I write with sadness that my friend's son, Kenneth Sula, has been seriously injured in a knife attack in Lake Sebu. I spent some time in Davao with Kenneth, and two other Lumad (indigenous peoples) students, the wonderful cousins Merlita & Silme Rico. I loved spending time with these young university students and purposely had them all meet so that Merlita and Silme could be a support system for Kenneth, who just moved to the big city. We spent the day shopping for tennis shoes, as Kenneth's last pair of shoes had been ruined when his teachers brought him hiking up to Mt. Apo.

I just spoke with Luanda about how the lumad students will soon be on their own, as I believe the money for the dorm they stay in will soon be depleted. I still want to have a fundraiser, and have been thinking a lot about it when I received the email below from Rosie.

Today we really need your prayers.

Remembering Lubuagen

My fondest memories are of staying with the Bawer family in Lubuagen, especially during the 100th Anniversary of Provincial Government. This was one of the last photos I took when I took the bus back to Baguio.

Reflections on Kalinga

These three Bawer women are a wonderful reflection of their parents, Maria & Cirilio Bawer. My stay at the Bawer home was excellent--with the sharing of food, conversations, Kalinga wisdom, and a fabulous visit to the rice terraces, and artists of Lubuagen.

Cultural Resilience

Globalization: Response and Responsibility. This year's theme at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center's art series.

So this brings up a good question for all of us: How will you be culturally resilient in the midst of globalization? How will I?

Although I'm still going through a quiet transition, adjusting to my return to the U.S. and processing my experience in the Philippines-the joy and pain of it--I think about personal response and responsibility in the global world quite a bit. The next step is to make change. For now, I am formulating my direction...so it was great to be included in this section of the show: "Cultural Resilience." But my initial thoughts on this are on display at the show...along with artwork by Clarissa Cue, Johanna Poethig and Shizue Seigel. The work displayed, while unified by questions of identity, also show great contrast in response to the question of Globalization, each artist responding differently.

But, what will all of our responses to globalization be? My own has been to look back to the past, to my precolonial roots...to "indigenize" myself...a common thing for many Fil-Ams to do. In Iloilo at the KAPWA2 Conference, Filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik recommended that we bring out the "Indo-GENIOUS" of our ancestors... I saw a lot of this with the young artists I met in the Philippines and of many young artists here in the states. I think it's a cultural phenomena that's occurring worldwide, under the radar of major media and probably not getting play because it's a powerful thing.

Going to the I-Hotel Manilatown Center yesterday was a good thing for me. Good for my family too. It gave Uncle Donn an opportunity to explain to Miles the importance and history of the I-Hotel. My mom came, and so did three of my kids and their significant others, along with my sister Kelly, and grandbaby Amaya. Memories of visiting the I-Hotel with dad and remembering all the history there and seeing the manongs in my mind--these were good things. Revisiting the past is always good.

Which brings up another thing: The archive at the center is up and running. Here's a good way to review the history of the I-Hotel. You can access it at: manilatownarchives.blogspot.com

Check out the show "Cultural Resilience," at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center, 868 Kearny Street (at Jackson), San Francisco, CA. It runs until November 15th, 2008. Gallery hours: 1-6 pm (Tues-Sat)

Reflections on Returning

I flew back to San Francisco on August 23, 2008. A two month journey. The deepest valley was the grief of losing Kulpna so suddenly. Stopped me cold. Couldn't do art research & thankfully, Bryan Ellorimo, my Cultural Guide & exquisite Kulintang player, turned to me in Gen San to tell me, "Maybe we should go to Davao, mam. Your heart is broken..." It was the best advice. I couldn't focus on gathering documentation on indigenous arts & cultural, while grieving for such a wonderful woman.

My exit from Mindanao was amidst the failure of the MOA between the Philippine National Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Once the Supreme Court pulled the MOA, fighting broke out. Land issues in Mindanao are deep and conflicts span generations, if not centuries. I am saddened that the peace process fell apart. I have friends on all sides: the Lumads (Indigenous Peoples-IP), Moros (Muslim Pilipinos) and the settlers (Pilipinos from other islands).

