One year…
Exactly one year ago, right around this time of night, my flight was just taking off from LAX and headed to the Philippines as I prepared myself to experience the land where my family and ancestors came from. A few short weeks after that, it was time to reflect on everything I experienced in the Motherland. Looking back on what I wrote, there was one part that stood out for me:
I’d like to say that this was a life changing experience (which it does feel like right now), but I think that can only be assessed on a more long term basis. What will happen months from now after I’ve gone back to my comfortable life in the States? Will I get caught up in all the distractions? Or will I be more grounded and inspired to keep organizing and keep fighting for the people?
Living in a capitalist country with a culture based on consumerism, I’m in a never-ending remolding process, but for the most part, I feel like my experience last year really was a life changing experience. There’s so much more I can write, but I’ll just leave it on that note.
![TUNE IN to our first-ever nationwide episode of Anakbayan-USA Radio this Friday, August 3, 2012 from 8-10PM PST! http://ustream.tv/channel/ab-usa
THEME: Advance the Filipino Youth Movement Nationwide!
[I’ll be co-hosting the show, too!]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m849r0Hu0g1qcthlko1_500.jpg)
TUNE IN to our first-ever nationwide episode of Anakbayan-USA Radio this Friday, August 3, 2012 from 8-10PM PST! http://ustream.tv/channel/ab-usa
THEME: Advance the Filipino Youth Movement Nationwide!
[I’ll be co-hosting the show, too!]
Tune in TONIGHT from 8pm-10pm (PST). It’ll be my first time (co)-hosting the show, so let’s see what kind of zany awkwardness will come of it!!
But seriously though, we’re gonna be covering a lot of good topics (especially our recent trip to Chicago).
Out of all the music footage I shot in Chicago, I think this was my favorite performance of the night. I remember listening in on one of their run throughs the day before and thinking, “Daaaamn…not only are they dope MCs, but they’re also droppin’ knowledge too?! Word.”
I’ve said it before, but the Pacific Northwest has been my favorite region for the last couple of years as far as Hip Hop is concerned. Blue Scholars, Macklemore, Grynch, Gabriel Teodros, and a whole lot more have had steady rotation in my iPod, but I can’t believe I never knew about the Seattle kasamas until a couple weeks ago!!
I just found out that one of them is coming down to LA at the end of June too, so you know we ‘bout to get in a studio session or two. Be on the lookout for that SEA to LA collab!!
“Bayan Bayan Ko” - Kath Zarate
It feels like I heard this song every morning in Chicago at the KRCC. I miss all my kasamas.
I love this song.
(Chorus)
Bayan bayan ko (My motherland/nation)
Gumising ka (Wake up)
Ang kalayaan mo’y inagaw na (Your freedom was taken/stolen)
Taong bayan (People of the motherland/nation)
Kumilos ka at sama-sama (Let’s take action and do it together)
Sa pag-alsa (For the revolution)
(Verse)
Walang magbubulag-bulagan (No one will be blind)
Walang magbibingi-bingihan (No one will be deaf)
Sa problema ng bayan (With the problems of the motherland)
Pagkilos ang kailangan (We need to take action)
Sa daming pinagsasamantalahan sating lipunan (From the numerous people oppressed/taken advantage of in our society)
Walang tanging paraan kundi pag-aklas ng sambayanan (There is no other means except for our society to come together and strike)
(Chorus)
(Verse)
Mag-aalab ang paglaban (Our fight will grow stronger)
Mula sa kanayunan patungong kalunsuran (From the countryside to cities)
Ng nagkaisang mamamayan (With the citizens united)
Lulupigin ang kaaway (Our enemy will be crushed)
Durugin ang mapang-aping hanay (Crush the oppressor)
Ng ganid na dayuhan at mga taksil sa bayan (By the greedy foreigners and traitors of the people/nation)
(Chorus)
(Verse)
Mula sa pangunahing pwersa (Beginning with the oppressed people in the frontlines)
Hanggang sa pambansang burgesya (Until the national bourgeoisie)
Magluluwal ng paglaya ang bayang nagdurusa (The people/nation will be free from all oppressors)
Angkinin ang tagumpay (Victory is ours to claim)
Kakamtin ang pagkakapantay-pantay (Achieve equality for all)
Habang buhay sa patnubay ng dakilang gabay (A life forever guided by great support…for the people)
(Chorus 3x)
CHICAGO!!!!!! Saturday May 19th! Bandung 55 rockin’ LIVE! Don’t miss it!
