Wednesday, July 9, 2008
"Gissing Sining " National TV show - 7/6/08
Our TV appearance on ‘Gising Sining” on NBN Channel 4 did not work out well. It would have been much better to have stayed home and studied instead. We waited for 3 hours and then went on during the last 10 minutes. Our coordinators asked us to write a poem in Filipino introducing ourselves. With some help I finished mine on the bumpy back and forth bus ride to Manila. That was challenging and I’m glad I didn’t suka because of it. We went on and according to alphabetical order I went first. The host urged me to speak and I started to do my poem in Tagalog. I did about half of it and looked up to breathe and saw several camera people giving me the “cut it” signal. I paused, took a breath and stopped with at “Walang panahon, ah…Salamat Po”. I then passed the mic to the next person in our group and so it went. Everyone else got to say their names and where they were from and that was it. That was the culmination of getting the last minute poem assignment the day before and all of our preparation for our spot on national television. I was the single poet from our group. They closed the show with a wildly talented singing group that we had fun listening to in the dressing room.
That was the same day 7/6/08 that AFAP had the big story in the Manila Times.
The reporter didn’t know what to do with my vegetable oil story, although I told her about it at length. So she just left it out. Too bad I guess, but I’m learning that getting press coverage is a lot about perseverance and not relying much on the press to get your message out. I think the exposure was good for the program though.
After the TV show we went out to dinner and performed our poems for each other. That was very satisfying. I believe that the world can always send challenges, but what matters more is how I respond to those situations. “It’s not about them, it’s about us and what we do now.” I keep saying. Or another version is “ it’s not about what they do to us, it’s about how we respond to it.” After all, my reaction is the only thing I truly have control over. So, we had a poetry jam for ourselves and that was beautiful.
I did learn new words- like pamamaraan- future.
The next day we had a very long midterm that I was inadequately prepared for- usually the case given the challenge and the amount of time available to study.
There’s a uniquely Filipino way of doing things that I’m learning about. It’s about many different supervisors telling you different things and then changing their minds randomly. Hard to predict or plan with this dynamic. You’re not supposed to directly say no or confront people- especially supervisors or elders, so instead you say ok and maybe and then do something different later. It’s something I’m trying to understand, although it feels dishonest to say to people. My US bias is coming into direct conflict with the cultural norm here.
That was the same day 7/6/08 that AFAP had the big story in the Manila Times.
The reporter didn’t know what to do with my vegetable oil story, although I told her about it at length. So she just left it out. Too bad I guess, but I’m learning that getting press coverage is a lot about perseverance and not relying much on the press to get your message out. I think the exposure was good for the program though.
After the TV show we went out to dinner and performed our poems for each other. That was very satisfying. I believe that the world can always send challenges, but what matters more is how I respond to those situations. “It’s not about them, it’s about us and what we do now.” I keep saying. Or another version is “ it’s not about what they do to us, it’s about how we respond to it.” After all, my reaction is the only thing I truly have control over. So, we had a poetry jam for ourselves and that was beautiful.
I did learn new words- like pamamaraan- future.
The next day we had a very long midterm that I was inadequately prepared for- usually the case given the challenge and the amount of time available to study.
There’s a uniquely Filipino way of doing things that I’m learning about. It’s about many different supervisors telling you different things and then changing their minds randomly. Hard to predict or plan with this dynamic. You’re not supposed to directly say no or confront people- especially supervisors or elders, so instead you say ok and maybe and then do something different later. It’s something I’m trying to understand, although it feels dishonest to say to people. My US bias is coming into direct conflict with the cultural norm here.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Jeepneys
My field of interest and work in the US is transportation. The idea of how people move ourselves and our things around has a huge impact on our daily lives, our sense of and the shape of our communities, our impact in society and as well, the world. It’s the filter or lens though which I see many things.
My regular commute to De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines takes about 35 minutes. 5 Minutes by motorized tricycle (usually a 125 cc motorcycle with sidecar attached- 20 pesos or $.44 each way), 15 minutes by Jeepney ( 6.5 pesos or $.14 each way) and 15 minutes walking though the beautiful campus (“priceless”).