The parents of my niece's high school friend were shot in the head over land issues while I stayed in Davao. My T'boli friends grieve over loosing most of their land to the settlers: 70% T'boli population in Lake Sebu own only 20% of the land. I am told that Datus who stand up to the injustice are murdered. Another datu from a different tribe was indignant that IP ancestral domain was included in the PNG/MILF MOA, and anticipated the war days, maybe weeks before it began.

This was the context with which I traveled Mindanao. But juxtapose this against the time I spent with the Cultural Workers I visited in Lake Sebu and South Cotabato. Although my visit was short, the music shared with us was spectacular--very moving and heartffelt--the "love-laced" tribal chants of the T'boli women and the fast-paced agong contests of the Maguindanaon men, mostly members of Master Danongan Kalanduyan's family, were great highlights of my trip. Meeting a Maranao Princess was a delight I hadn't expected and Ate Bai Bing was such a caring, wonderful person, and a proud Bangsamoro.

Returning to Luzon, especially the Cordillera Mountains was especially healing for me. Reconnecting with friends and relatives in Manila, and especially in Baguio, helped me recalibrate my senses. I needed to breath the fresh air, let the mountain spirits cool me and see the Chico river flow below me, while the Kalingas of Lubuagen celebrated their 100th year of Provincial government. I was caught up with the excitement of a community celebrating the wealth of their tribal music, dance and culture. I am especially grateful to Ruel Bimuyag and the entire Bawer family, who facilitated with their familial warmth, my return to balance, to community belonging and to balance. I am grateful to the community members of the Mabilong Barangay, who welcomed me back with open arms, and with their compassion and generosity, helped me heal my ailing heart. It was in the mountains overlooking Lubuagen that my grief began to fall away. Those mountains bring me a peaceful heart and a clear mind.

And now I am happy to be home. My return visit to Lubuagen brought me full circle. Once I returned to Lubuagen, I was ready to return to the U.S. Can't explain it much, except that my own indigenization of myself is connected to the land & for me that land is the La Union/Cordi area...I am certain my ancestors walked those mountains at one time. I could feel it.

My homecoming a happy one--greeted by Amaya (my grandchild) & Sandino (my son) at the airport & Keenan, Cory & Aja at the house. A simple and quiet homecoming & of course my own bed!!! Then, all my kids, Shy, Alicia, Amaya & Aliyah Sky (my grandaughter) for Dario's (my son) 25th Birthday on August 24th. A perfect homecoming. It's good to be home. THANK YOU FAMILY!!!

Quick Report from Baguio

It's true. I am a horrible blogger.... Been here for almost 2 months and haven't really written much...but the experience has been life changing.

I have met so many wonderful people, visited the most amazing places, been brought down by grief and uplifted by the mountain spirits and the people who live in them...I just returned from two days in Lubuagen to witness the celebration of 100 years of government. The mountains & river & presence of the Mabilong community was healing for me. Going there brought my trip full circle as it was the first IP community to embrace me during this trip. I hold Lubuagen as a special place in my heart.

I will always remember the Kalingas of Lubuagen, the Ifugaos of Banaue & Happao, the Bontoc of Sagada, & the Benguet of Baguio... Deep in my soul I'll always walk with my fellow Pinoy artists of Mindanao, Panay & Luzon, all of us reaching back to our roots and using modern technology woven with ancient knowledge to make new creations of beauty.

Thanks for my text buddies-- it really helped to have a connection when I didn't feel connected. Big thanks to all my travel buddies, host families, fellow artists, healers, family members who made this trip my best homecoming ever. I appreciate and love you all.

