Publication Calls for Contributors [Diwa: Illuminating Pilipina Voices]

I saw this posted on another blog.

Diwa: Illuminating Pilipina Voices. A new publication out of California is calling out for Filipina writers and artists.  The theme of the first issues is “Invisibility.”  Contribution deadlines are 4 Aug 2008.  More info below.

Congrats to Nicco, Leigh, and Melanya!!!

Congrats to three local Filipinos:

* Nicco Lorenzo, winner of a Dora Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male for CBT’s “People Power;”

* Marianne-Leigh Sanchez Ellazar (a KPC volunteer) whose children’s book is being published internationally; and

* Melanya Liwanag Aguila who has been named 2008 GoodLife Group Exercise Fitness Instructor of the Year Toronto co-Nominee!!!

Nicco Lorenzo at Theatre Passe Muraille.

Imelda Can’t Buy the Beatles Love

Filipinos are known as a very hospitable people…

…except when the Fab Four visited Manila 22 years ago around this time.

(Maybe Imelda thought they were the “Fob” Four.)

Her Past is Mine (some shit I wrote on the subway)

We began as one, unified with the sky,

We had our differences though the divine nature was in our being,

Never going beyond our means with respect as our sole compass

Compassion didn’t even exist.

Existing through experience the most spectacular intangibles money could never dream of

Money didn’t exist.

Our emotions were nourished with the reservoir of a beautiful cycle. 

 

And then they came.

 

WTF?!?!

by alex

This one is nauseating.

After writing that piece yesterday about Filipinos in Canada I happened to start flipping through a Filipino newspaper that I read (usually I consider it one of the better ones). I came across an article that I thought might add something to that blog entry titled “50 Years of Filipino Migration to Canada.”

The page seemed innocent enough at first–but take a look next to the article–WTF!?!?!?

Filipinos in Canada

by alex

Happy Canada Day all!

Of course Canada has been a blessing for many Filipinos (the 4th largest visible minority in the country). It has provided us with opportunities that we would be hard pressed to find in the Philippines. I remember my first visit back home in 2001 when I saw how my relatives lived and I often still think about what would have become of me and my family had we stayed.

[above: my uncle's neighbourhood, a squatter area by active train tracks in Manila. I lived here for four months in 2001 (photo from 2005).]

Of course all of our experiences are unique and with a community as large as ours the stories of migration vary widely, but when you look at the big picture a heart wrenching reality emerges.

Your Baggage is HERE.

In the beginning there was shame. Now there is baggage. Weigh it. Tag it. Lose it. Claim it.

It’s Fringe Festival time in the city of T.O. and this time you’ve got some home-team representation in the city’s off-beat theatre-fest, so no excuses! Come out to the Fringe and see why it’s not just one-man Shakespeare shows done in the role of a cartoon character or musicals starring action-figures that should have stayed in your childhood memories.

Baggage is playing from July 2 to July 13 at Kapisanan so there’s lots of time to come watch the series of plays that you missed from Tales From the Flipside earlier this year. The schedule is now out so pick your date! And just as importantly, Bring a Date!

PEOPLE POWER’s revolution spins the Doras

In 1986, millions of Filipinos took part in the peaceful revolution that toppled the oppressive Marcos regime. 22 years later, the revolution continued at Theatre Passe Muraille with a brave collective of five actors in the Carlos Bulosan Theatre’s PEOPLE POWER. Now, the company is thrilled to announce that the production has been nominated for four Dora Mavor Moore Awards in the Independent Division. The Doras take place tonight (June 30th) in Toronto.

Fear Factor Philippines

by Leonard

I got this weird random email this morning informing me of the opportunity to audition for Fear Factor Philippines:

————–

Fear Factor Philippines

If you would like to know how to join the reality game show Fear Factor Philippine edition which will be aired on ABS-CBN these next months, then please read on.

The show advertises that you will be leaving the Philippines for 30 days (1 month) and the grand prize is an astounding P 2 Million. To audition, you should go to:

PDA Concert Hall
June 29, 2008 (Sunday)
9am - 3pm

Those who are eligible to apply are 20-35 years of age and should bring
Valid I.D.
Original and Photocopy of Birth Certificate
Full body and Close Up Picture

Have fun and have no fear. Pinoy Fear Factor.

—————–

I thought that was funny for two reasons, the first being that I don’t LIVE in the Philippines, but more importantly that there even IS a Fear Factor Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao defeats David Diaz in 9th Round

Not that you don’t know… but anyways, just thought we’d say it again — Manny won.  I sure hope he challenges Ricky Hatton because I’d so like to see Manny knock the Brit on his bum.

By the way, Filipinos love boxing — just like Ron’s Dad in this classic Digital Sweatshop short.