FESTICANTO Festival Latino de Canto, Latin Singing Competition scam, video selling worth nothing, never delievered, fraudalent competition. Chicago, Illinois

Tiene muchos TESTAFERROS-

Translation: 

It has many TESTAFERROS-

Scammmers-Hana-Yana

Victor Ramirez Alias Victor Soberanis

Victor Soberanis Alias Victor Ramirez

Victor Soberanis Alias Victor Ramirez

Victor Soberanis alias Victor Ramirez

You always tell me that you don't have money, obviously I've never believed in you Victor Soberanis, corrupt people like you lie a lot.

Who is using my parents'names to sell properties? Victor Soberanis(Construction) and his mistress (Real Estate)?

What else will they put in the food-witchcraft-Brujeria? Victor Soberanis has a lot of experience in withcraft-brujeria, and her lover too, also his family told us too, or his whole family is a liar too.

Victor Soberanis and his Lover-Mistress-Your reputation has been damaged by you since you scammed so many people- since 2004?  2010?

And to think that the whole family sat down to eat with this evil-the lover-mistress of Victor Soberanis. Perhaps many do not remember Victor Soberanis'lover a long time ago, but thanks to the videos we can see that  this EVIL-lady-LOVER enjoyed a lot of money from all my family.   

Victor Soberanis's mistress needs a lie detector- Both need a lie detector-The Lover and Victor Soberanis.

Always carrying the lover, wife and children-Illinois to Florida/Florida to Illinois/Florida 

It is seen that you have lived better than my parents since 2005 -Big LIAR- Department sold January 2019? soon more info

That you know that you have benefited (That you also open business ?)from the money that Victor stole from my brother, sister, (me too even if you don't like it and accept) and my parents. And his family from Victor know it too, you using Victor's children to manipulate me will not work at all, maybe you manipulated and scared a lot of people in 2010 etc... BUT NOT ME, My mom is still waiting for Victor's call, thank you for all the information you sent me, more evidence for my family to see that you two are liars and that others you and Victor are manipulated with money so that they are on your side and Victor.  

Victor Manuel Soberanis, BIG LIAR You told me you've never bought apartments and you never have money to pay to my family, YOU ARE A BIG LIAR.

Victor M Soberanis who abandoned his eldest daughter en Mexico, that he did not pay child support, destroy families, scamming them, has multiple ghost businesses and his lover too.

06/07/2010-Phantom Businesses-Las Americas Production Inc. 613 Cutters Mill LN, Schaumburg, IL 60194

2013-Hot Pechugas - 31 N Broadway St, Aurora, IL 60505 - So you told me, that I was not going to find anything in your name Victor M Soberanis? Mr, Liar-Mr Phantom businesses- Mr THIEF

Sobera Studios - 111 N Plaza Drive Suite 510, Schaumburg, IL 60173

How many more hidden businesses does Victor M Soberanis have and has had.

and how many businesses has his lover - Real Estate? They share the stolen money

Violation-Theft

http://latinalista.com/general/is_talent_competition_a_false_american_i

Too many bussines , so in 2012 don't have money to pay what he steals? Unfortunately Victor M Soberanis will not let people know that he borrows from others  $$$$$$$ that he owes more than a million dollars or maybe more? And that he pays when he wants and the amount he wants, and if you ask to Victor M Soberanis to pay you and he doesn't like the way you ask, he gets angry and his lover more, and he blocks your phone number. He knows how to convince people to borrow money and without having to sign any document and no lawyers and he also knows how to steal from the government without the dovernment find out.

http://fiestadelmarrestaurante.com/

2019 Fiesta del mar restaurant 190 N Barrington rd Streamwood, IL 60107

http://latinalista.com/?s=victor+soberanis+festicanto

Victor M Soberanis is a professional thief and his lover helps him to cover it His lover takes upon herself to scare debtors and it worked for Victor M Soberanis for many years.

https://www.scam.com/showthread.php?125189-Festicanto&fbclid=IwAR2NEFUZgougVa2iknShOGm-LDu9I1oJ8KUDWXxa7A62r45dNuVjY54OaY4

More Victims Of the Pure Devil Victor M Soberanis, Long List, and his lover is his accomplice, both have a lot experience stealing money from people, both are PURE DEVIL.

