Istorya-DC honors the capital’s Fil-Am actors

Istorya DC 2018 panelists and Washington, DC theater actors (from left) Regina Aquino Smith, Jose Llana, Don Michael Mendoza, and Rafael Sebastian.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the third consecutive year, Istorya-DCmarked Filipino American History Month and Archives Month with a symposium at the Philippine Embassy’s Chancery Annex building, Oct. 25.

The event was jointly hosted by the Rita M. Cacas Foundation (RMCF) Inc., the Philippines on the Potomac Project (POPDC) and the embassy.

This year’s symposium, “Washington DC Filipinos in Theater,” featured a night of “good conversation, great music, and sumptuous Filipino food,” said a press release.

Rita M. Cacas of the Rita M. Cacas Foundation Inc. welcomes the audience to the Istorya-DC 2018 symposium. CONTRIBUTED

“Tonight is made even more special by the fact that this is the first time that our participation is conducted under the auspices of Sentro Rizal Washington DC,” said Philippine Embassy Public Diplomacy Officer and Sentro Rizal Administrator Darell Artates in her opening remarks.

Rita M. Cacas, the main proponent of Istorya-DC, told the audience “What I love about Istoryais that it is a celebration of what we are doing as Filipinos here in Washington, DC.This year we are highlighting DC Filipinos in theater.”

The program started with a tribute to Dawn Mabalon, a champion of Filipino American history and board member of the Filipino American National Historical Society, followed by a brief presentation by Professor Erwin Tiongson of Georgetown University and The Philippines in the Potomac Project, entitled “Theater and the Philippine American experience in Washington, D.C.” that highlighted theater as a performance through four points: pretense; poetry; protest; and pride.

MIN: Flute and Guitar Duo of Dr. Sais Kamalidiin and Rick Peralta serenades the audience prior to the start of the formal program. CONTRIBUTED

Following Tiongson’s presentation was a panel discussion featuring local theater actors Regina Aquino Smith, Jose Llana, Don Michael Mendoza and Rafael Sebastian.

The speakers shared their dream and favorite roles, personal experiences, challenges, available acting opportunities, ideal roles for Filipino Americans and advice to aspiring actors.

The Rita M. Cacas Foundation Inc. Board Members, Sentro Rizal Washington DC staff, music performers and panelists of the Istorya-DC 2018 symposium pose for a group photo after the successful symposium at the Philippine Embassy on Oct. 25. CONTRIBUTED

At a reception guests enjoyed Filipino food while being serenaded by the MIN: Flute and Guitar Duo of Dr. Sais Kamalidiin and Rick Peralta.Jesse Johnston served as the emcee of the program.

Istorya-DC 2018 was generously supported by Lumpia, Pansit, Atbp.; Manila Mart; and Auntie Mary & Uncle Jaime.