Kababayan:

A Celebration of Filipino Identity

Kababayan is a livestream, multimedia event that celebrates the unity and diversity of Filipinos, and the complex connection to the Filipino identity through art and music. Kababayan is the Philippine word for “countrymen,” and appears in many languages of the Philippines. It is a word that connects all Filipinos, no matter where they are.

The medium of a virtual variety show gives us a unique opportunity to collaborate with our larger community of Filipino artists from across the world. Because of the popularity of the variety show format in the Philippines, it was a natural fit for this multimedia event. Kababayan will feature performances from singers, poets, comedians and more!

Kababayan is now available for on-demand streaming!

 
 
 

Megan Fletcher is a soprano and voice teacher based in Chicago. As an avid choral singer, she can be seen performing with the Grant Park Chorus, Chicago Symphony Chorus, and William Ferris Chorale. She is a company member at Chicago Fringe Opera, debuting in 2018 as Leonora in Paul Hindemith’s The Long Christmas Dinner. She has also been a regular featured soloist in Chicago Fringe Opera’s Sounds of Pride, and event showcasing LGBT+ composers and performers. As an advocate for social justice in the arts, Megan has appeared performing as a soloist and chorister with Hearing In Color, a Chicago arts organization seeking to highlight underrepresented music written and performed by people of color and other minorities.

Anna De Ocampo Kain is a freelance classical singer, music teacher, virtual music project editor, and Realtor based in Chicago, Illinois. In non-pandemic times, you can see Anna in Chicago singing as a chorister with the Grant Park Music Festival, St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church, The William Ferris Chorale, and as a soloist with Micro Opera Ensemble, The Marion Consort, and Hearing in Color. Anna has been staying busy during the pandemic with her two pups and typically a third foster dog. In October she launched an online shop full of vintage furniture and “stay at home-goods,” and frequently has a "Filipinos-only" selection of vintage pieces and art from the Motherland. You can find her at @quarantini.vintage.chi. Anna is also a moderator for the Subtle Filipino Traits Facebook group, and is grateful to the admin team and SFT group members for their contributions to Kababayan!

Amanda Noelle Neal is a Chicago-based multi-genre singer from Sacramento, CA. She started performing from an early age, in piano recitals, choirs, and Filipino dance/music theater groups. You can see her in the Chicagoland area and beyond with Forte Chicago, Club Asia, Doki Doki Beats, Hair Affair and Super Rad: Chicago’s Ska Tribute. Amanda studied vocal performance at Roosevelt University and Loyola University New Orleans. Follow her pup @landothehusky!