Concert in Adelaide

It is exciting to be free from studies. Steven and I are graduating from our courses very soon so we are letting our hair down. We met Erwin, Rob and Thanh to show our vocal chords to the Friday crowd in Adelaide's CBD.

Here are videos of Steven and Erwin singing Mack the Knife and myself singing a Spice Girl song. Thanks to all of the guys and girls who danced with me. I hope I can see you guys again for another showdown.

Picnic in the Park 2009

Steven does not like big crowds. This is why I have to force him to attend the Picnic in the Park in Adelaide. Sometimes, fate is tricky and that is why Steven won a dinner voucher for a top restaurant in the city.

There is nothing new to show so I am just posting a photo of us sitting on the grass. It is always good to show affection in public without being judged for it.

Thin again - Danton Remoto

(Danton Remoto is a gay senatorial candidate in the Philippines. I admire him for his contributions to the gay movement but this time, he is showing a very vulnerable side of him. Click here to read the original article.)

People who haven’t seen me in the past month noticed I had lost weight. Something like five pounds. Excitement like electric current in their voices, they asked: “How did you lose weight? Share naman your secret with us.”

Well, it’s a “secret” I would not wish on anybody, even my enemies. You see, my father – a retired soldier in the Philippine Air Force – died last October 18 at the age of 76. And exactly a month later, my mother – a retired Music teacher – died at the age of 77. Losing a father after seeing him struggle to live in the intensive care unit with, in his own words, “ a sack of rice crushing my chest,” was traumatic enough. Losing both is beyond words.

I could not eat for two days after Father died. My main worry then was how to tell Mother, who had just undergone angioplasty and was undergoing dialysis three times a day – that Father had gone ahead. It was the most sleepless night of my life. And so the morning after, when Mother asked us why we left Father alone in the hospital, my sister, my cousin and I formed a tight circle around Mother lying on her sickbed. The words choked in our throat, but we managed to inform her, slowly, that Father had passed away.

A trickle of tear ran down her face. Sadness shrouded her eyes. It was a sadness that would never leave her. Not during the funeral wake, when she came in her wheelchair, dignified and calm, asking only to see Father and uttering his name in her broken voice. It was a sadness that would never leave her. Not during the vigil, when a succession of Philippine Air Force soldiers in light blue uniforms stood in attention before my father, in his casket draped with the Philippine flag. It was a sadness that would never leave her, after the soldiers fired their 21-gun salute in the memorial park, and my siblings and I finally erupted into the tears that we had kept in our hearts for many days and nights.

I resigned from my job, to take care of her and to prepare for the coming elections. But stayed at home I did, especially when she was more sick than usual, making sure she had all her medicines, was cared for, and comfortable. We went to a nephrologist for her check-up, and her health was beginning to improve: her skin was no longer as pale as paper, and she was gaining some weight.

When my mother was in her sickbed I would sometimes think of my father, and my memories of him revolve around him telling us to be brave, never to run away from a good fight. My father sent himself to college when already a soldier with a young family, commuting 30 kilometers every day to night school, and back. Later, he sent himself to law school, taking the same route for another four years. One of my deepest memories of him is graduating from law school, and the whole family taking a dusty ride home, and finally entering the military base, walking under the sheer brilliance of the stars.

Two days before Mother died, she wanted to stop taking her medicines. My cousin and I would cajole her, brush her forehead with our hands, whisper in her ears. I think she didn’t want us to worry, and took the medicines. But the sadness never left her eyes.

Two days before Mother died, the orchids she had tended with uncommon care bloomed – yellow and lavender and white – their petals like clearest skin. Two days before she died she waved to me and I went to her and I hugged her, kissing her face and her now-bony hands.

The night she died she told my cousin she was already OK, we should not worry anymore, and she gave one of her rings to my sister with Down’s syndrome. She said it was time to sleep so everybody could rest, and from that deep repose she never woke up again.

Now I walk around the city with nothingness in my chest. To lose one parent is devastating. To lose both within a month of each other is beyond words. I try to be brave for my brother and sisters, and for my adopted daughter. In my mind I remember my parents, outside my Grade Six classroom. Under the green translucence of leaves, Father was trying to reach for a star-apple fruit. The fruit was ripened by the sun, and he gave it to Mother. My classmates nudged me, and I felt embarrassed by it all, but that was how Father was toward Mother – always protective, a warm hand around her shoulder. And now they are together, enjoying the fruits of paradise, like the soul mates that I think they are. It’s a thought that lessens, somewhat, the pain lacerating our hearts.