So, it has already been 2 months and the rip off continues but thankfully to a lesser level thanks to all the posting in various site over the internet.

So I decided to re-visit the website of this scam and no my surprise (NO REALLY) no sponsors of any kind for this event, so here are the questions again for Victor and now the so-called "new investors":

1- WHERE ARE THE GREAT SPONSORS THAT ROM (under "your worst nightmare") SAID THEY WERE JUST WAITING TO SIGN THE PAPERS?

2- WHERE ARE THE HIGH-END RECORDS COMPANIES THAT WERE READY TO SIGN SINGERS?

3- WHERE ARE THE TELEVISON STATIONS THAT WERE READY TO NATIONALLY TELEVISE THIS EVENT?

4- WHERE ARE THE RULES FOR THIS EVENT?

Just FYI, you have 6 months to come out with all that and also the $100K that you promise in your website, when are you going to make it publis as to the locations for the upcoming cities?

Any answers???

As you can see now in their website, they have changed from 10 people to be selected in the website through votes from "fans" to 2.

It is clear that our postings made them realize how STUPID was their original idea was to have to select 250 people like if anyone really had the time to sitdown and listen and preview 250 videos.

http://www.festicanto.com/videos.html

Although now the new rule is worst, they claim in the page that some cities will be judge from June:

JUNIO 2010: San Diego, San Francisco-Sacramento, San Antonio-McAllen, Phoenix-Tucson, Albuquerque-El Paso y Dallas-Austin and the rest in November:

NOVIEMBRE: Los Angeles- Miami, Boston- New York, Atlanta- Charlotte, Denver-Las Vegas, Tampa-Orlando, Washington-Philadelphia-Puerto Rico.

So let me see if I got this clear: People in SD, SF, Sacramento, etc. will have the opportinity to be in your site getting votes for 6 months and people in Puerto Rico for example, will only have a few days to receive votes hence the "grand-finale" is in November? WOW, what an execution.

WHAT IS WORST IS THAT NOW THEY CLAIM THAT THE PARTICIPANTS FROM CHICAGO AND HOUSTON can send their OWN videos since -according to their site - there was no promotion or production of videos in such cities. LMFAO

Translation: We screwed up and after all the complains we got since some people started exposing our secrets (scams) we give you guys the chance to bring your own video. ha ha ha ha!

Oh Mr. Soberanis, you continue making things worst for you.

My Name is Art Hidalgo, I am a professional Producer and Business Consultant specializing in obtaining high-end clients to companies for Sponsorship, I am also an event producer concentrating exclusively in upscale and high-end production.

I have read over the internet the sentiment and comments about the company herewith in question and I do have comments and facts to express on this matter based on my right under the freedom of Speech acts but overall because my name has been used directly or indirectly in some posting from the media and also from Festicanto trying to pass as loving fans attacking my integrity and reputation.

However, contrary to what other people have chosen to do such as hiding under a mantle of anonymity I am posting my name and also my personal email address along with my telephone number if anyone desires to contact me.

I have in fact worked for this company as an independent consultant. I was never an employee of Festicanto.

My functions and responsibilities were to offer high-end and upscale companies sponsorship opportunities for this event. The length of my services provided to Festicanto was exactly 1 month an one week. Unfortunately, it didn'tt take me a long time to understand the structure in which this company was built on.

To my surprise, the CEO had no experience in the production of events. No financial or accounting configuration meaning no budgets for any of the events planned ahead.

It is true that the locations are secured only a few days (4 to 5) prior to the events announced date and nobody from the company has ever stepped into any of the locations prior to the "auditions".

Therefore, the planning of the event takes effect a day before the actual event, hence the disorganization participants and family members have noted in other postings. These venues are for the most part acquired free of charge and only as a trade of services. (e.g. Restaurants that need to attract clients).

It was impossible for me to perform my job due to the lack of the basis office elements of a company - (start-up or established) - such as laser printers, office fax machines, USPS meter, professional telephone system, computer network, etc.

The only reason for this lack of important office essentials was the lack of seed financial capital. Under a close analysis of the Festicanto Media Kit I understood the reason why this company was not able to obtain any sponsors prior to my arrival - Simple: Absolutely no professional guidelines were followed to prepare this information.

