Game over!

Isinulat ni Joy Rebanal-Laygo

Masamang-masama ang loob ko nung araw na iyon. At para ma-relax ang puso at isipan ko, naisipan kong maglaro ang mga games na naka-download sa celfone ko. Iyong “brickbreaker” ang napili ko. Ang instruction, bibigyan ka ng 3 buhay. At habang nilalaro mo ito, may mga bonuses na lalabas para dumami pa ang buhay mo, ammunitions at iba pang gamit para ma-break mo ang lahat ng bricks sa bawat level. Nakaka-addict kasi sa tuwing mauubos ang buhay ko, mas lalo ang pagnanasa na makataas pa ako ng isang level at malaman kung anong merong bago sa level na susunod. Doon ko ibinuhos ang lahat ng aking panggigigil. Lahat ng sama ng loob, lahat ng hinanakit na nararamdaman ko ng mga sandali  na iyon. At habang sige ako sa panggigigil, siya namang dalas ng pag-game over ko. Ni hindi ako makaalis ng level three. Pero wala pa rin akong sawa sa kakapindot ng “New Game” sa tuwing mauubos ang “Life “ ko sa laro. Hanggang sa di ko na mamalayan na tumatakbo na ang oras.

At habang walang tigil ang pagpindot ko, na halos, sumakit na ang mga daliri ko sa ginagawa ko, ay naisip kong sana ang buhay gaya ng celfone or video games. Kahit may game over, pwede ka pa ulit maglaro. Pwede mong ulit-ulitin ang paglalaro hanggang sa ma-master mo na ang tricks at makaabot sa mataas na level at makakuha ng highest score. At sa tuwing makakakuha ka ng highest score, gagawin mo pa rin ang lahat para ma-beat mo ang nakaraang highest score mo. Kung minsan nga, nandaraya pa ako. Kapag alam ko na malapit na akong ma-game over, di ko na tatapusin ang laro at restart ko na ulit ang game para makapag-umpisang muli.

Sana ganun nga lang kadali at kasimple ang buhay. Pero hindi nga. Hindi ganun ang instructions sa laro ng buhay. ‘Pag start na, sa sandaling huminga ka na ng hangin, umpisa na ang laro mo. Istrikto ang laro. Walang three rounds gaya nung ibang games. Isang beses lang. Isang life lang. ‘Pag natapos na. Tapos na nga talaga. No turning back. No going back. ‘Pag nangyari na, nangyari na. ‘Pag nagkamali ka, wala nang bawian. Kailangan, ituloy-tuloy mo na lang. Unless, mabuwisit ka na sa paglalaro at ‘di mo na hintayin ang game over mo dahil kusa mo nang inihinto ang laban mo kasi pagod ka na at ayaw mong umabot ka sa puntong talunan ka na. Eh buti pa nga ang electronic games, pwede mong pindutin ang “pause” para uminom ng tubig o umihi. Eh ang buhay ba natin pwede nating itigil saglit, lalo na pag ang bilis na ng mga pangyayari sa ating buhay? ‘Pag di mo na kayang huminga sa hirap o sagad na sagad ka na sa problema? Walang pause na pwedeng pindutin. Tuloy-tuloy ang buhay. Tumigil ka man sa pagkakatayo mo, wala siyang pakialam, tatakbo at tatakbo ang oras mo, bagalan mo man o bilisan ang ginagawa mo. Ang bottomline, walang pakialam sa iyo ang buhay. Kaya dapat, ipagpatuloy mo lang hanggang di natatapos ang laro ng buhay mo.

Pero napansin ko, habang naglalaro ako ng “brickbreaker”, mas nanggigigil ako, mas galit ako sa tuwing nababawasan ang buhay ko, mas lalong hindi ako nakakaalis sa level 3. Kaya tumigil ako saglit. Nag-inhale, at exhale. Saka ko ulit sinubukang maglaro. Buo na ang concentration. Wala nang panggigigil. Ang objective ko na lang, makaalis sa level three. Tinandaan kong lahat ang mga tricks na natutunan ko para di agad mabawasan ang “3 lives” ko at sa halip ay madagdagan pa ito. Iniwasan ko ang mga dapat iwasan para makarating ako sa mas mataas na level nang buong-buo ang mga “life” ko sa laro. Pinagpawisan ako, nangati ang pisngi ko pero di ko iyon pinansin. Hindi ako nagpa-istorbo sa ingay na naririnig ko. Para bang “the greatest performance of my life” ang drama ko!

At di nga ako nagkamali. Mula sa level 3, nakarating ako sa level 6. Tuwang-tuwa ako. Parang batang paslit na tumatawa ako. Kaya ko naman pala! Madami pang levels ang “brickbreaker”, ni hindi pa nga ako umaabot sa ¼. Pero uunti-untiin ko hanggang sa tumaas nang tumaas ang level na pwede kong marating. Para kahit na ma-gameover na ako, alam ko, nakarating ako sa maraming levels na pwede kong ipagmalaki kahit sa sarili ko na lang.

Hehehehe. Naisip ko muli, puwede ring i-apply sa buhay. Siguro nga, kailangan, harapin natin ang lahat ng levels ng buhay natin ng walang panggigigil. Dapat walang mabibigat na bagahe. Para buo ang konsentrasyon natin sa pagtahak sa direksyon na gusto natin. Mahirap gawin sa aktuwal na buhay pero kayang subukan kung gugustuhin. Wala namang mawawala. Ewan ko sa inyo, pero ako, pangarap kong makarating sa kadulu-duluhan ng buhay ko nang alam ko na ginawa ko ang lahat bago man lamang ako umabot sa “gameover” ng buhay ko.

Ang galing ng Pinoy…pagkatapos, ano na?

(Bukas po ang blog na ito sa lahat ng gustong magbahagi ng kanilang mga nasasaloob. Ipahatid natin sa buong mundo ang ating mga kuru-kuro, hinaing, papuri, pagpuna, drama o komedya ng buhay natin gamit ang ating mga panulat kagaya ng artikulo na ibinahagi sa atin ni Gng. Joy Rebanal-Laygo)

‘Di na bago sa akin ang mga balita na naglalaman ng papuri sa mga Pinoy sa ibang bansa. Magaling magtrabaho, masipag, malinis, matapat, magaling makisama, matalino, matiyaga, at marami pang iba. Nakakataba ng puso. Parang mas lalong nakakagana magtrabaho. Bayani nga…Pero teka, teka lang! Bago tayo malunod o malasing sa dami ng papuri at paghanga, ‘di ba kayo nakakaramdam ng konting kaba? Di ka ba pressured? Parang kasunod ng mga salitang naglalarawan sa isang manggawang Pinoy ay ang napakataas na “expectation”.

Parang katulad iyan ng isang beauty queen, parang si Miss Universe. Siya ang hinirang na pinakamagandang babae sa buong universo. So dapat, lagi siyang maganda, kaaya-aya, kaakit-akit. Hindi siya pwedeng tumaba, pumangit at mabungi kasi baka bawiin sa kanya ang korona niya. Kailangan mamuhay siya ayon sa “expectations” ng mga taong tumatangkilik sa kanya. Hanggang sa hawak niya ang titulo, hindi siya pwedeng mag-asawa o mabuntis kasi  kailangan niyang patunayan na karapat-dapat siya sa isang karangalan na ipinagkaloob sa kanya. Ang tawag dun, obligasyon at responsibilidad.

Ang Madrid at ang Barcelona ang dalawang ciudad sa España kung saan napakaraming Pilipino ang naninirahan. At pagdating sa larangan ng trabaho, lalo na sa “servicio domestico”, tayong mga Pilipino ang “in demand”. Ika nga, “most requested” ang mga Pinoy. Kasi masunurin (pag baguhan pa lang), malinis magtrabaho, may “hygiene”, marunong mag-Ingles, matatalino at mapagkakatiwalaan lalo na kung may alagang mga bata sa kanilang papasukan. Kung sa trabahong restaurant naman, ganun din, madali daw ang “pick-up” ng utak ni Juan dela Cruz, kahit di nag-aral ng culinary arts, bigyan lang ng pagkakataon, sa konting panahon, kaya na niyang gampanan at gawin ang halos lahat ng trabaho sa loob ng restaurante. At napakarami pang istorya ng kagalingan ang pwedeng ikuwento kung Pinoy rin lang ang pag-uusapan.

Pero dahil nga nakakalasing ang tagumpay o papuri, may mga kababayan tayo na nakakalimutan na obligasyon niyang alagaan ang kanyang imahe bilang mabuting manggagawa. Yumayabang. Napapariwara. Kasi magaling daw sya. May nalululong sa droga hanggang sa mapabayaan ang kanyang trabaho. Mayroong suki ng sugalan. Iyong iba nga, kasusuweldo pa lang, imbes na kay misis i-entrega ang sweldo, eh kay “Martinez” nag-eentrega ng buong kinita nya. May mga kumukupit sa mga amo (dahil malaki na ang tiwala sa kanya). Tabi-tabi na lang po sa maaring tamaan. Pero ito po ang katotohanan. Masakit pakinggan ngunit kailangang may magpapaalala. Ilang Pilipino na dito sa Barcelona ang nasangkot na sa droga? Gaano kalaking pera ang pinapatalo ng mga Pilipino sa sugal? Ilang pamilya na ang nawasak? Eh, ano na ang nangyari kay “Pinoy” na ang galing-galing?

Kahanga-hanga ba ang isang komunidad na hindi ginagampanan ang kanyang responsibilidad sa kanyang pamilya? Ang obligasyon mo bilang ano nga ba iyon? Bagong Bayani? Paano ka tatawaging magaling kung wasak ang pamilya mo? Paano ka hahangaan kung ikaw mismo ang sumisira sa sarili mo? Minsan, ang kagalingan, mas mabuting inilalagay sa puso kaysa sa isipan. Mas mabuting ang galing ay pinatutunayan at hindi ipinagyayabang.

Isang hamon ang inihahain ko ngayon sa aking mga kababayan. Tapos na tayong ipakita sa lahat kung gaano kagaling ang Pinoy, ngayon, patunayan naman natin, na ang lahat ng iyon ay katotohanan at hindi pakitang-tao lamang.

Viaje, Barcelona-Manila: A Conversation With F. Sionil Jose

I had forgotten all about it-Manila traffic. And I’d forgotten all about those 3 important Filipino traffic factors: that it was raining, that it was 3 days before Christmas, and that it was Wednesday, Baclaran day. If one wishes to arrive anywhere on time on this side of Metro Manila, these 3 things must be very well considered. I called to apologize and say that I would be late. ¡Que Vergüenza!