Two Poems for Kalpna

Poem 1: For Kalpna



You are like a butterfly
coming to me through the
clouds, the sun
I see your face
your smile, bright eyes
full of amazement
I think of how you love
Ganesh
and how easily an EastAsian
like you
can make friends
with my own people


our days together
short, like a butterfly
flit into our lives--flying through Davao
with your sparkling spirit
refreshing, like the coolest water
flowing from Mt. Apo
from the mountain spring


even my heart hurts
to think of your pain
but I will always treasure my
moments with you
How you welcomed me
into the 2008 circle
and the beauty of
you, one butterfly on your leg
your smile
your warmth
the essence of you
always coming to me
from the
sky




Poem 2:

Five of us in search
Of a conversation
Spending time with Kublai
A Fulbright adventure to meet an artist
Share stories and even wine & cheese
A gift from the artist

Kalpna, Luanda, Aimee, Anthem and Holly
Americans & Kublai truly valued our conversations
Told Kalpna of his Indian friend, supporter
Of the arts
And also told her he wanted to travel to
Her homeland, India

What do you value?
He asked
Each one responding
After our conversations of BUDA
Parks, homes in the mountains
The search for the best waterfalls
Being saved from a bad TRIP in Palawan
Why wandering Mindanao was preferable
to showing work in the U.S.
and even UFOs


We laughed, shared, took pictures of Kublai’s
Latest series—which of course,
Won’t be completed until the 150th painting is done
And in this series of paintings
And in this series of conversations
I look back and also value the special time
We shared at the top of Ponce Suites
A moment with a great artist
And a moment with great friends
A moment to treasure forever

I value conversations
Says Kublai
Now thinking back
So do I now see the value of our conversations
This conversation at Ponce Suites etched in my memory
Another beautiful night shared with Kulpna & friends

Returning from Lake Sebu & Cotabato

It wasn't so much the failure of the Peace Agreements that burdened my travel in Mindanao, but the lack of health of my fellow American colleagues here in Davao, Mindanao. While waiting for my Cultural Guide's schedule to free up, I hung out with the 2008 Fulbright-Hays Scholars, dragging them to meet my artist friends & being dragged to lectures at Ateneo de Davao University...ok, I wasn't dragged... Luanda is a scholar, so of course, I had to hang out with her & share the experience.

During this time I befriended Kalpna, with roots in India, who joined Luanda in getting a cool tatoo from a Katribu artist, along with many other cool teachers that I won't name right now because they are all flying back to the states as I type.

One of the Fulbrighters, Cora, suffered a blood clot and was hospitalized & then later Miriam, the Co-Director of the program also was hospitalized from dehydration (&maybe exhaustion from caring for Cora @ the hospital-my diagnosis)... Two other teachers got the flu and rested at the Royal Mandaya Hotel & the remainder watched the ill women in shifts, with two per shift...this lasted for days. I assisted in small ways, mostly supporting the healthy ones...

It was in this way that I boarded a bus with my cultural host & kulintang player to check out the T'boli arts & that of the Maguindanaon people too. While on the bus I got word that one of the Fulbrighters- Kalpna - died in the morning. This call was from Luanda, who along with Aimee, spent the last moments with her. I was heart stricken, but on my way to Lake Sebu and Cotabato.

While on the road and visiting these places I was able to complete my studies, but I cut short my visit in order to return to Davao. The grief was overwhelming, with me bursting into tears at any little trigger. The death of Kalpna still lingers with me each day. Her memorial is on Saturday in the states. Most of the Fulbrighters will be in attendance at her memorial. There are two left here- one great guy getting his rest now in Palawan & the other across the street at Davao Doctors Hospital, thankfully, with her son at her side.

I am honored and blessed to know Kalpna Mistry. She was a bright star that burst past me and with a blaze changed my life. I am thankful for the members of the Katribu Collective, especially Tan Tan, Sheila,and Benjie, who came to my call to take care of Luanda and the others in their extreme grief over Kalpna's death. They brought my friends to the ocean each day to wash away the tears of sorrow and to perform ritual prayers of forgiveness and prayers for Kalpna. Benjie healed many with his acupuncture and brought stableness to this small group of educators. I am thankful to Kalpna, who during a prayer ritual for Cora's recovery, included me- a 2006 Fulbright Scholar- into the 2008 circle. I am blessed. Each moment sacred. I give thanks for this short time I have spent with her.

