Asia-Pacific
7th Fleet Band brings a bit of Americana to the Philippines
Stars and Stripes
September 21, 2011
The 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express performs during the ABS-CBN morning television show "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" Monday in Cebu City, Philippines. The band is visiting Cebu part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services in the Philippines. (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
The 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express performs during the ABS-CBN morning television show "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" Monday in Cebu City, Philippines. The band is visiting Cebu part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services in the Philippines. (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
The 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express is interviewed during the ABS-CBN morning television show "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" Monday in Cebu City, Philippines. The band is visiting Cebu part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services in the Philippines. (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
Musician 2nd Class Anthony Smouse of the 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express discusses technique Monday during a clinic at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. The band is visiting Cebu part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services in the Philippines. Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
Musician 3rd Class Christopher Kopp of the 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express performs a solo with help from the crowd Friday at the SM City Mall in Cebu City. The band is visiting Cebu as part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services in the Philippines. (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
Musician 1st Class Christopher Sams of the 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express sings with help from the audience during a performance at the SM City Mall in Cebu City. The band is visiting Cebu as part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services in the Philippines. (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
Musician 3rd Class Gabriel Brown of the 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express sings Michael Jackson's "Man and the Mirror," Friday at the SM City Mall in Cebu City. The band is visiting Cebu as part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services in the Philippines. (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel Brown of the 7th Fleet Band's Orient Express sings "Sweet Home Alabama," during a performance at the SM City Mall in Cebu City, Phillippines. The band is visiting Cebu as part of the U.S. Embassy's program "America In 3D" a program designed to share U.S. culture, values and services. (Zachary Buckwash/U.S. Navy)
SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — The 7th Fleet Band’s contemporary music ensemble Orient Express brought its act to Cebu, Philippines, as part of the U.S. Embassy’s initiative to highlight American culture and values.
The Embassy’s outreach program, “America in 3D,” is the brainchild of Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. and consists of everything from musical performances to public service projects, Embassy spokeswoman Tina Malone said Wednesday.
The Orient Express performed for thousands at the SM City Mall in Cebu City over the weekend. Earlier this week, its members visited children's clinics and appeared on local television.
“A personal initiative of Ambassador Thomas, this is one of the Embassy’s most significant and most comprehensive outreach initiatives,” Malone said in an email. “It takes the Embassy on the road throughout the Philippines two to three times each year to conduct several days of cultural performances, youth programs, community service projects, sports clinics, and information exhibits.”
Besides the performances by the Orient Express, events during the week included cooking demonstrations and a session on U.S. visas and applying to study in the U.S., Malone said. The crew of the USS Russell, in port over the weekend, participated in community service projects, sporting events, and interacted with the Filipino people, Malone said.
From staff reports