We were on Sucat Road in Parañaque on our way to Padre Faura Street in Manila, and traffic moved lethargically. So, I observed, just as I used to. Only this time I was observing with new eyes, ones that had been away for several years. There were street vendors selling peanuts to bored passengers, people getting on and off crowded jeepneys, others randomly crossing the street, zigzagging honking cars and totally ignoring the pedestrian overpasses built by their generous city councilor or mayor (prudently announced with big and bold letters painted on them.) There were also children playing games on the sidewalk, joyful and unmindful of the holiday rush and smoke of vehicles just a few meters away from them. Everything looked oddly familiar; nothing much seemed to have changed.

Traffic ebbed and flowed and suddenly we found ourselves just behind the CCP, in that cultural complex built by a woman with a once-famous edifice complex. I was getting more and more nervous as we neared Padre Faura Street. Ten minutes more and we were finally walking towards Solidaridad Bookshop, where I was to have an interview with a truly inspiring Filipino thinker-lover-critic, a prolific writer I deeply admired— Francisco Sionil Jose.

http://www.clickthecity.com/metro/?p=1419

After profuse apologies, I was kindly taken up to the office of Mr. Jose- Manong Frankie to many. I was warmly welcomed by the publishing house staff, Manong Frankie’s wife, and later, Manong Frankie himself. He asked me to sit down, and with very little introductions, I began my interview. What ensued in the next hour was in fact more like a friendly conversation, given the ease with which Manong Frankie generously shared his thoughts and feelings to this ‘balikbayan’ in search of some answers.

The writer with Manong Frankie and a copy of his novel Viajero.

***

Of course, the very first thing I wanted to hear from the author of Viajero, a brilliant book about the physical and moral journey of the Filipino people throughout history, was his very thoughts on the Filipino Diaspora…

“It should never have happened!”

“It started when Marcos took over and he was faced with this problem of so many Filipinos educated and unemployed…all dressed up and nowhere to go…They saw to it that the Diaspora would be encouraged.”

“Kaya galit ako sa Ilocanong iyan, eh. (That’s why I’m angry at that Ilocano) He wasted two decades, which would’ve enabled us to progress like Korea, Taiwan, even more so than Singapore…What should’ve happened was, he should’ve hastened the development of this country, industrial development. Just like Park Chung Hee. And for sure, we would’ve absorbed all these Filipinos who went abroad in innovative export industries…because we’re a very talented people. As you can see, when they leave the country they are very industrious, very enterprising, because they get out of their old comfort zone…they know they have to. They work hard. You know, the immigrant culture.”

He spoke of this in his book— the immigrant culture, ours.  Also, in Viajero, he suggested that we’ve had this long history of leaving. I wondered, is it really in our blood?

“Traditionally, yes… well, because we’re an archipelago, we’re a seafaring people… And that’s another thing, we’re a maritime people but we didn’t build up a maritime industry. So we end up working as captains, stewardesses, sailors, but we are not building our own ships.”

Hay naku hija, I get very angry when I think of all the opportunities that we missed because of lousy leadership…Nagagalit ako, I get so angry and frustrated. Matanda na ‘ko…”

“One time I was talking to Nanding Roces, a contemporary of mine. He would’ve been 87 last July…We were talking 2 or 3 years ago, he told me— Frankie, isn’t it sad, we are living in a country in far worse shape than when we arrived. Which is true… very, very true. Ten years ago nobody was sleeping in front of our bookshop, now occasionally there’s a family there. Some people…many people now eat only once a day. There’s hunger in Manila, even in Manila there is hunger.”

“I grew up in a village. Now, when I was young, the poorest farmer there ate twice a day during what we call the Gawat. These are the months of June, July, and August, the planting season. It is in these months when there was still no harvest, because the first harvest comes in September. These 3 months were the most difficult for the farmers because they only ate twice a day— at 10 in the morning and at 4 in the afternoon. Now, many people, both in farms and cities, eat only once a day… do you know what it’s called? ALTANGHAP- Almusal, Tanghalian, Hapunan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). That word has been used for almost 10 years now…In other words, for the last 10 years people have been eating only once a day!”

“And then this Diaspora…you must’ve been told about the many social problems this Diaspora has created… dysfunctional families… it’s been worsening. Earlier I was given a report, results of a survey… It’s worsened, it’s worsened…”

“Yes, they keep the country afloat. But then what is happening? The money sent here is not spent wisely.  They want to come back… but how can they come back here if they don’t have money? They don’t have jobs here. Eventually, the solutions must be here not abroad.”

What will happen to all these uprooted Filipinos scattered all over the world? Will Filipinos just keep leaving the country?

“I think so…but you know, it’s not so much the Diaspora I’m worried about. I wrote about it the other Sunday…I’m worried about the specter of an implosion, hija… it will collapse, not explode…but it will implode. And one morning we will wake up to find that we no longer have a country, because it has imploded. All the institutions have been destroyed…anarchy, murder, rape, robberies… these will be commonplace, because we have become a failed state…like Somalia and these African countries that were first destroyed by corruption, then dictatorships. That’s the fate of so many of these countries in Africa…and the symptoms are here. The widespread anarchy, the absence of confidence in the police, the moral malaise…”

I remembered all the Occupy movements in the West, the beginnings of which were not very far away from my current home. Barcelona, Madrid- Los Indignados…then there’s the Arab Spring. People are fed up, people are tired and speaking up and will not let such darkness take over…What about us Filipinos?

“I wish there were more social unrest because that means people care…that they are fighting.”

“But it’s apathy… And when that’s what is happening, that’s it, it will collapse…and people will know how to adjust to it because they know that if you act morally or according to the rules, nothing will happen to you. So people act and adapt to the conditions…”

“Reading the letters of the exiles, particularly del Pilar’s, he recognized their anguish, the stringent pull of memory that Buddy himself felt for those fractured images of his early boyhood. How he wished that del Pilar had kept some journal…” ** MEMORY… is this unique to the Exile? Does one need to be away to remember?

“No, we all need memory- it’s memory that bonds a nation together. Racial memory. To keep this memory, to rejuvenate it, that’s the function of writers and teachers…”

“Memory is very important! It’s important for all Filipinos, whether you are here or abroad…because your nationality is where your heart is.

I’ve met Chinese who go to China thinking they are Chinese, and then they discover they are really Filipino after all…they get homesick for the Philippines, for wherever they come from. One time in the 60s I attended a conference, there was a Chinese writer, I kidded him saying that his loyalties were to the mainland and not to Malaysia. He corrected me, he told me- you know when I’m homesick I don’t think of China, I think of the palm trees of Penang, Sate Babe, the beaches where I swam as a boy… no, I don’t think about China… I speak Chinese, but you know…”

“This is a true story, ha… in Hong Kong when we were living there in 1960, there was a Chinese girl named April Velasco, who was staff artist of the magazine I edited. It turned out she grew up in Binondo…She was a Binondo Chinese. We talked in Tagalog. She told me, when the communist took over China, she returned to help in rebuilding the homeland…She thought she was Chinese. So she went. Then of course the communists were there, and she had to work in a commune. She said life was very difficult. She said—‘you know Frankie, I was so homesick for Binondo…So, I took a trip to Manila, then when I got to Manila, I climbed to the tallest part of the ship… up to the very top. And I looked over to Intramuros and Binondo. But I didn’t go down, because if I went down I’d be arrested as a communist. So after that I went back to Hong Kong. I just wanted to see Binondo…’ sabi niya. ‘I speak Chinese I look Chinese, pero hindi na ‘ko Intsik, Frankie, I’m Filipina!’ So, things like these…”

“…at least these are people who can still identify with this country, because many Filipinos cannot. And that’s why we’re like this. The Zobel-Ayalas, do you think they’re Filipinos? NO, they are Spaniards. Some of these Chinese who send their money to China, they are not Filipinos they are Chinese. And Marcos, he wasn’t Filipino, he sent his money abroad…They are here but they are like the old imperialists. What is the logic of imperialism? You exploit the country and send the loot to the mother country. That’s the logic of imperialism. So in a sense, that’s why we’re like this…We are colonized by our own people, by our own leaders. And the reason is first, we don’t recognize this form of colonialism, and second, we don’t have the patriotism to love this country as we should.”

Speaking of patriots, aren’t all OFWs the best of them all? The new heroes of our time? The BAGONG BAYANI?

“The overseas workers are not bayanis, they are just poor people trying to make a living, you know…That’s consuelo de bobo (a fool’s consolation). They are just ordinary Filipinos.”

“But this I tell them, ok— when Sun Yat Sen mounted the first revolution in China in 1911, the greatest help came from the overseas Chinese… they gave the money.”

“But what I would like to see is that the overseas Filipinos get ORGANIZED… really get organized, to pressure this government, to see to it that the money they remit home is used properly, for infrastructure, and not to buy the luxuries of the rich. And that can be done through proper organization… through political clout! Because the rich Filipinos, our leaders, will not move unless they are forced…that is the common attitude of people in power. People in power- they won’t move, they are enjoying it…unless they are criticized or pushed…So if overseas Filipinos are organized and they have a strong voice in government, they can make a difference…”

“But that’s the problem. Filipinos tend to divide. Too much ego…ego, hija, ego…in San Francisco there are about 300 Filipino organizations. I suppose you can say the same thing in Spain.”

“In San Francisco, out of these 300 Filipino organizations, from my hometown of Rosales there are 2 organizations. I told them- our town is so small why can’t you just work together…No answer. I told them they were too arrogant.”

“So, now, that illustrates the diversity in this country. That’s OK, but there should be issues wherein this diversification should be avoided.”

“Why are Filipinos united when Pacquiao fights?”

“So, maybe those who are in charge of organization should look for the commonalities that would bind people together rather than emphasize the diversities. Because those diversities will not disappear…They are ingrained in society… but it’s possible. EDSA 1 is an example of diversities uniting together…”

“It’s a difficult problem because it’s ingrained in Filipino culture. But like I said, these are issues that people like you should look carefully into. What are the issues that unite us rather than divide us?”

Questions, questions…all of Manong Frankie’s questions reminded me of his writing, the ideas found in his eloquent prose that had kept me company in my own share of loneliness abroad. “…the epic diaspora needed to be recorded if only to show how the Filipino had become the proletariat of the world.”**  What more did he have to say to Filipinos abroad?

“Huwag nilang kalilimutan ang malungkot na bayan nila. (Don’t forget your lonely country.)”

“But usually they don’t, eh. And many of them realize how Filipino they are when they are abroad than when they are here. So you feed on that, that hungering for identity, which grows among the loneliest of people. This is where a sense of community will help very much.”