This trip was to learn about the art & culture of the P.I. I have learned much more about spirit. Thank you Kalpna.

Checking in from Davao

Manila and Davao are good rest stops for me....except that I hate crowds, traffic & pollution...

In Manila, I stayed @ Cuz Mike's house with his wife, Grace & my great nephews: Tommy, Maxwell and Morgan. Their house in Quezon City is very beautiful, quiet and large. I mostly ate and slept in late. The opposite of my travels through Kalinga, Mt. Province & Ifugao. I enjoyed being in the provinces and meeting with indigenous artists...walking the terraces sometimes terrified me because I'm scared of heights, but I did it & lost some inches, only to gain it all back @ Micheal's house...too much eating!!!

Now I arrived in Davao today and I'm staying with my other cousin-Cecil Martinez & husband Edgar & family &&& she saw I was still tired & let me take a siesta...&&&& now I'm eating more!!!

Tommorrow I meet with my guides to set my itinerary for Mindanao &&& ALSO- I'll get to see Luanda, who returns from her excursion to Lake Sebu with the other Fulbrighters!

I will write reflections of my tour of the Cordillera Mountains later, but I really think I will be returning there. I found many kindred spirits there...

Quick Report Back

My stay in Lubuagen, Kalinga, was extraordinary! I was blessed to stay with Mr. Cirilio Bawer, who is my new Kalinga friend. He was quite busy preparing for the Centennial of the founding of the Provincial Gov't here & I am very tempted to return for this historic event on August 18th. I visited numerous Kalinga weavers, an elder rattan weaver, a flutemaker and even the rice terrace for field preparations, where I ate & rested while the farmers worked the land...(UNFORTUNATELY, THIS CITY GIRL IS OUT OF SHAPE--SLIPPING & SLIDING ON THE MOUNTAIN TRAILS, WHILE DRAGGING ALONG ALL THE OTHER MOUNTAIN FOLK). The Kalinga are gracious & giving--I received many gifts from them along with a handmade flute which I'll have to learn how to play...tried Kalinga embroidery on the traditional cloth, but was very slow & quite sloppy, especially compared to the 15 year old who was attempting to teach me.

Traveling with Ruel Bimuyag, Ifugao Photographer, and his Kalinga wife, Irene, has been one of the greatest treasures in my life. I am in the midst of cultural bearers who are able to traverse between traditional life in the Cordillera Mountains and modern life in the cities of Baguio, Manila & countries beyond. Meeting the father of Irene is one of my greatest honors in life--a humble man, yet the wisest of teachers, who has given me a glimpse of Kalinga life and the struggles of passing on the Kalinga way of life. I wanted to record every word he uttered so I could remember the wisdom of it, what sticks now is: we must learn to balance everything... & also >>> TO LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME... something I'd already known, but in the context of the Kalinga, who stopped the building of the Chico River Dam, the meaning has become much more important to me. His family is wonderful...cooking for me each day & so humble--all beautiful from his wife Maria to each of the children. I felt completely at home.

This Sunday we took the bus from Lubuagen to Bontoc, Mt. Province for a quick visit to Bontoc Museum & then on to Sagada, where I am now staying in the house of Villia--a beautiful home on the edge of the cliff overlooking a magical canyon surrounded by mountains from which I am just now watching the Typhoon pass through--mist like, wave after wave of rainfall. We had a great meal-especially her rhubarb pie (yummy-can't just have one piece!) Earlier today I had a pottery workshop with Siegrid here in the Sagada Pottery Studio & was slightly more successful today than yesterday's session with Manong Jessie on hand building.

We leave for Banaue on Thursday--Ifugao territory...yet another adventure.

