Fil-Am Ako was created to spread awareness of Filipino culture and traditions that are slowly becoming lost with an increase in Diaspora and the need to assimilate.
You cannot move forward in life without looking back from where you come. Know your roots so your growth knows no bounds.
This update is for all you filmmakers out there who want to share stories and themes of Filipino culture to the a wider audience. The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is currently accepting submissions for 2011. The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival welcomes feature-length and short narrative and documentary films.
Qualifying films will include, but not be limited to:
Works featuring the talents of directors, performers, writers, and other filmmakers of Filipino descent from the United States, the Philippines, and throughout the world.
Stories, characters, and themes about Filipinos, Filipino Americans, and others of Filipino descent.
Issues and topics relevant to audiences of Filipino descent.
In the summer of 2003, members of the Filipino American Network (FAN) envisioned a unique event that would celebrate the work of Filipino and Filipino American filmmakers. Our mission was two-fold. Primarily, it was to support and highlight Filipino filmmakers in the U.S., Canada and the Philippines. But in keeping with FAN’s vision of service to our local community, we also intended for the Festival to educate and enrich our Filipino American community.
Since its founding, the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival has provided thousands of Chicago’s Filipino Americans, and a growing number of our non-Filipino neighbors, with an opportunity to witness the growth of dozens of Filipino American filmmakers and performers, and experience the rich and colorful cinema of the Philippines. Along the way, the Festival has become a mainstay of the community’s cultural showcase.
Although the festival has its roots at the local level, the impact of this ongoing celebration of Filipinos in film and media has been global in scope. The Festival has become one of few annual Filipino film festivals outside of the Philippines; and it boasts the U.S., Chicago and world premieres of dozens of feature films. This festival has become a destination for films that have gained international critical and festival recognition, and a showcase for undiscovered talent from the U.S. and the Philippines.
The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2011. Fees payable by PayPal. The standard fee for submission is $25.00, while the discounted Fee is $15.00 for Students/Online Submissions. The actual dates of the film festival will be November 4-6, 2011. Please visit the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival website for more details at cfaff.org/films. Best of luck to all entries!
This is a long overdue post that was sent to me earlier this month from the Filipino Community Center San Francisco. On July 25, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) mobilized hundreds of its members belonging from regional organizations in the East Coast,Southern California, and Bay Area to voice the real Philippine state of the nation.
According to Rico Foz, Executive Vice President of NAFCON, “It is important for Filipinos in the U.S. and all over the world to express the numerous struggles we face and counter President Aquino’s attempt to cover up peoples’ issues to make his administration appear successful.”
President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address focused on his attempt to curb corruption, create jobs, and defend the Philippines’s claim to the Spratly Islands. However, the President failed to address the root problems of landlessness, lack of basic industries, massive emigration and over-dependence on the U.S.
“In order for the people to feed themselves and earn a decent living, PNoy must distribute the land they till as was done in other developed countries. Focus must be given to our ability to use our abundant resources to create jobs rather than continuing the same old policy of allowing foreign corporations to profit from our wealth while Filipinos suffer.” Foz further stressed.
NAFCON believes that creating a sustainable Philippines is very important to generate jobs and build industries at home, permanently avoiding the countless cases of U.S. Filipinos facing severe exploitation including the Florida 15, LA 11, Sentosa 27++, and the 200+ teachers laid-off in Prince George County, Maryland. Among many others, these cases demonstrate that sending Filipinos abroad to support our country is not working.
In conclusion, Foz asserted that “it is apalling for Aquino to increase military spending to protect the oil rich Spratly Islands when our country does not have the ability to process the oil on its own. In the end it would be foreign corporations again that would profit. It’s imperative therefore for us to redistribute our lands in combination with developing and protecting our basic industries for our country to progress.”
So this Friday, the latest installment of the Final Destination series arrives in the theaters. For me, Final Destination was the first horror film I took seriously, especially since it was recommended to me by an ex-girlfriend in high school. What came as a pleasant surprise for me was receiving this press release that Final Destination 5 features visual effects work by Academy Award-nominated Asian-American FX master Ariel Velasco Shaw.