My program implemented in my short period of time, started obtaining results from high-end companies. However, these companies declined immediately as soon as they saw the "production" of prior events.

In addition, my points of views and visions towards this event were 100% opposite to what the CEO had in mind. I assumed my services were hired to bring this event to a higher level, but it was obvious that the producer had in mind a low-class event, with low-budget and no-skill production. I was looking for 6k figure sponsorship and in his own words: I am looking for cents or whatever people want to give us 

In recent articles through the media, the CEO stated that I was fired from this event. It is important to make it clear that I walked away from this position. My decision to leave the company was basically because we ran into embarrassing moments with declined credit cards (in this case debit cards), the seed capital to survive was non-existent.

To date (February 25, 2010) I am waiting to be reimbursed for my work and expenses incurred in my trip to San Francisco and yes IT IS TRUE, that I have sued this company in order to be reimbursed for those expenses.

In my professional opinion: A company with no financial expending capital, no production experience and lack of staff will hardly ever make it in the arena of production. I find it almost impossible to achieve the funding of over $180K that this company needs to honor the prizes (100K) and the production of the finals in Chicago which tentatively will cost 50K and the remaining tour of another 20 cities (30K)

This is an open statement to clarify the allegations and anonymous comments. These are facts and not assumptions. These are my personal and professional opinions I acquired in my short time with Festicanto.

Thank you

Art Hidalgo

hmatt_solo@yahoo.com and 312.285.6600

-----------------------------------

UPDATE: Today February 25, 2010, I received an anonymous threat via email under the name of "Esteban Lopez" estebanmusiclive@yahoo.com stating that if I didnt stop these posting he was going to affect my reputation and start posting bad notes against me and also that I was going to regret it".

The threats do not scare anyone, I am aware that some other ex-employees have received the same email with the same threats. As mentioned in the twitter account about this event. It is great that someone has finally brought this up to the Attorney's General Office and that more signatures are been collected to be send as a second request.

February 25, 20102- Many of us joined in this campaign to stop these skimmers, started receiving "TREATS" from what is obvious to be from Victor Soberanis team (Rom) via email and telephone number via "block/private" phone calls.

The group who has started this campaign and also decided to present a letter to the Attorney General Lisa Madigan on February 25, started receiving anonymous phone calls and email with treats at late hours of the night, about consequences to our families and our person if "we didn't stop this"....

Pictures will be posted of these emails exposing the IP Addresses of these people and hopefully, we will be able to prove where these emails are coming from. Stay tuned and please if you have been treated by this people of any emails from a so called "new investor of Festicatno named Esteban"... please email us or call us asap.

Do not be intimidated. These people are desperate and as soon as they heard of our letter sent to the Attorney's General Office, they got terrified and started their treats.

The title says is all and for that reason I have decided to spend a little bit of my time in this discussion that seems not to end. Right now in my opinion, Festicanto is losing the battle real bad.

But for here are some samples of what you can expect if you participate in this fiasco:

HOUSTON, TX (Check the venue, the production or better yet - lack of it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXeqamJM2NQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgBOPKGy-ag

Important Notice: I do not know who the people in these videos are. I am just trying to show you the quality of the video and also the "poor" staging process Festicanto uses. A vinyl (plastic) banner for $35.00 is not production. Just check the stage - WHAT A SAD SAD SAD SITUATION

SAN DIEGO, CA (Check the venue, the production or better yet - lack of it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8T3aPe8ACE

http://www.youtube.com/user/Marcela0003#p/a/u/1/RTRUkIp8Dzo

Look behind the girl singing in this video, sweaters, debris, boxes, etc. Is this really for real? Yes, THIS WAS THE STAGE WHERE PARTICIPANTS AUDITIONED at the Old Town Mexican Cafe. You will think that after 2 events they had, they would improve their staging and production techniques, but to Victor Soberanis, "this was a great event"

You can verify that this is actually a participant from San Diego by going to Festicanto's website and check the "finalists" pictures. (Maricela )

"Festicanto is cool Ur Worst Nightmare = (aka Victor Soberanis posting in here) I checked out their new videos. They are awesome !! $95?? mannn.. these videos are worth at least $800 each. Great HD quality. Awesome team, I got to know new very important - LIKE WHOM? MENTION ONE YOU COWARD - people and opening my doors to the future. It's so cool that negative comments like this make a person just do it and go for it."

