From Marie Romero of Arkipelago Books:
Hello PAWA colleagues -
We have a last minute invitation - Please join us in welcoming Ms. Lia Lopez-Chua who is currently in town from Tucson, Arizona. She will be reading from her book of poetry on Sunday, May 31, 2009, 2pm-3pm at Arkipelago Bookstore.
Hope to see you all support our fellow writer.
Thanks,
Marie Romero
ARKIPELAGO The Filipino Bookstore
1010 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel 415 553-8185, Fax 415 553-8186
www.arkipelagobooks.com
***
The Book: The Fate of All Progeny: Poems
ISBN 978-971-27-2121-2
120 pages, book paper, US$15.95
About the Author: Lia Lopez-Chua was born in Cebu where her mother's family still lives. She was raised in Davao in the neighborhood near Santa Ana church, where many of the old, upper middle-class Filipino and Chinese families lived next to each other or across from each other. She belonged to a Chinese family and grew up in the Chinese community of Davao.
Lia Lopez-Chua earned a degree in Bachelor of Philosophy from the University of San Carlos. She attended graduate school for philosophy at both the University of San Carlos and Ateneo de Manila University. She studied with the poet George Starbuck and Nobel Laureate in Literature, Derek Walcott at Boston University, where she earned an M.A. in Creative Writing.
Lia Lopez-Chua used to write under the name Lilia N. Lopez-Chua. She was one of the founders and editors of Little Finger, a poetry magazine in Cebu in the late 70s. She had published three collections o poems with Road Map Series: I am Dressed I Am Not Going Anywhere (1981), Descending The Stairs Twice (1984), and The Traveler and Other Poems (1989). Her poems had appeared in a number of poetry anthologies published in the Philippines and abroad, including A Habit of Shores, Instsik, and The Guerrilla is Like a Poet.
Lia Lopez-Chua now lives in Tucson, Arizona.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Noel Alumit at Huffington Post
When it was announced that the California Supreme Court would uphold Prop 8, there were wails and moans. Those deep sounds of mourning did not come from a community who saw their registries at Crate and Barrel go up in smoke, it came from a place of intense anguish. We have died of AIDS, we have been attacked and humiliated, we have been thrown onto the streets to fend for ourselves. Now, you're telling us we can't even get married?Read more.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
From Emil Guillermo: Robles and Gomez: American Filipinos
http://www.philippinenews.com/article.php?id=4432
Robles and Gomez: American Filipinos
Published: May 24, 2009
Author: Emil Guillermo
You can find Al Robles immortalized on YouTube reading his poetry.
Vincent Gomez? He is still cooking, laying down the bass line at local clubs.
Both are American Filipinos, and every last one of them needs a little love now.
It's a tad late for Robles, the poet and community activist who never met a struggle he didn't like. A housing and senior advocate, Robles died May 2. But if you see Gomez or others like him, please give them a hug. In their 70s and 80s, they make up a unique group within the community. They were among the first American Filipinos, kids born here to that initial wave of Manongs and Manangs who came to America in the 1920s and 1930s. Considering how men outnumbered women by greater than 10-1, and how Filipinos weren't allowed to intermarry, well, you do the math. What kind of evolutionary odds did you beat if you were born a pure Filipino kid?
It was so special, Gomez told me, San Francisco even had a Filipino children's club. Gomez said the families where mostly in the San Francisco's predominantly African American Fillmore district. Gomez grew up on the Embarcadero, closer to the markets which attracted the Filipino vegetable growers from the Central Valley. The market was just a few blocks from Kearny Street, the strip known as Manilatown
When I asked Gomez if he knew Robles, he didn't miss a beat. "Al the poet?" he asked. "He wrote a poem about my mom. She was the 'Biko' lady," Gomez said referring to the sweet rice desert his mom made and sold at the community centers to help put young Vincent through college at University of the Pacific. It was a small world back then. And these American-born Filipinos know how different it was. "I'd go to 5th and Mission where the Chronicle is now and it was all white," Gomez said. "Now you go there and it's all Filipino."
Gomez's father Vicente Gomez was from Ibajay, Aklan in the Visayan Islands. He came to America as a student. His mother, Catalina Entero, was from Danao, Cebu. She was in Hawaii as a Sakada, then found her way to the mainland. They met in the 30s and lived in the Colchester Hotel. As the family grew, they kept adding rooms, "37, 38, 39," Gomez said aloud as if he was reading the numbers on the doors.
As a kid, Gomez spoke English and Cebuano. But his parents realized being an American Filipino could be tough. When they saw him playing a coat hanger like a violin, they discovered young Vince's ticket out—music. He played solos at Galileo and went on to Stockton's University of the Pacific on a music scholarship. It was a time when Filipinos weren't allowed to live in certain neighborhoods near campus. Gomez became a public school music teacher, spreading his love of music to young people. Among his joys has been conducting the prestigious state youth orchestra.
I saw him at Pacquiao night at the Giants game, where occasionally he can be seen patrolling the left field line as a "Ball Dude." But his gigs as a jazz bassist around town are what keep this American Filipino swinging.
American Filipino
Regular readers know I coined the phrase American Filipino because in this country, being an American should come first. The first word modifies the second, one's Filipinoness. It's not about being a citizen necessarily; it's just about being here and a part of this ethnic community. In the most expansive definition, we're all American Filipino, even the immigrants.
But one subset of the group deserves special mention: The born-here, pure Filipino minted in the USA. The non-immigrants. Born here to immigrant parents, we're Filipino---and proudly so. But we're American because of whom and where we are.
There are fewer of us than you think.
For all you immigrants who came after the Marcos years, from the mid-'60s to the '90s, you've spawned a ton of these stateside American Filipinos in the last two generations. But it doesn't come close to dominating the community. Amid all the continuing immigration, the U.S. Census still puts the national Filipino community at two-thirds foreign born.
The American Filipino then is a minority within our minority. More often than not, they are those who see themselves as too American at times. They know how to eat a lumpia. And they know there's no chocolate in chocolate meat.
Still, the solid family connection never lets them forget. Sometimes they become an integral part of the community. Sometimes they are just outside moving to their own beat.
But they are part of us, these pioneering American Filipinos. During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we remember the ones who have passed on like Al Robles. And thank those like Vincent Gomez while we still can.
(Contact : www.amok.com)
Robles and Gomez: American Filipinos
Published: May 24, 2009
Author: Emil Guillermo
You can find Al Robles immortalized on YouTube reading his poetry.
Vincent Gomez? He is still cooking, laying down the bass line at local clubs.
Both are American Filipinos, and every last one of them needs a little love now.
It's a tad late for Robles, the poet and community activist who never met a struggle he didn't like. A housing and senior advocate, Robles died May 2. But if you see Gomez or others like him, please give them a hug. In their 70s and 80s, they make up a unique group within the community. They were among the first American Filipinos, kids born here to that initial wave of Manongs and Manangs who came to America in the 1920s and 1930s. Considering how men outnumbered women by greater than 10-1, and how Filipinos weren't allowed to intermarry, well, you do the math. What kind of evolutionary odds did you beat if you were born a pure Filipino kid?
It was so special, Gomez told me, San Francisco even had a Filipino children's club. Gomez said the families where mostly in the San Francisco's predominantly African American Fillmore district. Gomez grew up on the Embarcadero, closer to the markets which attracted the Filipino vegetable growers from the Central Valley. The market was just a few blocks from Kearny Street, the strip known as Manilatown
When I asked Gomez if he knew Robles, he didn't miss a beat. "Al the poet?" he asked. "He wrote a poem about my mom. She was the 'Biko' lady," Gomez said referring to the sweet rice desert his mom made and sold at the community centers to help put young Vincent through college at University of the Pacific. It was a small world back then. And these American-born Filipinos know how different it was. "I'd go to 5th and Mission where the Chronicle is now and it was all white," Gomez said. "Now you go there and it's all Filipino."
Gomez's father Vicente Gomez was from Ibajay, Aklan in the Visayan Islands. He came to America as a student. His mother, Catalina Entero, was from Danao, Cebu. She was in Hawaii as a Sakada, then found her way to the mainland. They met in the 30s and lived in the Colchester Hotel. As the family grew, they kept adding rooms, "37, 38, 39," Gomez said aloud as if he was reading the numbers on the doors.
