The Basco Brothers and of course, their sister Arianne
How much of our kasimanwas have gone abroad to settle in a faraway land? For most of us, if we have relatives abroad, they are most likely in the United States. In the United States alone, there are close to four million Filipino-Americans which first settled in the United States at the height of the Martial Law era. Filipino-Americans are spread all across the United States in various terrain but most settled in California like my aunt and her family.
A June 2008 photo of my Filipina-American cousin's visit to the Philippines
My cousins are first generation of immigrant families there but they are characteristically American and does not speak a single sliver of any Filipino tongue other than “Mabuhay!” and “Kumusta?” Last month, I was invited to the press conference of Basco Balikbayan, a documentary project of the second-generation Filipino-American Basco Family to visit the best places in the Philippines and rediscover their uniquely Filipino heritage.
Filipina Actress, G. Tongi explains the gist of the Basco Balikbayan Project
The project is jointly produced by Giselle Tongi and Michael Carandang, an Emmy Award-winning producer for the Tyra Banks Show and America’s Next Top Model. Basco Balikbayan Project was born in the realization of Ms. G that there has been a lack of creative production that features the Philippines specially geared towards the Filipino-Americans who have never even seen the Philippines. They will part of the journey of actor Dante Basco with siblings Darion, Derek, Dionisio and Arianna to rediscover the homeland never seen before with its culture and richness of life.
Producers Michael Carandang, G. Tongi with host Tim Yap
Philippines’ Department of Tourism will be very much part of the production, taking the Basco siblings to Palawan, Davao, Cebu, Ilocos, Naga, Pangasinan, Zambales and Baguio, as far as I have asked them, Negros Island was part of their interest list. In a jam packed but fun schedule, they will be going to key natural and historical places, savoring the local cuisine. The low-cost carrier Airphil Express will ferry them to the destination of choice.
The Basco Brothers and Sister with producer G. Tongi
While in part it is a documentary, it will also be featured as a series that will be pitched or is planned to be pitched in This project will pitch in with Travel, A&E, Bravo, History, Discovery, Own, Tru TV, TLC, Current TV, Biography, DOC, and the National Geographic Channel. With much hope, the project will be a magnet for other Filipino-Americans to take the same path as well but in my own opinion, will be also a tool for us Filipinos left in the Philippines to actually travel around and discover the richness of our own country for – It’s More Fun In The Philippines!
Last February 4, 2012, a Saturday, I woke up from slumber and immediately opened my Facebook. I was not expecting much since my friends would most probably be out somewhere. Seeing my contact’s recent statuses, I suddenly noticed an announcement from Carlos Celdran that he will having a Blogger’s Barter for Livin’ La Vida Imelda (The Performance). More than caffeine, this jolted me awake and I immediately opened my blog email – administrator@republicanegrense.com to send in my intentions to watch the show. I was not expecting to make it to the first twenty (20) bloggers to make it but I felt that it might be a lucky day.
Just as I thought that I did not make it to the cut off since there was no immediate reply, I resigned to seeing this performance on another day as a paying guest. However, last February 5, 2012 (Sunday), I woke to good news! I was one of those who made it to the cut-off. I was thrilled that I even posted it on my blog’s like page which drew comments from other bloggers who also made it for the Blogger’s Barter. Just as my fellow bloggers already had something for the barter, I was still basically arguing with myself with which to give. I realized that since Carlos is a “Bacólod-addict” of sorts, I gave him a box of Merci Pasalubong.
From my little niche in Ortigas, I commuted to the venue at Yupangco Building in Chino Roces Avenue or what we popularly know as Pasong Tamo. From the MRT’s Shaw Boulevard Station, I took the train to the Magallanes Station which always give me funny smiles. I decided to cool down a bit at Alphaland Southgate Tower to update my blog with an article about PUREZA’s film director Jay Abello. After eating my early dinner, I decided to go to Silverlens Gallery by taking a tricycle. I did not have a hard time finding the building. At the entrance I met a fellow blogger, Cristina Raposa of Style Espresso who also availed of the barter.
