Cultural Presentation #15
Presentation Date: Friday, Dec. 5th, 2008
JENAm I limited?
Because of my age? Because I'm a student?
Because I'm a female?
Or am I limited because of my origin
The color of my skin
The fact that I'm a Pinay
Will I be kept down because I'm a minority?
I say no. I'm only as inferior as I allow myself to be.
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JONAfter the war ended, Congress reversed the promise in the Rescissions Acts of 1946. All our grandparent's benefits - gone. Everything they were forced to leave behind – their friends, the life that they had, family – and everything they sacrificed was for nothing. On top of that, we were the only national group that wasn't recognized under the American Flag…
We have a duty everyone. As descendants it is our obligation to recognize this hidden part of history. This is the story of our grandparents. And everyone effected by it. Family, friends, even us.
Justice for Filipino American Veterans!
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JHOSELLEBefore Catholicism, the indigenous Filipinos believed in animism - the belief that there are spirits in all objects. Unfortunately, when the Spaniards came and introduced Catholicism in 1521, the indigenous Filipinos turned their hierarchy of the animists into demonology. Most of the stories spoke about demons attacking the innocence. The stories and gods of animism have altered due to history, and today we can better understand Animism as Filipino spiritualism or Filipino mythology
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MAUREENSome people graduate college wishing that they were more involved. Some people graduate, wishing they made more friends… We can prevent more of this happening… It starts with us…you, the members. If we share what we have by reaching out to others, I have no doubt that we can change lives. Every person here plays a significant role in this organization, especially the members. We may be a big executive board, but we can't do this alone. We all have grasped the AB Samahan experience differently… And so it's more important than ever that every single one of us shares the blessings that were given to us from this organization…
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ADELEMom, I wish that you understood me better…But before I can do that, I must first understand you. I realized that your definition of success is different from my definition of success. To you, support + stability = success. Doctors, nurses, accountants, engineers, military service. Support, stability… success… happiness.
But… what if I'm not meant for these occupations, mom? What if I have a passion in art, music, dance, language, psychology, liberal studies, culture, communications or other occupations?
And what if… I don't believe that stability equals happiness?
What happens to me?
I love you, mom.
I realize that you only want what's best for me.
But mom, you just don't know.
I'm growing up. I have a mind of my own
You don't have to hold onto my hand as much anymore
It's about time I define success my own way.
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JENThe more I study about my culture the more I feel like I'm led on
I've grasped more deceit, ingenuity, double-standard respect and corruption.
The negativity has nearly caused my suffocation.
But I'm still gasping for breath
I'm still trying with much difficulty
I have hope there's more to my ethnicity and so I am holding onto my theory
I believe there is more to my culture, regardless of my perception,
I believe through the vast majority I can find the kind of Filipino beauty that'll give me inspiration
I believe there is some good in everything.
And I know once I find it, it'll be gratifying
I know I will find the beauty that will motivate me to learn more about my culture
And low and behold, I have found what I've been looking for.
Andres Bonifacio was definitely a man who went through the same struggles many of us go through today. But what made him stand out was the fact that he didn't get those circumstances define him. He modeled love, pride, unselfishness, compassion, organization, unity, hard work, dedication and passion. He showed that making a difference takes so much more than saying so, but rather doing so.
He bloomed through the corruption, deceit and ingenuity of his time. And even though Andres Bonifacio may have lived over a century ago, learning about him is one of the main reasons why I keep coming back to this organization and why I continue to learn about my culture.
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ABEQ. Rius Hart, Pa Sivv, Hayta and S. Mart went on a journey to discover what it meant to be Filipino. They found their answers from the wise Carabao and they will never forget his wise words, "No matter how far you've gone, you'll realize that you never had to leave your front door to find the answers. Because…
The definition of being a Filipino is something you must define yourself.
It is up to you, here (points to head) and here (points to heart) to determine what being Filipino is.
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JENWhy the hell should we care about our Filipino culture?
Like I said, look how far we've gone. Our parents have exchanged our Filipino heritage and identity for the sake of living the American life. Where we're given the opportunity to care more about our own problems than our own nation's!
So why?
..I don't know about you... but I have a lot of family problems. And I realize that the biggest problem is misunderstanding…
On top of that… all this conflict has led me to confusion in who I am and what my purpose is on this earth…
I can keep fighting and rebelling… but if that's taken away from me… what's left? Who am I?
To be understood is one of the biggest things every single one of us strives for in our everyday lives.
And we can have it… if we first understand others.
I'll tell you now: to find better understanding, it's all about learning our roots and growing new fruits. If we learn to understand the past –I guarantee we will learn to understand our present and in time, see more positivity in our future. Knowledge of our culture is everywhere around us. It should be our base, our foundation. And if we decide to do this together, I guarantee that not only will we understand our constant struggles… but we will understand ourselves better
Thank you.
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REFLECTION*How many of you remember these presentations?
Awesome. Thank you… I thought I’d share some insight about these presentations… Every single one has been done with intentions that you’ll learn something new. Whether it’s a bit of politics, discrimination, religion, our elders and parents, our culture or more importantly… ourselves. My goal was for every single one of these presentations to somehow leave a mark in your heart…
The semester is coming to a close… That means the schedules and routines that we had this semester will shift – if not little than drastically - when the new semester comes.
Whatever you do or stirve for after this semester, whether it's to continue with AB Samahan, reprioritize your life, try out new things, learn more about yourself or anything else… I hope that my presentations have helped in some way. I hope that I have provided some insight for any aspect in your life…
If any of my presentations sparked the curious heart within you, I hope you step out of your comfort zone and strive for something beyond yourself. We can only go so far when being passive or a hater… It’ll be a tough journey and risky when tending to our curiosities…but it'll probably one of the most rewarding and enriching risks we’ll ever do in our lives.
Thank you for listening to my presentations this semester. & being a part of them if you have been. It was fun :] And for everyone that's staying for another semester, see you next year; you're in for a whole new set of presentations. And also… I'll be looking forward to finding my next cultural affairs assistant.
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[Join Q. Rius Hart & friends as they cover the
"Christmas in the Philippines" cultural presentation!]