As a kid, Gomez spoke English and Cebuano. But his parents realized being an American Filipino could be tough. When they saw him playing a coat hanger like a violin, they discovered young Vince's ticket out—music. He played solos at Galileo and went on to Stockton's University of the Pacific on a music scholarship. It was a time when Filipinos weren't allowed to live in certain neighborhoods near campus. Gomez became a public school music teacher, spreading his love of music to young people. Among his joys has been conducting the prestigious state youth orchestra.
I saw him at Pacquiao night at the Giants game, where occasionally he can be seen patrolling the left field line as a "Ball Dude." But his gigs as a jazz bassist around town are what keep this American Filipino swinging.
American Filipino
Regular readers know I coined the phrase American Filipino because in this country, being an American should come first. The first word modifies the second, one's Filipinoness. It's not about being a citizen necessarily; it's just about being here and a part of this ethnic community. In the most expansive definition, we're all American Filipino, even the immigrants.
But one subset of the group deserves special mention: The born-here, pure Filipino minted in the USA. The non-immigrants. Born here to immigrant parents, we're Filipino---and proudly so. But we're American because of whom and where we are.
There are fewer of us than you think.
For all you immigrants who came after the Marcos years, from the mid-'60s to the '90s, you've spawned a ton of these stateside American Filipinos in the last two generations. But it doesn't come close to dominating the community. Amid all the continuing immigration, the U.S. Census still puts the national Filipino community at two-thirds foreign born.
The American Filipino then is a minority within our minority. More often than not, they are those who see themselves as too American at times. They know how to eat a lumpia. And they know there's no chocolate in chocolate meat.
Still, the solid family connection never lets them forget. Sometimes they become an integral part of the community. Sometimes they are just outside moving to their own beat.
But they are part of us, these pioneering American Filipinos. During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we remember the ones who have passed on like Al Robles. And thank those like Vincent Gomez while we still can.
(Contact : www.amok.com)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Marianne Villanueva and Barbara Jane Reyes: Teaching and Reading at Foothill Writers' Conference: Registration Begins June 2-5
THE 33rd ANNUAL
FOOTHILL WRITERS' CONFERENCE
THURSDAY, JULY 9th - SUNDAY, JULY 12th, 2009
FICTION, POETRY, CREATIVE NON-FICTION
FOOTHILL WRITERS' CONFERENCE
THURSDAY, JULY 9th - SUNDAY, JULY 12th, 2009
FICTION, POETRY, CREATIVE NON-FICTION
Now in its 33rd year, the Foothill Writers' Conference continues its tradition of bringing literary arts mentorship and cultural enhancement to the Foothill College community and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The 2009 conference will offer seminars, workshops, and readings in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; this year the conference will also include a screenwriting component for those interested in writing for television or film.
Registration begins June 2-5 (see Registration); the 2009 schedule is forthcoming.
FOR FURTHER INFO email Kella Svetich: svetichkella@foothill.edu
This year's speakers include: Alan Cheuse, Justin Chin, Lesley Dauer, Sharon Doubiago, Danielle Haysbert, Scott Inguito, Linda Janakos, Avotcja Jiltonilro, Carol Lem, Morton Marcus, Barbara Jane Reyes, Michelle Richmond, Doren Robbins, Floyd Salas, Greg Sarris, Tony Tulathimutte, Marianne Villanueva, R.J. Ward, Kim Silveira Wolterbeek, Al Young.
ALL CONFERENCE EVENTS ARE
ONLY $53.00 FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS.
To learn more about registration, please see our Registration page.
Conference Faculty Readings
12:00 - 1:30 and 5:30 - 7:00 each day.
Workshops and Seminars
1:45 - 3:15 and 3:30 - 5:00 each day.
Open Reading for Students
times to be announced.
Disability access information
Those needing reasonable accommodations or reasonable modification of any of our policies, should contact: Margo Dobbins, Disability Resource Center (650) 949-7038 dobbinsmargo@foothill.edu
Writers' Conference publications may be obtained in alternative media, including electronic text, Braille, or large print by contacting Steve Sum, Alternative Media Specialist (650) 949-7673 sumsteven@foothill.edu
Accommodation requests must be made by June 14.
FOR FURTHER INFO email Kella Svetich: svetichkella@foothill.edu.
Special thanks to the Associated Students of Foothill College, the Language Arts Division, to Foothill College President, Judy Miner, and to Poetrymag.com (http://thenextcorner.net/tnc-media/). Without the support of all involved, the Foothill College Writers' Conference would not be possible.
Sneak Preview - Benefit for SF Pin@y Jazz Festival
From Carlos Zialcita:
Kumusta po. The 2nd Annual San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival is scheduled for Saturday August 8th and Sunday August 9th at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco . These free - outdoor performances are in the afternoon and are part of the 16th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival. There will also be an evening concert at The Forum at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Saturday evening, August 8th. Save the date!
This weekend marks the official start of summer - and for us the beginning of our big push towards the festival. We will have different events in the next two months to preview some of our artists and to raise funds for the festival. Thank you for your ongoing support of our local musicians and your interest in the history and legacy of Pinoy jazz in the SF Bay Area.
Mabuhay!
Carlos Zialcita
Executive Director, SF Filipino American Jazz Festival
info@sfpinoyjazzfest.com
www.sfpinoyjazzfest.com
ANNA MARIA FLECHERO
Anna Maria Flechero
In a review of her debut CD, Journey into the Fourteenth Hour, Sheldon Nunn of JazzReview wrote... "This CD is an articulate and serious expression of vocal jazz at its finest... Flechero takes listeners on a magic carpet ride towards musical genius".
Anna Maria's second CD Within the Fourteenth Hour also received rave reviews. It was released in July 2008.
"San Francisco jazz singer Anna Maria Flechero delivers an outstanding set. The soul and sophistication of her voice brings new meaning to such standards as Misty and I Wish You Love. Pretty Soon, a Flechero original, holds its own in the company of classic tunes".
Paul Freeman - Palo Alto Daily News - July 25, 2008
"a vocal style that resembles the great Sarah Vaughan. . ."
Edward Blanco - All About Jazz - July 10, 2008
www.annamariaflechero.com
myspace.com/amflechero
karionpresskits.com
SNEAK PREVIEW
2nd Annual SF Pinoy Jazz Festival
Ms. Flechero will be one of the featured artists at the SF Pinoy Jazz Festival Concert at the Forum on August 8th. She will have as special guests for her performance at Club Anton other artists from the Filipino American Jazz community. Part of the proceeds from the evening's show will be donated towards the production of the 2nd Annual San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival.
special guests:
Ann Marie Santos
Festival 2009 Performer
Raquel
Festival 2009 Performer
www.raq.com
Little Brown Brother
Festival 2008 Performer
www.littlebrownbrother.com
Club Anton
Club Anton
428 3rd St. Oakland
Friday June 12 8 pm $12 cover
To Purchase Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/69062
Info: 510-333-5104
Doors open at 7 pm
Raffle at 9:30 pm
Proceeds to benefit the SF Pinoy Jazz Festival
Philippine Crest
John Calloway
Save the Date!
The 2nd Annual
San Francisco
Filipino American
Jazz Festival
August 8th and 9th
Yerba Buena Gardens
San Francisco
featuring
Mon David - John Calloway
Anna Maria Flechero - Raquel
Abe Lagrimas - Tateng Katindig
Ann Marie Santos
Tickets Available Soon
for an evening performance at
The Forum
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission Street San Francisco
Saturday August 8th 5-9 pm
Kumusta po. The 2nd Annual San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival is scheduled for Saturday August 8th and Sunday August 9th at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco . These free - outdoor performances are in the afternoon and are part of the 16th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival. There will also be an evening concert at The Forum at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Saturday evening, August 8th. Save the date!
This weekend marks the official start of summer - and for us the beginning of our big push towards the festival. We will have different events in the next two months to preview some of our artists and to raise funds for the festival. Thank you for your ongoing support of our local musicians and your interest in the history and legacy of Pinoy jazz in the SF Bay Area.
Mabuhay!
Carlos Zialcita
Executive Director, SF Filipino American Jazz Festival
info@sfpinoyjazzfest.com
www.sfpinoyjazzfest.com
ANNA MARIA FLECHERO
Anna Maria Flechero
In a review of her debut CD, Journey into the Fourteenth Hour, Sheldon Nunn of JazzReview wrote... "This CD is an articulate and serious expression of vocal jazz at its finest... Flechero takes listeners on a magic carpet ride towards musical genius".
Anna Maria's second CD Within the Fourteenth Hour also received rave reviews. It was released in July 2008.