Comments to dantonremoto2010.blogspot.com

Finished with Uni

I am finished writing all of my uni essays! I am done! I am done!

Hopefully, I will receive an email in a few weeks saying that I will be able to graduate this December. But then there is a lockdown between the UniSA's management and their labor union. But that is another story.

Anyway, Steven and I was able to go back to Nuri together and it was really exciting. We have not spent the weekend for a very long time. The road to Barossa Valley was long and challenging as the wind was strong and the raindrops big.

I will be able to write entries more regularly now.

Like It Is (play)

"Like It Is" is another multi-media presentation included in Adelaide's Feast Festival. Like "Journeys Made", this is also directed by Daniel Clarke and was staged at the Bakehouse Theatre.

I was shocked when I saw drinks were allowed inside the performance venue. I am not talking about water or softdrinks--I am talking about wine and beer. I did get used to it before the performance started.

As the audience were finding their seats, actors were walking around and taking thumbprints of many people, measuring, and oggling. I was very close to the stage and I was the only Asian there so I was a huge target (and yes, I am getting fat!).

The piece includes video clips of Adelaide people talking about the gay lifestyle, gay marriages, coming out and other aspects of gay life. The six young performers also talked about personal accounts of possibly their lives. Sometimes, it is easy to feel the nerves of the actors but most of the time, they seem to be enjoying it. I expected stronger emotions though but I guess they are just nervous.

The material in general is very entertaining but neither informative nor thought-provoking. One great part of this piece is it is very local. It does not pretend to be universal. It merely depicts the gay life/lives in Adelaide.

Journeys Made

I am so glad that I took a chance to answer an ad a fellow Filipino sent me. A few months ago, an Adelaide-based artist Daniel Clarke was looking for gay migrants to share their stories so that they will be a part of a sound installation piece that he collaborated with Jason Sweeney and Nicola Connor.

Journeys Made is one of the several events featured in Adelaide's Feast Festival. It was started by the parade and a huge picnic will close it.

A week ago, Steven and I went to the first unveiling of the 40-minute piece in Port Adelaide. It was a very beautiful collage of private thoughts from different people and I am sure it will appeal to all gays and lesbians.

Anyway, I won't say more because I am part of it.

Click here for the official Feast website.

Click here for a review.

Adelaide's Pride March 2009 part 2

Adelaide's Pride March 2009

I was not able to attend last year's pride parade but this year, I made sure I was going to be part of it. I took a break from my studies and joined the crowd in Rundle Park with a few friends. Unfortunately, Steven was not there to join the event.

The turn out was humble but it was still fun. Compared to Sydney, most of the participants are sober and more family-oriented. Some brought their dogs. Several families had their kids with them. Some straight people also joined in.

I had to return to the library so I skipped the party but Steven and I will attend the Picnic in the Park.

It was a joyous event so I do not know why I did not see this on the news.

Pacquiao wins another world record

A friend told me about this win last night because I had been busy doing household chores. I was very ecstatic: this Filipino won 7 world titles on 7 weight classes!

I admit that I was doubtful that Manny Pacquiao was going to win because he started a bit late in his training. Perhaps, it was a tactic to think Puerto Rico's Cotto was going to win. Well, that tactic really worked!

Pacquiao's win is all over the news even on mainstream Australian media. I just wish that US and Australian media would pronounce his name right though. It is a world record and I thought that they would spend some time ringing a Filipino for the correct pronunciation.

Anyway, back to Pacquiao--he is reportedly going to fight Floyd Mayweather. Is he good enough to make another world record?

COMELEC: the new Filipino Church

On the 11th November 2009, Commission on Elections rejected the application of Ang Ladlad, a gay political group in the Philippines, for the coming elections due to moral grounds.

This highly respected church in the Philippines is headed by Cardinals Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle, and Elias Yusoph. They also believe that the website www.bible.org is written by God himself and Ang Ladlad does not conform to the teachings of this website.

COMELEC has also said that Ang Ladlad poses a risk to Filipino youth but this should not be considered condemnation of the LGBT community.

Let's just pray that our beloved COMELEC will continue saving the Philippines from all immoral politicians.

Click here to read the newspaper article.

Having a break at Morialta Park part 2

And these are the videos:

Having a break at Morialta Park

It is the middle of spring here in Australia but it has been scorching hot. Steven and I are not complaining though because we love this weather. I feel like I can do more things when there are longer days and I can move about without carrying heavy clothing.

Last Sunday, Steven and I visited Morialta Park and it was our second time. It was so hot that we did not see anyone for most of our walk. We love listening to the water falling from steep cliffs, birds calling each other and tiny lizards running away from us.