It is clear that the posting above was posted by Festicanto. The samples below will only show you the mentality that these people have because they truly believe that by adding amateur graphics to their videos, it will be make them worth "$800 and "Great HD quality"

What confuses me a lot is that they posted this in youtube.com but not in their website. These are the videos from their latest fiasco in San Francisco:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwQivMWxEpY&feature=PlayList&p=19EA306201F37789&index=2

AT THE TIME I WAS TYPING THIS POSTING, IT MADE ME WONDER THIS:

1- WHY SOME PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO SANG 2 SONGS (Like Maricela) AND OTHERS ONLY 1. I EMAILED MARICELA AND THE ANSWER WAS: "I HAD TO PAY 2 TIMES" CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT RIDICULOUS TECHNIQUE?

2- WHY ALL PARTICIPANTS IN SAN FRANCISCO WERE NOT GIVEN THE CHANCE TO USE A TRACK (PISTA) TO PERFORM JUST LIKE THEY DID IN CHICAGO, SAN DIEGO AND HOUSTON? ISN'T THAT AGAINST THEM vs THE PAST 3 CITIES THAT WERE ABLE TO AUDITION WITH MUSIC TRACKS?

INCONSISTENCIES ALL OVER THE PLACE. MAKE UP YOUR MIND MR. SOBERANIS, SITDOWN AND WRITE SOME RULES, PLANS, TECHNIQUES OR DO SOMETHING BEFORE YOU END UP IN PRISON.

I can wait to see and hear what Festicanto has to say about these questions.

As to declining that Victor never said or compared this event to the Spanish version of American idol... Well check the picture attached: A picture is worth a thousand words

CONGRATULATIONS TO LA PRENSA San Antonio newspaper for their digilent investigation and commitment to the Hispanic Community, to read the article click the link below:

http://www.laprensasa.com/2.0/4/301/592792/San-Antonio/Is-talent-competition-a-false-American-Idol.html

My respond and comments to Soberanis statements:

"....Nevertheless, the show will go on, according to Festicanto CEO Victor Soberanis, although he would not disclose the new location of the event, citing fear that the venue would again cancel due to complaints of ex-employee Hector Hildalgo..."

If you have nothing to hide and in fact you have put "years into this event" and if in fact you have years of experience as an executive producer, then you should know what are the procedures to solve this issue. Have you ever heard the words: "DAMAGE CONTROL"?

...These winners will then compete for $100,000 in cash and prizes during a nationally televised event, according to Soberanis, who was also unwilling to disclose more information, such as place and exact time, regarding the final competition....

We will quote you on that Mr. Soberanis. Just FYI, it takes about 8 to 14 months to schedule a show on TV, so if you have in fact started negotiations to have this event televised, then make it public as to what channel network will take upon this event. Or are you thinking your "compadres" at illinois latino tv are the "national network that will televise this event?

As to be "unwilling to disclose more information" that is easy. It doesnt take a genious to figure out that these people have no location secured for this event because they dont even know where they will be next in the cities announced in their webiste, otherwise they would had made it public.

Everybody makes changes, said Soberanis. Were trying to improve. Any professional event is planned in advanced to avoid suspicious comments and look unprofessional just in the way you have looked since the beggining of this event. Dont try to improve, just RETURN THE MONEY YOU TOOK FROM INNOCENTS HOPEFUL ASPITING SINGERS AND do something else with your life. Event production is not as easy as you thought it was.

Were just giving the opportunity to people, said Soberanis. Unfortunately everything cost a lot of money. SPONSORS ARE SECURED BEFORE ANY EVENT TAKES PLACE. Mr. Soberanis learn this business before you continue trying to be a "producer"

Soberanis dismissed these claims, saying that there will always be complaints about how the audition is set up and about voting. In fact, Soberanis blamed the majority of the negative publicity on Hildalgo, whom he said he fired for making fun of the performers. You are right for once, there will always be complains but when an event carries 83% of complains from participants, it should just tell you what a joke your event is. Here you can clearly see the "production" of the event in San Diego, you kept us like "Sardines in a can" - 0% production, organization or planning.

