San Pablo City, Laguna Projects

Sampaloc Lake, Laguna

San Pablo City Shoemart (http://www.sanpablocity.com.ph)

From Wikipedia

Check out this other community service project IP Rondalla will be taking on in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines!

There will be three (3) beneficiaries for the San Pablo project:

1) The San Pablo City Central School Rondalla Group to raise funds to renovate their music room for their rondalla practice session which right now  the students make use of a dilapidated room that leaks during the rainy season.

2) The Paaralang Pagibig at Pagasa (School of Love and Hope) is a public school for differently abled Filipinos.  In the Philippines, children with disabilities have limited access to education and productive employment opportunities. Unlike in the U.S., they have to depend on generous donors for the needed financial and moral support. The school does not have sufficient funds to buy rondalla instruments, textbooks, and -other school supplies. 

3) The Division of City of San Pablo also plans to headstart a public school for gifted children.  This will be housed in the School of Love and Hope, and so the fundraising will be for supporting this gifted program (supplies, textbooks, and materials )

We are so excited to perform with the local talents including the kids from the Shool of Love and Hope.   My aunt mentioned to my mother a while ago that this rondalla group, although comprised of special needed children, is the best of the three rondalla groups in San Pablo. Of the 35 members, most suffer from hearing impairment; others are blind or with learning disabilities. Nonetheless, these kids follow the music by swaying to each pluck. I recommend all of you the article below. It's really an inspiring story of dedication and perseverance.
Click here for links:
http://verafiles.org/deaf-kids-make-music-in-school-of-love-and-hope/
http://www.schoolofloveandhopesped.com/christmas-letter-201

Music in Sign Language. Members of the rondalla of Paaralang Pag-ibig at 
Pag-asa, mostly deaf, play by following what their trainer, Lina Mercado, 
gestures to them. From the article by Patria

What IP Rondalla Will Do

Together with SPED and San Pablo Central School Rondallas, the IP Rondalla ensemble will showcase their signature rondalla music and dance routines as part of the gala performance to the general public. The occasion also provides a great opportunity for SPED and the San Pablo Central School Rondalla Ensembles to hold a gala public concert to demonstrate their talent, raise awareness to the plight of  differently abled children, and generate funds to support their pressing needs and for starting the gifted program in the city.

 

An IP Rondalla parent, who is a practicing professional architect in the U.S., will provide the architectural design and plans for the San Pablo Central School  music room.

All proceeds from this benefit concert will be donated to the three (3) local beneficiaries. Some of the money will be used to purchase additional rondalla instruments, pay for rondalla instructions, and seed the fund raising effort to build the music room at the school, and the gifted program.Our own IP director, Cristina Castro, who is a retired principal of Boston's Perkins School for the Blind, will also hold a round-table workshop with the teachers and administrators to share her own expertise and experience. 

Sierra Jamir

Aeta Indigenous Tribe - Dinalupihan, Bataan

Hey everyone,

I'd like all of you to take a look at this project in the Philippines. This is really a fine example of a program dedicated to giving back to the community.

PUP Banda Kawayan video

Check out this awesome video of PUP Banda Kawayan playing their version of Planting Rice! Their instruments are made entirely of bamboo, which make this really unique and bubbly sound.

Just to give you a little background, the group was organized in 1973 by Mrs. Gloria Talastas, then principal of the Philippine College of Commerce Laboratory High School and Prof. Calabig, a faculty member.

On our trip to the PUP in Santa Mesa, Manila, we'll be performing with the group and meeting Prof. Calabig! This will be sponsored by PUP Research, Extension & Development Foundation, Inc. (PUPREDFI).  The proceeds will be used to fund scholarships and  selected  research and extension projects of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). PUP is a state university and majority of students come from economically challenged sector of the society. 

Here's the link to the school: http://www.pup.edu.ph/

Sierra Jamir

Performance at Northeastern University

From, (Aray! that hurt!) to some square dancing to Darth Vader...

Yesterday, we had a crowd-pleasing performance at Northeastern University in Boston.

Although we played only three songs, Aray, Subli, and 70's Medley, the crowd raved for more as the end of Jesus Christ Super Star sadly led to our finally bow. Have to admit, I couldn't help but laugh when Jerry and Aaron battled it out to Star Wars or when George went on his knees to   give Jessica a lovely (tuner) flower. Bravo everyone! Thank you NEU for inviting us!

;)

Sierra 

Welcome Aboard!

Hello Rondalla Bloggers,

Thank you for tuning in to Pinoy Jeep, IP Rondalla's student-run blogging website, giving you the entire insider scoop on our upcoming tour to the Philippines! My name is Sierra, and as a rondalla member myself, I take pride in sharing our experience with you, just as you have done by giving us this opportunity to travel.

Throughout the weeks leading up to the tour, a few of us, will be blogging to update you on the events, fundraisers, and other preparations for the trip. During the tour, we will try to provide you with regular updates as well. All blogs will be uniquely written and edited by students of IP Rondalla. (Sorry parents! Kids only!) They may blog on any aspect of their journey preparing or traveling to the Philippines, from practicing for a performance to riding a Jeepney for the first time. Other examples could be posting videos related to a student's experience, a student highlight, or a unique delicacy of a province that would be worth sharing. The possibilities are endless!

We are delighted by the support that Iskwelahang Pilipino, IP Rondalla, and so many other sponsors have given us to make this trip possible. You have touched us with your support, and a token of our gratitude, we give you this blog. So, on behalf of the Rondalla students, come join us on our Jeepney Ride!

Enjoy,

Sierra Jamir

Hello PinoyJeep blogger!!!

Can't wait to see your blogs about the upcoming Rondalla tour of the Philippines!