"San Francisco jazz singer Anna Maria Flechero delivers an outstanding set. The soul and sophistication of her voice brings new meaning to such standards as Misty and I Wish You Love. Pretty Soon, a Flechero original, holds its own in the company of classic tunes".
Paul Freeman - Palo Alto Daily News - July 25, 2008
"a vocal style that resembles the great Sarah Vaughan. . ."
Edward Blanco - All About Jazz - July 10, 2008
www.annamariaflechero.com
myspace.com/amflechero
karionpresskits.com
SNEAK PREVIEW
2nd Annual SF Pinoy Jazz Festival
Ms. Flechero will be one of the featured artists at the SF Pinoy Jazz Festival Concert at the Forum on August 8th. She will have as special guests for her performance at Club Anton other artists from the Filipino American Jazz community. Part of the proceeds from the evening's show will be donated towards the production of the 2nd Annual San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival.
special guests:
Ann Marie Santos
Festival 2009 Performer
Raquel
Festival 2009 Performer
www.raq.com
Little Brown Brother
Festival 2008 Performer
www.littlebrownbrother.com
Club Anton
Club Anton
428 3rd St. Oakland
Friday June 12 8 pm $12 cover
To Purchase Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/69062
Info: 510-333-5104
Doors open at 7 pm
Raffle at 9:30 pm
Proceeds to benefit the SF Pinoy Jazz Festival
Philippine Crest
John Calloway
Save the Date!
The 2nd Annual
San Francisco
Filipino American
Jazz Festival
August 8th and 9th
Yerba Buena Gardens
San Francisco
featuring
Mon David - John Calloway
Anna Maria Flechero - Raquel
Abe Lagrimas - Tateng Katindig
Ann Marie Santos
Tickets Available Soon
for an evening performance at
The Forum
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission Street San Francisco
Saturday August 8th 5-9 pm
Monday, May 25, 2009
review of "Ligaw Liham" movie BY ALLEN GABORRO
Inspired by a real-life story in which a post office in Negros completely halted operations, thus disrupting the role of postal intermediary between the people living in the small town that the post office was supposed to serve and their precious mail, the movie “Ligaw Liham” shows that the tremendous distance between two people separated by borders and oceans can be emotionally-bridged by something as simple as a letter.
The townspeople in the movie are rendered helpless and frustrated when the mail deliveries mysteriously stop. This means that they are deprived of one of the existential anchors in their collective lives. And so, the townspeople’s sense of normalcy is shaken as they are cut off from the external parties they communicate with by way of the postal service.
“Ligaw Liham” is directed by Jay Abello. The film, which received a Best Picture nomination in the 2007 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, is also Abello’s first attempt at directing a non-television production. Starring actress/singer Karylle, who incidentally is performing in her first independent film, the movie projects the notion that purely existing as individuals is not enough, that people need interaction and correspondence with each other to survive, even if that leads to heartache and disappointment.
The town’s post office has a major bearing on its inhabitants. For them, it represents the primary means for communicating with the outside world. When the post office is shut down, both senders and recipients are crestfallen by the stoppage of letters. What is worse is that the distinction between private and public property is lost as the character Mando, played by John Arceo, secretly hides and reads the town’s postal correspondence. Mando helps actor John Michael Lee’s character, Nor, in writing counterfeit love letters to the beautiful Karen (Karylle). Karen believes the letters are coming from her husband who is overseas. Nor’s heart is in the right place for it is he who is in love with Karen. His well-meaning actions however, allow injurious delusions and misunderstandings to take root in Karen’s head. The rest of the town’s mail addressers and addressees alike are similarly affected.
For me, there is something perverse about writing romantic correspondence to someone on deliberately false pretenses, whether it is done on the terrain of fiction or nonfiction, or even if it is done with good intentions. My cynical viewpoint is steeped in my overall dissatisfaction with “Ligaw Liham.”
Abello obviously hoped to stir in his audiences feelings of devotion and longing, but the movie’s thematic sum and substance is simply not up to standard. Instead of exploring the emotional tensions that linger throughout “Ligaw Liham,” viewers are left with a work that is too engrossed in visual style and not enough on thematic depth and characterization. It did not help either that the acting in the movie was generally restrained to a fault, with the exception of John Arceo’s humorously slimy role.
Many young film directors fall into the trap of packing their films with strong visual effects in their attempt to make an equally strong visual impression. The problem is that by doing so, they risk watering down or compromising the screenplay. This is what happens in “Ligaw Liham.” This is unfortunate because Abello’s movie is inspired by an intriguing story centered on the perplexing closure of a postal office. But the director of “Ligaw Liham,” in the name of creative subjectivity, discerned his own path to completion. Of course, that is to be expected from an artistically-conscientious filmmaker. It’s just my humble opinion however, that the path Abello took led his film astray.
It was fairly easy to walk away from “Ligaw Liham” feeling that it was a cinematic opportunity squandered. Hopefully, Jay Abello will be able to reconcile visual style with more substantive content the next time around.
ALLEN GABORRO
The townspeople in the movie are rendered helpless and frustrated when the mail deliveries mysteriously stop. This means that they are deprived of one of the existential anchors in their collective lives. And so, the townspeople’s sense of normalcy is shaken as they are cut off from the external parties they communicate with by way of the postal service.
“Ligaw Liham” is directed by Jay Abello. The film, which received a Best Picture nomination in the 2007 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, is also Abello’s first attempt at directing a non-television production. Starring actress/singer Karylle, who incidentally is performing in her first independent film, the movie projects the notion that purely existing as individuals is not enough, that people need interaction and correspondence with each other to survive, even if that leads to heartache and disappointment.
The town’s post office has a major bearing on its inhabitants. For them, it represents the primary means for communicating with the outside world. When the post office is shut down, both senders and recipients are crestfallen by the stoppage of letters. What is worse is that the distinction between private and public property is lost as the character Mando, played by John Arceo, secretly hides and reads the town’s postal correspondence. Mando helps actor John Michael Lee’s character, Nor, in writing counterfeit love letters to the beautiful Karen (Karylle). Karen believes the letters are coming from her husband who is overseas. Nor’s heart is in the right place for it is he who is in love with Karen. His well-meaning actions however, allow injurious delusions and misunderstandings to take root in Karen’s head. The rest of the town’s mail addressers and addressees alike are similarly affected.
For me, there is something perverse about writing romantic correspondence to someone on deliberately false pretenses, whether it is done on the terrain of fiction or nonfiction, or even if it is done with good intentions. My cynical viewpoint is steeped in my overall dissatisfaction with “Ligaw Liham.”
Abello obviously hoped to stir in his audiences feelings of devotion and longing, but the movie’s thematic sum and substance is simply not up to standard. Instead of exploring the emotional tensions that linger throughout “Ligaw Liham,” viewers are left with a work that is too engrossed in visual style and not enough on thematic depth and characterization. It did not help either that the acting in the movie was generally restrained to a fault, with the exception of John Arceo’s humorously slimy role.
Many young film directors fall into the trap of packing their films with strong visual effects in their attempt to make an equally strong visual impression. The problem is that by doing so, they risk watering down or compromising the screenplay. This is what happens in “Ligaw Liham.” This is unfortunate because Abello’s movie is inspired by an intriguing story centered on the perplexing closure of a postal office. But the director of “Ligaw Liham,” in the name of creative subjectivity, discerned his own path to completion. Of course, that is to be expected from an artistically-conscientious filmmaker. It’s just my humble opinion however, that the path Abello took led his film astray.
It was fairly easy to walk away from “Ligaw Liham” feeling that it was a cinematic opportunity squandered. Hopefully, Jay Abello will be able to reconcile visual style with more substantive content the next time around.
ALLEN GABORRO
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Kearny Street Workshop APAture Call for Submissions
Submit to APAture
KSW is now accepting submissions for the 11th annual APAture festival of emerging Asian American artists. Each September, APAture showcases about 100 artists at venues throughout San Francisco, making it the Bay Area’s biggest gathering of Asian American art.
Want to show your work in APAture?
We are accepting submissions in five disciplines: visual arts, film, music, literary arts and performing arts. The deadline to submit is July 11, 2009.
Go to kearnystreet.org/apature for guidelines and to apply online!