On meeting artists in Baguio

The adventure continues...hung out in Baguio, mostly with manong Kidlat Tahimik. His home is so cool and I was so blessed to be allowed to spend so much time with him and learn about all of his films and his filmaking process...besides touring around Baguio, I also mostly hung out with my friends Violeta, Jason & Ruel @ VOCAS- Victor Ortesia Community Art Space...viewing films from Japan on the Ainu Wedding & Bear Rituals & a brief excerpt of a film from Okinawa. Met lots of artists @ VOCAS, but also met a few @ Tamanwan Village & the gallery of Ben Hur Villanueva, the Arko ni Apo Gallery.I was blown away by his scultures & was blessed with the opportunity to interview him... One giant sculpture would've been beautiful in my house...oh, well too much $$$ to spend! Read about him here:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2004/11/15/life/an.artist.for.others.html

Silly me, while trying to back up photos & half eating my meal, i also met the famous photographer, Tommy Hafalla, who was checking out my images on the computer while we talked...I was so stupid--didn't realize who he was & I asked him does he love black & white photography...DUH!!!! MEANWHILE, Ruel's wife Irene is giggling & laughing & trying to whisper to me that he's famous for his work!!! Nice guy, he mostly documents rituals in Sagada, but also cares for his elderly father here in Baguio. Read about these artists here:

http://www.homegrownart.net/history.htm

Tonight we leave for Kalinga Province & Mountain Province...This is quite a wonderful artistic & spiritual adventure for me!

From Baguio to Naguilian

I took the bus from Baguio to Naguilan, with my friend & photographer Ruel Bimuyag telling the bus driver to get me to Gusing to look for my relatives-Calica, Caluza, Cacdac. They didn't recognize any names till they asked: Hulog? & my response of yes let them know it was ok...once in Naguilan the drivers told the bicycle driver to bring me to Gusing...where we commenced to go from house to house looking for maybe 1 1/2 hours. back & forth in North & South Gusing... (ok-never write things on loose paper... I kept loosing my info...) Finally, someone remembered a married lady in Tuddingan who used to be Calica...When I got there we showed the photo to Manang Lilia, who explained, "This is my Auntie Mary!" THANK GOD!!! She told me that Grandpa Pedro, the brother of Grandma Mary was still alive, but Grandma Sinang had died in December. & we went to Bagulin to see him...the driver laughing all the way that we had finally found my relatives! I had to tell her about both Uncle Ben & Uncle Gary & I was sobbing in the bicycle cab & even sobbing more when I finally saw Grandpa Pedro, sitting on his chair in front of his home in Bagulin. The driver, Lola Lilia Calica Cabacungan & all the relatives laughing about the story of the American who spoke no Illocano looking for her relatives in Gusing & going back & forth, here & there, with everyone following along & going from house to find out where the relatives were! (ok-so of course i had all the relatives laughing about this for two days!)

Next day to the farm that grandma & grandpa bought-another adventure across a hanging bridge & a small trail where i fell twice on the slippery ground before arriving 2 km. to see the farm. Returned to Baguio that eve with Manang Pia & her family. I will post photos later...off to merienda (ok-now i'm really FAT!!!)

Views from Iloilo: Exploring Kapwa in the Midst of Typhoon Frank

We arrived in Manila quite late when my cousin Boying picked Dr. Leny Strobel & I from the airport. Reconnecting with Boying was quite wonderful as he told me of his projects to bring retiring FilAm teachers to Caloocan to provide educational services to the people of that province. The teachers here often have 60+ children in their classroom, work shifts (with some kids beginning instruction in the afternoon)and the training of teachers must also continue.

The sadness was the knowledge that 3 ships went down, more than 800 drowned and the question of why did the ships leave port when the typhoon was clearly headed towards central Visayas...this is the Philippines...where corruption is often blatant...on the plane ride I read many articles, including one which said that the company involved had many ship that have sunk during storms like this.