As the Visual Effects Supervisor of “Final Destination 5,” Shaw oversaw the film’s many elaborate special effects, including those used for the terrifying collapse of a suspension bridge. AHollywoodveteran with over 25 films to his credit –including such blockbusters as “300,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and the first and third “Final Destination” films — Shaw is highly regarded as a visual effects pioneer whose early research in digital imaging established the foundation for today’s revolutionary digital imaging production process. “Final Destination 5” marks Shaw’s return to the “Final Destination” franchise as well as his first foray into 3D filmmaking. The film opens nationwide in 3D and 2D on August 12, 2011 through Warner Bros. Pictures. (Salamat, Telly Wong)
About Ariel Velasco Shaw
Shaw has been at the forefront of the visual effects community for over 25 years. Shaw’s career began in 1984 when he joined the prestigious New York Institute of Technology, one of the premier computer graphics facilities in the world. His early research in digital imaging established the foundation for today’s revolutionary digital imaging production process.
In 1989, Shaw was asked to work for Walt Disney Feature Animation for the purpose of designing a digital-imaging department, which resulted in “The Rescuers Down Under,” the first full-length animated film to be digitally post-produced. This breakthrough technology launched the highly regarded digital ink and paint system known as CAPS, Computer Animation Production System. During his tenure as the Digital Imaging Supervisor, Shaw worked on such Disney classic feature films as “Beauty and The Beast,” “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.” His Disney career culminated in an Academy Award® nomination in Visual Effects for his break-through work on “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
In 1994, Shaw left Disney and lent his expertise to Boss Film Studios, where he assisted in the company’s transition to a fully functioning digital effects studio. While there, Shaw supervised the feature films “True Lies,” “The Scout” and “Drop Zone.” After a successful stint at Boss Film Studios, Shaw then segued over to Warner Digital Studios, where he worked on “Batman Forever,” “My Fellow Americans,” “Vegas Vacation” and “Contact.” Later, at Pacific Title/Mirage, Shaw handled the visual effects for “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Armageddon” and “Soldier,” and received an Emmy Award nomination for Tom Hanks’ HBO series “From the Earth to the Moon.”
Since leaving Pacific Title/Mirage, Shaw has continued to work as an independent, with credits that include “300,” “Final Destination” and “Final Destination 3,” “Bones,” “Freddy vs. Jason,” “Scary Movie 2,” “Dragonball: Evolution,” “Jonah Hex” and HBO’s “Carnivàle,” for which he received a Visual Effects Society Award nomination.
Additional Asian American talent involved with “Final Destination 5”
In addition to Ariel Velasco Shaw, “Final Destination 5” features several other notable Asian Americans working behind the scenes, including:
Executive Producer Walter Hamada (“A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Friday the 13th”)
Art Director Sandi Tanaka (“X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer”)
I got this update from Lorial Crowder and the rest of our friends over at Filipino Adoptees Network . Nate James Bae Kupel is an adopted Korean who recently completed his graduate studies at University of Massachusetts Boston. His research looked at the need for post adoption services specifically for adult adoptees. The agencies and most adult adoptees were located in New England area. Nate is also the president of Boston Korean Adoptees, Incorporated, which is a non-profit organization focused on building a community of adult adoptees with a connection to Korea in the greater Boston and New England area. Boston Korean Adoptees, Inc. also works to educate those in the larger community about the issues surrounding international adoption and transracial adoption. Adoption in the Filipino and Asian community is a topic I still have to cover on this blog and I hope to feature some of these men and women to share their stories as Asian American adoptees.
For more on Nate James Bae Kupel’s research on Asian Adoptees and Post-Adoption Services in Massachusetts: Data from Providers and Reflections from Adult Adoptees, click here.
"You're Not From" with Bernardo Bernardo, Narciso Lobo and Erick Esteban in THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO; a musical highlight of the Lonnie Carter play (Lyrics by Ralph Pena, Music by Fabian Obispo), directed by Loy Arcenas.
For the past two years that I’ve been blogging, many of you know how much I talk about wanting to see another production of the Romance of Magno Rubio. If you don’t know how much of a fan I am, please refer to myinterview with Fil-Am actor and friend Erick Esteban. I know I’ve been out of the blogging scene for a while due to some personal commitments, but this update was way too important to postpone. I just got great news this week from our friend Lorely Trinidad on a new production of my all time favorite musical, The Romance of Magno Rubio.