Reflection….7/7/08
I remember my first ride in a Jeepeny. I was 13 years old and visiting my Stepfather’s family in Quezon City. We took a ride in one with my Mom, sister (3 years old then) and Stepfather. The main thing that I remember are my toes curling up inside my shoes as the Jeep sped along 6 inches from another Jeepney. Quiet chaos inside my head as I battled the urge to freak out. That could sum up a lot of that trip, really. I’ve been thinking back to that trip a great deal since then. More about that later….
For now…I have an idea…
You can tell a lot about a driver by the inside of their Jeepney. Is it clean,? Can you see through the floor to the ground below? Do the seats sway when it goes over a bump. Does the driver swear as he drives? It’s been a novel experience for me to ride in them on this trip. Depending on the driver and the time of day it can be smooth experience or much the opposite. It’s a complex matrix no doubt, but in short, when I see a clean inside with a trash can for passengers, and a smooth driver who’s not out for the checkered flag in morning traffic- it’s a good day.
Two weeks back our Jeepney was rear-ended by another Jeep. It happened in slow motion with tires squeeling from the vehicle behind, as it attempted to stop. The collision was at about 3 or 4 MPH when it bumped into the back of ours. Really it was kind of exciting. Matt and I got out and walked the rest of the way to our NGO assignment that day.
Most of the time here we are travelling with others in our student group. Yesterday however, I was feeling a sore throat coming on. I think I’m one of the last ones in the group to catch it. I went home early and before the spontaneous meeting called by our director and before the birthday party of another director that we were asked to pay for. I just left and went home to rest, eat raw garlic, drink lots of water and try to get better sooner. I rode by myself and I knew it was going to be problematic. I stand out here like a German in a Speedo at the beach (in the US). The drivers regularly “forget” to give me the correct change for my student fare. This one was doing the same thing. I made it easy for him by giving him at 50 peso bill, when my fare was only 6.5 pesos. It’s just easier to give them exact change. I had a politely encourage him to give me the rest of my change, but he just gave me 50 centavos less. Already sick and with a headache, I surveyed the situation. I took a deep breath and decided that I would stop trying to get my change. It ended up being one penny that I didn’t get. Oh well. Still though I didn’t like the principle of it. Then it started to rain very hard. The rest of the passengers got off and it was just the 2 of us. Not long after that, in the pouring rain, the driver grunted something to me and pulled over on the very narrow street. I reminded him of my stop politely and he just ignored me. I got out of the jeep and walked the rest of the 2 blocks in the rain where I got a ride the rest of the way on a tricycle. At home the neighbors (same family) let me into our host stay and I collapsed onto the bed.
I haven’t seen any women drivers here yet. I saw one woman driving what looked like her family in a tricycle last week, but that’s the only one so far. I don’t know if I’ll come up with a system to assess the relative safety or ease of a Jeepney trip from looking at the insides of the Jeep. We usually jump into the first available one. I think that being here, I’m just going to do what my other group member does and what probably more people than I can tell are doing… that’s pray.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Surrounded
Immersion.
It's the best way to learn, everyone says.
It's true, and to make the most of learning, I have to continually remind myself to breathe and relax. Otherwise, I'm in a state of allergic reaction and overload and I just want to retreat. Immersion is overwhelming at times. I think about this when I am bitten by mosquitoes at the table, at my desk, while I'm sleeping, on the bus.... I'm not used to that.
Yes, I'm taking my malaria pills- thanks to my superstar girlfriend Helen who sent them in the mail. I did leave home without them.
I think about this when everything inside me is close to boiling over. This morning I was happy to eat fried fish with breakfast, but not wanting to deal with the bones. Yesterday on the bus to Manila I didn't want to see continual trash or the color green. All of these are warning signs that I'm about overwhelmed. I imagine walking down the street and someone trying to steal my camera and me assaulting them and enjoying the workout...or at least wondering if I could keep a cool head if I was in that situation.
And probably the reason for some of this is that I'm about to take a midterm exam- and we had to go to Manila yesterday for a disaster of a TV program and it burned about 10 hours of our study time. Yes, though I am learning, I truly am.
I'll close with a highlight from this morning. A mellow Jeepeny driver, getting off early to do my 15 minute walk through the campus and getting great shots of Jeepneys spewing out exhaust. I've been looking to capture this photo since I've been here and I finally got it today!