Manong Frankie, the writer Kay Abaño, and her mother Barbara Abaño.

We said our goodbyes, and after buying some books from the bookshop – like rations for the next few years abroad – my patiently waiting mother and I made our way back to where we’d parked our car. Walking down Padre Faura Street and through Robinsons Galleria mall, I silently observed my fellow Filipinos. Manong Frankie’s words echoed in my thoughts.

Getting out of that part of Manila had always been quite a task. The streets were full of people and jeepneys, equal owners of the narrow road! But we slowly found our way out, crossing Taft Avenue and going up Leon Guinto Street, then making a turn at Vito Cruz which, after a few more narrow turns, finally led to the South Luzon Expressway. It all started coming back to me, this route I used to take.

I began to remember. I could remember it all.

***

F. Sionil José or in full Francisco Sionil José (born December 3, 1924) is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. José’s works – written in English – have been translated into 22 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Dutch.

His many awards include the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award, Chile, 2004; (Kun Santo Zuiho Sho) The Order of Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, Japan, 2001; and the National Artist for Literature, Philippines, 2001. (Lifted from Wikipedia)

F. Sionil Jose signing copies of Viajero for Ang Bagong Filipino

** Quoted text from Viajero, a Filipino Novel by F.Sionil Jose (link: http://www.fsioniljose.tk/)

** Interview was held last December 21, 2011 at the Solidaridad Bookshop in 531 Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila.

** Solidaridad Bookshop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Solidaridad-Bookshop/245546608820458?sk=wall

Kabayan is home for the holidays

(Ed. Note: Entrevista con Nata. In this section, our correspondent Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna will share with us his creamy and delectable stories, 100 % inspiring yet zero in fat.)

“This is my first Christmas with my children in nine years na nandito ako sa Spain. “

7:07 a.m. Two hours before boarding. Terminal 1. El Prat Airport.Barcelona.  Tita Dorothy sips her coffee, looks at the people milling around the coffee bar  and  breaks into a smile. Even if she is coy about it, she can’t hide her excitement.  In almost 21 hours, she will be with her three sons.

“Hindi na ako nakatulog sa kakaempake at kakaayos ng tatlo kong maleta. Kalahati ng laman ng maleta ko, halos mga padala ng mga kaibigan.  Hindi naman ako makahindi. “

At Christmas, homesickness doubles. This is the time of year when our overseas kababayans are reminded of the distance between them and their families.  Christmas here in Spain is still different from how we celebrate the holidays back home.

As early as September, which is by the way the unofficial start of  Christmas season (September being the first of the BER months, months ending in ber), radio stations race among themselves who plays the first Christmas song of the year. Malls are already starting to gear up for the longest and much-awaited jolly season of all.

Christmas officially starts after All Saint’s day when Christmas trees and parols are proudly displayed in most of the households and offices. As the month of December approaches, everybody is busy buying gifts and cramming their schedules to fit every Christmas party there is. Crisis or no crisis.

Everybody behaves well during these days. It is like everyone is careful not to be blacklisted on Santa’s list. Good things seem to happen at Christmastime too: promotions are announced, enemies make peace, couples reconcile and so on. All in the spirit of Christmas.

The countdown towards Christmas Eve starts on the 16^th when dawn or early morning masses start until the 24^th of the month.  Churchgoers brave the cool December breeze and battle sleepiness just to complete the nine-day dawn masses in the hope that prayers and wishes will be answered. Outside the church, rich mouth-watering aroma of native delicacies wrap the air and at night children go house-hopping singing  Christmas carols hoping for some aguinaldos.

And these are just some of the many good things that our kababayans abroad dare not miss at Christmas in the Philippines. Some are lucky to be allowed by their employers to go home. Several are fortunate and can afford 1,200 to 1,500 euros of return ticket. But some are not. To those who don’t have the resources and can’t make it,  they contend themselves  to join their loved ones celebrating Christmas virtually.  I cannot blame why Tita Dorothy looks very excited.

“Iba pa rin ang Pasko sa atin.  The best.  Kasi palaging summer ako kung umuwi dahil sa trabaho. Kaya this year, ginawa ko talagang Pasko ang uwi ko. Magsisimba kaming lahat, kakain sa labas, mamamasyal!”

When she checked in her suitcases an hour ago, she exceeded three kilos.  Deterred, she was not.  She charmed, haggled a bit and “won”.  Her excuse: “It’s Christmas after all and I am a frequent flyer!”   The airline attendant was charmed and gave in not knowing that the long queue behind  Tita Dorothy will do the same: exceed,  charm and haggle; as thousands and thousands  of balikbayan boxes will flood  international airports around the world this month of December. The exodus begins.  Destination: Philippines.  According to Immigration officials at NAIA airport, around 200,000 balikbayans arrived home first week of December alone in 2010.

Tita Dorothy is flying Barcelona-Singapore-Cebu. She is arriving at two in the afternoon the following day.

“Mahabang biyahe ito.  Makapag-muni muni ako ng mabuti. My Christmas wish?  More  blessings from God, good health and pagmamahal sa pamilya ko. At sana next Christmas, makauwi uli.”

Indeed, nothing beats celebrating the yuletide season with our loved-ones.  Merry Christmas, Tita Dorothy!  And to all our kababayans all over the world, those who couldn’t make it and those who are now with their families  munching their sumptuous Noche Buena at home…

Maligayang Pasko po at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Schwoooshing his way to the top

(Ed. Note: Entrevista con Nata. In this section, our correspondent Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna will share with us his creamy and delectable stories, 100 % inspiring yet zero in fat.)

What is interesting about fencing?

It’s like playing chess. Para siyang chess with movements.  Kailangan mo talagang mag- isip. Hindi ka na lang basta  sumusugod . Kailangan mong i-check ang situation kung papano ka a-atake. 

Joel Landicho. Top Filipino fencer in Spain

When did you realize that you wanted to do fencing?

Noong nasa University  of the East pa ako.  It was by accident. ‘Yun lang kasi ang tugma na P.E. subject  sa sked ko. Then I decided to try it. Tapos okay naman.

But before that, did you have any idea what fencing was all about? 

Before that, wala kong  idea about fencing.  Sa  P.E.  lang talaga. Yung first days talaga, I liked it na. Interesting kasi ang fencing eh. Tapos unti-unting  naging maganda ang performance ko.  Sa mga laro namin sa P.E., hindi ako basta-basta natatalo.  Ang training ay two days a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays . One hour and a half.

How many students were there in your class?

Sa P.E. namin, ilan lang kami,  mga 16 to 20 students.

What happened after you finished your P.E. class? 

After one year, since interesado talaga ako , nag-try out  ako sa varsity ng school.  Nakapasok naman ako. Then, I trained with them. Dalawa kasi ang purpose ko noon, gusto kong maging  part ng varsity team at makakuha ng scholarship.

Was the competition for the scholarship stiff?

For the scholarship, yes.  Kasi bago pa lang noon ang fencing sa UAAP kaya konti lang ang binibigyan ng scholarship.

How did you prepare for the scholarship application?

Actually walang preparation na kailangan. Basta nag-training lang ako kasama ng mga varsity. Isa sa mga requirements ay isang medal sa UAAP. Kaya hindi agad ako nakakuha ng scholarship kasi wala pa akong medal.   

When did you get your first medal?

After a year. First medal ko, gold.  It was   a team effort actually. Inter-university lang.  Naging three times a week na ang training ko   sa school.  Tapos sa sa Quezon City Sports Complex  and ‘pag Friday  sa Philsports.  I was in my  second year.  I was taking up Electronics and Communication Engineering.

Then I got the scholarship on my third year. Halos naka-20 medals na ako noon.  Interschool, UAAP and National Open. Yung sa scholarship ko, my tuition was covered and  may konting  allowance.  Tapos ang requirement ay  dapat mapasa ang majority ng subjects.

Joel harvesting medals during his varsity days at the University of the East.

 Why  is fencing  not popular?

Hindi siya popular kasi pag naisip ng mga tao na expensive  ang fencing, hindi na nila tina-try.

Do you plan to be a professional fencer?

Yes.  It’s really a dream.  I want to be a professional fencer.

What was your ranking?

Sa Philippines,  I was number 8. 

Were you able to compete outside the Philippines?

No. Kasi top 4 lang  ang nagco-compete internationally.

Why did you come to Spain?

I came here in  2006. After passing the board exam I decided to join my family.

How did you learn about the fencing club in Spain?

Through a friend, Ignacio.   It was my second year in Spain, in 2007. But before kasi, akala ko mahal mag-fencing dito. Pero hindi pala.  Papahiramin pala nila ng mga gamit  ang mga  new members.  Pero hindi nagtagal,  unti-unti  na akong bumibili ng  mga gamit.  Fencing shoes lang kasi ang dala ko from the Philippines. Meron din kaming membership monthly fees na  binabayaran sa club. Masaya ako.  At last, makakalaro uli ako.  Nagtre-train ako ng 2 to 3 days a week after work. Sa training, nagpakitang gilas na agad ko.  They saw me perform and  sabi nila magaling  daw ang coach ko sa Pilipinas. Hindi ko sinabi  na number  8 ako sa Pilipinas.

Joel now in a Spanish team

How are  your clubmates?

Alam kong maraming magagaling dito.  Iyung mga nakakalaro ko natatalo ko naman. Magaling sila pero bihira yung magaling talaga. Tapos later on nalaman ko na  yung mga magagaling wala  sa club. Nandoon sila sa national team nagtre-training.

What  do you do during the fight?

Yung natutunan ko sa Pilipinas, ina-apply ko sa moves ko .  Siempre, mag-attack ka muna pero fake lang  para malaman mo ang moves ng kalaban.  Based sa reaction niya, malalaman mo na kung anong klase siyang kalaban.

When  was your first competition in Spain?

After one year na.  I competed under the  name of the  club, Cardenal Cisneros.  The competition was in Barcelona and I was the only Filipino.  I placed 36th out of 75 players. Maraming natuwa sa result ng performance ko. I was congratulated  when I came back to Madrid.

Winning with the rest of his teammates

What was your most memorable  competition? 

It was also in Barcelona, October 2010. I placed second.  Nanalo ako ng Cup.  I was very happy. It was my first time.

Joel’s first win outside the Philippines

Is the Filipino community aware about your achievements?

Only my Filipino friends.

Do you think it is important  that the Filipino community  is aware that somebody is representing the  Philippines  in competitions here in Spain?

Oo naman.  Kasi at least may konting suporta, moral support.