PAE Live! is seeking bilingual English/Tagalog fluent speaking actors for both Tagalog AND English performances of Lonnie Carter’s THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO (based on Carlos Bulosan’s short story) directed by Bernardo Bernardo depicting the lives of 1930s Filipino migrant workers.
Dates of Audition
8/14/2011 and 8/15/2011
Audition Location
The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles
1238 W. First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Street Parking
Time(s)
By appointment only. 20 minute slots are first come, first served.
Sunday 8/14/2011 10:00am-5:00pm
Monday 8/15/2011 6:00pm-10:00pm
Contract: 99-Seat AEA
Pay rate: Equity Waiver
Personnel
Ed Ramolete, Producer
Rehearsals begin: September 13 (Tuesday-Friday evenings; Saturday-Sunday daytime)
Performances: November 4-December 11 (Thurs-Sun evenings, Sunday matinee, possibility of some Wednesday evenings) at [Inside] the Ford
Seeking:
MAGNO (Lead alternate/understudy) – Filipino Male, 25-35, no taller than 5’2,” intense, romantic farm worker with strong comedic skills. Must speak fluent Tagalog. Singing ability and physical agility a must.
NICK – Filipino Male, 25-35. Magno’s calm, scholarly confidante, humble and withdrawn. Must speak fluent Tagalog. Singing ability and physical agility a must.
ATOY – Filipino Male, 20-30. Youthful, puckish troublemaker concealing his insecurities and relative inexperience. Must speak fluent Tagalog. Singing ability and physical agility a must.
CLARO – Filipino Male, 25-35. Street-smart, vain and arrogant, foolish enough to believe in El Dorado dreams. Must speak fluent Tagalog. Singing ability and physical agility a must.
PRUDENCIO – Filipino Male, 40-50. The quintessential “Manong” (bunkhouse elder), peace-maker and the “stoop-laborers’ fount of wisdom. Must speak fluent Tagalog. Singing ability and physical agility a must.
CLARABELLE – Female, any ethnicity, 30-40. Preferably 6’0” tall, vivacious, curvaceous schemer. Fluency in Tagalog not required, but considered.
CLARABELLE U/S – Female, any ethnicity, 30-40. Preferably 6’0” tall, vivacious, curvaceous schemer. Fluency in Tagalog not required, but considered.
CHORUS: 3 Males, Serving as Singing/Narrating Chorus and to understudy/swing for Main Cast. Must speak fluent Tagalog. Singing ability and physical agility a must.
Preparation
We will provide sides to cold read at the audition.
Male roles: Please prepare one Tagalog song, acapella. Ability to play guitar, a plus.
Submissions
Electronic Submissions Only.
Please e-mail a headshot and resume to ed.ramolete@gmail.com Subject: MAGNO RUBIO AUDITION. Please specify the role you are auditioning for, preferred time and date of audition (see above) and your contact number.
Other
For more information, please contact e-mail ed.ramolete@gmail.com or call 213- 321-6089
PAE LIVE! presents: THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO/ANG ROMANSA NI MAGNO RUBIO
PAE Live! is seeking a STAGE MANAGER who can read and/or understand Tagalog for both Tagalog AND English performances of Lonnie Carter’s THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO (based on Carlos Bulosan’s short story) directed by Bernardo Bernardo depicting the lives of 1930s Filipino migrant workers. [Ability to speak Tagalog fluently is not necessary, but you must be able to adequately follow the script]
Contract: 99-Seat AEA
Pay rate: Equity Waiver
Personnel
Ed Ramolete, Producer
Rehearsals begin: September 13 (Tuesday-Friday evenings; Saturday-Sunday daytime) in the Los Angeles area
Performances: November 4-December 11 (Thurs-Sun evenings, Sunday matinee, possibility of some Wednesday evenings) at [Inside] the Ford
Submissions
Electronic Submissions Only. E-mail resume to ed.ramolete@gmail.com Subject: MAGNO RUBIO STAGE MANAGER.
Other
For more information, please contact e-mail ed.ramolete@gmail.com or call 213- 321-6089
In his second book Vanishing Filipino Americans: the Bridge Generation, Peter Jamero documents the experiences and contributions of second generation Filipino-Americans in hopes to address a significant void in the history of Filipinos in America. The population of Filipinos in the United States today is estimated to exceed two million, second only to Chinese among Asian Americans. However, the documentation of Filipino history in America is largely limited to the experiences of the pioneer Manong Generation that immigrated to the United States during the early 1900s.