Friday, May 22, 2009
KPFA 94.1 FM Airs Special Tribute Honoring Late Filipino American Poet and Community Activist Al Robles, Monday May 25th
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2009
POOR NewsNetwork Radio Show on KPFA 94.1 FM Features a Special Tribute Honoring the Late Filipino American Poet and Community Activist Al Robles, Monday May 25th
Hosted by Lisa Gray-Garcia and Tony Robles, Co-Editors of POOR Magazine Live Streaming Audio Broadcast www.kpfa.org
SAN FRANCISCO (U.S. ASIAN WIRE) - May 22, 2009 -- POOR NewsNetwork Radio features a special program dedicated to Al Robles, the late Filipino American poet and San Francisco Community Activist who recently passed away on May 2nd. Bay Area listeners may tune in to radio station KPFA 94.1 FM on Monday May 25th at 7:30am PST or listen to the broadcast online at www.kpfa.org as hosts Lisa Gray-Garcia and Tony Robles (nephew of Al Robles) along with a line-up of special guests pay tribute to Al Robles.
Al was a board member of POOR Magazine. His life and work reflected all of POOR Magazine's values: Giving a voice to silenced communities, eldership and interdependence.
Featured guests on the program will reflect on his life by sharing stories and poetry, they include:
Jimmy Robles - Hawaii-based martial artist and younger brother of Al Robles
Pete Yamamoto - Longtime friend and former I-Hotel Tenant. Accompanied Al on pilgrimages to Tule Lake and Manzanar Internment Camps
Lou Syquia - Longtime friend and author of the book "Fog Eater", a collection of poetry. Former professor in the Fil-Am Literature department at SF State University
Oscar Penaranda - Longtime friend, author of "Full Deck--Jokers Playing" and "Seasons by the Bay", published by Tiboli Press. Contributor to the groundbreaking Asian American Anthology Aiieee, and other publications such as "Liwanag", "Pinoy Poetics" and "Field of Mirrors"
Jeff Tagami - Longtime friend from Watsonville, CA. An educator and author of poetry book "October Light", published by Kearny Street Workshop
Russell Leong - UCLA Adjunct Professor, Asian American Studies
Adjunct Full Professor, Department of English, editor of Amerasia Journal and editor of Al Robles book "Rappin' With Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark"
Marlon Crump--Revolutionary Legal Scholar and Writer for POOR Magazine
In addition, the show will feature audio clips of Al Robles reading his poetry and playing the piano. The program will be archived and available online at www.kpfa.org after the broadcast airs on Monday May 25th.
About POOR Magazine
POOR Magazine© is a literary, visual arts based community organization founded by a previously homeless, currently at-risk, mother daughter team. POOR provides vocational training, creative arts and literacy education, new and multi-media access to very low and no income adults and children in the Bay Area, with the goal of deconstructing the margins of class and race oppression.
Contact:
Tony Robles
Co-editor, POOR Magazine
tonyrobles1964@hotmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2009
POOR NewsNetwork Radio Show on KPFA 94.1 FM Features a Special Tribute Honoring the Late Filipino American Poet and Community Activist Al Robles, Monday May 25th
Hosted by Lisa Gray-Garcia and Tony Robles, Co-Editors of POOR Magazine Live Streaming Audio Broadcast www.kpfa.org
SAN FRANCISCO (U.S. ASIAN WIRE) - May 22, 2009 -- POOR NewsNetwork Radio features a special program dedicated to Al Robles, the late Filipino American poet and San Francisco Community Activist who recently passed away on May 2nd. Bay Area listeners may tune in to radio station KPFA 94.1 FM on Monday May 25th at 7:30am PST or listen to the broadcast online at www.kpfa.org as hosts Lisa Gray-Garcia and Tony Robles (nephew of Al Robles) along with a line-up of special guests pay tribute to Al Robles.
Al was a board member of POOR Magazine. His life and work reflected all of POOR Magazine's values: Giving a voice to silenced communities, eldership and interdependence.
Featured guests on the program will reflect on his life by sharing stories and poetry, they include:
Jimmy Robles - Hawaii-based martial artist and younger brother of Al Robles
Pete Yamamoto - Longtime friend and former I-Hotel Tenant. Accompanied Al on pilgrimages to Tule Lake and Manzanar Internment Camps
Lou Syquia - Longtime friend and author of the book "Fog Eater", a collection of poetry. Former professor in the Fil-Am Literature department at SF State University
Oscar Penaranda - Longtime friend, author of "Full Deck--Jokers Playing" and "Seasons by the Bay", published by Tiboli Press. Contributor to the groundbreaking Asian American Anthology Aiieee, and other publications such as "Liwanag", "Pinoy Poetics" and "Field of Mirrors"
Jeff Tagami - Longtime friend from Watsonville, CA. An educator and author of poetry book "October Light", published by Kearny Street Workshop
Russell Leong - UCLA Adjunct Professor, Asian American Studies
Adjunct Full Professor, Department of English, editor of Amerasia Journal and editor of Al Robles book "Rappin' With Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark"
Marlon Crump--Revolutionary Legal Scholar and Writer for POOR Magazine
In addition, the show will feature audio clips of Al Robles reading his poetry and playing the piano. The program will be archived and available online at www.kpfa.org after the broadcast airs on Monday May 25th.
About POOR Magazine
POOR Magazine© is a literary, visual arts based community organization founded by a previously homeless, currently at-risk, mother daughter team. POOR provides vocational training, creative arts and literacy education, new and multi-media access to very low and no income adults and children in the Bay Area, with the goal of deconstructing the margins of class and race oppression.
Contact:
Tony Robles
Co-editor, POOR Magazine
tonyrobles1964@hotmail.com
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
OACC Presents: Literary Night featuring Asian American Women Writers of the SF Bay Area
Co-presented by Hyphen magazine, this contemporary women writers’ showcase highlights their diverse Asian American heritages and the wide range of literatures: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and cross-genre work that are their instruments of expression.
Guest-curated by the editors of Writing the Lines of Our Hands, the first anthology of South Asian American poetry. The writers include: Diana Ip, Summi Kaipa, Neela Banerjee, Maya Khosla, Aimee Suzara, Mimi Lok, Pireeni Sundaralingam and more!
Friday May 29
7:30–9:30 p.m.
$5–20 sliding scale donation, no one turned away for lack of funds
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 9th Street, Suite 290
Oakland. CA 94607
Tel: 510.637.0455
Fax: 510.637.0459
www.oacc.cc
Media Sponsors
Hyphen
APEX Express (KPFA 94.1)
KOIT Radio (96.5)
For more information
Please visit www.oacc.cc or contact April Kim
Programs Director
Tel: 510 637 0461
Email:akim@oacc.cc
This program is supported in part by: Halton Suen, D.D.S., Asian Network, Comerica Bank, Wells Fargo Foundation Corinne Jan, Kaiser Permanente Asian Association, Alameda County Arts Commission, City of Oakland, East Bay Community Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation, U.S. Bank, NCB and other donors.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Reminder: Rick Rocamora, Filipino Veterans Book Launch at SFPL
Click on image to enlarge, for more information:
2-4:30 pm
SFPL Main Library
Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin Street @ Grove
San Francisco CA 94102-4733
(415) 557-4277
2-4:30 pm
SFPL Main Library
Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin Street @ Grove
San Francisco CA 94102-4733
(415) 557-4277
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Some scenes from SOMArts' Tribute to Manong Al Robles
Oscar Peñaranda, Ron Muriera, Barbara Jane Reyes, devorah major and Poor Magazine's Po' Poets Project were just some of the artists offering tribute to the life and work of Manong Al Robles at SOMArts Cultural Center.
YouTube Videos from SOMArts' Tribute to Manong Al Robles
Flickr Photoset from SOMArts' Tribute to Manong Al Robles
YouTube Videos from SOMArts' Tribute to Manong Al Robles
Flickr Photoset from SOMArts' Tribute to Manong Al Robles
National Book Critics Circle Blog: SMALL PRESS SPOTLIGHT: SARAH GAMBITO
I wanted to linguistically explore the complexities that exist within the experience of emigration/immigration without giving either experience short shrift. In my family’s experience (as with so many other families who choose to immigrate) so much is focused on what there is to gain with immigrating. I wanted to write the reverse song. What do you lose upon emigration? What has to remain broken? To try and answer this, I wanted to bring in the connotations of “delivered” as in salvation and commodification. How so often the American dream is colored in both circumstances.Read more.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Poor Magazine Tributes to Al Robles
Words, Thoughts and Spirit for Uncle Al ..