TO THIS DATE, MOST PARTICIPANTS ARE WAITING FROM YOU TO RESPOND TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS ABOVE. YOU POSTED IN HERE UNDER "your worst nightmare" SO YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS POSTING, BE A MAN, AND REPLY TO THE QUESTIONS ABOVE.

Yo do not need to go any further to realize that this so called singing competition is a joke.

It is clear that some very wrong is happening with this company when we all have seen that the logos of companies get posted and then removed within a couple of days.

This plactice clearly reflects a lack of understanding of how sponsorship works. It not only shows how desesperate this company is to pretend that they actually have any sponsors but also shows the lack of profesionalism in their business tactics.

I have followed these changes so it is not a made up statement made by others. IT IS A FACT THAT WITHIN THE PAST MONTH, festicanto has placed and then removed 7 or more logos of companies that either were not affilated with them or had some business to do with them but realized about the reputation of this company and the way teh "produce" this event and them requested to have their logo removed from festicanto's website.

The sad part is that in fact, they really believe that the last event in San Francisco was a great success. You can see it from the video that this event has no future what so ever. It is just a "thing" where it doesnt matter how you sing, you are "in"... that of course as along as you can pay your $95.00 dollars.

WOW To be a "fan" of Festicanto, you DO know a lot of information. LMAO!

It was not a scam, just that I got very upset when they fired me.

Now they are doing great job and you can see it on their website.  Great improvement, thank you guys

This is how you are supposed to do things ....  congratulations

Ok, now I can go to my boyfriends house and chill with him all night

So long boys

I checked out their new videos. They are awesome !!  $95?? mannn.. these videos are worth at least $800 each.  Great HD quality.

Awesome team, I got to know new very important people and opening my doors to the future.  It's so cool that negative comments like this make a person just do it and go for it. 

I am very excited for Festicanto and wish you the best.  I hope your big advertisers finish signing the big money papers so this guy who is bothering you just sits and cries all day long lol

Regarding this poor baster writing negatively here, he's not even getting paid now lol

Hey poor b*****d.... I like your entertainment !  You should be making a nice science fiction movie or something like that and stop smoking that green stuff please. It's not good for you.

You were fired for lack of professionalism and making fun or Mexican music and we'll see what your Mexican friends have to say about this once they find out

Well, it is hard nowadays to really know what are the names of the real - so called sponsors- this company had, the FAKE ones they created and the ones that are even legit used by them.

The true to the fact is that you dont need permission from those companies to use their name, it is public information so here are a few that I can recall:

Latin Successful Woman, La Prensa, Primor Casa, Power Media Group ,NYX Make up.

At the same time, I learned about another group joing forces in Houston, due to the same situation nothing delivered of what it was promised.

So the "producers" thought that they could outsmart some of the contestants for this event in San Francisco by giving them a "hand written" (LOL) signs as ID numbers for participation. Somebody asked why the number started at 700 and a long pause and silence filled the room.

It was obvious that they tried to portrait a large number of contestants by skipping 1 to 699. Just another deceitful strategy from Victor, Diana and Rom.

This wasn't an AUDITION (or "shouuw" as Victor calls it) this was a joke, a fiasco, 3 people trying to handle this "audition" was not enough. Too much disorganization, unprofessional DJ, no coordination of any kind but what its worst, was to see 80% of my own people being rip-off cause they do not have any ideas of the "behind the scenes" of this scam.

Most of the participants that attended this event learned about it through posters on the streets of Mission, so it is obvious that these people have no access to a computer or the Internet and unfortunately they all had to pay $95.00 for a video that they maybe see but all thanks to this campaign against festicanto that seems to be awaking the producers by doing what they suppose to be doing from the beginning.

Spread the word people, call friends, relative or use the Internet to make people aware of the inconsistencies of festicanto.

January 27, 2010

As of today, 4 "sponsors" requested to the producers of this event to remove their logo and company information which was ILLEGALLY used by Festicanto.

Because we do not have the legal permission of authorization of these companies we cannot put their names in this report, but for all of you who have followed this report, you have noticed that from 13 "sponsors", the site shows now 9 supposed sponsors.