Once in Iloilo, our ride from the airport showed downed shacks, and trees, but the people here are resilient. Outside of homes, many had their belongings out to dry--furniture, clothing, etc.. One young girl, Adele, a conference coordinator, had lost her home, yet once the Kapwa2 Conference began she was back at work--organizing and handling all the needs of the foreign guests. I tried to give her my things, but she insisted all her family needed was perhaps more mosquito repellant, even refusing the small eco-flashlight I brought along (sorry mom). It's hard to see thedevastation from where we are, the downtown now cleared of water. But on our ride past Antique, we saw where the concrete bridge was washed out, and yet they had already built a small replacement bridge, enabling us to visit the art studios of Momo.

This Kapwa2 Conference is a huge blessing for me. I was blessed to find many of my friends here, a huge surprize and so wonderful...these friends from Lake Sebu, Camiguin, Manila & making new ones from all over the PI. The Conference is on Pilipino Psychology-I'll explain more later, but it is filled with many culture bearers who have inspired me with their profound work in maintaining their living traditions. Also, there are many famous people here, in particular, the organizers are Kidlat Tahimik, International Filmmaker, and his wife, Dr. Katrin de Guia. Their story is a unique one, but you can google them yourselves... I am quite honored to be able to walk this path and find that in the crossroads there are many kindred spirits to be found who have much knowledge to pass to me.

Coming home always makes me feel complete, but I know also my home is with my fabulous family and also my friends of "Bahia de San Francisco." Missing and loving you all!

Today we leave for Baguio and then my journey in Mt. Province & my real homecoming to La Union & Caloocan...ok, kids, please free your schedule for next year when you all return with me. Ok, lang?

Now I'm missing home!

YahmaVOY!!!

Reflecting on when I turned 50 last year & the kids threw a surprize party...I had a hard time adjusting to this new age, but in looking back, I am beginning to reap the rewards... I love being a lola...but I still enjoy the company of good friends...even thought I'm going to the P.I. I look forward to seeing my girls when I get back, making art, entertaining babies, making music &&&& DANCING!!!

Student Art Projects

Click above.

This project wasn't the most exciting thing, but I did meet the CA State Standards in providing my students with the opportunity to learn how to manipulate digital media. The success of this was being able to do it with my fifth graders at 2 out of 5 schools-a feat that can only happen when there is an operational computer lab and lab staff to assist with technical difficulties. This year, the SFUSD boggled all of my school sites down by shutting down school servers, wiping out student work & reimaging or redesigning school websites. My poor students were constantly beginning their work over and over because their work would be lost, so they were only able to do so much...

The funnest projects I did this year was the weaving & basketry work...I think I was influenced by my trip to the PI in 2006 and I've moved more towards the practical arts...more on that later.

Learning How to Blog: My Experiments & Failures

Click the title above to go to my "Trial & Error" page...as some of you know, I really love studying music... My latest dilemma is trying to learn how to "embed audio files." Blogger is easy to use for uploading presentations, video & photos, but uploading audio has proven to be real difficult for me...& how will I let you hear the sound of the indigenous Philippines if I cannot upload the sound?

If you're an html expert & can easily give me "Embedding Audio for Dummies" instructions, I'd love to hear from you...

Philippine Tour: Summer 2008

It's my second fellowship and I will be traveling to the Philippines again this summer, this time funded by Fund for Teachers. I will be posting blogs of my trip, so stay tuned by clicking the title above.

Family Photos

Family Shots from Aja's Birthday, Mother's Day & other May, 2008 stuff...

SF Pre-Carnaval Bashes

The SF Pre-Carnaval Parties were really fun! Music Great! &&& dancing all night long!!!

Thoughts Evolving from Black & Brown Visions

On my mind Sunday (after Califa's dance class & taking a mind walk to an Osun moment of the past):

Our children dancing into the future>>> these little ones are now high school & college students!

GO FOGO GO FOGO GO!!!

(My little Cory was still that -- now she's 18 & ready to embark on a new journey into adulthood -- college next fall, joining Kelly & the others into our marvelous future!) They burst forward from Osun's embrace!