The following words and thoughts were written about the poet Al Robles during his illness and after his spirit journey to the other side. The words and thoughts reflect the love and concern of the community regarding his condition, his power as a writer, an organizer, a leader, an artist, a visionary, a poverty hero. Manong Al updates were sent to the community through the invaluable technical help and love of Norman Jayo... .
http://poormagazine.org/index.cfm?L1=news&story=2264&pg=1
The following words and thoughts were written about the poet Al Robles during his illness and after his spirit journey to the other side. The words and thoughts reflect the love and concern of the community regarding his condition, his power as a writer, an organizer, a leader, an artist, a visionary, a poverty hero. Manong Al updates were sent to the community through the invaluable technical help and love of Norman Jayo... .
http://poormagazine.org/index.cfm?L1=news&story=2264&pg=1
Review: Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
Young Cora is tired of just licking the spoons and not being able to really help in the kitchen. One day when her four older siblings are all out of the house, Cora sees her chance to make something special with her mother, just them two. She dons on the magical red apron that once belonged to her Lolo, her grandfather, a Filipino American pioneer who cooked for the Filipino farmworkers decades ago, who not only fed the workers' tummies with but filled their hearts and memories with stories about their native Philippines. Together, Mama and Cora create a toothsome Filipino meal, complete with a huge bowl of perfect pancit [rice noodles with vegetables and chicken] that tastes just like Lolo's, the best compliment of all.
Gilmore, who grew up in a Filipino Italian kitchen, tells a heartwarming tale that illustrator Valiant captures with the perfect combination of whimsy and action. You can actually feel Cora's longing as she watches her siblings in the kitchen, her wonder as she listens to Mama's stories about Lolo, her worry that her pancit might disappoint, and her beaming pride when the whole family enjoys the meal she so lovingly helped to create. This is one treasure of a family book. Delicious, too!
Readers: Children
Published: 2009
call for submissions - philippine speculative fiction V
From Dean Alfar's blog:
http://deanalfar.blogspot.com/2009/05/call-for-submissions-philippine.html
Editors Nikki Alfar and Vin Simbulan are now accepting submissions of short fiction pieces for consideration for the anthology "PHILIPPINE SPECULATIVE FICTION V".
Speculative fiction is the literature of wonder that spans the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror and magic realism or falls into the cracks in-between.
1. Only works of speculative fiction will be considered for publication. As works of the imagination, the theme is open and free.
2. Stories must cater to an adult sensibility. However, if you have a Young Adult story that is particularly well-written, send it in.
3. Stories must be written in English.
4. Stories must be authored by Filipinos or those of Philippine ancestry.
5. Preference will be given to original unpublished stories, but previously published stories will also be considered. In the case of previously published material, kindly include the title of the publishing entity and the publication date. Kindly state also in your cover letter that you have the permission, if necessary, from the original publishing entity to republish your work.
6. First time authors are welcome to submit. In the first four volumes, we had a good mix of established and new authors. Good stories trump literary credentials anytime.
7. No multiple submissions. Each author may submit only one story for consideration.
8. Each story's word count must be no fewer than 1,500 words and no more than 7,500 words.
9. All submissions must be in Rich Text Format (.rtf – save the document as .rft on your word processor) and attached to an email to this address: nikkialfar@gmail.com. Submissions received in any other format will be deleted, unread.
10. The subject of your email must read: PSF5 Submission: (title) (word count); where (title) is replaced by the title of your short story, without the parentheses, and (word count) is the word count of your story, without the parentheses. For example – PSF5 Submission: Meeting Makiling 4500.
11. All submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter that includes your name, brief bio, contact information, previous publications (if any). Introduce yourself.
12. Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2009. After that date, final choices will be made and letters of acceptance or regret sent out via email. Target publishing date is February 2010.
14. Compensation for selected stories will be 2 contributor's copies of the published anthology as well as a share in aggregrate royalties.
Kindly help spread the word. Feel free to cut and paste or link to this on your blogs or e-groups.
Thanks,
Nikki Alfar
Vin Simbulan
Dean Francis Alfar
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Memorial for Al Robles 05/17/2009 in SF
A Potluck Celebration featuring Poetry Readings..Live Jazz.Musical Performances,Dance,Martial arts and you.
You are welcome to bring a poem, sing a song, bring your instrument, share a dish,volunteer, speak a few words or just listen and enjoy just like manong Al would have wanted
If you would like to help with anything volunteer to setup/clean up…Or give a donation of food or a performance or perhaps just give a kind word or thought Manong Al’s Spirit is now dancing among the Caribou
WE WELCOME YOU TO PLEASE JOIN US SUNDAY MAY 17TH FROM 12PM-5PM @ SOMArts Cultural Center / 934 Brannan Street / San Francisco, CA 94103 / +1 (415) 863-1414
Please contact us:
Kimberley Robles
Robles_Kim@hotmail.com
Iraya Robles
Irayarobles@comcast.net
Tony Robles
Tonyrobles1964@hotmail.com
Jean Vengua at UCSC today
Poet & Writer
Jean Vengua
UC Santa Cruz, Tuesday, May 12, at 7 pm
in Soc Science 1, room 110
Jean Vengua's poetry has appeared in numerous print and online journals and anthologies, in the U.S., Finland, Australia, the Philippines, and Mexico. With New Zealand poet, Mark Young, she has co-edited The First Hay(na)ku Anthology, and the Hay(na)ku Anthology, Vol. II. Her book, Prau, won the Filamore Tabios, Sr. Memorial Poetry Prize and was published in 2007 by Meritage Press, and her chapbook, The Aching Vicinities was published by Otoliths (Australia) in 2006. She is currently completing her next manuscript, Corporeal. Her blog is: http://okir.wordpress.com
Jean Vengua is a poet of the typo, the missed step, the happy and unhappy accident; in short, she is a poet of linguistic and global migration. Prau moves its reader from the Philippines to the Bay Area and back, "always mining past present tenses."
--- Susan M. Schultz, Editor, Tinfish Press
*This event is free and open to the public. Questions can be directed to: jcribbs@ucsc.edu
Jean Vengua
UC Santa Cruz, Tuesday, May 12, at 7 pm
in Soc Science 1, room 110
Jean Vengua's poetry has appeared in numerous print and online journals and anthologies, in the U.S., Finland, Australia, the Philippines, and Mexico. With New Zealand poet, Mark Young, she has co-edited The First Hay(na)ku Anthology, and the Hay(na)ku Anthology, Vol. II. Her book, Prau, won the Filamore Tabios, Sr. Memorial Poetry Prize and was published in 2007 by Meritage Press, and her chapbook, The Aching Vicinities was published by Otoliths (Australia) in 2006. She is currently completing her next manuscript, Corporeal. Her blog is: http://okir.wordpress.com
Jean Vengua is a poet of the typo, the missed step, the happy and unhappy accident; in short, she is a poet of linguistic and global migration. Prau moves its reader from the Philippines to the Bay Area and back, "always mining past present tenses."
--- Susan M. Schultz, Editor, Tinfish Press
*This event is free and open to the public. Questions can be directed to: jcribbs@ucsc.edu
Monday, May 11, 2009
Peninsula Literary Series Presents Nona Caspers and Joel Tan
Peninsula Literary Series Presents
Nona Caspers and Joel Tan Reading
Friday, May 15, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Gallery House
320 South California Avenue @ Birch, through Printer's Inc. Cafe
Palo Alto, CA
Featuring Nona Caspers and Joel Tan
With Guest Readers
Lisa Allen Ortiz, Nicholas Leaskou, Ann K. Ryles, and Melanie Reitzel
Donations of $5-10 will be gratefully accepted to help cover expenses for chair rental and refreshments, with additional proceeds going to benefit the gallery.
Authors will have books, chapbooks, and broadsides for sale during the break and after the reading.
JOIN US AT OUR NEW LOCATION!
We look forward to seeing you there.
Carrie Hechtman, Mary Petrosky and Jean Znidarsic, series co-organizers
About Gallery House
Gallery House was founded in 1958 as part of the Palo Alto Consumers' Co-op to provide holiday sales of local artists' works; however, within two years the members established a permanent venue to show their works on the peninsula. Gallery members include painters, sculptors, printers, ceramicists, jewelers, photographers and mixed media artists who exhibit in styles ranging from photo-realism to impressionistic to abstraction, demonstrating the wide diversity and high quality of local artistic work. For more information visit www.galleryhouse2.com .