A week from today I’ll be in Chicago and a few days later I’ll be at this event. Can’t wait!!
The National Democratic movement of the Philippines - Bay Area style. 15 years and counting. Honored to be a part of it. And the work ain’t done yet. ISULONG!
Our people’s movement have come along way. Its an honor to be part of this protracted struggle. An honor to struggle with kasamas who want to shed light to the injustices in our society. I am thankful that this movement has taught me how to be a revolutionary. This is where i learned how to put theory into practice, how to be accountable and responsible to the people i am serving, where i learned to love the people as much as self, where i learned how to remold my backwards thinking, and more importantly, where i learned how to value the relationships in this movement. Lookin forward to the future. Lookin forward to the people that will eventually organize. Lookin forward for people to actually understand how to make concrete community change and see revolution in the future.
hindi pa tapos ang labang to, Isulong!
Tune in AnakBayan LA Live Radio Show tonight 8-10PM! If you wanna hear some positive swag music, and wanna know whats going on around the world to yo local LA hoods, tune in and give it a listen! Yeeeee! (Taken with instagram)
Tune in TONIGHT y’all!! I’ll be spinning a quick set around 8:45 (but you should still listen to the whole show cuz it’ll be dope)!
etmm:
SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE Live Video DJ Remix @ Kiskisan Art Exhibit
Thursday, March 22nd, 7-9pm
spaceLUNA Art Gallery
2404 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1B
Los Angeles, CA 90057Come and watch the live video DJ remix of SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE this Thursday in LA!
SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE is a documentary film about the life and music of Filipino emcee Kiwi as well as the growth of hip-hop as an organizing tool in the Philippine struggle for national liberation.
It will be presented like it’s never been seen before, with director Eric Tandoc (aka DJ ET) remixing the film live by utilizing video DJing on two turntables. Every “live remix” performance is different because new scenes are added each time.
The film will be followed by a Q&A with the director.
Hosted by Anakbayan LA and Habi-Arts
For more info visit:
anakbayanla.org
habi-arts.org
soundsofanewhope.blogspot.comFacebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/233944826704607
Never forget…
On my first full day back from the Philippines, I asked a couple of friends to interview me so I can talk about my experiences while they were still fresh on my mind. A part of me wanted to do it so I could share with others, but another part was for personal reasons — so I can revisit that interview whenever I feel myself falling off course and hopefully get back on track.
It’s been over three months since my exposure trip, where I integrated with farmers in the countryside as well as folks in the urban poor areas. I feel like the fire that I came back with in January is slowly starting to die out, so today I decided to watch some of that interview, which is over 2 hours long. In the beginning of the interview, I talked about my fear of getting caught up in all the 1st World distractions and how we have to consciously work to not lose ourselves and our vision. I knew that eventually this day would come so it was kind of like I was talking to my future self (which is now my present self).
These last few weeks have been filled with lots of ups and downs, which has made it extremely difficult to focus on whatever it is I’m doing at the time. While I do acknowledge that I need to find a better work/life balance (which is currently leaning heavily towards the “work” side), I also need to take a step back, breathe, reassess, and remind myself of the importance of community organizing.
Although I may not think of them as often as I used to, I’ll never forget the people that I connected with in the Philippines. They opened up their homes and shared their stories with me, which is something I’ll always be appreciative of.