The Manong Generation’s second generation children – the Bridge Generation – are now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Despite going through similar experiences and hardships as their parents, the literature contains virtually nothing of the Bridge Generation’s life in America.
Vanishing Filipino Americans: the Bridge Generation takes you through their growing up years, their maturation as participants in Filipino youth clubs that seemingly were in every West Coast community, their development of a unique subculture; their civic participation; and their triumphs and struggles in assimilating into America’s workforce. For more on Peter Jamero’s work, click here. (Salamat Christine)
Akira is now hiring for open positions that includes cashier, stylist, and management at their Akira Store on Clark & Diversey. Please send your resumes and cover letters to HR@shopakira.com to schedule an interview.
About Akira
Over the past 9 years, AKIRA has taken Chicago fashion to a new level. Beginning with a single store in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area in 2002. AKIRA is an event driven company which propels its marketing by partnering with the most influential fashion vendors as well as corporate sponsors to make each event a success. AKIRA throws the best parties and runway shows in Chicago, with the most cutting edge trends in fashion and dedicated clientele. Also, you can check out my interview with Fil-Am Jon Cotay, who is co-owner AKIRA.
Our friends at SAESHE have informed us that Los Angeles County is currently experiencing the worst epidemic of whooping cough in 60 years, with more than 870 cases last year alone. Effective of July 1, 2011, a new California school immunization law will require all 7th-12th graders in public and private schools to receive a pertussis booster (Tdap) shot, protecting them from whooping cough. LADPH and Los Angeles County, are currently asking their citizens: Are vaccinations safe? Why should we get vaccinated?
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched a multi-media public education campaign called “Stay Healthy. Vaccinate”, urging parents and caretakers to get their loved ones vaccinated against serious disease like whooping cough and the flu. The campaign uses print, television and radio spots, and will provide interactive content and information through social networks like Facebook and YouTube. The campaign also features its own website: www.vaccinateLA.com.
“Vaccines save thousands of lives each year and are the best way to protect your children and the community against serious diseases such as influenza, measles, polio, and whooping cough (pertussis). Choosing not to vaccinate your children can have serious consequences,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “Los Angeles County is currently experiencing the worst epidemic of whooping cough in 60 years, with more than 870 cases last year alone. We encourage everyone to talk to their doctor about the right vaccines for their children and themselves.”
In an effort to answer the misconceptions and myths surrounding vaccines, click here and here. For more information on the “Stay Healthy. Vaccinate.” campaign or on Tdap and other recommended vaccines, visit http://www.vaccinateLA.com.
Domestic workers supporting the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in the Senate (photo courtesy of FAJ)
Filipino Advocates for Justice announced that on Thursday July 6th, the California Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee voted 5-2 in favor of AB 889. The bill – also known as the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, extends basic, humane labor protections to thousands of nannies, caregivers, and housecleaners and improves the quality of care for California’s families.
Sponsored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), the bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for approval. Co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Allen (D- Sonoma), Cedillo (D- LA), Ma (D- San Francisco), Fuentes (D-San Fernando), Ma (D-San Francisco), Monning (D- Santa Cruz) and Senator De Léon. The bill seeks to remove the exclusion of domestic workers from basic wage and hour protections which the vast majority of California workers already enjoy. The current exemptions for domestic workers are confusing and leave well-meaning employers vulnerable to liability. AB 889 sets industry-wide standards that will help keep the industry above-ground.
The Senate Committee vote follows the passage of the bill in the California Assembly and last year’s successful passage of a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in New York. Domestic workers have historically been exempted from laws governing the rights afforded to other workers -decent wages, a safe and healthy workplace health, workers compensation and other labor protections. Domestic workers are among the most isolated and vulnerable workforce in the state. The unique nature of their work requires protections to prevent abuse and mistreatment from occurring behind closed doors, out of the public eye. This bill provides domestic workers with industry-specific protections to use kitchen facilities and cook their own food, and creates standards for sleep, for meal and rest breaks and overtime wages.
Umami Burger released Umamiya’s newest music video, “Cravin’ This,” last month. This marks the girl group’s comeback after one full year since their last music video, “Hot Sour Spicy and Sweet”. The stylish video is actually a CF for Los Angeles’ hot spot, Umami Burger. This might be the first girl group to accomplish this feat. Umamiya brings fresh new flavors to burgers.