With your Spanish citizenship  coming out soon, will you be representing Spain in your future competitions?

At the moment, since hindi pa ako Spanish citizen, hindi pa ako qualified mag-represent ng Spain. Pang-team lang ako.  Pero kapag na-grant na ang citizenship ko,  mas maraming suporta ang natatanggap ng Spanish citizen. Hindi ko naman  kayang suportahan ang sarili ko ‘pag nag-represent ng Pilipinas.  Dream ko kasi  mag compete internationally.  I competed in La Coruña for the World Cup and I represented the Philippines. I placed 64^th.  Alam naman nila doon sa Philippines na I was representing our country and they know about my Spanish citizenship application. I coordinate my participation with them.  In February  next year, kapag hindi pa ako Spanish citizen,  I will represent  the Philippines.

Have you competed outside of Spain? 

I played at  the Campeonato de Europa representing  the fencing  club of  Spain. It was in Italy last April  2011.  The Russians were really good.  Also, the French Olympic medalists. We did not win.  But  it was a good experience.  I learned a lot from that competition.  Dapat palaging confident ka.

Whenever you lose or win, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Magtraining pa ng magtraining.  ‘Pag nananalo naman ako, ganoon din. More training. Siyempre ‘pag tumataas  na yung ranking mo, gusto mong mag improve ng mag-improve pa . Training pa rin.

You live in both worlds and you have competed internationally as a team, what are the things that should be improved by the Philippine fencing team?

More international competitions.  Kulang kasi sa  budget. Kailangan nilang pumunta sa Europe para magtraining. Nandito kasi  yung magagaling.  Normally yung mga magagaling katulad ng mga North Americans and South Americans,  pumupunta sila sa Europe para magtraining sa Italy, sa France.  Kailangan mong makalaban ng madalas ang mga magagaling.  Para mahasa pa. Kung ka-level mo lang yung kalaban mo, gagaling ka pero konti lang. Pero kung talagang magaling yung nagiging kalaban mo na  talagang binubugbog ka, tiyak na malaki ang magiging improvement mo.

Of all the competitors, who do you think are the best fencers?

The  Italians, French and  Russians.

What are your plans in the future?

I want to play until I reach 37 years old. Although meron ngang players na 60 years old na naglalaro pa rin.  I want to be a coach in the Philippines.

 Do you have a favourite fencer?

 I admire this Japanese  fencer, Ota Yuki.

Your dream competition?

 The Olympic Games.

Achille Marozzo, a Bolognese fencing master, once said, “In these modern times, many men are wounded for not having weapons or knowledge of their use.”  For his part,  Joel Enriquez Landicho,  not only knows that he’s got a weapon in his hand but also knows how to use it. 

Last October 8, 2011, he competed at the TNR FLORETE FEM Y MASC MADRID 2011  organized by the Real Federación Española de Esgrima (Royal Spanish Fencing Federation) where he brought home the  second place cup. This victory (added to his previous points in 2010 and 2011) catapulted him to the number one spot according to the  Ranking Nacional   Florete Masculino Absoluto.

Congratulations, Joel! Filipinos in Spain are proud of you!

Spain through the eyes of a travelling Pinoy

Plaza España, Barcelona

 

Why Spain?

“Spain because our cruise was departing from the port of Barcelona.  We took the opportunity to go around Barcelona before the cruise since Barcelona is also known to be one of the most visited places in Europe.  Spain was also a highly recommended place to visit by family and friends.”  

What was your first impression of Spain before coming here?

“Interesting food and culture. We thought that many people would be practicing Catholics since Spain was the one which introduced the religion to the Philippines.”

How long was your stay in Spain?

“Total of 8 days.”

Any favourite place(s)?

“Barcelona! It is a definite must-see.  It is very tourist-friendly.  Easy to go around the city because of the efficient transport system.  Lots of interesting places to see. They have a well-established infrastructure to support the tourism industry.  I also love the food in Spain.”

Was it an organized trip or you did it on your own?

“Yes, we organized the trip on our own. Using booking.com to book our hotels and getting the 2-day Bus Touristic package to go around the first 2 days.   We also used internet to research on the nice places.”

Who were your travel buddies?  

“I travelled with family.  I was with my husband and 2 kids (ages 7 and 4).”

How did the trip go? Was it hassle-free?

“Yes. We did not encounter any problems during our trip.”

Did you go beyond your budget? 

“Definitely! We went over our budget for food because we wanted to try many kinds of restaurants.  We also overspent with our transportation expenses since we rode the cab when we were too tired to walk to the train station or if kids were already sleepy.”

Do you have friends in Spain?

“Yes, Nick and Fe Martin-Smith – British. They have a small orchard at Camarles, Tarragona. They drove us to Lourdes and back to Tarragona.  And Nats Villaluna Sisma – Filipino! Nats was our tour guide at night and gave us a lot of useful tips about Barcelona.”

Any peculiar things that caught your attention during your trip?

“We noticed a lot of graffiti on the wall.”  

What was the most unforgettable moment from the trip?

“I like the solemnity and magnificence of Montserrat.  We were able to enjoy the place because we stayed there overnight.   There were very few people left in the late afternoon.  I love the tapas – small plates of big gastronomic surprises. I also love churros con chocolate.  Ciudad Condal had many friendly Filipino staff. My kids loved Port Aventura.  This place delighted us. My kids also loved their visit to Tito Nick and Tita Fe’s small orchard because they are very much into ‘Plants vs. Zombies’ these days.  They were so excited to see different kinds of plants…especially the sunflower. They also picked oranges for the first time. My 7-year-old enjoyed Camp Nou because he is a football fan.  He was so excited to get the new FCB Qatar Foundation shirt.”

Bloopers along the way? 

“We went up to the top of the Sagrada Familia only to find out that we cannot use the lift going down. It was torture for us going down the winding staircase! 15 floors down with a 4-year-old in my arms is NO JOKE! Haha…”

Going back to your first impression of Spain, what can you say now after your visit?

“Upon hearing Sunday mass, we noticed that there are very few practicing Catholics.  We went to church at the Sagrada Familia, which is a very big church, but the mass was just held at the back part of the church behind the altar of the main church.

What did you learn from the trip? 

“We learned that tourism can really help a country’s economy. We also learned that it’s hard to stick to your budget when in Europe.”

Any recommendations and tips to those who are planning to visit Spain in the future?

“They should look at the cruises that depart from Barcelona.  If you want a more religious and spiritual journey, Montserrat is a must.  They should stay at the hotel (Hotel Abat Cisneros) right outside the Basilica. For those with kids, Port Aventura will not disappoint you.  They have rides for kids of all ages.  Its well-maintained and a delightful adventure for the whole family.

Are you coming back?

“Definitely! Not anytime soon but will definitely save up for another European vacation!”

Montserrat

Ay-Ay Tanalgo is from Quezon City. She works as an Assistant General Manager of a restaurant chain in the Philippines.  She came to Spain in May 2011 with her husband, JM Tanalgo and their two kids, Mico and Diego where they checked out Barcelona, Montserrat, Port Aventura and Camarles in Tarragona. Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna

The boy who can K.R.U.M.P

(Ed. Note: Entrevista con Nata. In this section, our correspondent Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna will share with us his creamy and delectable stories, 100 % inspiring yet zero in fat.)

Misa, Rodney and Jun 2wiggz (the Japanese who won in the Krump style)

The dance docu-film “Rize” opens with a disclaimer that says  “The footage in this film has not been sped up in any way.”   This refers to the general movements and swift body contortions that are characteristic of Krump dance which  are done with such rapidity and intensity.

“The steps were weird. They were fast. They danced like monkeys.” 

This was Rodney’s first impression when he first saw “Rize”.  The said American docu-film exposes the new dance form known as Krumping that originated in the early 2000s in Inner City, Los Angeles.

After watching the video, Rodney was both intrigued  and taken by the moves and steps of the dance.  He decided to learn it.

But before Rodney Paul Cueto Montero discovered krumping, he was already dancing when he was only seven years old.  And a self-confessed huge Michael Jackson fan at that. 

“My Papa had this VHS  tape  of Michael Jackson in  a concert in Budapest. I fell in love with “Beat It”.  I copied the moves and  that was the time I taught myself how to dance.”

He saw friends dancing at the parks or  at school. He got hooked. 

“When I finally had a computer, I checked out all the new dance steps and practiced them at home.”

And when “Rize” came into the picture, he finally realized what he really wanted to dance.

“Para silang loko-loko kung sumayaw. But later in the middle of the film, I understood the religious message it was trying to convey, through their moves.”

Rize movie poster. “The first Krumpers created the dance as a way for them to release anger, aggression and frustration in a positive and non-violent  way.”

He showed his new moves to several  friends at school  and introduced Krump to them.

“But they said,  “What are you doing?”  They didn’t understand the steps. Soon however, they caught up. Nung nag- umpisa kami ng bestfriend ko sa school, there were some who were critical to the  weird steps.  But hindi ko sila pinapansin. This is my style, my moves, I didn’t mind them.”

Krumping is characterized by  mostly exaggerated yet  expressive, often free and highly energetic movement involving the arms, head,  chest, the legs and feet and is danced to upbeat and fast-paced music. The first Krumpers created the dance as a way for them to release anger, aggression and frustration in a positive and non-violent  way.

The root word “Krump” came from the lyrics of a song in the 90s. It is often represented as K.R.U.M.P., which stands for Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise, making krumping as a faith-based  and spiritual form of art.

At that time, there was already a group who was dancing Krump. Rodney tried to join the group, who also happened to be his friends.  

“They were older than me and they were already familiar with Krump.  They had more experience.  Lumalabas na sila sa ilang shows dito sa Spain at sa ibang bansa. I danced in front of them. Some sort of an audition to join in.  But they told me, I still had a lot of room for improvement.  I wasn’t taken in.”

Rodney felt rejected.  They told him to practice some more.  He was very disappointed, he decided to stop dancing. He stopped practicing at home.  He stopped watching dance videos.

For a while, he focused his attention on other things like his part time job at Hardrock Café and  his studies. He is taking up Tourism.

Then May came and school break was fast approaching. He didn’t have anything to do. His stint at Hardrock was coming to an end too.  He found himself bumming at home. One day, he tried dancing again. He checked out dance videos and started  some new moves.  He went to see old friends who “rejected” him and showed them how he got his groove back, and more. 

“They were surprised . It was nice that they kinda missed me.   Tapos nag-usap kami , sumayaw ako in front of them. They liked what they saw.”

Several months later, in between juggling  his part time job  and his studies, Rodney created his own group. It came easy for him to find more than willing members because apparently, the former dance group was falling apart with disgruntling members wanted out. They opted to join Rodney’s.