On the way, we sat down by a stream and I just enjoyed the water. Steven was a magnet to insects so I took photos of them.

This is a needed break from my studies. I just need to survive this month and I will feel much much better about myself.

Manny Pacquiao On Time Magazine Cover

I am very nervous about his next week's fight with Cotto. He has been too confident lately--training for a shorter period than expected. I just hope he wins this fight or it will be very embarassing for him and the country.

I wonder if there is a way for me to watch this live in South Australia.

Our first

Last year, I moved to Australia and met a wonderful person and we have never been apart ever since. We are so different from each other: he likes cars and I prefer public transportation, he likes to be unnoticed and I love being the center of attention. And yet here we are doing something we enjoy--pigging out!

We spent this special night at Charlie's Diner where we stuffed ourselves to the limit. The last time we were here in July, I threw up in the car park. I have already learned when to stop.

Gym--here we come!

Fear of a Foreign Migrant (update 1)

I have been bottling this feeling for quite a while and I cannot ignore it anymore. I feel I have to let it out but try to be as fair as possible.

It seems it is beyond people's treatment of me when I am in public places. It is beyond the look that I do not speak English well or that I do not understand the culture.

I am quite scared of the violent attacks against foreign migrants here. Some of these incidents are even resulting to deaths. A few weeks ago, a Filipino got killed and when people tried stopping him he shouted, "He is a Jap--he deserves it!" I have noticed that many of the news agencies are trying to downplay these incidents so that the latter do not appear hate-related. They say that the culprit was merely drunk.

This morning, I saw a commercial on a privately-owned channel and this particular show is going to be broadcasted tonight. It says "6 Australians were killed by THE Indonesians...and these MONGRELS don't care". What kind of message do they want to convey to Indonesians living here and Indonesian-Australians? What kind of message do they want to convey to the greater population? It seems this way of thinking is not only personal or isolated but very much institutionalized.

Who is protecting us?

(Update: the show on Indonesians is not tonight but on Sunday, 1st Nov. It is Channel 9's 20 minutes, 7 PM)

Going Digital

Australia is switching to complete digital broadcasting soon. It is getting rid of the analog signal starting next year and that is why there is a scramble for digital set top boxes and a huge demand for digital screens.

For ordinary people, catching this TV signal involves attaching an ordinary antennae to a digital set top box and then connecting this small device to the RF connection at the back of the TV.

Unfortunately, we live in a flat and the landlord has not provided any of the tenants an antennae. We only have this one antenna and we do our best to help it catch the signal. We will probably buy a new antennae.

Ironically, the brand name of our new set top box is Bush.

Fish Opera in Port Adelaide

Last week, the Port Festival ended. It was held in Port Adelaide, a suburb closest to ours in Alberton. I was excited because of the distance.

We went there one night to watch the Fish Opera. The promotional materials showed a fantastic laser show projected on water sprays. It looked amazing!

Unfortunately, one can only see the images clearly if he/she is directly in front of the sprayers. It did not work in other angles. Of course, there was a huge crowd so only a handful of people were able to make out what the lights represented. Plus there were a lot of lights from the background and they were distracting. The fireworks display after the laser show actually looked better.

Anyway, it was for free so I should not complain.

Australian Libraries and Bookshops

The first Australian city I visited is Sydney. I wrote about this in a previous entry. I thought I was racist to think that there should be a separate section for "Asian literature in English" in book stores but I am now taking it back.

I confided to an award-winning American writer Alex Sanchez about it and he said having such a section is more of a marketing strategy and not segregation. Obviously, there is no such market yet in Australia.

In addition, I have been looking very hard for Asian books in English here in Adelaide and have found very few selections. Apart from journals, I have never seen a Filipino book here. The absence of such literature here gives the impression that we Filipinos do not write in English.

Ironically, I have found a few Filipino books and Thai-translated Filipino books in Bangkok. Back then, I thought Thailand had the worst literary selections in the world.

Hopefully, in time, Filipino publications will be available here. I wish I would still be alive then.

Prejudice: Equality...At What Price? (video)

produced by Film Australian 1988

Australia approved its Anti-Discrimination Law in 1975, protecting its citizens and residents from unfair treatment in the workplace. The government has produced this video to show what can be done when a person gets disriminated.

This docu-drama features two stories of two women: Jessica, a newspaper photographer, and Leticia, a nurse. Jessica is in an industry that is predominantly male so she gets a lot of sexist jokes and sexual harassment from her work colleagues while Leticia is denied her much-deserved promotion because she is a Filipino and some of her work colleagues made it difficult for her to fulfill her duties. The superiors of both professionals are actually encouraging discriminatory practices in their workplaces thus making these women's lives a torturous experience.