Off now for my daily academic "jumping in."
:)
Jason
It's the best way to learn, everyone says.
It's true, and to make the most of learning, I have to continually remind myself to breathe and relax. Otherwise, I'm in a state of allergic reaction and overload and I just want to retreat. Immersion is overwhelming at times. I think about this when I am bitten by mosquitoes at the table, at my desk, while I'm sleeping, on the bus.... I'm not used to that.
Yes, I'm taking my malaria pills- thanks to my superstar girlfriend Helen who sent them in the mail. I did leave home without them.
I think about this when everything inside me is close to boiling over. This morning I was happy to eat fried fish with breakfast, but not wanting to deal with the bones. Yesterday on the bus to Manila I didn't want to see continual trash or the color green. All of these are warning signs that I'm about overwhelmed. I imagine walking down the street and someone trying to steal my camera and me assaulting them and enjoying the workout...or at least wondering if I could keep a cool head if I was in that situation.
And probably the reason for some of this is that I'm about to take a midterm exam- and we had to go to Manila yesterday for a disaster of a TV program and it burned about 10 hours of our study time. Yes, though I am learning, I truly am.
I'll close with a highlight from this morning. A mellow Jeepeny driver, getting off early to do my 15 minute walk through the campus and getting great shots of Jeepneys spewing out exhaust. I've been looking to capture this photo since I've been here and I finally got it today!
Off now for my daily academic "jumping in."
:)
Jason
Friday, July 4, 2008
What if?
Rent or Own
I’ve had the thought many times. Should I try and get into home ownership where I live or not. It’s pricey here in the SF Bay Area. Do I try and buy now or just rent until industrial collapse? Every day I see headlines and signs that things are not looking up. Or, at least to say the present course of economic policy, and economy based on power and death is about played out. I do think that things are ripe for a change. Instead of more of the inequity that we have now, what if we could build an economy that was honest about the real cost of things involved.
What if we changed priorities to things that could build and sustain life?
What enough of us started asking the question: What do you want for yourself, your family, your community, your world and all things in the next week, month, year, 5 years and so on? ...
and started shifting our priorities to reflect that and an economic system that was honest?
What if?
And why not?
Why not now?
The headlines are telling me that....
The world is waiting.
I’ve had the thought many times. Should I try and get into home ownership where I live or not. It’s pricey here in the SF Bay Area. Do I try and buy now or just rent until industrial collapse? Every day I see headlines and signs that things are not looking up. Or, at least to say the present course of economic policy, and economy based on power and death is about played out. I do think that things are ripe for a change. Instead of more of the inequity that we have now, what if we could build an economy that was honest about the real cost of things involved.
What if we changed priorities to things that could build and sustain life?
What enough of us started asking the question: What do you want for yourself, your family, your community, your world and all things in the next week, month, year, 5 years and so on? ...
and started shifting our priorities to reflect that and an economic system that was honest?
What if?
And why not?
Why not now?
The headlines are telling me that....
The world is waiting.
Tatlong linggo
Tatlong linggo pagkatapos nang kami! May 60% score ko sa examen itong linggo. Noon linggo, may 33% lang. Conte conte lang! Pagod na ngayon. Mayamang gabi nanaood kami ang cine sa Will Smith. Umpisa kami ang weekend! Pahinga tayo sa Sabado.
Jason
We finished our third week! I got a 60% score on this weeks test. Last week it was 33%. Little by little! I'm tired now. Later tonight we're going to see a Will Smith movie. The weekend has begun! Rest this Saturday for all!
Jason
We finished our third week! I got a 60% score on this weeks test. Last week it was 33%. Little by little! I'm tired now. Later tonight we're going to see a Will Smith movie. The weekend has begun! Rest this Saturday for all!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Intention
Intention
7/2 and 7/3 2008
I was interviewed today for an article on AFAP in the Manila Times Newspaper. Due out on 7/4/2008.
The reporter asked why I wanted to learn Tagalog or Filipino. I answered the best I could but I would have loved to be able to elaborate. By all measures, I shouldn’t be speaking Tagalog or Filipino at all. The use of other languages is actively discouraged in the US. It’s not that people don’t persist and keep their language, they do despite it all, but the main message is consistently speak “English” now, you’re in “America”. My Dad who was thrown into an unfriendly world here at 7 years old had to do it. Now he understands some, but bursts out into laughter whenever he tries to speak. That’s another story. But, suffice to say that my culture actively discourages speaking other languages in generals and especially in schools. That’s another story.