About the Featured Authors
Nona Caspers
Nona Caspers is the author of four books, including HEAVIER THAN AIR: STORIES which was awarded the Grace Paley Prize in Short Fiction and was a New York Times Editors' Choice. Her work also has received a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, Iowa Review Fiction Award, Joseph Henry Jackson Literary Award and Barbara Deming Award. Eileen Myles said of her recent LITTLE BOOK OF DAYS "an avalanche of quiet risk taking--this book sings." She's an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at San Francisco State University.
Joel Tan
Recently named of OUT Magazine's People of the Year, Joël Barraquiel Tan is also the Director of Community Engagement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, CA. His publications include El Canto de Animal (Noice Press, 2006) and Monster- Poems (Noice Press, 2002). Tan has been nominated for Lambda Literary Award, Best Anthology, 1998 and his work is widely taught in the field of culture and sexuality studies. Joel Tan received his M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Literature from Antioch University in 2004, and his B.A. in Ethnic Studies at University of California, Berkeley in 2002. Tan is also the Founding Board President of the Center for Disease Control and Association of Schools of Public Health's Institute of HIV Prevention Leadership Alumni Association (2002-2003) and a cofounder of Los Angeles' Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team. He is currently working on a libretto based on Sylvester's life.
Nona Caspers and Joel Tan Reading
Friday, May 15, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Gallery House
320 South California Avenue @ Birch, through Printer's Inc. Cafe
Palo Alto, CA
Featuring Nona Caspers and Joel Tan
With Guest Readers
Lisa Allen Ortiz, Nicholas Leaskou, Ann K. Ryles, and Melanie Reitzel
Donations of $5-10 will be gratefully accepted to help cover expenses for chair rental and refreshments, with additional proceeds going to benefit the gallery.
Authors will have books, chapbooks, and broadsides for sale during the break and after the reading.
JOIN US AT OUR NEW LOCATION!
We look forward to seeing you there.
Carrie Hechtman, Mary Petrosky and Jean Znidarsic, series co-organizers
About Gallery House
Gallery House was founded in 1958 as part of the Palo Alto Consumers' Co-op to provide holiday sales of local artists' works; however, within two years the members established a permanent venue to show their works on the peninsula. Gallery members include painters, sculptors, printers, ceramicists, jewelers, photographers and mixed media artists who exhibit in styles ranging from photo-realism to impressionistic to abstraction, demonstrating the wide diversity and high quality of local artistic work. For more information visit www.galleryhouse2.com .
About the Featured Authors
Nona Caspers
Nona Caspers is the author of four books, including HEAVIER THAN AIR: STORIES which was awarded the Grace Paley Prize in Short Fiction and was a New York Times Editors' Choice. Her work also has received a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, Iowa Review Fiction Award, Joseph Henry Jackson Literary Award and Barbara Deming Award. Eileen Myles said of her recent LITTLE BOOK OF DAYS "an avalanche of quiet risk taking--this book sings." She's an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at San Francisco State University.
Joel Tan
Recently named of OUT Magazine's People of the Year, Joël Barraquiel Tan is also the Director of Community Engagement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, CA. His publications include El Canto de Animal (Noice Press, 2006) and Monster- Poems (Noice Press, 2002). Tan has been nominated for Lambda Literary Award, Best Anthology, 1998 and his work is widely taught in the field of culture and sexuality studies. Joel Tan received his M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Literature from Antioch University in 2004, and his B.A. in Ethnic Studies at University of California, Berkeley in 2002. Tan is also the Founding Board President of the Center for Disease Control and Association of Schools of Public Health's Institute of HIV Prevention Leadership Alumni Association (2002-2003) and a cofounder of Los Angeles' Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team. He is currently working on a libretto based on Sylvester's life.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Reading: Al Robles, Looking for Ifugao Mountain
Looking for Ifugao Mountain: Paghahanap Sa Bundok Ng Ifugao by Al Robles
Looking for Ifugao Mountain (Chidren’s Book Press, 1977) is an out of print children’s book written by the late Filipino American poet and community activist Al Robles. We found the book at the Berkeley Public Library (there are two copies and we checked out one). The story is an adaptation of his poem, “Tagatac in Ifugao Mountain,” which opens his poetry collection Rappin with Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark.
Because of Manong Al’s very recent passing, I have since revisited his poetry collection, and realize that in my original reading many years ago, I missed much of the poetic and political nuance in his work. Looking for Ifugao Mountain (Tagalog translations by Alfredo Carigma) is a bilingual story which tells us of Kayumanggi, the Filipino American son of an old Manong. As Kayumanggi encounters Manong Tagatac in Portsmouth Square, SF Chinatown, he is transported back to the Northern Philippines, where he tries to reconnect with his ancestors.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Filipino WW II Soldiers: AMERICA’S SECOND-CLASS VETERANS (Rick Rocamora's Book Launch)
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT:RickRocamora–
rbrocamora@gmail.com
http://wppdocumentaryphotography.blogspot.com
BOOK LAUNCH :
Filipino WW II Soldiers
AMERICA’S SECOND-CLASS VETERANS
Photographs by Rick Rocamora
Forewords by Congressman Bob Filner and Kim Komenich
Essay by Rene Ciria-Cruz
Rick Rocamora will sign books and talk about his varied experiences as a documentary photographer and an advocate for the struggle of Filipino WW II veterans at
Thursday, May 21, 2009 6-9pm - San Francisco Exposure Gallery, 801 Howard Street near Moscone Center on (Powell or Montgomery Bart Station)
Sunday, May 24, 2009 - San Francisco Main Public Library – Grove and Larkin near San Francisco City Hall on - 2-5pm (Civic Center Bart Station)
Press Release:
Rick Rocamora took pictures of Filipino WWII veterans for 18 years as they wait to be recognized as equal to US veterans.
Rocamora has documented the lives of the Filipino veterans, still clinging to hard-won medals, military commendations and scraps of uniforms as they make their way in San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods. Rocamora’s deep connection to the veterans allows a rare view into their difficult but always dignified lives, and creates a poignant story of pain, persistence and hope.
Rocamora’s images have been part of investigative stories on the abuse of veterans in North Richmond, California, Medicare scam in San Francisco that used them, exhibitions in the US Congress and other venues and countless presentations and photo essays about their plight. His images have been part of their struggle and have been credited in inspiring others to advocate for equity for the veterans.
His photo-documentary work, including words of supporters, historical anecdotes and chronology is now part of the book “AMERICA’S SECOND-CLASS VETERANS”.
Eli Reed, a member of Magnum said, “The book should be viewed as an important element in the failed promise of delivering the promise of America. Rocamora admirably performs this difficult task by photographing the lives of these men in a sensitive, straightforward, and respectable manner. He doesn’t add unnecessary flourishes that might take you away from their story. He leaves you to understand that these images are about these men and not about him. When you look into the eyes of these men, you will truly feel their pain. You will also feel the shame of knowing how they were left to drift by our country after helping us in our time of need. They went through hell and were then abandoned. Rick Rocamora has not abandoned these men and through his photographs of their lives, he insures that we will not forget them either”.
Sandra Phillips, Senior Curator of Photography, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Said, “Like Dorothea Lange, Rocamora focuses his attention on the people he wants us to look at and think about. These are ordinary people. They fought alongside American soldiers in World War II in the Pacific, often at great personal cost. They are Filipinos, living here in the United States, promised benefits by the United States government that many still expect. Most of these men are also very poor, though it is not their poverty that we remember most, but their gentleness and bravery. Rocamora reminds us, in these quiet and dignified pictures, of the value and integrity of these people, and of their strong sense of community-which sustains them, even as they suffer from careless neglect”.
Sheila S. Coronel, Director Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University said The pictures—and the stories—in this book will break your heart. Rick Rocamora photographs Filipino soldiers who fought bravely during World War II and have come to America to demand the recognition due them. Rocamora portrays these men with tenderness and respect. In his pictures, their dignity is undiminished. They seem unbowed by the humiliations they had suffered in America, hopeful, despite all that they had been through here, that they will get the justice they deserve.
Major General Antonio Taguba, (Ret.) U.S. Army said All of these aging and precious veterans have to live for is hope, pride, and dignity—priceless in every sense. They have endured the many years of waiting for the US Government to compensate them for answering the Call to Duty. Some have even discounted their selfless sacrifices, questioned their integrity and dismissed their citizenship. Yet, they remained loyal and devoted to this Nation. This is an incredible study in courage and inspiration.