I was just in time for the opening of the venue at 7:30pm and did not have to wait. Entering the venue, I immediately noticed some minimalist renderings of Imelda-commissioned structures in the CCP Complex using electrical tape! What made me happier is the fact that the artist is also of proud Negrénse heritage. I took the last seat of the third row for me to have a good vantage point of the performance. Minutes before the performance, I noticed steady streams of foreign guests who also came to see the show. Somehow I think that a Carlos Celdran in any show would always draw good crowd. I am privileged to be one of them as well.
The show started with a video that summarizes parts of Philippine history. Indeed, the Philippines is one curious case from nearby Southeast Asian neighbors. Series of colonizers like the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese have since passed by and ruled island after island yet we seem to have an unbelievable obsession for our colonizers, particularly the Americans, among neighbors that so hate their former colonizers still. Much of Imelda Marcos’ time revolves around American influence from the liberation to the times of recovery to the Presidency of his husband. Everything has to do with these Americans and their ultimate interest.
The show definitely had the boom that I always see with Carlos Celdran’s performance. This boom is a unique class of its own and I call “Carlosian”. How do you know? Imelda Marcos’ very own identity and birth is already a center of controversy. This beauty of Leyte definitely carries even now a mysterious charm and some rumors that we may never confirm. Imelda herself was initially not accepted in the mainstream alta-sociedad even with her Romualdez roots. Her marriage to an Ilocano politico, their rise to powers is as mysterious as the rumors that surrounds them but one thing’s sure, they changed the country so much forever.
By how the show was run, it was well thought and prepared with the concept packaged well. You can never go bad with Carlos for he himself is a performer. The show was pretty much derived from the Livin’ La Vida Imelda tours he gives at the CCP Complex but this time fuller flavor of sing, song, more acting and dance. I was surprised that I was even pulled into the performance. I was very shocked at first but this is what made the show special, the audience very much has a part on it. I sat back on my seat pretty much blushed but happier. The performers and Carlos himself pretty much captured the crowd not just well but full well.
Learning history, both factual and speculative, has never been this fun. Who would not have fun with comedic relief that is spiced with hard history? Truth, the underlying rumors, mysteries, destructive gossips and conspiracies forever hounds this archipelagic country of ours but we do not need to bump our heads with them. Perhaps people should learn from history and take in to consider what Ferdinand and Imelda’s though misguided aspirations were for, a nation of equality, free from the rule of the oligarchs once and still does rule nation. What change did our country have after the almost three decades since Marcos’ rule end?
More than the laughs, it makes us think deeper into the story of this power couple who will forever captivate the imagination of our people. It disturbs us but at the same time entertains us and with that I give a loud Kudos! to Carlos Celdran. The show was worthy indeed of my time and so as yours too. Livin’ La Vida Imelda will have another show tomorrow at 8pm and on February 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 to March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. The tickets to the show is worth P800 which is actually cheap for a good show but students get it half at P400. What are you waiting for? Catch this awesome performance in a date most convenient for you.
What is Thanksgiving Day? Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in Canada, United States and Liberia in various dates between October to November. Though they differ in dates and origins, the essence is the same, it is a celebration of thanksgiving by their respective immigrant forefathers for a safe travel and bountiful harvest. Among the Thanksgiving-celebrating countries, the most popular is that of the United States which the country was once a Colony and a Commonwealth of.
For that matter, Thanksgiving is gaining popularity in the country either trivialized into turkey-eating celebration with mall sales or ingrained in a deep sense of faith by thanking God for a wonderful year he has given as the year is drawing to a close. For the latter, my growth group in Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF), Refuge, celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. Refuge is home to a number of transient Americans and expats who found a spiritual home in GCF Ortigas through Refuge.
Starting with a call last Monday by Sam, Refuge was able to gather other people to bring in Thanksgiving food (their innovations) for us to enjoy. You sure know by now that Refuge people really loves food and the fellowship bonding it brings. This Thanksgiving reminded me of how God has been blessing me and working by me even in my afflictions. Indeed, we must be reminded of His faithfulness not just in bad times but in good times too. The closing lesson on the story of Ruth was a reminder that no matter how things go against us, we should never be bitter for God is a witness to our sufferings and will always find a way to redeem us from the debt of our hearts in his best time.
