Staff and Instructors

Rogelle Zamora

Administrator

Rogelle Zamora (he/him/his) is an active musician, educator, and aspiring ethnomusicologist based in Southern California. As a second generation Filipino American, he is passionate about providing opportunities for members of the community to learn about the musical cultures and practices of the diverse peoples of the Philippines. 

Rogelle’s journey with Philippine music first began in 2018 when he met Bernard Ellorin, Ph. D., a leading expert and researcher of Philippine music. Inspired by his experiences playing violin with Mariachi Los Broncos, the premiere mariachi ensemble of California Polytechnic State University Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Rogelle developed a strong desire to learn about the musical practices of his own cultural heritage. Shortly after graduating with his B.A. in Music (Education Emphasis) from Cal Poly Pomona, he moved to San Diego in pursuit of this newfound passion by studying with Dr. Ellorin. In 2021, he received the Apprenticeship Program Award from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts in support of his pursuit to study Tagunggu' music (gong ensemble music unique to the cultures from the Sulu Archipelago, Philippines) with Dr. Ellorin. With this funding, he was also able to participate in the 2023 edition of Tribu Tur, a cultural immersion trip in the Philippines organized by KULARTS (Kulintang Arts Inc.), to supplement his studies with Dr. Ellorin.

Today, Rogelle serves as a board member and interim music director for the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts & Education Center in San Diego, performing regularly with their rondalla ensemble and also the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble. When opportunities arise, he also performs freelance work teaching private lessons and plays as a solo musician and ensemble member for weddings, anniversaries, and other special events. As an educator, he teaches students of all ages, serving as an instructional staff member and teaching artist with various school music programs and independent organizations across Southern California such as the Center for World Music, the Rancho Bernardo High School Royal Regiment, and Pulse Percussion Inc.

Outside of music, Rogelle enjoys exercising, playing video games, nerding out on all things related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and aspires to be a proud dog dad.

This is Rogelle’s fourth year with the Filipino Cultural School and is excited to help expand the organization’s reach and operations.

Jazlynn Pastor

Administrative Assistant

Jazlynn is a creative storyteller dedicated to serving her community through art and programming. Since graduating from the University of San Francisco in 2018, she has had the opportunity to create San Francisco Asian Art Museum’s first Open Mic “What About Us?”, Agos’ (formally known as the American Center of Philippine Arts) online youth program ACPA Konnect, and Project Home Art’s first global movement film festival HOMESCREEN. Jazlynn has also shared Philippine arts and culture around the world like in Colombia, Hawai’i, San Francisco Bay Area, and Philippines with Parangal Dance Company and Kularts Inc.

Her love for using art as connection strengthened when she completed her Certificate Program in Social Emotional Arts, Dance for All Facilitator Training, and Luna Dance’s Summer Institute. She has taken what she has learned into spaces like Girl Scouts of Northern California, pinaypages, and most recently UCLArts and Healing as their Programs Administrator.

Jazlynn's passions are rooted in her experiences as a Pilipina American, and her greatest inspirations come from her family and kasamas. She looks forward to creating opportunities for us to share our heritage through the Filipino Cultural School.

Jairus Ramos

Instructor (Filipino Language - Adult Level)

Born in Laguna, Philippines, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 6, Jairus grew up in Southeast Los Angeles in a Tagalog-speaking household. That was how he was able to retain his first language. However, it was not until transferring to California State University, Long Beach that he was able to take formal Filipino/Tagalog classes. At CSULB, he studied Filipino/Tagalog for four semesters, and also studied Filipino/Tagalog over a summer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI). Since 2019, Jairus has been a community teacher teaching Filipino/Tagalog in various communities around Los Angeles, and then online in the summer of 2020. Currently, he is studying to complete the teacher credential program at CSULB so he can teach Filipino/Tagalog in K-12. He believes in celebrating diversity, equity, and opportunities for youth and adults to learn Filipino language and culture.

Christian Singson

Instructor (Filipino Language - Elementary Level)

Christian currently works for Levi Strauss & Co. as a Global Collaborations Marketing Specialist. He graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a BA in Communication Studies, and a double minor in Education Studies and Asian American Studies. Throughout undergrad, he was highly involved in UCLA's Pilipino Student Organization and held various roles in spaces related to community advocacy, research, and education including a Community College Peer Advisor in a Pilipino higher education outreach program.

As a second-generation Filipino American, Christian grew up very in touch with his Filipino culture. He's also taught elementary school level Tagalog for over a year. As part of FCS, Christian volunteered for the Youth Summer Program in 2019 and 2023. He's looking forward to returning to teach the Online Language Program because he finds fulfillment in supporting his students towards empowerment through self learning and instilling appreciation for our rich Filipino heritage. 

Outside of work, Christian enjoys going to concerts, keeping active, and getting boba!