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RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY August 4 2009
The other night, I decided to take it easy and just play tennis and have dinner with the homie Gerard. To refresh your memory, he does a lot of photography for CA. We met at the local courts in the valley. Much to our surprise, half of the area was being occupied by what looked like a skate park. Half pipes, grind rails, and a whole lotta kids taking advantage of the space. Later on in the night, we started to understand that this make shift park was more like a community project, led by a younger man who made sure the kids played safe and stayed out of other people’s way. We then saw that their helmets were property of the city of Los Angeles, so it all came together. I tried to learn more about this on laparks.org, but was unsuccessful.
Skating was a huge part of my youth, and seeing kids with an outlet like this is awesome. Remember our tee “People in Manila Don’t Skate”? To refresh your memory again, we released that because I was so deeply moved by the lack of childhood in the Philippines. In one way or another, I promise to rectify that…
I’m going back to the same courts soon. This time, I hope to hold a conversation with someone who could tell me more about this project.
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ALL IN THE FAMILY August 3 2009
BakitWhy celebrated one year of Filipino American community building at Jimmy’s Lounge last Saturday night. Much love to them for being such advocates of education and empowerment. Shouts to Rhythm Natives, Bambu, Gallivant Tours, Pnoy App, and DJ Icy Ice. Let’s build, ya’ll!
Did you catch that second picture up there? Rhythm Natives at Sonido Sundays, August 16th!
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VACAY August 2 2009
kimCA is on vacation for a week to Alaska. I am therefore left like a lone wolf to run the show. Let’s see if I can handle it on my own…Besides Sarah Palin, I think Kim only has this to look forward to. Oh, and maybe some salmon.
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FOR THE PEOPLE August 1 2009
Yesterday, the Philippines lost one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. She was Corazon Aquino, the widow of Ninoy Aquino, the simple housewife who brought democracy back to the Philippines in 1986. After a struggle with colon cancer, the revered figure passed on.
Her husband, the opposition leader during the Ferdinand Marcos regime, is one of my personal heroes. He instilled hope among people who suffered under corrupt and authoritarian rule. He said things like, “It is the highest privilege, my last act of freedom, to choose to die at the dictator’s hands, before the eyes of our people and all humanity, rather than live on my knees at the feet of tyranny.” And he did; Ninoy was assassinated the minute he got off the plane when returning to the Philippines from exile. His death threw Cory Aquino into the public eye, as members of the opposition were convinced that she could bring Marcos down. They were right. That moment in 1986, when Marcos was driven away from his own country by a civilian rebellion led by Aquino, is one of the most astonishing scenes in political history. With that, she became the first female president of the Philippines. Through her term, Aquino was an extension of her husband’s political beliefs. She fought for nonviolence, protested corruption, and began the process of restoring the country to solid ground. And ‘til the day she died, she kept on fighting.
May the angels lead her in.
“I don’t have any formula for ousting a dictator or building democracy. All I can suggest is to forget about yourself and just think of your people. It’s always the people who make things happen.” - Corazon Aquino
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