On my mind Saturday (during a trip to UCSC for the Black & Brown Visions Round Table):

Black&BrownFolkstogetherNdividedDOWNTRODDENyetRISING
we RISE we RISE we always keep on
RISING
bubbling to the surface of commonality
we are really
the same
especially when we
RISING

http://www.transcommunality.org/

On my mind today (FAIR TRADE! FAIR TRADE! FAIR TRADE!) & (END FARM SUBSIDIES!):
We need to end subsidizing rich, plantation-scale farm businesses in the United States):
On what causes World Food Riots & who really benefits from U.S. Farm Subsidies... read this:





http://www.haitiwebs.com/forums/lakay_haitian_news/49403-us_role_haiti_hunger_riots.html
http://www.mulchblog.com/2007/06/full_disclosure_who_really_ben.php

On my mind right now:
Advice from Saturday- take the words & mesh them with action.

On reading

Thanks to Ron, here's a place for first hand testimonials from our Iraq veterans, hosted by KPFA.

http://warcomeshome.org/

There's so much that's left out of the news... check out Censored 2008: The Top 25 Censored Stories of 2006 - 2007, published by Seven Stories Press. For three decades "Project Censored" has been researching & publishing uncovered or little covered stories by corporate media. It's a good read, but I think I need something a little lighter tonight!

Cory left me The Unbearable Lightness of Being, which I saw years ago & loved! It really won't be such a light read, but beats my working on yet another proposal into the late night & wasting away my precious holiday moments before I return to work next Tuesday...I think I've been spending way too much time with my computer...not the best of relationships, as my back is starting to complain... But, these blogs are worth reading: one from my friend, Mica, with a Native Prayer & thoughts on the Ghost Dance Prophesy.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=103150934

&&& Leny always hits home with her blog at:

http://kathang-pinay.blogspot.com/

I have learned a lot from both women, who lead lives that inspire me to do more for the world. Thank you!

Today's News: What's said & not said

It's my morning ritual to grab a cup of coffee & read the newspaper... buried on the 3rd page of the San Francisco Chronicle today was the fact that 4,000 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq. This news should have been front page news, but being that major media is owned by the corporations, such news is either buried, misreported or not even reported. It's best for us to keep up with Internet news sources or alternative media.

I am sad to say that my daughter-in-law's stepbrother, Michael Manibog , was killed just this Spring, his funeral was last month. I didn't really know him, but my daughter-in-law had good memories of them playing when they were young. What is difficult also is that her other brother is still in Iraq. I knew him as a student at Everett Middle School in San Francisco & recall his great love for his brand new wife & I fear for his life right now...let's send prayers to our young people fighting abroad.

Does the Pentagon or the current U.S Administration care about any of our family members who are sacrificed in this war? Do they care about the million plus Iraqis who have already died? This war really has to end. I want our soldiers back in the arms of their families.

That's why I'm voting for Barack Obama & investing in his campaign. I've gotta put my money where my mouth is--forget hitting the streets with my protests... my new strategy is to donate my hard earned money to causes that will actually make a change. I don't know if it will really make a difference, but I feel it's positive energy going out there. I want a peaceful world for my children, my grandchildren and all my relations...

May it be beautiful before us
May it be beautiful behind us
May it be beautiful above us
May it be beautiful below us
May it be beautiful all around us
May we walk in beauty, with peace for all relations.

Dine prayer (with my additions)

May peace be yours always & may peace be extended to all our relations.

Celebrating My Life & My Travels

"Ask and ye shall receive."

It's official!!! I applied for a grant to go the the Philippines and I received my award letter from the Fund for Teachers today! It's my second fellowship. The first Fellowship, a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship, was awarded in 2006 to travel to Mindanao with 12 other educators to learn how to incorporate curriculum about Mindanao. This fellowship project allows me to study the indigenous art, music, dance and culture in the Philippines-both the Cordillera region and Mindanao. I will also participate in cultural exchanges with artists and students.

I am so exited!!! What's also cool is that the SFUSD awarded me a sabbatical for Spring, '09. During that time I will be able to travel to either Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America to continue my studies of the traditional arts around the world...