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Listen to more interviews from the SCPASA Summit

The Southern California Pilipino American Student Alliance (SCPASA) is an umbrella organization for Filipino American college student organizations in the Southern California region, which consist of over thirty active member groups. One of their signature events that SCPASA conducts is the So Cal Summit. A gathering of member organizations to discuss issues effecting their campus and community, as well as conducting workshops to promote educational and cultural empowerment. This year is the second annual So Cal Summit held at the University of California, Riverside, with the theme Multifaceted: Collegiate Filipino-Americans in Multi-Issue Organizing. The theme is about the many different issues that Filipino-American student leaders must face from personal, on campus, and the community at large.

Ed, Big Virg, and Julius of The Backroom Podcast Crew were present at the event to provide social media coverage for the second annual So Cal Summit. The team interviewed people from all aspects of the event; from the host group to the main organizers, as well as workshop participants and presenters.

SCPASA Summit Coverage

After opening on a chilly night outside on Ray Street for Sights and Sounds, XIV took a seat on The Backroom couch. XIV consists of three members: Nathan Sammuels, Kelly Horseman, and Tony Sandoval all who are native to San Diego. XIV started with Sammuels using different electronic sounds working with various styles (drum and bass, trip hop, down tempo, etc). Once Horseman's vocals were added to his instrumentals, Sammuels realized how much more he could do with his music. Sandoval, who already knew Horseman, completed their sound with bass. While still up and coming, they have been performing a lot while striving to keep the local art scene alive. They also discuss their thoughts on the event. For more information about XIV go to xivmusic.net for songs, photos, and upcoming shows. -Katalyst

Walk the Walk presents Sights and Sounds in North Park, San Diego. Amongst the talent and artists there that night was the playwright, Aaron Jafferis, and actor, Joey Auzenne, of a new musical called Kingdom that will take place Feb. 14-22 at the Old Globe Theatre. Jafferis and Auzenne join DueRight and DJ Intern Two and discuss where Jafferis got inspiration to write his play. Jafferis said that the two main characters of the show are inspired by two of his friends that became victims of street life. The hip-hop/rock musical tells a story of their friendships and how they change and develop as well as the people that are surrounded by them. In addition, Jaffaris also talks about his passion for theatre. Auzenne talks about how he landed his role in Kingdom as well as his character in the musical and shares his experience with The Backroom Crew. Although an opera major, he is also a lyricist. He even drops a flow during the interview. Download or listen to the audio to hear the interview in it's entirety. -Katalyst.

Kat speaks to Eugene and Lily of KAMP. The Kuya/Ate Mentorship Program inspired by a similar program in the bay area is meant to educate the Fil-Am youths about their heritage.

Our correspondent Kat speaks with Eileen about the goals of Gawad Kalinga. In English, gawad kalinga means "to give care." This organization shows how it cares by fighting poverty head-on in the Philippines.

Photos by: Nicolas Macario

Kat gets down and dirty searching for interviews in the throngs of people at FilAmFest. In this interview Marie Manalo, 26-year-old grad student, tells Kat her experience with FilAmFest 2008. She tells her the booths she visited and the enjoyment of the festival overall.

Photo by: Nicolas Macario

The Armory is well-known for working with MTV's America's Best Dance Crew [season 1]: Jabbawockeez. More recently, they have helped with the design and distribution of season 2's Super Crew. Now, Kat speaks to co-owner John Farin about the involvement of Armory with Fil-Ams and other people of various backgrounds across the world.

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY: Nicholas Macario

Listen in and meet one of the Backroom Podcast's favorite local bands as they record a session and interview live from the Pasacat Performing Arts Center in National City. Special thanks to the Pasacat director Anna Maria Cabato. To celebrate the ambience the podcast crew decorated the set with various elements of Filipino Culture. Listen to more of afterschoolspecial at www.myspace.com/afterschoolspecialband.

If you would like to be a member of our next session's audience. Register with us online and we will send you an email invite. Our next session recording will be in December. Thank you and continue to support local music.

After the Mid-Season hiatus, were back!!! But all is not well in Bunkzville, as a heated argument ignited by pride and jealously threaten to break the dynamic duo apart, watch as one apprentice get entice by the power of the dark side...Can Bunkz free himself and bring back Gonzo to the light side of the force!!!!!??? Check it out.

Lindsey Yung joins us for a Session at Kalasugan Wellness Center in National City. She brings the Backroom songs from her latest album Opal Essence. Big Virg and Ed bring Lindsey and bassist Jesse to the couch for some relaxing talk with the audience. Lindsey and Jesse explain their musical history and dream line-ups. Find out more about Lindsey and her music at www.lindseyyung.com.