PLEASE NOTE that media (such as news papers) do not sponsors event. We have called the newspapers listed in Festicanto's website and they do not accepted any kind of coverage of sponsorship. They just provided a "discounted advertisement rate" for them. They were not aware that their logo has been used in the "sponsors" section of Festicanto's website.

Also, as of FEBRUARY 3, 2010; NO RULES, POLICIES OR GUIDELINES to participate in this event have been posted or made public. No venue locations are listed in the cities where Festicanto will tour. This is just a lack of capital to book the locations in advance and it is only the intention of the producers to look for venues that they can get for free regardless of the conditions of the participants as it happened in San Diego.

These are some of the email we have received after we initiated this campaign to get our money back:

"Thank you thank you thank you for doing this, I want to join you guys in any lawsuit you might initiate, these people deserve to be put in jail for defrauding so many hispanics, where do I sign, lol" Arturo "El Varon"

"I worked there for one week and after I noticed all the scam that victor was running, I decided to leave, im glas someone is finally unveliling this terrible scam to hispanic" Giovanna M

"Festicanto ruined my dreams of ever been a singer, I felt like a clown in front of people and the worst stage I ever stepped on" Felipe S

"My name is Carolina and I am willing to be a witness for you guys if you decide to take this to court, I have many concrete facts I saw and obtained after working there for a few days, thanks God I didn't sign any Confidential Agreement with them" Carolina

"I worked for this company for a month and I can vouche to all and everyone of the comments made by you" I worked as an Independent Consultant and I was smart not to sign any documents with them becuase I had the feeling that Victor Soberanis wasn't very legit and I was right, he requested me to get money for the company as soon as possible. I stated that I was someone who concentrated in high-end sponsors with "dollars" and not people or companies with "cents". He told me to get "whatever" and stated "Who do you think is going to pay for your costs" After that I told him the conversation was over" Most defintely, this company is facing a huge financial strugle and I guess only time will tell if they can pull this through.

I doubt it that a company with good reputation or good financial aid will ever be interested in this event. In my opinion this is a "done deal", it is over and people must try to get their money back" Art H.

January 30, 2010

San Francisco CA

After receiving a few emails in regards to this matter, I decided to do my own investigation about this event and I attended the auditions today here in San Francisco.

First of all, I don't understand why this company would tell you over the phone that the auditions are going to be at one place (Mission Cultural Center) and then within less than 24 hours, they will call you and tell you the new place is 600 Airport blvd.

As mentioned in the complains all over the Internet, I was a witness of such ripoff, I saw it with my own eyes, young hopeful aspirants paying cash to get into this audition, I asked one of them if he knew anything about the "scam" people are talking about over the Internet and he said he learned about it through a poster in a store.

Once inside the venue, I was surprised to see that there was no production what so ever, no lighting, no professional audio or video equipment. With the exception of chairs and a table for the "judges" that was all.

I dared to talk to one of the "producers" Roman, (I believe that was his name) and also Victor. Simply as this, for someone who call themselves "executive producers" they definely don't know what fashion or style is. Their suits were way to big for them, even if if they are both overweight people, the sleeves were halfway down their hands, the dress shirt sleeves were folded in and it was just a joke the way they looked, in my very personal opinion the way these men were dressed just told me everything about their characters.

I think that is simply a representation of 2 Mexican guys that dare to tell me that people are taking Festicanto as the Latin version of American Idol.

Please sirs, for your information, the real Latin American Idol, is an event produced with millions of dollars and the highest standards in production, your company is not ever near a real production. So, please DO NOT tell people this event is being compared with the American idol event just in Spanish. This is the real event for the Latin American Idol: http://www.myspace.com/latinamericanidol

I am a very intuitive person and for the couple of hours and with my few months of journalism student I can tell you without hesitation that this event is lacking of the elements of a professional, well-planned and executed event.

There is absolutely NOTHING I can describe that can point at this been something worth your while. My advice, if you have the potential to sing, be patient and wait until the real event come to your city.

As to victor and roman, gentleman, come down of your worses and get a life. I wouldn't never in a thousand years, would be interested in going to "have a drink at the bar"....

 . On January 14, 2010, unfortunately, we had to let go a fellow employee whose failure to fulfill his job duties were negatively affecting Festicanto.

