STAFF

Co-Founder, Assistant Artistic Director,
& Instructor - Jennifer Cruz Reyes

Jennifer has been singing and dancing since she was 3 but started performing Philippine Dance when she was 7. All throughout her school years, she performed at local Philippine Cultural nights and festivals in her hometown of San Diego, CA. In 1994, she joined PASACAT Asian Pacific Arts and performed for the company for many years as a musician, vocalist, and dancer. Jennifer's extensive knowledge and skills allowed her to teach dance classes for the PASACAT Junior Company as well as teach and choreograph for various schools and universities. In 2002, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and performed with Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble for several years. Her intense passion for Philippine History, Culture, & Arts has brought her here to the American Center of Philippine Arts organization where she hopes to inspire and educate young Filipino Americans about their roots and give them a sense of pride and identity.

Email: jennifer.reyes@philippinearts.org

Program Director & Instructor - William Nguyen

William W. Nguyen, is the Program Director and Instructor of the American Center of Philippine Arts. William's goal as Program Director is to enhance collaboration and educational opportunities for youth and adults alike through engaging, interactive, and experiential program development.

William's experience in the Pilipino dance community started in 2007 with Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble as a dancer. William trained under the direction of Jay Loyola. He later decided to join the American Center of Philippine Arts to further his passions in teaching the arts to youth. Though William's exposure to the world of Pilipino dance is short, he has a history invested in the performing arts throughout his years. His strengths reside in music, theater, public speaking, and theatrical interpretation. William has had over 10 years of experience with theater and music through various productions, competitions, and performances throughout Hawai'i and at Saint Mary's College Theater Program. William hopes to further ACPA's mission by sharing his knowledge in theater, music, and dance with youth and adults.

Email: will.nguyen@philippinearts.org

ACPA SEED Program manager, Dance Assistant,
& Costumes - Diana Tayag Lerma

Diana Tayag Lerma has been involved in Pilipino dance since she was 19. She was an original member of the Barangay Dance Company in San Francisco, a founding member of the Larawan Philippine Dance Company, and finally a performing member of the Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble. Her never-ending passion for Philippine culture and dance has led her to become part of American Center of Philippine Arts. She firmly believes in ACPA's mission in nurturing our community and ethnic identity, especially through our youth. The mother of two children - both of whom are part of ACPA's SEED (Students Enriched in Education and Development) Program - Diana hopes that by sharing her passion with the younger generation, they can connect more fully with their cultural history and hopefully, have a better understanding of what it means to be a Pilipino in America. Diana currently serves ACPA as a dance assistant and co-coordinator of costumes as well as the SEED Program coordinator. Email: diana.lerma@philippinearts.org

Dance Assistant & Music - Randy Miranda

Randy Miranda has been dancing for 22 years and playing the badurria for 17. At the age of 13, Randy saw the popular dance tinikling, being performed by PASACAT at St. Rita's Church's Filipino community “Simbang Gabi.” He was enamored by the dance and wanted to join. It was then PASACAT started their “junior” dance program.

In 1999, Randy moved up to the Bay Area to get his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at San Francisco State . He later joined PASACAT's sister company Likha, as a musician. In 2003, Randy was recruited to dance with Likha, but continued as a musician.

Fast forward to 2009, Randy is currently a dance assistant/musician with ACPA. Randy is also working his way up to become an amateur/grassroots race car driver and is happily married to Irene and are expecting their first child! Email: randy.miranda@philippinearts.org

Dance Assistant, SEED Program Coordinator,
& Costumes - Mar Honrada

Maria Valentin Honrada began her exploration in Philippine culture during her college years at San Francisco State where she became an active member of the Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor organization. It was there that she discovered her passion for her culture especially in the art of Pilipino dance. In 1992, Maria was a founding member of Likha-Pilipino Folk Ensemble. She took several years off from dancing to raise her family but came back to perform and tour with Likha. As a mother of four children, she stands firmly behind the Mission and Vision of ACPA and believes in learning, sharing, and teaching the many aspects of our culture to our own children and to the communities at large. Email: mar.honrada@philippinearts.org

Dance Assistant, Marketing Media,
& PCN Program Coordination - Camille Sibucao

Camille Sibucao has been immersed in the Bay Area folk dance community for 5 years. She got her start dancing with LIKHA Pilipino Folk Dance Ensemble and further delved into the art by joining ACPA as a teacher and performer, specializing in teaching collegiate youth through their PCNs (Pilipino Cultural Nights). Camille strives to bring Filipino folk dance and arts to the masses through community outreach and education. Email: camille.sibucao@philippinearts.org

Music Manager & Rondalla Instructor - Nick Obando

Nick Obando's path to music came at a very young age when discovering a saxophone in his father's closet. He continued to study multiple genres from symphonic to jazz all the way through college where he majored in Music at Cal State San Marcos. Returning to the Bay Area he became an educator. In addition to teaching privately, Obando is also currently a middle school music teacher at a local private school in Oakland. He develops himself as a musician through the medium of improvisation where he performs around the bay area with an experimental jazz group Mutual Aid Project, a politically conscious band. His involvement in the Philippine arts began by studying bandurria through ACPA. Obando fell in love with the music and dance of the Philippines. He also felt a more complete self in learning about his cultural background by way of the arts. Email: nick@philippinearts.org

Stage, Props, and Audio Lead - Ron Honrada

Ron Honrada has always had interest in the many aspects of our culture. He was introduced to the world of folk dancing through his wife's involvement with the community and dance companies. His biggest passions are his four children, which three are members of ACPA's Seed Program. As his children's number one supporter, he has also become an asset to ACPA as their Stage, Props, and Audio Lead.

Webmaster and Photographer - Chris Lerma

Chris Lerma was first introduced to Philippine folk dance with Larawan back in 1993 where he met and married his wife Diana. Since then he always had interest in Filipino folk dancing. Chris has been working for Hewlett-Packard for over 10+ years as Sr. Application Engineer III specializing in SAP. His passion is in web design and photography; this is where he can add value to ACPA. Additionally, he is working on the side expanding his photography business. For samples of his work, visit www.ChrisLerma.com . Email: webmaster@philippinearts.org