ABOUT RICK ROCAMORA
Rick Rocamora has traveled the globe with his camera, capturing the smiles of children, the determination of freedom fighters, and the swift grace of dancers from his native Philippines, to El Salvador and South Africa. In America, he documents issues about immigrants and civil liberties, including Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated in World War II, Muslim-Americans after 9/11, Silicon Valley’s immigrant entrepreneurs, and Filipino Diaspora. His photographs have been exhibited in San Francisco City Hall, U.S. Embassies in London and Tokyo, the Smithsonian, the Center for Photographic Arts, Oakland Museum, and Gorman Museum. He was recognized as a “Local Bay Area Hero” by KQED and Union Bank of California for his work about the Filipino veterans. “Second-Class Veterans” a documentary film profiling his work about the veterans was broadcast on many PBS stations in 2003 and 2004. He has won awards from Asian American Journalist Association, SF Bay Area Press Photographers Association, California Arts Council, and New California Media. Rocamora, who lives in Oakland, CA, also teaches photography and runs the Exposure Gallery in San Francisco.
Excerpt – Foreword by Congressman Bob Filner
His message is clear: Filipino soldiers, living in the Philippines (a territory of the United States at that time), drafted by an Executive Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt into service in World War II, have been treated with disdain, neglect, and disrespect. They are heroes. They answered the call to duty, not begrudgingly but with heads high and hearts full of love for America. To this day, the Filipino veterans who live in the United States are patriotic residents of their adopted country, and those who continue to live in the Philippines also speak with love and respect when they recall their service during the war. There are hundreds of accounts of their actions to save American soldiers, often causing them to lose their own lives.
The photographs in Rocamora’s book and the words of the veterans next to the photos will not only bring tears to your eyes but also a firm resolve in your heart. Congress has officially granted the recognition as Veterans of World War II to these brave men, both living and dead. To the living, we must now grant the remaining benefits due them, to allow them, in their final years, to live not in squalor as depicted in these photos, but with the dignity they deserve, either here in the United States or, if they choose to return in the Philippines, so that no more will they be America’s Second-Class Veterans!
Excerpt – Foreword by Kim Komenich
All the while, Rick has cared, deeply and personally, for the veterans. His photos have been used in campaigns to secure better housing and in 1999, he testified at the San Francisco Redevelopment Commission hearing in support of the request for funding to rehabilitate the Delta Hotel, which is now the Bayanihan House.
His photos have been exhibited at the U.S. Capitol and used by Congressman Bob Filner and other organizations to campaign for the repeal of the provision of Recission Act of 1946 that classify Filipino soldiers who fought during World War II side-by-side with American soldiers, as members of the US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) with a non-veteran status.
All of this has come to pass and all of these lives were made better because Rick Rocamora picked up a camera and took pictures — not only with his eye, but with his heart.
CONTACT:RickRocamora–
rbrocamora@gmail.com
http://
BOOK LAUNCH :
Filipino WW II Soldiers
AMERICA’S SECOND-CLASS VETERANS
Photographs by Rick Rocamora
Forewords by Congressman Bob Filner and Kim Komenich
Essay by Rene Ciria-Cruz
Rick Rocamora will sign books and talk about his varied experiences as a documentary photographer and an advocate for the struggle of Filipino WW II veterans at
Thursday, May 21, 2009 6-9pm - San Francisco Exposure Gallery, 801 Howard Street near Moscone Center on (Powell or Montgomery Bart Station)
Sunday, May 24, 2009 - San Francisco Main Public Library – Grove and Larkin near San Francisco City Hall on - 2-5pm (Civic Center Bart Station)
Press Release:
Rick Rocamora took pictures of Filipino WWII veterans for 18 years as they wait to be recognized as equal to US veterans.
Rocamora has documented the lives of the Filipino veterans, still clinging to hard-won medals, military commendations and scraps of uniforms as they make their way in San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods. Rocamora’s deep connection to the veterans allows a rare view into their difficult but always dignified lives, and creates a poignant story of pain, persistence and hope.
Rocamora’s images have been part of investigative stories on the abuse of veterans in North Richmond, California, Medicare scam in San Francisco that used them, exhibitions in the US Congress and other venues and countless presentations and photo essays about their plight. His images have been part of their struggle and have been credited in inspiring others to advocate for equity for the veterans.
His photo-documentary work, including words of supporters, historical anecdotes and chronology is now part of the book “AMERICA’S SECOND-CLASS VETERANS”.
Eli Reed, a member of Magnum said, “The book should be viewed as an important element in the failed promise of delivering the promise of America. Rocamora admirably performs this difficult task by photographing the lives of these men in a sensitive, straightforward, and respectable manner. He doesn’t add unnecessary flourishes that might take you away from their story. He leaves you to understand that these images are about these men and not about him. When you look into the eyes of these men, you will truly feel their pain. You will also feel the shame of knowing how they were left to drift by our country after helping us in our time of need. They went through hell and were then abandoned. Rick Rocamora has not abandoned these men and through his photographs of their lives, he insures that we will not forget them either”.
Sandra Phillips, Senior Curator of Photography, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Said, “Like Dorothea Lange, Rocamora focuses his attention on the people he wants us to look at and think about. These are ordinary people. They fought alongside American soldiers in World War II in the Pacific, often at great personal cost. They are Filipinos, living here in the United States, promised benefits by the United States government that many still expect. Most of these men are also very poor, though it is not their poverty that we remember most, but their gentleness and bravery. Rocamora reminds us, in these quiet and dignified pictures, of the value and integrity of these people, and of their strong sense of community-which sustains them, even as they suffer from careless neglect”.
Sheila S. Coronel, Director Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University said The pictures—and the stories—in this book will break your heart. Rick Rocamora photographs Filipino soldiers who fought bravely during World War II and have come to America to demand the recognition due them. Rocamora portrays these men with tenderness and respect. In his pictures, their dignity is undiminished. They seem unbowed by the humiliations they had suffered in America, hopeful, despite all that they had been through here, that they will get the justice they deserve.
Major General Antonio Taguba, (Ret.) U.S. Army said All of these aging and precious veterans have to live for is hope, pride, and dignity—priceless in every sense. They have endured the many years of waiting for the US Government to compensate them for answering the Call to Duty. Some have even discounted their selfless sacrifices, questioned their integrity and dismissed their citizenship. Yet, they remained loyal and devoted to this Nation. This is an incredible study in courage and inspiration.
ABOUT RICK ROCAMORA
Rick Rocamora has traveled the globe with his camera, capturing the smiles of children, the determination of freedom fighters, and the swift grace of dancers from his native Philippines, to El Salvador and South Africa. In America, he documents issues about immigrants and civil liberties, including Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated in World War II, Muslim-Americans after 9/11, Silicon Valley’s immigrant entrepreneurs, and Filipino Diaspora. His photographs have been exhibited in San Francisco City Hall, U.S. Embassies in London and Tokyo, the Smithsonian, the Center for Photographic Arts, Oakland Museum, and Gorman Museum. He was recognized as a “Local Bay Area Hero” by KQED and Union Bank of California for his work about the Filipino veterans. “Second-Class Veterans” a documentary film profiling his work about the veterans was broadcast on many PBS stations in 2003 and 2004. He has won awards from Asian American Journalist Association, SF Bay Area Press Photographers Association, California Arts Council, and New California Media. Rocamora, who lives in Oakland, CA, also teaches photography and runs the Exposure Gallery in San Francisco.
Excerpt – Foreword by Congressman Bob Filner
His message is clear: Filipino soldiers, living in the Philippines (a territory of the United States at that time), drafted by an Executive Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt into service in World War II, have been treated with disdain, neglect, and disrespect. They are heroes. They answered the call to duty, not begrudgingly but with heads high and hearts full of love for America. To this day, the Filipino veterans who live in the United States are patriotic residents of their adopted country, and those who continue to live in the Philippines also speak with love and respect when they recall their service during the war. There are hundreds of accounts of their actions to save American soldiers, often causing them to lose their own lives.
The photographs in Rocamora’s book and the words of the veterans next to the photos will not only bring tears to your eyes but also a firm resolve in your heart. Congress has officially granted the recognition as Veterans of World War II to these brave men, both living and dead. To the living, we must now grant the remaining benefits due them, to allow them, in their final years, to live not in squalor as depicted in these photos, but with the dignity they deserve, either here in the United States or, if they choose to return in the Philippines, so that no more will they be America’s Second-Class Veterans!