We had the opportunity to talk to this employee that in fact was an independent contractor and he was never an employee of yours. He worked there for a month and according to his statement, 2 weeks out of the month, he was traveling, you expected him to produce sponsors in 2 weeks and bring money to your company, obviously you do not understand how sponsorship works but that is not a surprise considering that there are not real sponsors for this event.

Since his termination, the disgruntled ex-employee has conducted himself unprofessionally by spreading defamatory information.

What exactly is defamatory??? All statements made in different websites, are correct and verified, here are the facts and we DARE YOU to decline ANY OF ALL OF THEM:

1- Festicanto charged people $20.00 dollars at the entrance here in Chicago to see participants audition that is a rip-off!!!

2- One of your old websites, takes you to festicantos current website, so you in fact had businesses that failed. Do you decline you had a magazine, school and modeling agency? Because is an easy as doing a search in the whois.com website to see your name and address in there.

3- Participants are not able to participate unless they purchased the video demo from you, that is called forced sale otherwise their participation is not official, correct?

4- During 2009 and 2010 festicanto has been sued and served by the cook county sheriff at least 3 times (anyone can make use of the right to public records information) because as the previous receptionist I was the one that signed for the summons at least 2 times.

5- Dozens of people in Chicago, Houston and San Diego are waiting for their video demo that you have not been able to deliver and you promised in 2 weeks.

6- There are not sponsors for your event. It was until 3 days ago that you had your web designers ad about 12 logos from companies that never had any association with festicanto and a day later you were forced by their legal team to remove their logo, so now you have like 7 logos. Media dont pay for anything so they are not sponsors

7- Where is the money for the prizes you promote in your website? A company that dares to tell people about $100,000 in prizes, it better have at least 60% of that money as a seed capital and contingency, there 2 ex-employees still waiting for you to pay them for their work.

8- To this date January 27, 2010, exactly in the way they describe the pre-audition is the way is conducted over the phone. Same words, same instructions

9- Where are the rules of participation? Wasnt your contract we have to sign copied and paste from another similar event?

10- Why did you change the age limit from 45 to 99 and then over 9 years old?

11- Why your company cannot make it clear as to the locations of the auditions in each city with at least 3 weeks in advance?

12- Pictures of participants started emerging only until this situation started happening, how come?

13- Isnt it true that the maximum number of employees your company has had are only 3 at one time? Is it true that people leave the company within a week, like Carolina, Giovanna, Martha because when they complained to you as to the bad reputation the company had they were reprehended and in some occasions humiliated with obscene words?

SO PLEASE DECLINE ANY OR ONE OF THESE STATEMENTS PLEASE MR. SOBERANIS, DECLINE ANY OF THEM!!! BETTER YET, PLEASE EXPLAIN AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOVE.

... and attempting to slander the good name and years of hard work we have put into creating a reputation of honesty and integrity for Festicanto and its producer and CEO, Victor Soberanis.

YEARS??? How many years exactly did you put in this event, it opened in September 09 and its lacking many and many of the most relevant elements to become a success event, one OF THEM MONEY AND sponsors, not to mention organization, production. So in years of hard work you were not able to get any sponsors? Real sponsors!!!???

 ....Words cannot express how truly sorry we are for any frustration, dissatisfaction, or inconvenience that this has caused. This is especially saddening because Festicanto was founded on the principles of helping others.

---Really??? Helping others by taking their hard earned money? Its that what you call helping??? Its helping lying to people? WHO ARE THE RECORD LABELS YOU TELL HOPEFUL ASPIRANTS? CAN YOU MENTION AT LEAST ONE? Couldnt had you getting sponsors to pay for the videos instead of having participants pay for them? Why cant someone participate in the festival and just give you their own video for your company to have in the website? Is it true that the only money coming to you is from the innocent people that fall for this scam?

...Our festival was born from the idea of bringing together many artists in the U.S. and to give people the support and opportunity to realize their dream. Additionally, we are a tight-knit family... --

FAMILY? IS THAT HOW IS IT CALLED nowadays?... TO DATE your receptionists, WHEN IN FACT THERE ARE MARRIAGES INVOLVED IN BOTH PARTIES? YES, I GUESS THAT IS A REAL TIGHT-KNIT FAMILY (aka infidelity)--

....and to have one of our own produce such horrible libel against our company in this manner is deeply saddening and hurtful. We are committed to you, our valued participants and fans, and are taking immediate corrective action and steps to regain your confidence in us...

