|
|
San Francisco Bay Area Cultural Group, Inc. - History Professor Mila Esguerra Edwards formed the San Francisco Bay Area Cultural Group (SFBACG) in July 1991, composed primarily of choir members of the Immaculate Conception Church in San Francisco and later expanded to include her students in voice culture. The group has attracted people from all parts of the community who have one common interest: to sing. From the beginning of the group's organization, Professor Edwards, Musical Director, has devoted her time and effort to produce and conduct the members of the SFBACG pro bono. All the members of the choral group have committed their singing talents voluntarily. SFBACG strives to develop and spread music appreciation; to promote lasting and valuable friendship, camaraderie and dedication to beauty and culture, as well as to broaden singers' musical interests and develop poise and confidence on stage. Its main objective is to raise funds for charitable causes by holding concerts which present excerpts from opera, selections from Broadway shows and songs from American and Filipino old time favorites. In the Bay Area, the groups' performances for the past fifteen years granted the proceeds to Immaculate Conception Church, St. Boniface, St. Andrew and Atwater Churchs, St. Paul Church of San Francisco State University, St. Joseph, St. Timothy's and St. Finn Barr Churches, Holy Angels and Holy Saints Churches, Marty's Home for AIDS Patients, North San Mateo County Medical Center, and the Mission Hospice of San Mateo County. In the Philippines, SFBACG donated to the victims of Mount Pinatubo and Mayon Volcanes, St. Andrew Church in Camarines Sur, Mary Adorers of the Holy Eucharist in Sorsogon, House Without Stairs (Tahanang Walang Hagdan), Bantay Bata 163, Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Concepcion in Quezon City, St. Michael's Hospice (home for terminally ill patients), and Dr. Fe Del Mundo's Tuberculosis Treatment for Children Hospital. The group has performed at various benefit concerts in Reno, San Joaquin Valley, Las Vegas, Honolulu, and, in Mexico, a fundraiser for the Railroad Museum of Ajijic, Guadalajara. Aside from annual presentations of "Festival of Songs and Dances", the choral group sings at anniversaries, memorial services, weddings, town events, and carols at private homes during the Christmas season. Requests to perform at fundraisers for schools, churches, and socio-civic organizations are often accommodated. Philippine Independence Day, US Philippine Friendship Day and Daly City-Quezon City Sister City celebrations, in and around the Bay Area, are among the many events in which the group participates. The choir has performed during official gatherings organized by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. They were invited to sing at Davies Symphony Hall to welcome Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a visit to the Bay Area.
| | |
|
|