“It was like a blessing in disguise.  I decided to form a group, I named it “Impact Spain”. The group had its first 10 members.”

Their first stint as a group was at the Asian festival organized by Casa Asia. However, he was not able to perform with his group due to an unavoidable conflict of schedule at work.

“Duty ko kasi noon. I had to report to work. No choice. But I was able to make it even if I arrived late. I was their camera man.”

While Rodney’s group has been krumpin’ around town, Krumping has slowly become popular in Spain with the help of Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.  As of last count, there are now  five active groups in Spain.  In Barcelona alone, there are two and majority of the members are Pinoys.

Then came a dream.

“I attended this hip hop competition. That was when I first thought, why not a competition for Krump.”

For this dream to come true, Rodney  didn’t wait for others to do it for him. He found himself jotting down his ideas, brainstorming, planning and calling people.

“I named the battle as “NO MERCY”. Because in this competition, there was only one round. In most battles each contestant was given 2 rounds to show their moves. Mine was merciless.”

Flipside (Center), from France is one of the best Krumpers in Europe. He was one of the judges.

Having worked in several shops in Barcelona helped Rodney gained friends and won their support. It was not difficult to find sponsors.

“Marami akong kaibigan sa Barcelona. Yung  The Hustle  Store, I used to work there. They helped me. Sunod-sunod na after that. Ang sarap ng feeling. I was doing the right thing. But I had also to be careful. I had to know what to do next. Like, the sponsors, the venue, the budget. Everything.  Yun nga, ang telephone bill ko ang laki dahil sa mga calls ko. My crew helped out promote it.”

With the undeniable popularity and clout  of social networks like Facebook, Rodney didn’t have to “beg” people to come to the said event. People visited his account and signed in.

“Maraming nakakita. They saw my flyer on Facebook.  They said, “ah this guy is serious”, I was not just making some pranks around.   They wanted to be part of it.”

Rodney only expected around 50 people to come. In Accounting terms, he was way too conservative for such a glum estimate.

“Hindi ko akalain na maraming pupunta. Expect ko lang mga 50 people at dito lang sa Barcelona. Plan ko nga maliit na room lang. Pero, nagtatanong sila kung paano makabili ng cheap flight tickets. People  from France, Germany and even Japan were inquiring. They didn’t care how much they just wanted to come.”

The choice for the venue proved a bit tricky.  His first set his eye on a small place somewhere in Barceloneta. The venue can hold 100 people.

“I needed a bigger venue. Later on  I realized: Why only Krump? Why not a bigger battle? Like a huge event with Rap battle, Jerk, Hip hop and Krump all in one fun night.”

 In Hip Hop style, the Barcelona-based Polish girl bagged the first place.

Raiart Theatre in El Borne was finally deemed appropriate for a bigger crowd.  However, amidst all these preparations, pressure   and all, took a  toll on Rodney’s health.

“A month before the main event, I was really stressed out. I was bedridden for one week. I took a rest and recharged.”

After recovering his energy back, he was ready to go to battle. On the day of the competition, he  personally  collected some  of the guests from the airport and took them to their hostels.

“But the two Japanese guests stayed in my place. They didn’t speak Spanish and their English was quite limited, takot ako para sa kanila. 

On March  12, 2011, at exactly 3:30 in the afternoon, Rodney couldn’t believe his eyes.

“We assembled in front of Hardrock Café… and oh man, there were a lot of them. It was raining and I was seeing hundreds of umbrellas. We all walked to the venue together.”

The battle officially started at 6.  The host was from France. The contestants as well as the judges came from France, Italy, Japan, Germany, Madrid,Valencia, Zaragoza, Canarias and Barcelona.   Rodney was “speechless” when he was called on stage to give welcome remarks. The place was full to the rafters. He found himself reciting his  speech in front of about 230 people including a Mexican  documentary director who just came to Barcelona to film the event.

In the Rap category, this 15-year-old Catalan dancer, the youngest dancer of the night, emerged as victorious. 

Given a smooth start, one would expect a hitch-free ending, wouldn’t it? Not.  As the battle was heating up, Rodney was told by the owner of the place that they were only allowed until half past eight.  Beyond that, lights would be out. He argued that the agreement was until nine. He demanded a good reason but the manager was firm.  With grace under pressure, he haggled. They met halfway. Eight forty five.

“I had to act quickly. I had to change the rule. I went  onstage and apologized. The original rule was 1 minute and 30 seconds . we had to change it to less than one minute.”

The battle carried on. And  before the bargained  eight forty five ticked, winners had been  declared. In Hip Hop style, the Barcelona-based Polish girl bagged the first place. At 15, the Catalan dancer who was also the youngest dancer of the night emerged victorious in the Rap category.  In Jerk style, the Barcelona-based Filipino dancer was declared the winner. And in Krump  style, the much coveted first prize went to the Japanese krumper. They each pocketed 50 euros as top prize.

The champ in the Jerk style

“I was a little bit disappointed because of the abrupt ending. But then, people came to me and told me how much fun they had. I felt good.”

More than the success of Rodney’s maiden project, it was the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie  that proved to be  unparalleled.

“I remember that it was the time when Japan was hit by tsunami and  I was really worried about my Japanese friend. He called all his friends and family in Japan. When he won, he took us out to dinner and used his prize to treat us. He told me “Krump is  family, krump is not money,  with my  prize we will eat together” I was touched kasi pumunta lang siya dito from Japan not for  the money but for love of Krump.  He is my idol.”

What did Rodney learn from this event?

 “Unity is very important. Unity is our strength. We  have to praise our  originality and moves, hard work and practice because this is an inspiration to make all things go better.”

Any future plans?

“Lie low muna. Maybe, to organize  future events  or to start a new group worldwide. Who knows?”

For this Filipino Krump dancer, Rodney can easily disclaim that his journey to krumpin’ has  been sped up. It took a lot of hard work, perseverance and patience to show to the world that he too,  deserved to be  called a true blue krumper. Pictures courtesy of Rodney Paul Cueto Montero.

A sample of Krump:

 

“My father was always very vocal, a simple man ready to stand for what was right”

(To celebrate Father’s Day, we are posting an interview with the ‘father’ of the Filipino community in Barcelona, Spain, Fr. Avelino Sapida. This interview was done and written by Ms. Carlyne ‘Bing’ Odicta-Kohner for her column From Your Life Coach, Bing  in the Filipino-American Community Newspaper Asian Journal)

What is inspiration to you? Perhaps the common answer is love. If you are in love, it feels like there is an engine in your body that keeps you going. It’s wonderful to be alive. All of your surroundings are colorful. We often see these emotions in lovers at the park holding hands and kissing each other. Some of us are inspired because of our passion for what we do.

This time our guest is also in love and passionate because of his faith in God. Please welcome Fr. Avel aka Fr. Avelino R. Sapido who was awarded for his dedication to the Filipino community by the city of Barcelona.

Fr. Avelino Sapida (leftmost) received and recognized by the House of Representatives and then by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III after receiving an award from the Barcelona City Government last year.

Congratulations on your award last December 18, 2010 by the city of Barcelona. What can you say about this “Premi Consell d’Immigracio” that was bestowed upon you?

It was a surprise because I’d been away from Barcelona for the last 10 years, I arrived in 2009 to assume the Parish and conclude my services. Friends here told me that they chose me to be the candidate for the Immigration section. I had to write about my life in the Philippines, what I was doing in Manila, when I came to Europe and to what did I dedicate my life? The deadline was November 30, 2010. Then they translated it into Spanish and it was signed and submitted by the Sisters from Centro Filipino.

What was the impact of this award on you? What are the benefits of this recognition to your work?

I say thank you because my work was recognized from 1986 until now. I remember I fought for the rights of the migrants to stay and to work especially from 1986 to 1991. The law was hard back then and there were plenty of deportations because a lot of our Filipinos did not have work and residence permits.

It was a very welcome award and it was an award to the migrants. It indicates that it’s worth standing up and fighting for our rights. I know that our Kababayan are not here to commit crimes. They are here with a pure intention to work. On matters of law and order here, Filipinos are not involved in those crimes. Filipinos are industrious and they are motivated, they even work beyond their assigned hours because they value the good relationship with their employers. They are loved by the Señoras because of that.

It’s high time for this award from the Spanish government and Spanish Church. I think WE deserve this award. I took it not as a personal award but a communal award for all the Filipinos living and working here.

“There is a call for integration of speaking Spanish and Catalan but the reality at the professional level is that the Spanish citizens are the ones who get the jobs…Filipinos are confined to service jobs. The law should facilitate a diversity of jobs…In the future, I hope our children can be fully integrated in the society. Filipinos that are here should dream big!”

What do you mean by Communal Award?

It was given to me due to my work with the community. My objective was to lift up the Filipinos in the eyes of Spanish society. Even though most of their work is domestic it is still dignified work. They are human beings and they deserve respect. It was also the recognition of our religiosity. In fact this is the 2^nd award.

The first award was given in 1998 when we got the Personal Parish in the whole of Europe. The Filipino Christians have shown to the Spanish Society how religious we are and how we practice our religion. It becomes an attraction for them on how practical the Filipinos are. You’ll notice that we give life to the liturgy of the Spanish and our community is very Filipino. A Personal Parish according to the Canon law is composed of a different language, culture, and life in your faith. That means a Parish given to the persons who are Filipinos. It was recognition of our culture and language. We are given the freedom to express our faith and our own way of doing it as if we are in the Philippines. It was an award that made Filipinos proud and the whole of Europe. They praise us all here.

Also, I stood for the migrants and stood for our Philippine government to give us a full pledged consulate. For example, to renew your passport before, you had to go to Madrid. It’s about 2 to 3 hours by train. It affected our people economically. We thought there was a need, so recently we got the Philippine Consulate in Barcelona.

What made the Ajuntament choose the Filipinos instead of the other migrant nationalities in Barcelona?

In 1988, we unified our Filipinos. We have the Church and it gave them all the opportunities to practice their faith. It helps them to go there regularly and talk about their problems. If they need assistance in their documents, we have the Center that will implement their medical, social and juridical needs. We have built our community spirit; the Filipinos live in the center of the city, in Ramblas. Our Church itself is in the very center of Barcelona. We all have our family spirit and we are free to interpret our life in the liturgy. It is a meaningful expression of our problems and successes in life as a community of God.

You have mentioned the Centro Filipino, who founded it and what are the programs you offer to the community?