After offering our thanksgiving to God, everyone had a sumptuous dinner. Cranberry “sauce” will always be present in every Thanksgiving celebrations but the turkey had a different twist. Instead of being stuffed with bread crumbs, this turkey was stuffed with pesto rice. Though chicken and turkey are both poultry products, turkey has a more distinctive taste with red meat parts on the legs and the wings which is my personal favorite.
Since our group has a resident vegetarian, we ought to bring vegetable-made food too. For me, it was a good break from all meat to have a healthy siding. Despite limitations and time constraints, Christina was able to bring a string bean cream topped with… crackers? I’ve seen string beans in cream of mushroom but that being topped with crackers is a new thing to me. The best of innovations do come out when ingredients are at its least, something I am happy seeing. Since Paolo did not have time to cook, he brought vegetarian pizza which I gladly feasted on. I love it!
Dessert was a filling treat too when Kuya Micah brought his “pumpkin” pie innovation. Pumpkin in the Philippines? Not really for it is a mix of pumpkin’s closest tropical relative, squash, and sweet potatoes. Pretty ingenious of an idea to add a traditional thanksgiving pie into the food mix. Pauline did her touch with mango pie with a kick of cinnamon which made it extra special. I wish I could’ve had more. RJ brought buco pandan for more of the Filipino twist to Thanksgiving. I could’ve made a debut of my peanut butter piaya there but my hands were too tired to mix more dough so I brought them piaya.
Apart from the food, what matters is the fellowship of friends and siblings in Christ that live a life of thanksgiving in the light of today’s celebration. Above all, I am thankful that God led me to a growth group that cares, understands and shares. Refuge is a cosmopolitan group of Singles/ Young Adults from various fields and professions meeting every Wednesday, 8pm at BM02 at the Mezzanine Floor of Greenhills Christian Fellowship, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
This post marks the 80th article I have written so far for this blog and it is all but fitting that I dedicate this to the Centennial Anniversary of the Republic of China. Today marks the day when the Nationalist rebels led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Four Century-old Qing Dynasty and its last Emperor Pu-Yi. The struggle for a China free from corrupt rule and rule of the people, by the people and for people. The streets of Taiwan are now busy for the celebration in a few hours but strangely, the mainland China also commemorated the event by giving tribute to the Founding Father Sun Yat-sen albeit avoiding references to the Republic of China for political reasons.Nevertheless, we can see a uniting factor between the two rival governments amidst the plaguing and volatile struggle. Having been educated in a Chinese Institution founded on the Three Principles of the People of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Republic of China has a special significance in my heart. The stories I hear from our textbooks about Dr. Sun and his principles as explained by our laoshi or our singing of San Min Chu Yi made an impact in my life as I view the Chinese concept of democracy.
White Sun, Blue Sky and a Wholly Red Earth: The Flag of the Republic of China
Dr. Sun Yat-sen may not be as well-known as Mahatma Gandhi or our very own Dr. Jose Rizal but his life is worth studying and emulating. My connections with Dr. Sun Yat-sen is not just in the institutional formation but also in our faith. Did I mention that Dr. Sun was also a fervent believer and was baptized in Hong Kong to a Congregationalist Church and was frequently attending a Presbyterian Church in San Francisco? Undoubtedly, Christian Principles impacted much on the life of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and became a basis of his writings on freedom and moral values of the Chinese nation. He did not grow up in a rich family yet his life is an inspiration for success. Indeed, his reputation as the “George Washington of China” holds but I see him more as a Chinese Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Sun Yat-sen deserves to be remembered not just a Chinese hero but a global leader whose dreams, aspirations and plans contributed to the political and economic success of Taiwan and indirectly, that of mainland China as well.
ROC's Founding Father: Dr. Sun Yat-sen
Curiously, he was connected with the Filipino struggle for freedom as well. Filipino Revolutionary Artemio Ricarte was his friend and coffee buddy in Japan. There was one narrative that says of a pact between Dr. Sun and Ricarte that if Philippines gained her freedom, she shall help free China. Unfortunately, this never came to pass since we lost our freedom to the Americans. Nevertheless, the China we see now was shaped by the revolution Dr. Sun succeeded to consumate on this day 100 years ago. My wish for this day that Double Ten Celebration would not remain only as a mere non-working holiday for students in Taiwan and Nationalist-founded Chinese Institutions in the Philippines but the understand the reason and the values as to why Double Ten happened. I greet the people of Taiwan and the citizens of the Republic of China a Happy Centennial on this historic day.