“Cravin This” has received a warm reception from fans, but there are a few haters who had the audacity to call them the “Rebecca Black” of Asia.
Savory: A Recipe for Pop is Umamiya’s web series that takes a behind the scenes look at S-Cube Entertainment. The new video reveals the men behind the girl group, Sang Sung Song and Young Bum. Music mogul Sang Sung Song built Umamiya into a successful group in such a short period of time.
For more on UMAMIYA, visit their official website and LIKE their facebook page, where you can vote for your favorite member.
I recently caught up with Natalie Agaton at Bourgeois Pig in Lincoln Park to discuss her experiences as a Filipina-American, winning Battle of the Bamboo 2011 with her group Kapwa, and food. Food was a big part of the discussions, since Natalie is a food blogger and she gave me some info on the latest hot spots in Chicago. As a part of my inspirational Filipinas segment on this blog, Natalie was able share her thoughts on Filipina empowerment and how younger generations can overcome the struggles of growing up Filipino in the states.
Please introduce yourself.
Kumusta! My name is Natalie Agaton. I’m from Loyola Chicago University, where I’m studying elementary education with a concentration in math and music. Also, I’m a member of Loyola’s Filipino student organization Kapwa and co-coordinator for Kapwa cultural. My parents are from Nueva Ecija, Bongabon, Philippines.
What is Loyola Kapwa and how did you get involved?
Kapwa means “brotherhood” in Tagalog. Brotherhoods, family, close friends. That’s what we are in the organization. Kapwa is Loyola University Chicago’s Filipino organization. Our goal is to amplify our heritage to other Filipinos in the Chicagoland area and the community that surrounds us.
My older sister went to Loyola and I transferred into the university because I saw what she accomplished. I thought I would have fun there because my sister was a part of Kapwa and I had friends that were a part of the organization. After I joined, I became part of Kapwa Cultural because I was drawn to the dancing and the traditional aspect of the group. I met a lot of great people and that’s how I got involved.
What are the various types of Filipino dances that Kapwa Cultural performs?
We pretty much do all of them. There’s the Maria Clara Suite, Mountain/Igorot Suite, and Muslim to name a few. For our winning performance at Battle of the Bamboo 2011 this past May, we performed VINTA, a Muslim Suite. Vinta means boat and it’s a dance that commemorates the migration of Filipinos into the archipelago which includes a royal couple (prince and princess). The prince and princess are out on a boat sailing through the sea. We had bamboo sticks act as a boat that the prince and princess were standing. We also had fan dancers, who acted as the wind and scarf dancers that represented and acted as water. For me, it was more of a couple’s dance because centered on the royal couple. It was a lot of fun doing it.
Before I became co-coordinator, I was an apprentice under my Kapwa Cultural mentors. With my mentor’s guidance I kept performing. I would also research the information about the traditional Filipino dances online, YouTube, or from experts.
What inspired you to pursue a career path in elementary education?
Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be a teacher because I saw my teachers as role models and I wanted to be like them. It’s funny because so many people ask me if I’m a nursing student because of the stereotype that all Filipinas are nurses. My parents didn’t force me to choose what career path to take, not like what other Filipino parents usually do. They really wanted me to pursue my passion and I really want to make a difference for children as a teacher. Same thing applied to my older sister, who also not a nurse. So, no “Tiger Mom” stuff from parents. I guess I’m really blessed to have great parents, who wanted us to do what we really wanted in the long run because if I did nursing and didn’t like it, then I would’ve wasted my time.
What does being Filipina and a Filipina-American mean to you?
Being Filipina means to stand up and have your voice heard. Don’t sit back and not do anything. Unlike the traditional view of women in the Philippines, I like to have things go my way and say how I want or feel.
I’m really proud to be Filipina because my family’s roots are in the Philippines and I grew up with the traditions/morals my parents instilled in me. I have that pride in me that I’m Filipino, but I don’t want to flaunt it to people. Finding a balance between being Filipino and American was a little difficult because I was born in America and see myself as more Americanized. I feel that it was due to the fact that I had my paternal Lolo (grandfather) in my life growing up that I wasn’t able to forget my roots. He came all the way from the Philippines when I was little to help raise me. This is why I’m so close to my Lolo. He tried to teach me Tagalog when I was little, but all I wanted to do was go outside and play. I want to learn the language now since I’m all grown up and I want to know more about my heritage.
