, 9/25

The Ayala Foundation USA today announced that Filipino-American Broadway stars will be featured in a concert version of an original Filipino musical, Long Season, at its upcoming gala on September 25, 2010 at The Fairmont Hotel located at 170 South Market Street in San Jose, CA. The gala will be part of the first ever Philippine Development Forum & Gala to bring together Filipino and Filipino-American thought leaders from both sides of the Pacific to discuss solutions to the Philippine's most pressing development problems. AF-USA has invited no less than newly-elected Philippine President Noynoy Aquino as Keynote Speaker

The cast, who are flying-in from New York and various cities, will feature an ensemble of Filipino-American leading men and women who all have graced the "Great White Way" as leading players: Joan Almedilla (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables), Alan Ariano (M. Butterfly, Pacific Overtures), Rona Figueroa (Nine, Lennon), Adam Jacobs (Les Miserables, The Lion King), Jose Llana (The King & I, Flower Drum Song), and Orville Mendoza (Miss Saigon, Pacific Overtures).

LONG SEASON tells the story of a Filipino idealist, Allos (based on Carlos Bulosan), who leaves everything behind in the old country in the Philippines-including a beloved-to find life anew on American shores. In America, he is confronted by struggles for equality and justice alongside a company of manongs.

Set in Alaska in 1928, LONG SEASON features rich, romantic and hauntingly poignant music by celebrated Filipino composer Fabian Obispo, with book and lyrics by award-winning playwright Chay Yew. Diverse City Theater Company's Artistic Director, actor Victor Lirio will produce and direct the concert, and Albin Konopka will serve as music director.

"We are honored to be part of this inaugural event that celebrates Filipino excellence, and addresses opportunities for economic development back home. I find it thrilling and inspiring to be part of an event that features highly successful professionals in various fields such as academe, government, industry, venture capital, and business. And the inclusion of Filipino American artists at the gala is quite exciting," said Victor Lirio.

Exchanging ideas and viewpoints on improving the plight of our countrymen are some of the great Filipino and Filipino-American minds: Felipe Medalla from the UP School of Economics, Dean Rowena Guevara of the UP College of Engineering, Arthur Tan, CEO of Integrated Microelectronics, Inc., Venture Capitalist Winston Damarillo of G2IX, Internet Entrepreneur Sheila Lirio Marcelo of Care.com, and Fernando Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corporation. Its distinguished list of Honorary Chairs includes Mayor Gavin Newsom, Jaime and Bea Zobel de Ayala, Ken and Josie Natori, Antonio and Gail Alvarez, and Tony Winner Lea Salonga.

Ticket pricing for the Philippine Development Forum and Gala are as follows:
Forum and gala: $350
Forum only: $150
Gala only: $200

To buy your tickets, please click here.

To find out more about the Philippine Development Forum and Gala, visit http://www.facebook.com/l/bda6cDA3eqV00JRwul4FQEWXjiQ; www.af-usa.org or call 650-598-3126 or email info@af-http://www.facebook.com/l/bda6cRogBiNQkUK6SK6sKqlvg8g;usa.org

About AF-USA
Ayala Foundation USA is registered in the US as a 501c3 public charity, specifically a diaspora philanthropy foundation. For the past ten years, with the support of thousands of Filipinos, friends of the Philippines, corporations, and foundations, it has developed into a mature, independent institution that can now better reflect the richness of the Filipino diaspora community in its adopted land.