Visiting an Anglican Church has been in my curious-things-to-do checklist these past few years and I had an opportunity to do it yesterday. Yesterday was an opportune time since it was Ash Wednesday and Anglicans are one of the few handful of Protestant churches that retained the tradition. One particular Anglican parish was close to where I am in the Ortigas Center. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Forbes Park, Makati is one of the few handful of Anglican churches in Metro Manila. Anglican liturgy is not all too alien to me since I have known a handful of people who are Anglicans, a bulk of which attend either St. Stephen Church, Cathedral of Sts. John and Mary in Quezon City and a handful in this same church.
I arrived at Holy Trinity just as they were about to start the service and happened to even meet the main celebrant along the way. He was wearing a purple clerical robe under his liturgical vestments for the day and I immediately identified him as a bishop since only bishops wear purple clerical robes or clerical shirts for that matter. I was not wrong since the main celebrant really is a bishop, The Right Rev. Arthur L. Jones, a bishop from the Anglican Church of Australia. The church, as with other traditional churches, covered the crosses with purple cloth to signify the start of the Lenten Season.
There were surprisingly only a handful of attendees in the Ash Wednesday Service and it meant no place for me to hide but it was worthwhile. I knew that the readings from the lexionary would fall under Year A of the liturgical calendar but I had a hard time flipping the pages of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. The parish assistant was kind enough to point me to the page that has the liturgical prayers for Lent and Ash Wednesday in particular. The service went on smoothly even with just a handful of people. It felt like in a mini-version of what the Universal Church is since people of every race were represented in the Service.
There was an imposition of ashes in the Service and I lined up to get mine too! I was a bit shaken since I do not have a single idea of the liturgy that the regular parishioners must exercise but it was simpler than I though. After the imposition of ashes, the bishop muttered the words “Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.”, quoting from Genesis 3:19. After the imposition of ashes, Bishop Arthur has a short but precise sermon. The readings were from Joel 2: 12. and Matthew 6:16 to which he exhorted on the importance of the sanctity of God’s people and acts of faith done in secret. He reminded the church goers what ashes symbolize, the potent consequence of sin, DEATH. Forty days after this day, Easter will be celebrated, the day that Christ defeated this very DEATH itself!
He recounts an experience in his days of youth about going through the fire in his native New South Wales. Despite his honored looks and academic standing, he was once a son of a simple farmer. While he was with his uncle in the field, they were caught all of a sudden in a bushfire that quickly ravaged the field. Braving the 15ft. flames, he and his uncle braved the fiery bushfire and got out unscathed but shaken. This was a life-changing experience for him.
After a few prayers, especially those for the nation and the Filipinos still stuck in Libya, a silent reflection ensued to examine one’s self before taking of Communion. This particular aspect of the Communion struck me a lot since the people were deep in prayer. Many of us Evangelicals or Baptists for that matter has somehow forgotten this very aspect. I was glad that Anglicans practice what we call Open Table Communion and invite Christians from other traditions to join. Those who want to receive kneel before the altar rails and receive the wafer by cupping the hands right on left. Communion is in both kinds since the 39 Articles clearly stipulate such. Consumption of the wafer and wine is either consuming both kinds separately or dip the wafer in consecrated wine. I did the latter since I thought of it more hygienic and thats what the Indian lady beside me did.
There was a blessing of peace afterwards by which the familiar “Peace be with you!” is muttered, something to which has been lost in the contemporary denominations by which only the customary shaking of hands indicate a link. The bishop was gracious enough to go down the chancel and greet each and everyone peace before heading back to mutter the last liturgical rites of the Service before dismissing the crowd. After the benediction, the bishop went down the aisle in usual practice of traditional recessional of the Service. Not ending my surprise there, the bishop gave a blessing and a HUG! to each person heading home after the Service. O, how I wish that is done anywhere in my denomination!
The whole service was somehow a new experience for me. I guess another check is added to my checklist but the most important thing is to experience once in a while the liturgy of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from another Tradition. I guess that would not be the last of my visit. I heard that they have something special for the Trinity Sunday which commemorates the triune God or the Trinity by which is the namesake of the Church. Church of the Holy Trinity, see you in June!