What do you feel needs to change with Filipinos and how we can better represent the community?
You don’t always have to wear the sun or stars to show that you’re proud to be Filipino. You can show people that you are proud to be Filipino without being cocky about it or flashy. Be more respectful for your culture.
Who are your role models and people in your life who helped shape you into the woman you are today?
Definitely my parents were my role models because they raised me and brought me up with their morals. I grew up in a strict household when I was little. I can understand why they wanted me to do so well because they moved to the states so my sister and I could have a better life than they did. I want them to be proud that I can do well and be successful. Also, there’s my Lolo because he also raised me too and I want him to feel proud of me. Then there is Hiro, who was someone very important to me back in high school. Even though he was Japanese/Korean, he participated in many Filipino events and traditional dances. Hiro was more than just a friend to me and had unfortunately passed away. His death really changed my perspective on life and made me grow as a person. My older sister is also a role model because I always wanted to be like her. She’s the reason why I decided to further my studies at Loyola and join Kapwa. She always prepares me and gives me advice for what’s ahead in the real world. Lastly, my boyfriend Jonathan is another role model in my life. He is my number one supporter. Everytime I feel that I can’t accomplish a goal, he always reassures me and pushes me to my best. This is why I never give up and finish everything I start.
When was the last time you visited the Philippines?
I went to the Philippines two summers ago because my maternal Lolo was really sick and we knew that was the last time we were going to see him. Before that trip, I really hadn’t been back to the Philippines since I was three. It was really sad to see the poverty there and I felt guilty because I took things for granted. They don’t have the life that I have and made me realize that I am blessed. It was sad to see how my parents grew up and it made me feel really spoiled as an American kid. Whenever people come back from vacation to the Philippines, they always talk about the beaches or food, but not really about the poverty levels or harsh living conditions people face. When I saw Slumdog Millionaire, people often said that film was like the harsh conditions in the Philippines, which I didn’t believe. But when I went back to visit, I saw kids out begging or selling flowers. I really want to go back to help out, not just by giving money and wiping my hands clean. I want to make a difference and be more personal on my next trip back.
What are your favorite Filipino dishes?
My favorite is Filipino Spaghetti and I like Lechon Kawali (pan-roasted pork) with the sauce. I love the sauce for lechon, Sarsa ng Lechon even though I found out it’s made from liver. Also, people think I’m weird because I love Balut. I ate a lot of Balut with salt in the Philippines.
Is there any additional information that you would like to share?
I’m also a food blogger along with my boyfriend. You can check our updates on the best places to eat in Chicago at chicago-food.tumblr.com. For Kapwa Cultural we have a YouTube page for some of our performances, check that out at www.youtube.com/kapwacultural. For those interested in booking Kapwa Cultural to perform at your next event, you can e-mail us at kapwa.cultural@gmail.com.
Our past performances this year included Circulo Boholano of Illinois’s Fiesta Boholana and Battle of the Bamboo 2011, which we won. Every year, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) host Battle of the Bamboo, where schools around the Midwest come to showcase traditional Filipino dances. I’m proud to be a part of Kapwa Cultural because we have always gone far in the competition and this was our second year winning first. My co-coordinator for the performance was Krystle Vicencio. Our choreographers included Krystle Vicencio, Patrick Javier, Jillian Singson, Mary Anne San Juan, and me. Kapwa really wants to show people that we are proud of our Filipino heritage and that every member including myself is dedicated to fulfill the organization’s mission. Other past performances include an event for Kalayaan at the Hyaat in O’hare and Passport to the Philippines at Navy Pier. Upcoming performances include Kapwa’s: Nite in Manila in October and Battle of the Bamboo 2012 at UIC.
I just got some great news from my friend Stephen Dypiangco, Oscar-winning producer of God of Love and director of Home Unknown. How To Live Forever (www.liveforevermovie.com), a film that Stephen is producing, will be opening at the Siskel Film Center in Chicago tomorrow and playing for one week.
About How To Live Forever: Director Mark Wexler embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever. But whose advice should he take? Does 94-year-old exercise guru Jack LaLanne have all the answers, or does Buster, a 101-year-old chain-smoking, beer-drinking marathoner? What about futurist Ray Kurzweil, a laughter yoga expert, or an elder porn star?