Does that mean you will reimburse everyones money and still have the festival? I am not asking for the $100 dollars my mother had to pay to get in with my family but just my $65.00 for the video I never received?-

....Festicanto has hired legal counsel, -Does that mean that finally we will have some rules, policies and guidelines for this event?--

....for more information or questions regarding this issue, do not hesitate to contact us or our attorney. -- Please provide name and contact information. No records in Cook Country show ever Festicanto serving anyone in the past years for summons of any kind, so this employee of you that was served who was he served?--

...We are confident, as a result of these actions, that Festicanto will emerge as a more reliable, reputable, and responsible festival for the people, and be even more customer responsive than ever before. You deserve better from us -

We deserved better from the beginning and not now when someone had the courage to unveil the ups and downs of this event- ...and nothing is more important than regaining your trust and all of us here hope you will give us the opportunity to prove our integrity, honesty, and virtue.

The words in your letter are moving and real touching Mr. Soberanis. But after all, WORDS ARE EASY TO SAY. BE A MAN, AND PLEASE REIMBURSE OUR MONEY!!

On January 26th, I called Festicanto to inquire about their services. I talked to Jessica and she indicated that they were having an event at the "Mission Cultural Center",  at San Francisco, CA this upcoming Sat, January 30th, from Noon til 6pm. Great I told her, "I'll call my buddy and let him know about it, since he lives there, and maybe after this weekend, depending on his experience, I'll make a decision on whether or not I should pay $95 to register in my home state.

So, I called "Mission Cultural Center", to confirm the Event and time schedule. Apparently, aside from a 5pm "Gala Exhibition", no reservations or bookings were made by Festicanto or it's affiliates. 

So there you have it folks. Don't take my word for it. Do your homework. Check out the following websites and tell me if you see anything listed to the contrary.

Please click on the link below or call (415) 643-2796:

http://www.missionculturalcenter.org/MCCLA_New/events.html

But wait. It gets better. On the web link below, they have a different location posted for the same time and day. This one is at the "Hilton @ San Francisco Airport" location. (talk about process of elimination).

http://www.infobayarea.com/infocalendar/arts_entertainment/index.html

Go figure!!!!!

Shame on the very vindictive ex-employee who has nothing better to do than to harass Festicanto. I'm glad they decided to take legal action against him.  He has even been served with a "Cease and Desist" notice! I have full confidence in Festicanto to resolve this issue. I'm a previous participant and I called their offices and was pleasantly greeted and reassured.  Please read below:

January 26, 2010 

Dear Festicanto Participants:

     We are sorry and embarrassed. But most all, we are deeply sorry.  There have been some recent developments within the last few weeks regarding an incident that occurred at Festicanto with a previous employee. 

On January 14, 2010, unfortunately, we had to let go a fellow employee whose failure to fulfill his job duties were negatively affecting Festicanto.  Since his termination, the disgruntled ex-employee has conducted himself unprofessionally by spreading defamatory information and attempting to slander the good name and years of hard work we have put into creating a reputation of honesty and integrity for Festicanto and its producer and CEO, Victor Soberanis.

Words cannot express how truly sorry we are for any frustration, dissatisfaction, or inconvenience that this has caused. This is especially saddening because Festicanto was founded on the principles of helping others. Our festival was born from the idea of bringing together many artists in the U.S. and to give people the support and opportunity to realize their dream. Additionally, we are a tight-knit family and to have one of our own produce such horrible libel against our company in this manner is deeply saddening and hurtful.

     We are committed to you, our valued participants and fans, and are taking immediate corrective action and steps to regain your confidence in us.  Festicanto has hired legal counsel, for more information or questions regarding this issue, do not hesitate to contact us or our attorney.

We are confident, as a result of these actions, that Festicanto will emerge as a more reliable, reputable, and responsible festival for the people, and be even more customer responsive than ever before. You deserve better from us and nothing is more important than regaining your trust and all of us here hope you will give us the opportunity to prove our integrity, honesty, and virtue.

                              Sincerely,

      Festicanto Staff