Family Day for Good Causes Every year, families composing the Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ) gather for the trust’s Family Day aimed at strengthening the bond and camaraderie among the organization’s members, but also families. The past celebrations had lots of food, lots of fun and games and lots of entertainment and prizes. In 2011, KBNZ will gather families together for good causes – to help one of its members, Alex Gandionco (see top photo), in her pursuit of a performing arts scholarship in the United States and to raise money for the KBNZ Emergency Fund. The latter fund is used to help needy members should there be no other avenue to secure assistance. Not only was there overwhelming approval among officers and committee members for the project to be pursued, there was the demonstration of the volunteering spirit of the musicians who have agreed to render songs for the programme officially called “GigAlive – a concert of inspirational and spiritual songs” to be held on September 4, 2011, 2pm at the Holy Cross Social Hall in Henderson, Auckland. The performers include US-bound Alex Gandionco, child diva Mia, the all-girls power pop group KIS, the mod band Muteboxx, the youth arm of TawagAwit – TaYo, and OBG!, a group conceptualized by Alvin Soniega. The organizers call on the members of KBNZ and those who appreciate Christian music to support this effort.
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GigAlive: A Concert of Inspirational and Spiritual Songs “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!� (Psalm 150:1-6)
God is such a generous giver, and the gifts that He gives us are meant to be shared. It is in this spirit that GigAlive came to be. With the countless talents of members of Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ), it was just a matter of time that they would share their gifts not just for good causes, but most importantly to honor the Almighty Father. On Sunday September 4, 2011, some of the outstanding talents of KBNZ will sing inspirational and spiritual songs that express thankfulness and gratitude to fathers in this world, and to the Father of Jesus, the Father of humankind. While there are those who quantify the success of a music event to the popularity of the artists and the audience turnout, the genuine measure of the significance and meaning of a concert is the joy that it brings to people, the love that it expresses to God. We, therefore, invite everyone to join us in this music celebration that should fill the heart, the mind and the soul. Yes, feel alive, be part of GigAlive. 2|A Con cer t of Ins pirationa l and Spiritual Songs
Who is Alex? At 15 years old, Alexandra “Alex” Gandionco has found her place in the sun, and that is on the stage. For the past seven years, she has honed her gift of voice and music. At 7 years old, she had singing lessons with experienced tenor Cyril Kelleway. When she was 12, she traveled to Hollywood to attend the Deborah Gibson Electric Youth Performing Arts Camp. Wanting to know if she is good enough, she joined in contests such as the West Auckland Performing Arts Competition where she obtained the top prize in her age level for three consecutive years. And in St Mary’s College where she studies, she participates fully in the music department as a member of the choir conducted by David Hamilton. She received the award as most outstanding junior music student. Alex accepts invitations to sing in private functions, during masses and in cultural activities, always making certain that she gives her best in the craft she has come to love, a craft she wants to live.
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It is Alex’s dream to attend the most prestigious music schools in the world, such as Juilliard and Curtis School of Music in the United States. To do so, she decided to apply for a scholarship in the top arts boarding high schools in the United States, and to her amazement she was invited by Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. She chose Idyllwild Arts Academy which is described as a high school that has perfected the art of arts education. It is a close-knit, working community of students and teachers whose passion for the arts is balanced by a dedication to learning. Idyllwild offers a disciplined college preparatory program for grades 9-12 and post-graduates, along with world-class training in creative writing, dance, film & video, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual art. With the 75% scholarship, Alex needs to personally fund the balance of 25% of the fees. The officers of KBNZ, the organization of Bisaya-speaking Filipinos in New Zealand, believe in the talent of Alex, thus, has organized GigAlive with the intention of helping out Alex in attaining her dream. Alex Gandionco will therefore showcase what she has learned so far during the concert of inspirational and spiritual songs. She has prepared some classical and praise songs, and with her band, Muteboxx, pop tunes as well. Let’s witness Alex bloom on stage with her talent, with her songs, with her life.
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Our Presenter: KBNZ Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ) is a registered trust that aims to strengthen the bond among Bisaya-speaking Filipinos in New Zealand and promote the Bisaya culture among members as well as the general public. Acknowledged as one of the most vibrant Filipino organization, KBNZ not only holds fellowship activities among its members, but also participates in cultural events hosted by different groups such as Migrant Action Trust, Henderson Rotary Club and the Sto Nino Devotees (NZ) Trust. It joined the first Auckland International Carnival in 2010 and was chosen as the grand winner among cultural groups from other ethnicities including Brazil, Thailand and China. Its Board of Trustees created the KBNZ Emergency Fund with intent to help individuals who can not avail of government-assistance. It has also been asked to channel donations for victims of calamities including the Christchurch earthquakes. KBNZ is presenting GigAlive to contribute to the performing arts scholarship fund of one of its members, Alex Gandionco and for the KBNZ Emergency Fund.
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ALEX GANDIONCO (in her farewell performance)
Plus KIS, TaYo, Muteboxx, Mia and OBG! September 4, 2011 @ 2pm Holy Cross Social Hall, 8 Lavelle Road, Henderson, Auckland To support the performing arts US scholarship fund of Alex Gandionco and the KBNZ emergency fund CONTACT: Debbie 813 1616 or email: librelaw@yahoo.com
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