When I came in 1986, I came from Rome as I was the Chaplain in Rome. Bishop Perez assigned me to Barcelona. I was sent here not knowing anybody. I started going to Ramblas looking for the Filipino faces. I talked to them and approached them to invite me in their house just to get ideas about their life. I was already looking for some possibilities to get a church so we could have a mass. Luckily, the Barcelona Archdiocese gave us the Santa Monica church. It was inaugurated in June 1986. Some 300 people came and we filled up the church.

I realized that I would need help. I contacted my contacts in Rome especially the Benedict Superiors of Sisters (The Scholasticans) to come to Barcelona. They told me that they have a church in Madrid but it will be closed. So I invited them to open it in Barcelona. Together we established the center. By October 1986, the center was open to accompany the migrants. We thought we should offer programs as the need arises.

The Church offers masses and the center gives news from the Philippines and news about the laws in Barcelona. We have learned that they need papers so we have contacted people who could help them. Some courses were offered on how to help the people effectively. So I participated in the Assesorial course offered free by the Trade Unions. We took all the advantages and learned the language so we can represent them. We are also learning with them as we help them.

We have an Orientation program for the newly arrived. We have a program of Idioma (Spanish Language Classes). When the children, wives and husbands came, we found out that they will be loosing connection to their roots, so we establish Iskwelang Pinoy to teach them Filipiniana, history and English. Later, when many were jobless, we found out that the Red Cross gave donation twice a year.

Basic Spanish classes taught by Filipino and Spanish professors

Kids from Iskwelang Pinoy participate in one local event.

Did you and the Sisters organize any associations?

We saw that without organizations, we couldn’t do anything and we can’t bargain. We needed to pressure the government so that’s how the associations were born. We have organizations for women, migrants, etc. encouraging them to make it legal so they can represent their sector and share solidarity with other immigrants.

We were the pioneers of so many federations, organizations and councils of migrants in Barcelona. We had to put each of our struggles together so they could become forceful. We encourage them to have a cause underneath the organization. Now, we have the Federation for Filipinos, a civic association like KALIPI. It started when we were organizing the 100 years of Philippine Independence day celebration. KALIPI – Kapulungan ng mga Lider Pinoy sa Barcelona. KALIPI has 14 different associations such as AMISTAD – Ang Migranteng Iisa Sa Tinig Adhikain at Diwa, AFICAT – Asosacion Filipino Catalan, BAFSCOM – Barcelona All Filipino Sports Commision, Centro Filipino, Emprededores, MFYA – Migrants Filipino Youth Association, The Great Commision Ministry, Jesus is Lord Church, Episcopal Charismatic Church,

The Salvation Army, Word International Ministry, Parroquia Personal Comunidad Filipina, The Guardians, United Rinconadians Association in Barcelona.

Who influenced you to become a priest and who most inspired you when you were young?

Rizal and Bonifacio inspired me. In the Philippines, I always worked with the forgotten sectors like the farmers. I used my priesthood as a moral authority. To me that’s what makes the church relevant.

How did you become a priest?

My youngest brother had a Priest-Godfather. He came one day to our house and asked my mother. “Who will you give me to become a priest?” My mother replied, “Of course, your Godson.” But Father insisted: ”He is so small; do you have someone who is bigger?” And my mother pointed me.

We had a Band and my parents were Cantoras. After my first year, they sent me to the Seminary. In there, I realized the objective of a priest. I began to like one of the missions of the church, helping the poor. At that time, Cavite was poor and it’s the place where you throw dead people. I had a dream as a priest that I will do something about the situation.

What was it like being a priest in Cavite?

I was a very effective priest in Cavite. I was helping the people to let them know our rights as Filipinos. The Capitalists were taking our lands and so on. I was on that side to protect the people. In 1960’s the church was ready to listen to the world’s voice. During those times, the leaders forgot our people. That also added my sympathy for our Filipinos so I joined the rallies. I realize now that it was the birth of my priesthood!

You have mentioned justice and fairness. Are those a few of your values in life?

Yes, my father was a just man. Cavite at that time had many gangs, carabao thieves and so on. My father was always very vocal. He was a carpenter, a simple man who was ready to stand for what was right. I think I got that from my father. Some people liked him and some people did not. Plus I know now the role of religion and the transformation in changing societies. I learned these principles, from my family and from the situation that I was in. I will fight for justice and fairness no matter what as long as I live my values.

“I used my priesthood as a moral authority. To me that’s what makes the church relevant.” Fr. Avel giving a mass at the Filipino Personal Parish in Barcelona, Spain

What is Leadership to you?

I am trying to be a good leader but I have not perfected it yet. I believe in the Shepherd kind of leadership as Jesus Christ practiced. For me it is serving. In this stewardship, people are entrusted to your hand for your care and for your Christian authority. I am a Shepherd who is always leading my sheep so they can eat and drink water. At the same time a Pastor should be on guard. The priority of the leader is to live and lead better. God came not just to live but also to have a fuller and more vibrant life.

“I will fight for justice and fairness no matter what as long as I live my values…Even if I do the best work that I can do, I know I have limitations. And if I come to my limits, I know God will supply.”

What can you say about our Parishioners here in Barcelona? What are your thoughts about our people in the Philippines, our people in Europe, and our people in the US?

Filipinos are the same wherever they are. They always look for the Church. They believe that it’s by the grace of the Lord that they are outside the Philippines whether they are in New York, Los Angeles or Barcelona. Prior to leaving the Philippines, they understand that it costs a lot so it’s very natural for them to look for a place to pray. They come especially to the Catholic Church but also to other churches where they can express their inner reflections and spirits. Filipinos are very spiritual.

In the Philippines, the Church is relevant as long as it reaches our experience in life. If the Church doesn’t touch our experience, it becomes a ritual. We are obligated to do it but we don’t need to follow it. People will pray out of obligation but not out of devotion. At home, you are supported by the ambiance and the culture.

Abroad, there is much danger in maintaining our faith because of living in the surroundings that are not that religious. The atmosphere can be materialistic or individualistic depending upon whatever tendencies the specific society may have. Filipinos want to go back home during Pasko o Mahal na Araw because of the intensity of our religious events. If we are able to create the Filipino life abroad we can save our values, language, culture and love for Filipino traditions. In this kind of atmosphere our faith can be rooted again.

Catholic membership is declining, especially in European Churches. What are the possible factors that are causing a rejection of our religion?

Religion will lose its relevance if it’s only identified with those who are powerful. We need the Church as an example of Jesus. Most of the churches here in Europe are not in tune with the poorer sector. In history, the Church was for the upper level of the society. My reflection here in Spain is that people are not interested in religion because during Franco’s time the Church had all of the privileges. When the dictatorship was terminated, people said, “We are free; we don’t need to go to Church.” The people lost trust in the Church.

You would notice the difference between one priest who has experienced living and working in a Third World country and one who has no experience in the Developing World. The ones who have are understanding, more compassionate and more pro-people in their approach. These priests who are experiencing life in other developing countries are bringing back the spirit. The migrants also have so much to share in changing the character of the Church.

Yesterday we priests had a meeting on what to do with the Sagrada Familia Church. Only the tourists visit and see this place. The Church did not know what to do in order for people to regularly visit the place. One priest joked, “We will just give it to Filipinos because in a minute that church would be full of people.” It’s a joke but there is truth in it.

I think the Church has to suffer so it can go back to the original Church that was a home for the powerless, and persecuted. We need to realize that we are not here to only serve the powerful.

We all know about the sex scandals that are on going in our Catholic community especially in Europe and in the USA. What is your stand on this controversial issue?

I find it very theological in the sense that the Church has probably forgotten a lot of things. Thus, the Church needs to humble itself to the level of ordinariness so it will be the Church of the people. These humiliating events can help to humble the Church to reflect on its role. I am not discouraged and I am not angry for I look at the situation with much hope. It might be long years of trials but in the future we will come out as a stronger Church in our mission. We have to be a wounded savior not a triumphant savior.

What about the priests that molested the children?

It may be the dark side of the history of the Church. We are expected to be the savior of the innocent but the leadership of the Church is questioned. We have to accept that we are also human beings. These witnesses that quest for truth are purifying the Church. The Church needs to experience this humiliation for everyone has sinned. In the history of Israel, when God purified his town, it was an embarrassment for they were occupied and were made the followers. All the things that they kept were lost. However the messages of scriptures were saying that God was preparing them for something great in the days to come. History has now repeated itself. That is the way of God. It’s a reminder for people. This is the communal history of our Church so something good can come out of this. Crisis means you can go down without hope or you can hope for something better.

The church is in crisis but it can turn into good. I am optimistic!

Barcelona Vice Mayor Ignasi Cardelús i Fontdevilla, Fr. Avelino Sapida and Pastor Diosdado Sabado during the recent celebration of Philippine Independence Day in Barcelona.

Spain is also one of the countries that were hit hard by the economic downturn. What effect has this had on our people?  If so, how do you convert their hopelessness into positive action?

In general, they seem to blame the migrants for the crisis. We have to remind them that the poor people did not start it. It was the rich people from America, the bankers, and the speculators. Along the way there are a lot of people who are affected. For example, the employers who have plenty of workers fired some workers. Their salaries were deducted. The workers’ starting salary is very low and they added a labor law so that the employer could easily fire them. Before this new law was enacted, companies had to pay 45 days severance pay when they let you go and now they are obligated to pay for only 20 days. They have risen the retirement age of 2 years to increase payments to Social Security. It used to be 65 years old and now it’s 67 years old. Also, there are many people who are unemployed.

For workers, we have to make our organization stronger. We are constantly looking for Trade Unions to defend our rights. We have to know what is given by the law to defend ourselves in this time. Sometimes companies take advantage of the crisis to fire or lower people’s wages. These things are abusive already. We are encouraging our workers in the restaurants to come and join the Trade Unions so they can defend their rights. In our organizations, we invited Spanish leaders who can explain the law to us. We are also watchful for other Filipinos who are taking advantage of immigrants. They say that they will take care of the husband or family if they come to Spain but they scammed them instead. So we are vigilant against the abusers on both sides. We make people aware of all of these things.

In church, we tell them of the value of dignity of work, nobility of man, the rights and the teaching of the Church. We believe in justice, equality of opportunities, and business that is not only guided by profits but also by Christian principles.

“Yesterday we priests had a meeting on what to do with the Sagrada Familia Church. Only the tourists visit and see this place. One priest joked, “We will just give it to Filipinos because in a minute that church would be full of people.”

As a Life Coach, I am actually interested in your work/life balance. How do your values help you balance what is important to you?