Absolutely everyone in this film is convincing. It feels like I am watching the real thing and that is because everyone represent the industry that they are working in in real life.

This is the perfect material for people who want to have an idea of what happens at the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal Board. It teaches people in the work force that there is always someone who can be held accountable even the labor union itself.

Marrying and migrating ... you have to work at it (video)

produced by the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs in 1995 (ISBN: 0644475986)

Filipino women in Australia have a reputation of being mail-order brides among the Australian population although the concept is not really realistic. A few of them have indeed met their husbands online but they were not picked from a catalogue. This is why the reputation is very much unfair and reeks of prejudice.

The more I learned about education of migrants in Australia, the more I learn about the Filipinos who have come before me. Things may be difficult now for a new migrant like me but things were a lot more difficult 14 years ago when this video was produced.

"Marrying and migrating to Australia" is a thirty-minute video designed for Filipino women who are coming to Australia to be with their Australian husbands. It is an account of several women who are happy and sad about migrating to this country and all of them have experienced a lot of difficulties adjusting to this vast country with very few people compared to the Philippines.

I strongly recommend that all Filipino women and Australian men to watch this video before making that huge leap integrating both cultures in to their lives. The stories may be old but they are still very relevant

Dexter got crabs!

Steven and I had been planning for this long weekend for months and I was excited to have a break from the city. We left for Nuriootpa for a stress-free time.

We packed our crabbing gear and asked for a map to Webb Beach. On the way there, we found a juvenile crow on the road. We gave it some water and took it with us hoping that it will feel alright being in the cooler car. Unfortunately, there is no RSPCA in the Barossa Valley and it just got sicker and sicker so I just left it in a bush.

After being on the road for an hour and half an hour being lost, we finally found the beach and walked along the beach. I did not know that one needs a rake and a plastic container only to catch these delicious critters. There were tons of crabs so it did not take long to gather 18 big ones.

We went home and immediately steamed four. Steven does not like crabs so I ended up eating most of them.

How you can help flood/landslide victims in the Phils

Tropical Storm Ondoy: How you can help | ABS-CBN News Online Beta

Shared via AddThis

Here is a list of ways you can help the victims of tropical storm Ondoy (international code name Ketsana).

Donation drop-off points

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

1. National Resource Operations Center, Chapel Road, Pasay City
Contact: Mrs. Francon Favian

2. Quezon City Area Disaster Resource Operations Monitoring and Info Center (DROMIC) DSWD Central Office

Contact Rey Martija or Imee Rose Castillo, Tel Nos. 951-7119, 951-2435 or Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera Tel No. 0918-934-5625

3. Manila Area (DSWD-NCR)

San Rafael corner Legarda Streets, Quiapo, Manila
Contact: Dir. Thelsa P. Biolna, Dir. Delia Bauan Tel Nos. 734-8622, 734-8642

ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya

413-2667 / 416-0387
No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon

SAGIP KAPAMILYA UPDATE
(as of 6 pm, October 1, 2009)

1. Update on Donations (as of 6 pm October 1, 2009)

a. Examiner/Bayoran/Center Road
P 51.5 million in cash (More than P 20 M of P30.2 with SK already)
P 84.5 million in goods and service

b. Regional Network Group (RNG) P 5,165,536.70 (Total to Date)
Breakdown:
Luzon P 403,999.20
Visayas P 2,409,898.25
Mindanao P 5,165,536.25

2. Families served: 129,424 (Note: average of 5 members per family)

3. For donations send via----

Local:

Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia Branch
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Account no.: 5630020111
Swift code for international cash donations: BNORPHMM

BPI
Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Account No. 3051-11127-75
Swift code for international donations: BOPIPHMM

Overseas: 1-800-527-2820 or abscbnfoundation.org

4. ABS-CBN Global Announcements

Para sa ating mga Global Kapamilya na gustong magbigay ng cash donations para sa Ondoy relief operations ng Sagip Kapamilya, maaari kayong magpadala online using your credit card or Paypal account. Just visit www.abscbnfoundation.org or www.ondoyrelief.multiply.com

Maaari din kayong mag-deposit diretso sa Banco de Oro account ng ABS-CBN Foundation sa Pilipinas.

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
Account number: 5630020111
Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia Branch
Swift code: BNORPHMM ABS-CBN BDO BRANCH

Sa mga Kapamilya natin sa Middle East, maari na rin kayong magpadala gamit ang mga sumusunod na remittance partners ng ABS-CBN Easy Remit.