Wexler explores the viewpoints of delightfully unusual characters alongside those of health, fitness and life-extension experts in this engaging new documentary, which challenges our notions of youth and aging with comic poignancy. Begun as a study in life-extension, How To Live Forever evolves into a thought-provoking examination of what truly gives life meaning.
Director Mark Wexler will be present for audience discussion at the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday screenings. Joining Wexler on Sunday will be best-selling author Ted Fishman (CHINA INC., SHOCK OF GRAY)
The Gubat Town Fiesta just ended. Most of the tourists and former Gubat residences have left to go back to reside somewhere in the 7107 islands or overseas. It was a nice couple of weeks that started with the crowning of the Miss Teen Gubat 2011.
I know the school year just started in the Philippines, but I have not congratulated the Class of 2011 – The Year of the Rabbit. Many of you have found jobs and some are still looking, but CONGRATULATIONS on the success of getting your diploma.
I overheard a conversation with a familiar point. Many Gubat residences do not want to stay for life at Gubat, Sorsogon Philippines because Gubat does not offer a pension plan for life, meaning the private sector in the simplistic town providing jobs does hot have suitable pension plans for the brightest students and those capable of success to want to stay and live in Gubat for life.
Even if you get a job with the municipality or national government, your future security will not be as comfortable as if you had a job for most of your life working for a company similar to job opportunities offered in the United States so many go to Metro Manila or America, not for a job but to have the security for life from the pension plans provided by corporations.
For you new workers lucky enough to find a job in the Philippines, I would suggest taking P100 Philippines Pesos a month from your salary and dump it in an interest bearing account in a bank or even a saving and lending cooperative like Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative and let the money sit until you are of retirement age.
By the time you are sixty-two years old or sixty-five years old, you can at least buy food on the monthly interests without withdrawing any of the principal provided you deposited the P100 Philippines Pesos every month, religiously, like your life after sixty-two depended on it.
I do not know the specifics of the pension packages to entice the best workers offered by companies in the Philippines or by the University of the Philippines, but I have been promoting opening a mall (a large indoor shopping complex) somewhere in Gubat and a University of the Philippines – Gubat Campus, to create more jobs locally.
Starting a local Cable TV station for communication and production jobs would be a new venture and a major risk, but companies like SM Prime Holdings or LANDCO building a mall with corporate renters creating management and subordinates opportunities could offer pension packages.
Condominium housing developments could coincide with the mall.
The individual companies helping develop the town of Gubat can work with another corporate entity and can offer automatic withdrawals from salaries to provide the security net of a pension during retirement. Even the bare minimum salaried employees in the United States are offered a volunteer involvement for pensions for life because corporations can deal with the big volume of investors for the long-term.
The talk of Bicol University – Gubat extension campus expanding to Barangay Buenavista area has fizzled so I was hoping the University of the Philippines would take over the service of providing higher education in all of the Second District of the Sorsogon Province and the hiring of higher learning teaching opportunities for the local community.
The rumor of LCC Super Grocery Store and Jollibee and Mercury Drug expanding in Downtown Gubat has also fizzled.
The local college graduates living in-town could have walked to work and not to mention the students at the near by elementary school and national high school and the Bicol University extension college could have walked to eat at Jollibee, a sponsor of the Gubat Town Fiesta.
I was talking to my Aunt Fatima vacationing in Gubat for the town fiesta. On the drive from the airport she commented with: How come your stores are full of shoppers and the entire place of businesses are still open? In Michigan, at the downtown of cities and strip malls at the streets and mega corporate malls, many stores were closing because of the failing American economy.
I told her; we have a different world in our Sorsogon Province than most of the United States because we are less dependent on the automobile. With the skyrocketing gasoline prices in America, businesses needing business traffic from subdivision housing have to drive to patronage the downtown businesses and strip mall stores and corporate stores in mega malls.
In the Sorsogon Province those with jobs with individual spending income, their needs and demands still have to buy food and clothing. We have a foot traffic consumers spending income marketplace. The locals also use tricycles and jeepneys to travel about not really needing automobiles, but there are still thousands walking to shop at the food services and buy from stores in the downtown marketplaces throughout the province.