I know my work is not my work. Yes, I am a Priest and I am taking care of this community. However, this community is not mine. I am the Steward and a Caretaker. I will try to serve the community according to the way the community likes me to serve them but not according to how I like to serve them. I am nothing without the community. Even if I do the best work that I can do, I know I have limitations. And if I come to my limits, I know God will supply. I have faith. No matter how good your intentions are there are always mistakes or problems that you will encounter. It could be mistakes from me, from others, accidents, etc. but I let it be as long as I know I am doing the best I can. I may be wounded but I take the wounds as part of the process. I dedicate my life and balance it with my health and capacity. Sometimes my brain is stronger than my tuhod.

What makes you happy? How do you relax?

I walk a lot and I sometimes go out to Montjuic, I drive to different places. We go with my Co-Workers Group. We go out and evaluate things that are happening and plan for the days and months to come.

Tell me your thoughts on the uses of technology?

We are better related in communication through the Internet such as in finding agencies and other groups. There is a growing realization in Europe that we need to come together and talk. Milan and Rome, Barcelona and Madrid, Amsterdam, Athens, and London. We’ve had several meetings and we communicated through computer technology. This year we have plans to host an important meeting for leaders from Greece, Amsterdam and London to talk about future plans.

You have mentioned politics, what’s your take on our very own new president Noynoy Aquino?

Noynoy gave hope after Gloria Macapagal. More investments are coming in now. It’s a reminder that it’s rooting out corruption. I hope he can avoid the influence of wrong people because some political leaders might get ambitious and will take advantage of his administration. He should be conscious that Filipinos are hopeful and he should take advantage of that. It’s his time to slim our politics. Politics has become a business. Politics is everywhere: at church, in communities, and the work place. Hopefully he can provide a good kind of politics!

“We can dream and plan so that the immigrants are not the gatasan (milking cows) by the ones who are in the Philippines but through our contribution that create systematic sustainable development.”

What questions did I not ask you that you wished I had asked?

1. What’s next?

Filipinos are confined to service jobs. We are not given other jobs. The law should facilitate a diversity of jobs. I am interested in the future so that we can integrate the Filipinos into different places in Barcelona. How I wish some Filipinos could get into the political world so they could inject some human touch to the law and its administration. We are starting that in the Church. I am now going to Poble Sec to develop this integration. I combined the Catalan Mass and Spanish Mass to facilitate our integration. Some of our Filipinos teach Spanish Catechism as well. Later, I will ask the Government to teach our children in Tagalog because almost of them are Filipinos.

I wish that our Filipinos here could dream dreams for our people. Aside from their jobs abroad, how about helping the Filipinos stay in the country by helping the immigrants? They have already skills such as cooking, etc. I know some entrepreneurs that went home with their skill set. Or the money that we have here, we could invest in business in the Philippines so it would create jobs there. Whatever development you can do, farmers for example, can establish a cooperative there.

Filipinos that are here should focus on how they can be stable here. And Filipinos at home should help and do something in the Philippines. We can dream and plan so that the immigrants are not the gatasan by the ones who are in the Philippines but through our contribution that create systematic sustainable development.

In our center we have a plan, we can create certain funds through the Filipinos who return home. I have a lot in Cavite that I want to donate to implement this livelihood project. This is an ongoing project.

2. What’s my dream?

Our Filipinos should really be citizens of Spain and no longer seen as immigrants. In the US, there is equality of job privileges that are given to both the immigrants and natives. Yes, Rizal and others had already migrated here. Somehow there is still inequality. There is a call for integration of speaking Spanish and Catalan but the reality at the professional level is that the Spanish citizens are the ones who get the jobs. The rests are treated as 2^nd class citizens. In the future, I hope our children can be fully integrated in the society. Filipinos that are here should dream big!

Finally, how do you define happiness?

When your aspiration becomes reality, your dreams are fulfilled. That is my happiness!

So did Fr. Avel inspire you? What action will you take today to do something for our Filipino community?

The writer with Fr. Avelino Sapida

Carlyne ‘Bing’ Kohner is a Life Coach. She was trained at the prestigious Coaches Training Institute in the USA. She is a member of International Coach Federation (ICF.) Bing is a certified trainer for True Colors and a regular columnist for the Asian Journal in Los Angeles, California. She is a also a member of the Sitges International Holistic Networking group, Co-Meetings, and Barcelona Women’s Network (BWN) in Spain. She and her husband, Eric co-owns Limitbusters Coaching & Training, Inc. (LCT). LCT has other affiliates in Asia, Europe, and the USA.

A Rich Voice, A Soul of a Millionaire

(Ed. Note: We are republishing Mr. Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna’s interview with New York-based Filipino Tenor Bernie Milan who is coming to Barcelona, Spain this May to serenade us with Filipino folk songs and OPM classics.)

New York-based Filipino tenor, Bernie Milan

What is it in opera that New York-based Ilonggo, Bernie Milan, doesn’t mind spending  his free time  memorizing long lines and hard-to-pronounce songs or enduring late night rehearsals, and yet doesn’t earn much from it?

The 34-year old  Filipino opera singer had this simple answer; “Opera is the only performing art where the question is not “Does he look the part?” but rather, “Can he sing the part?”

I knew Bernie way back in high school. The last  time I saw him was more than fifteen years ago. We finally met again when he came to visit Barcelona for a well-deserved vacation last month. Catching up over a glass of  cava and  people-watching by the Las  Ramblas, I later learned that aside from having a stable day job, he also  performs as an opera singer in The Big Apple. I sipped my cava and listened admiringly  to  his story.  During the course of our conversation, he was more animated and  bubblier.  Albeit still sober,  it was deemed necessary for a second  bottle  of  yet another sparkling cava. As they say in ‘Pinas, “Mahaba-habang inuman ‘to.”

A native of Bacolod,  the ever affable and  effervescent Bernard or Bernie to his friends was already singing when he was just a kid.  He was an active musical performer in school which earned  him numerous accolades and awards from several singing competitions.  So it did not come as a surprise that even if he is now working as an Online Manager for People en  Español Magazine in New York, he still finds time donning medieval costumes and belting arias, be it in German or Italian or in whatever language it may be.

“Opera, to me, is the highest form of any of the performing arts. It requires singers with truly exceptional talent and years of formal training. It takes the human voice to the absolute limits of what it is capable of doing. Imagine a venue that the only thing that mattered was talent.”

Bernie Milan playing Tamino in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s  Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) May 16, 2010. New York City

Hell Week

Bernie joined the community opera company Amore Opera in the 1999-2000 season and since then, he has been a main fixture in every show the company has mounted. With the kind of work that he does during the day, stressful and all, one may wonder how can he still find time to perform onstage.

“During the day I head up online sales for People En Español Magazine and I try to find time to study after work.  I am in the middle of “Hell Week” – the week before a production opens (We are opening Mozart’s The Magic Flute this weekend) and things in the office are getting really busy as well.    I guess the secret is developing a way to silo your different “lives””.

“I must say that when I am in the office, my focus is solely on my work.  The moment I leave the office, I put on a different hat and entertain my artistic side.  Music is a very powerful force.  As soon as I turn on my iPod on the subway to rehearsals, I become the character and my mindset is on that opera.”

“It also helps to find friends that are in a similar situation as you are.  I have a tight knit of friends who work during the day and sing opera at night.  The challenges are immense but when you get a standing ovation, or when someone approaches you after a show and tells you that they were moved by your performance – all that sacrifice, blood sweat and (many, many) tears are worth it.”

 This time, Bernie plays Lieutenant Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly while the Caucasian singers play the Asian roles

“Being a Pinoy is an advantage”

He considers himself lucky that he is  an operatic lyrico-spinto tenor, a rather rare high male voice-type. Gifted with such voice, he gets cast a lot. He sings the repertoire of singers like Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.

“Actually, problems regarding my  being  Asian  has never come up.  Again, it’s about the talent.  The ability to perform certain roles and sing them well.  You can be short, fat, green, crooked, tall etc. – as long as you can sing the role. Of course all things being equal, the director will cast believable singers in the role. I once played Pinkerton, the main American character in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.  Looking at the cast, I was the only non-white (Asian at that)  playing a Caucasian American.  All the Japanese characters, including Butterfly, were Americans (Caucasians, African-Americans, etc.)  It was quite weird at first but the music won the audience over and the show was well received!”

Right now, he is the only Pinoy in the group. Though, according to him, people no longer get surprised to see a Pinoy in any production. Thanks to Lea Salonga, Black Eyed Peas, Charice, to name a few.

“And this is a wonderful thing!”  He gamely exclaimed.  “Being a Pinoy is an advantage. I actually believe in the Pinoy touch.  Pinoys have music and performing arts in their blood. We have the flair for drama.  All throughout my days in La Salle, it was encouraged for everyone to take part in school plays, musicals and variety shows.  I mean even at karaoke here in NYC, people expect you be good if you are Pinoy!

On discipline and Maria Callas

Before a performance, Bernie strictly follows a self-imposed regimen, sleep and eat well. He gets to the theatre really early, get into costume and find a quiet corner to focus and visualize my performance.  He tries not to get caught up in the backstage frenzy with all the other performers. Having played a numerous array of Operatic characters, his most favourite character to date  is “Mario Cavaradossi” from Puccini’s Tosca.

Among the opera singers, he looks up to the two greatest opera singers in the world.

“One is Maria Callas.  This soprano defied the norms of opera and emerged as a superstar in her day.  Her vocal discipline and the drama that she brought to all her roles (not just beautiful singing) made her stand out from the rest.  She is a master of telling a story through her singing. The other one is the tenor Placido Domingo.  His range and characterization always win me over.  True, there are prettier voices out there, but Domingo brings such a depth to his performances that you actually believe in every note and every nuance. I guess I am drawn to opera singers who understand that voice is just the beginning, the vehicle to tell the story.”

Bernie playing Tamino

Does he think that Pinoys are ready to appreciate  opera?

“I believe that Pinoys need more exposure to opera.  We do not have a vibrant opera company in the Philippines so there are no local artists to idolize and look up to. Also, there are no conservatories and very limited educational tools for our students to appreciate and learn how to sing opera. That said, I am confident that with the advent of YouTube, Facebook and the Internet in general, our Pinoy youth can have access to musical performances outside the Top 40 Pop hits.”

“Opera has the reputation of being appreciated by a limited  number of followers. Such  reputation I’m afraid.  Because of the sheer scale and grandeur of the medium, productions get really expensive to mount and that cost translates into higher ticket prices. Another barrier for it to be accessible is the language.  German, Italian and French are the three main languages of more than 70% of the works that are out there.  Chances are foreign-language work (for Americans, at least) are deemed as for the elite and rich.”