Al Ansari Exchange in the UAE - no remittance charge
Nonoo Exchange Company in BAHRAIN - no remittance charge
Al Rostamani International Exchange in the UAE - no remittance charge
Redha Al Ansari Exchange Establishment in the UAE
Trust Exchange Company in QATAR
Al Ektasad United Exchange in KUWAIT

Sa bawat cash donation na ipadadala ninyo, magdadagdag ang ABS-CBN Easy Remit ng limang pisong donasyon para sa Ondoy relief operations.

ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820

Other institutions receiving donations:

UNICEF is accepting cash donations through its Metrobank account: UNICEF C/A 066-7-06631209-3 in response to the victims of tropical storm Ondoy. Call their hotlines at 758-1000 and 758-1442 to find out more ways to send your donations.

CARITAS

Domestic Cash Donations can be deposited through the following CARITAS MANILA bank accounts any branch nationwide:

BANCO DE ORO - Savings Account No. 3970006958

BPI - Savings Account No. 3063-5357-01

CHINABANK - Savings Account No. 103-3099715

METROBANK - Savings Account No. 175-3-17506954-3

RCBC - Savings Account No. 3-000-90221-6

UCPB - Savings Account No. 128-162208-7

SECURITY BANK - Current Account No. 0141-019452-001

For overseas donors, please deposit your donation to Caritas Manila-BPI Dollar Saving Account No. 3064-0033-55.

Or PNB Dollar Savins Account No. 108566600025

Ayala Foundation USA

For US based donors who want tax incentives, you may course your donations through Ayala Foundation USA 255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 428,Redwood City, CA 94065, USA or simply click the link (Ayala Foundation USA).

Negros Navigation

from Mr. Edmund Gawchua, Manager

Negros Navigation is now accepting the transfer of relief goods from Mindanao to Manila for free for aid to victims of Ondoy.

Donations can be sent to Negros Navigation stations and offices nationwide.

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Links to other ways to send in help:

Manuel L. Quezon's blog: How to help (original on Quezon.ph | Tumblr.com mirror link)

Google Docs: Rescue InfoHub Central | List of Places where to donate (check out one nearest your area, or add a donation center that is not on the list)

Another list of where to donate goods via Bury Me In This Dress blog

Google Maps: Ondoy situation map for Metro Manila, by KaninLamig

Sahana FOSS Disaster Management System http://sahana.kahelos.org/

For ways to donate to the Philippine National Red Cross, check out the PNRC web site

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Reach ABS-CBN via these channels:

Multiply: botomoipatrolmo.multiply.com

Twitter: twitter.com/botopatrollers

Facebook: Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo official page | abs-cbnNEWS.com

Email: ireport@abs-cbn.com

SMS/MMS reports: IREPORT to 2366

Bayan Voice BMPM Voice SMS: 411-BMPM (411-2676)

Feeling Guilty Being Safe

I feel very guilty right now. I am quite safe here in Adelaide and I cannot help my family in Pasig, Metro Manila--one of the most devastated cities of typhoon Ondoy or Ketsana in the Philippines.

Flood water was waist-deep inside my family's house. They were able to save most of our electrical appliances but the tuktuk and the tricycle are not working.

Some of my cousins were still perched on roofs yesterday and they are currently asking for clothes and food from friends and family.

My immediate family has electricity and a dial tone but there is no water from the tap. Fortunately, the local government is rationing water to every family but then there are tons of families in my neighborhood.

I just do not feel alright.

Hail in Adelaide

I have experienced one hail storm in the Philippines but the ice particles were too tiny and the ground too warm that it melted too fast. I think it is just amazing to see ice fall from the sky.

Of course, here in South Australia, it is not uncommon to have hailstorm. Here I am taking a video and tasting the hail behind the camera. This was taken at our apartment block. My fingers are frozen!

District 9 (movie)

Back to the squeaking curtains, Steven and I went. I just cannot stop myself from laughing everytime the projectionist adjusts the curtains.

I was blown away by this movie because of the very original concept. It is about a group of aliens that are stranded in Johannesburg and these creatures suffer from ghastly living conditions and prejudice from humans. The reaction of the humans are very realistic and it mirrors what happens to refugees.

The visual and sound effects are very effective in instilling fear and excitement. It can be very violent though but it is not overwhelming.

New talents Neill Blomkamp as the director and Sharlto Copley as the main actor are perfect for the movie. I am certain we are going to hear from this pair again. Kudos to Peter Jackson for discovering Blomkamp and producing this movie. I cannot wait to get a copy of this DVD.