Other than the family reunions and the fiesta parties, the many parades were anticipated by the people, especially by the little ones.
The Independence Day Parade was highlighted at the end with a marching band competition at the Encinas Pavilion. It was won by Gubat North Central Elementary School and the Gubat National High School won the yearly dual competition with St. Anthony Academy High School.
St. Anthony Academy alumnae paraded with the theme “Let Mother Earth Smile Again”. I wanted to ask the successful graduates at the St. Anthony Academy High School if they would favor eclectic automobiles manufactured in the Philippines and if they would support the proposed electromagnetic high speed train services from Metro Manila to Sorsogon City, a forty-five minute jeepney ride from the town of Gubat.
The theme of the parade of Gubat National High School was “Integridad an Danon Ko” – loosely translated. Integrity is my support. Integrity is my help. What helps one is honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one’s actions (integrity).
I am being honest with you; it was a nice Gubat Town Fiesta.
The documentary about Amerasians in the Philippines Winner of theJason Mak award forBest Social justice film at the Disorient Asian American Film festival
Robert, Jr, Charlene and Margarita are Amerasians: the sons and daughters of Filipina women (often impoverished prostitutes) and American Sailors stationed at the Subic Bay US Naval Base, once the largest outside mainland USA. When the Base was closed 20 years ago, thousands of Amerasian children were left behind. Unlike Amerasian children from other countries (like Vietnam, Korea, Thailand or Laos) Filipino Amerasians were never recognized by the US government. Why? There is no official explanation, but many say that it is because the Philippines was not a war zone and Filipino Amerasians are better off then their Vietnamese, Korean or Thai counterparts.
Yet Amerasians in the Philippines suffer a great amount of discrimination (especially the sons and daughters of African American servicemen) and have a very hard life, they live in poverty and cannot escape their plight, because they carry their (parent’s) history written on their faces.
Left by the Ship follows the lives of four Amerasians in the Philippines as they struggle with prejudice, family problems and identity related issues, trying to overcome a past they are in no way responsible for.
Italian Filmmakers Emma Rossi Landi and Alberto Vendemmiati spent two years living with the protagonists of the film in the Philippines. This results in a rich collection of scenes which intimately portray the sense of loss that Filipino Amerasians carry inside for their whole lives. The film follows the character’s struggle, keeping a light touch,with a beautiful cinematographic style and compelling storytelling, where narratives that often turn in unexpected ways.
Left By The Ship aims to shed light on the injustice suffered by an underrepresented community, to provoke thought about how global policies can affect innocent people all the way down into the depth of their souls, and ask universal questions about family and personal relationships. As one of our characters says “There is no reconciliation without recognition”.
NEXT SCREENINGS
July 9th at 8 pm at theEgyptian Theatrein Hollywood,CA(Artivist Film Festival)
The Film Festival of Colorado, between June 24th and 26th
OTHER AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
*Winner Cinema Doc Prize, Festival dei Popoli 2010
*Winner Best Subject Matter, Cinema.Doc circuit 2010
-In competition, Visioni Doc 2011
-Close up section, Bergamo film meeting 2011
-In competition, Riverside International Film Festival 2011
*Best Social Justice Film, Disorient Asian American Film festival 2011
*Silver Palm Award, Mexico International Film Festival
*Certificate of Excellence, Sky Fest 2011
-Official Selection, Love unlimited film Festival
-Official Selection, Little Rock film Festival 2011
-Sole e Luna Film Festival Palermo, Italy 2011 (July 2011)
*Silver Ace Award, Las Vegas Film Festival 2011 (July2011)
Salamat and all the best on your film tour Emma Rossi-Landi & Alberto Vendemmiati
Left By The Ship is a VisitorQ, Raicinema, ITVS international and YLE co-production. It will be aired on PBS Independent Lensduring the 2011/12 season.
In his second book 
I recently caught up with Natalie Agaton at Bourgeois Pig in Lincoln Park to discuss her experiences as a Filipina-American, winning Battle of the Bamboo 2011 with her group Kapwa, and food. Food was a big part of the discussions, since Natalie is a food blogger and she gave me some info on the latest hot spots in Chicago. As a part of my inspirational Filipinas segment on this blog, Natalie was able share her thoughts on Filipina empowerment and how younger generations can overcome the struggles of growing up Filipino in the states.
