Sunday, July 12, 2026
2-4 pm
(mini-vendor market opens at 1:30 pm)
FREE
Join us for a joyful musical expression of Filipino American identity in two acts, from the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla of Boston. Act One is a concert version of Kalipay & Gamay: The Musical, with narration and songs from the full show. Act Two is Rondalla Mixtape, a celebration of traditional and popular music over 5 decades of this Philippine folk music tradition.
Kalipay & Gamay the Musical was first staged in 2024 in Boston, and expands upon the storyline of the beloved children’s book, Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik, written by Oakland-based author Christina Newhard and published by Sari-Sari Storybooks. It further explores the story’s themes of Filipino mythology and folklore, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), bullying and friendship, and finding joy in differences.
Rondalla Mixtape is an energetic performance of reimagined traditional songs, popular music medleys, and original compositions from the US and Philippines. It combines singing and dancing with instrumental music and features a unique feature of the IP Rondalla, choreography while playing.
Presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center in partnership with the Iskwelahang Pilipino and Sari-Sari Storybooks, with support from Sama-Sama Cooperative and Bindlestiff Studio.
This event is free to attend, but registration is requested at the link below.
About the Iskwelahang Pilipino and Iskwelahang Rondalla Ensemble
Founded in 1976, Iskwelahang Pilipino (IP) is a volunteer-run Filipino cultural school dedicated to strengthening Filipino American children, families and community. Our decades of service earned the 2006 Banaag Award from the Office of the President of the Philippines for contributions to the global Filipino community. Learn more at home.ipbahay.org.
The IP Rondalla Ensemble, established in 1986 under the tutelage of world-renowned Filipino virtuoso Michael Dadap, bridges generations through music by bringing together the fresh energy of young musicians with experienced mentor musicians who together perform Filipino folk, pop, and contemporary Fil-Am compositions. Over the years, the rondalla has been fortunate to perform for three Philippine Presidents, release two albums, share the stage with Filipino artists such as Rachel Alejandro, Jon Joven, Celeste Legaspi and Jim Paredes; and to be featured at the United Nations, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the U.S. Mission to NATO. Past tours have taken us to Canada, the Philippines, and Europe, proudly blending music, dance, and storytelling that reflect the richness of the Filipino American experience.
About Sari-Sari Storybooks
Sari-Sari Storybooks is an independent press based in Oakland, California, which publishes bilingual Filipino children’s books in Philippine mother tongues. These stories of kindness, courage, and magic celebrate the rich diversity of the Philippines with young readers in the motherland and diaspora. The press was founded by Christina Newhard in 2012, with the first three titles published in 2017: Melo the Umang-Boy, Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik, and Amina and the City of Flowers. Sandangaw followed in 2018, and most recently, Jalal and the Lake in 2023. These books are bilingual in Ivatan, Cebuano, Chavacano, Waray, and Meranaw, with a board book scheduled for release in 2026.
Since its founding, Sari-Sari Storybooks has reached thousands of readers with their quirky, beautiful, uniquely Filipino storytelling. Learn more at sarisaristorybooks.com.