“Because of this stigma, the Metropolitan Opera has started a “Live in HD” program where certain performances are broadcast live in HD at movie theatres across Northern America, Europe and Japan.  The goal is to make opera accessible to everyone from all walks of life and I honestly think it is helping break the stigma.  I hear they are increasing the number of broadcast performances and theatres in the upcoming season.”

“How wonderful would it be to wake up and just sing for a living”

Being with the opera group, Bernie had  the chance  not only  to do what he loves most but also to  meet amazing people on and off stage. Every performance is always a bottomless pit of fun and good memories. And that includes anecdotes and bloopers as well. One of the most unforgettable happened a couple of years ago.

“I was singing the title role of Gounod’s Faust.  We were multicast and all of the other Faust’s were…let’s say rotund. So when it was my turn to play the role, the costume was pinned to fit me. Let’s just say I had to finish the love aria “Salut! Demeure chaste et pure” with my lederhosen halfway down my knees.  I didn’t flinch – the show MUST go on!”

With all  the exposures that he gets from every performance, Bernie has actually considered taking opera on a professional level, making it as his bread and butter, so to speak. 

“Of course.  How wonderful would it be to wake up and just sing for a living. I’m getting there I think.  I have many people approaching me about auditions and artist representation and that feels good.  My day job allows me to live a certain lifestyle and it would be a hard adjustment to go the “starving artist” route at my (young) age – I am still hopeful though.  One must never give up on their dreams.”

Bernie in Puccini’s Tosca. Act II (as Mario Cavaradossi)

Does he have some advice to his fellow kababayans who are  interested in operas and want to be opera singers too?

“I would simply say give opera a chance. Listen to an aria or two.  Read about it.  Go on YouTube and watch clips from famous operas.  All the best love stories and musicals today are based on opera:  Rent was based from La Boheme; Moulin Rouge from La Traviata, Miss Saigon from Madama Butterfly. As for budding opera singers, listen to as much opera as you can. Study not only the technique and music but also embrace the story, the drama behind every note. And continue to sing – there are no boundaries or limitations!”

It was time to leave and to catch the Opera Flamenco concert Bernie was excited to watch as part of his Catalan experience. I sipped the last drop of cava from my glass before I decided to launch my last question that I was dying to ask him since the first time I heard  that he was into opera.  If we invited him to sing for the Filipino community in Barcelona or Madrid in the near future, would he sing for us?

“But of course, just say when!”

With this, I got my answer. As we walked down to the Teatro Poliorama  squeezing ourselves  through the crowded Las Ramblas, Bernie, as if  giving  Barcelona a glimpse of what to expect,  released  his own aria  from his  favourite  “Che Gelida Manina” of La Boheme:

“Per sogni e per chimere
e per castelli in aria,
l’anima ho milionaria.”

“When it comes to dreams and visions
and castles in the air,
I’ve the soul of a millionaire.”

Echoing the message of the aria, Bernie said it best as we finally reached  the theatre.

“I am just  trying to live my life – full of dreams and not afraid of possibilities.” Photos contributed by Mr. Bernie Milan; Text: Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna

Truly a man of his word,  Bernie is definitely coming to Barcelona to give a concert on May 14, Saturday, 9 p.m. at Iglesia de San Agustin, Calle Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.

Tickets for only 5 euros each. Proceeds from this concert will be used to finance the publication of the free magazine for Filipino migrants in Spain, Ang Bagong Filipino, this blog and other activities of Asociación Filipina de Escritores e Investigadores en España.

 

 

She Who Shot An Arrow Into The Stars

(Ed. Note: Entrevista con Nata. In this section, our correspondent Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna shares with us his creamy and delectable stories, 100 % inspiring yet zero in fat.)

Bumping into a good book can be dismissed as coincidental. But finding a book that is not only engaging, but also inspiring and at the same time refreshing,  I call it serendipity. A few months ago, while visiting a friend, I chanced upon a wonderful book, I Shot an Arrow into the Star. It is a collection of poems written by Filipina poet, Eva Tabaosares Kohr.

Reading it from cover to cover gave me this strong desire to know more about the author. Contacting her turned out easy as the award-winning poet happened to be my friend’s classmate in high school.

Why poems? 

“Why not?  Poetry is the crowning glory of literature. It is a refreshing alternative to mundane prose. Poetry is the language of the soul.  It is a magical world wherein a poet interacts with the gods who not only inspire but delight. My muses give voice to my thoughts in iambic refrains that float like a distant melody.”

A self-confessed “accidental poet”, Eva Kohr was born in Tubungan, Iloilo, Philippines. She majored in Accountancy and graduated cum laude at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo.

Did you dream to be a poet?

“I’ve never dreamed of becoming a poet. When I wrote my first poem as a contest entry and won an award, it paved the way to nurture my talent into a life of poetic achievement.”

Her foray into poetry did not come until 2003 when she attended poetry conventions and symposiums and poetry readings at the invitation of the International Society of Poets. There, she learned from the Masters the tricks of the trade, different techniques, forms and styles of poetry writing. Her first poem “Just Ride the Waves” received the Editor’s Choice award from the International Library of Poetry that same year.

Can you still remember the feeling the first time you wrote a poem?

“What a great feeling it was when I found just the right words and the right rhythm for my first poem. I would describe it as my “eureka” moment.”

Who was the first person that you showed your first poem to?

“I showed my first poem to my husband who was also my staunch critic.”

A year later, she released her first book, Echoes From The Heart  which was  a critical success. Her other poem, New Orleans Was A Wet Canvass was the second prize winner in the International Open poetry competition sponsored by Poetry.com and was awarded a silver medal and the Editor’s Choice award in June 2007.

Who influenced you to write poems?

“I am a great admirer of poet Elma D. Photikarm (also a Filipina). Her writing style and strong sense of language can be an inspiration to all aspiring poets. Worthy of mention, I’d like to add my English teachers in high school, my alma mater, Iloilo City High School, Philippines. They helped shape my destiny by cultivating in me the love for the art of poetry.”

Has your childhood got something to do with your poems?

“As an apt pupil in the school of hard knocks and a keen observer of my surroundings, those childhood memories, bitter and sweet, formed the colors in the artist’s palette, a poet’s tool to paint with words.”

From then on, poetry has become a passion to this prolific poet. Her works have been published in several anthologies both in the U.S. and in Europe. She is a member of the Academy of American Poets in New York and of the International Society of Poets. She is also an established member of the Poems of the World, a quarterly publication for worldwide poetry sharing.

As a poet, how do you describe yourself?

“I am but a dull mystery

The why and the who

A tiny spark in the vast universe

A conduit of energy

Perchance to entertain

To share and to instruct

While I’m passing through”

How do you describe your poetry?

“I would love to think that my poems “breathed” and draw the reader to the scene with my vivid imagery. My verses reveal and conceal emotions to tease the senses. Like an autumn breeze nipping at leaves of trees in late summer. “

What is your most favorite poem?

“Crossing The Bar  by Alfred Tennyson”

Do you like rhyme?

“Poetry can be written in any form or style as long as the three elements are present: rhythm, metaphor and imagery.  I prefer  rhyming poems because they have music.”

How often do you write?

“It all depends on the poet´s mood.  If my muses are awake, the words just flow.”

Does it take a while  to finish a poem? Where do you get your inspiration when you write them?

“Poetry is an art form in which a poet paints a masterpiece using colorful words with a brushstroke of imagination. So one cannot rush art. The inspiration for my poetry comes from different events in my life. It could be a celebration of life, death of a friend, watching a bird drinking from a fountain  or simply listening to the music of the falling rain.”

Have you written poems in Ilonggo or in Tagalog?

“No, I haven’t. Maybe I should try to write one in Ilonggo. But to write a poem in Tagalog poses a great challenge for me because of my limited vocabulary.”

What inspired you to write the poems in your book, I Shot An Arrow Into The Star?

“When I decided to write my second book of poetry, I already selected for my title, I Shot An Arrow Into The Star. I thought it is an eyecatcher and has a magical sound to it. I was determined that this book was going to be my best one yet.  I studied the work of my favorite poets and developed my own style. Some of the poems in this book have already appeared in poetry publications and I also wrote new ones.

This book was divided into six parts and each section has its own personality, such a way that they flow from the prologue to the epilogue. When it received an award, it was like the stamp of approval by my peers and being inducted to the literary hall of fame. What a humbling experience.”

Do you have a particular favorite poem from your books?

“Yes, I do. It’s The Rose  from my first book, Echoes From The Heart.”

Are you currently working on anything?

“Besides writing poems, for the quarterly publication, Poems of the World, I start painting again. I’m not working on a particular project right now but still collecting ideas.  I’m like that old woman with a basket in the woods, collecting a leaf, a feather, an odd-shaped stick and a pebble at the edge of the stream. She doesn’t know what to make of it but at the back of her mind, she envisions a form, a shape.”

Who is (are) your favorite poet (s)?

“Among my favorites are the poets of old such as Percy Shelly, Wendell Holmes, William Wordsworth, Alfred Tennyson, Longfellow and Emerson. And for modern American poets, I love Robert Frost and Richard Wilbur.”

What are your other interests?

“I am also an artist whose favorite medium is watercolor.  I also taught myself how to play the piano. I love reading history and biography. On the domestic side, I enjoy gardening, cake decorating, baking cookies and sewing.”

 

An accountant by profession and an entrepreneur, she is also an award-winning artist whose paintings, often described as evocative of Beatrix Potter,  received numerous awards in juried exhibits. Besides poetry and painting, she currently works full time running her own business, Kohr Soft Ice Cream/Pine Cone wholesale and retail cream.

What is your personal philosophy?

“If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. As we journey through life, we hit bumps and curves along the way. We easily get discouraged by rejections and defeats.  Instead, turn failures into opportunities to do a better job next time and take one step higher as we climb the ladder of success.  After all, the world is a stage where men are actors in a real-like drama of trials and errors.”

What is your favorite word?

“Perseverance. It’s like an inner voice cheering me on when the going is tough.  If I stumble and fall, I just get up and go. If I hit rock bottom, I don’t settle there but learn to tread and float. Only those who preserve to the end will succeed.”

Some people can play good ball. Others can be expert on politics. While several are good at money.   Then there are the poets…

“Yes, it’s true that there’s no money in poetry.  But there’s no poetry in money either. But then, one cannot place a tangible currency on a product that is of the spirit. As a poet, I write because I  must.  To share, to instruct and to entertain. And oh, what an undescribable feeling if only a reader sets his spirit free on the wings of poetry. “

…And one of them is Eva Kohr.

Filipina poet Eva Kohr