Excerpt – Foreword by Kim Komenich
All the while, Rick has cared, deeply and personally, for the veterans. His photos have been used in campaigns to secure better housing and in 1999, he testified at the San Francisco Redevelopment Commission hearing in support of the request for funding to rehabilitate the Delta Hotel, which is now the Bayanihan House.
His photos have been exhibited at the U.S. Capitol and used by Congressman Bob Filner and other organizations to campaign for the repeal of the provision of Recission Act of 1946 that classify Filipino soldiers who fought during World War II side-by-side with American soldiers, as members of the US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) with a non-veteran status.
All of this has come to pass and all of these lives were made better because Rick Rocamora picked up a camera and took pictures — not only with his eye, but with his heart.
Friday, May 8, 2009
TAYO Literary Magazine
We aim to empower Filipino American youth through the various forms of creative art. By partnering with the Filipino American Library (FAL), a nonprofit organization located in Historic Filipino Town in Los Angeles, we hope to produce the first annual magazine that explores the Filipino experience. By gathering differing expressions of Filipino American identity, from young children to college and beyond, we will paint an intricate anthology of our Filipino culture and community.
Submission Guidelines are here. DEADLINE IS JUNE 1, 2009.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Al Robles: Some Online Tributes
Some online tributes to Manong Al Robles:
Poor Magazine: Manilatown is in the Heart.
Emil Guillermo @ Amok: Remembering Al Robles, Filipino American poet and activist.
Prometheus Brown: Fall of the I-Hotel (Curtis Choy, 1983).
Jenifer Wofford @ Wofflings: On Filipino Strength.
Eileen Tabios: AL ROBLES, RIP.
Poeta y Diwata: Poems for Al Robles, Manong Al Robles: Images, Poetics.
Jean Vengua @ OKIR: Manong Al Robles.
Hyphen magazine: RIP Al Robles.
Kultural Guerrilla: Rest In Power, Uncle Al Robles.
APIA Spoken Word Summit: RIP Al Robles.
Hip Hop Lives: Traditions of Filipino Performance: Rappin' with 10,000 memories in our hearts.
J-Town Arts: In Memory of Al Robles.
Manzanar Committee: Community Activist, Poet, Educator Al Robles Passes on May 2.
Alister Alarva: RIP, Al Robles.
Hugh Patterson: Manong Al, Uncle Al.
Bambu: ...rest in power, al....
Racewire: Manong Al Has Left the Building.
Vince Gotera: Al Robles ... RIP, In Memoriam Al Robles ... Manong Chito Speaks Again.
Asian American Journalists Association: I-Hotel Activist Al Robles Dies.
05/07/2009: Updates:
Jason Magabo Perez: napkin-notes for manong al robles.
Rachelle Cruz: I never met Al Robles.
Maganda Magazine: RIP Manong Al Robles.
League of Filipino Students @ SFSU: "We Stand On Their Shoulders" Rest in Power Manong Al Robles.
Valerie Soe @ Beyond Asiaphilia: Dahil Sa 'Yo: The Passing of Al Robles.
Niki Escobar: Manong Al Robles.
FilAm ARTS: Rest in Peace, Community Activist and Poet, Al Robles.
Manilatown Archival Project: R.I.P. Al Robles, Your Memory Lives On.
International Exchange for Poetic Invention: Rest in Peace, Al Robles.
Manilatown Heritage Foundation: The Inspiration of Al Robles.
Al Robles: The Carabao Trail (site maintained and updated by the Robles family, includes upcoming memorial event info).
*** Please include your links in the comments section ***
Poor Magazine: Manilatown is in the Heart.
Emil Guillermo @ Amok: Remembering Al Robles, Filipino American poet and activist.
Prometheus Brown: Fall of the I-Hotel (Curtis Choy, 1983).
Jenifer Wofford @ Wofflings: On Filipino Strength.
Eileen Tabios: AL ROBLES, RIP.
Poeta y Diwata: Poems for Al Robles, Manong Al Robles: Images, Poetics.
Jean Vengua @ OKIR: Manong Al Robles.
Hyphen magazine: RIP Al Robles.
Kultural Guerrilla: Rest In Power, Uncle Al Robles.
APIA Spoken Word Summit: RIP Al Robles.
Hip Hop Lives: Traditions of Filipino Performance: Rappin' with 10,000 memories in our hearts.
J-Town Arts: In Memory of Al Robles.
Manzanar Committee: Community Activist, Poet, Educator Al Robles Passes on May 2.
Alister Alarva: RIP, Al Robles.
Hugh Patterson: Manong Al, Uncle Al.
Bambu: ...rest in power, al....
Racewire: Manong Al Has Left the Building.
Vince Gotera: Al Robles ... RIP, In Memoriam Al Robles ... Manong Chito Speaks Again.
Asian American Journalists Association: I-Hotel Activist Al Robles Dies.
05/07/2009: Updates:
Jason Magabo Perez: napkin-notes for manong al robles.
Rachelle Cruz: I never met Al Robles.
Maganda Magazine: RIP Manong Al Robles.
League of Filipino Students @ SFSU: "We Stand On Their Shoulders" Rest in Power Manong Al Robles.
Valerie Soe @ Beyond Asiaphilia: Dahil Sa 'Yo: The Passing of Al Robles.
Niki Escobar: Manong Al Robles.
FilAm ARTS: Rest in Peace, Community Activist and Poet, Al Robles.
Manilatown Archival Project: R.I.P. Al Robles, Your Memory Lives On.
International Exchange for Poetic Invention: Rest in Peace, Al Robles.
Manilatown Heritage Foundation: The Inspiration of Al Robles.
Al Robles: The Carabao Trail (site maintained and updated by the Robles family, includes upcoming memorial event info).
*** Please include your links in the comments section ***
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
05/09/09: Open Mic at Manilatown SF for Al Robles
Good morning everyone,
Manilatown Heritage Foundation would like to invite the community that loved Manong Al in honoring him with an Open Mic this Saturday from 2-6 pm at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center. It's a time to gather and share. It will be potluck.
http://www.manilatown.org
Manilatown Heritage Foundation would like to invite the community that loved Manong Al in honoring him with an Open Mic this Saturday from 2-6 pm at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center. It's a time to gather and share. It will be potluck.
http://www.manilatown.org
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
San Francisco's International Hotel: Mobilizing the Filipino American Community in the Anti-Eviction Movement - Estella Habal at CCSF
Click on image below to enlarge:
Apologies for the delay in posting this information. Estella Habal, author of San Francisco's International Hotel: Mobilizing the Filipino American Community in the Anti-Eviction Movement is speaking tomorrow 05/06/2009 at CCSF's Ocean Avenue campus. Click on the above image for additional information.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Al Robles RIP
Dear Friends, It is with great sadness that I share this news: Manong Al Robles has passed away today. Not only was Manong Al one of the dopest Flip poets ever; he was a monument, a storyteller and sage. His political and poetic work was driven by a deep love for this community. He was one of my strongest role models and sources of inspiration. I will miss his wisdom, and I will miss his talk story.
Friday, May 1, 2009
05/21/2009: Red Hen Press Reading: TIMOTHY GREEN & JOEL BARRAQUIEL TAN
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009, 7:30
Poetry Flash at Moe’s Books
Red Hen Press Reading:
TIMOTHY GREEN & JOEL BARRAQUIEL TAN
Timothy Green’s first full-length book of poems is American Fractal; Denise Duhamel says, “The poems in Timothy Green’s American Fractal find love within love; landscape within landscape; the ‘I’ and ‘you’ nestled within the bigger ‘I’ and ‘you’. Unpredictable, uproarious, and true to the wonder of the moment&“ He’s the editor of RATTLE magazine, and he’s been nominated for Pushcart Prizes and the Rhysling Award; an earlier version of his book was a finalist for the New Issues Poetry Prize.
Joël Barraquiel Tan’s new book of poems is Type O Negative; Marianne Villanueva calls it, “A narrative of pain and loss, a memory piece of such raw emotion and sadness it will make you weep. Nothing I have read in the past several years comes close to matching Joël Tan in the nightmarish intensity of his vision.” His previous collections include El Canto de Animal and Monster. Among his honors are grants from the NEA, California Council for the Humanities, and San Francisco Arts Commission, and a fall 2004 Best Poem Prize from Spoon River Review. He’s worked extensively in HIV prevention, and he’s the Director of Community Engagement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.
MOE’S BOOKS, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 849-2087, www.moesbooks.com.
Parking at the Durant/Channing Garage, close to Telegraph. Channing is one block north.
For more information, Poetry Flash: (510) 525-5476.
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