Back to intention. I think that we all start out with some tools and information from our families of origin and their collective experience over time. Some things we do and we don’t know why we do them. Many times it’s a product of what worked in the past for either ourselves or our family members. We learn habits. We also are in an society that values profit over people and seeks to maintain that idea with a logic of it’s own. Does anyone really say outright that they want other peoples lives to be more difficult? Not usually, but so many of us in the US want our retirement plans to mature, develop, and support us in our old age. We have money invested with companies and have given them permission to make money at all costs. That’s our agreement and even if that means mistreating people that get in the way of that goal here or overseas, that’s the goal. If you lost your job because the factory moved overseas or you had money stolen from you from a company’s policies, or if you loved one died in a hospital where they were short staffed of care, although making record profits,…. It’s all connected in the idea of profit over people. I hear a lot of people angry at our President and frustrated by the suffering he has help create, exacerbate and promote worldwide for US economic interests. And that’s valid beyond measure. What I don’t hear people talking or thinking more about is the system that he is serving and that we all participate in on a daily basis. If we can prioritize different things, like people, like our futures, like the beauty in our lives, and especially in the US, the idea of “how much is really enough to have a satisfied life” then I think that will lead to better world for everyone.
Yes, I will have to change my behavior. Move closer to work, create work closer to home…. And many more things. Not flying, not driving as much or at all, but don’t you think that we’ll have to do that anyway eventually.
Working for positive change in your own life is preparation for a realistic future. Like training for a race or studying for a test, would you want to be prepared for a challenge ahead and potentially help to shape the future or unprepared when the time comes to deal with reality (or at least your illusion bursting).
So, I shouldn’t be speaking Filipino, but I want that for myself. For many reasons, again another story, but with using my intention I have the opportunity to reshape my habits, my skills, even my brain (see brain plasticity article last month). And if I can reshape myself, which I am, I can reshape the way I move through the world and my interactions with others, the way we spend our time, and what we focus on and prioritize. And that shapes the world.
7/2 and 7/3 2008
I was interviewed today for an article on AFAP in the Manila Times Newspaper. Due out on 7/4/2008.
The reporter asked why I wanted to learn Tagalog or Filipino. I answered the best I could but I would have loved to be able to elaborate. By all measures, I shouldn’t be speaking Tagalog or Filipino at all. The use of other languages is actively discouraged in the US. It’s not that people don’t persist and keep their language, they do despite it all, but the main message is consistently speak “English” now, you’re in “America”. My Dad who was thrown into an unfriendly world here at 7 years old had to do it. Now he understands some, but bursts out into laughter whenever he tries to speak. That’s another story. But, suffice to say that my culture actively discourages speaking other languages in generals and especially in schools. That’s another story.
Back to intention. I think that we all start out with some tools and information from our families of origin and their collective experience over time. Some things we do and we don’t know why we do them. Many times it’s a product of what worked in the past for either ourselves or our family members. We learn habits. We also are in an society that values profit over people and seeks to maintain that idea with a logic of it’s own. Does anyone really say outright that they want other peoples lives to be more difficult? Not usually, but so many of us in the US want our retirement plans to mature, develop, and support us in our old age. We have money invested with companies and have given them permission to make money at all costs. That’s our agreement and even if that means mistreating people that get in the way of that goal here or overseas, that’s the goal. If you lost your job because the factory moved overseas or you had money stolen from you from a company’s policies, or if you loved one died in a hospital where they were short staffed of care, although making record profits,…. It’s all connected in the idea of profit over people. I hear a lot of people angry at our President and frustrated by the suffering he has help create, exacerbate and promote worldwide for US economic interests. And that’s valid beyond measure. What I don’t hear people talking or thinking more about is the system that he is serving and that we all participate in on a daily basis. If we can prioritize different things, like people, like our futures, like the beauty in our lives, and especially in the US, the idea of “how much is really enough to have a satisfied life” then I think that will lead to better world for everyone.
Yes, I will have to change my behavior. Move closer to work, create work closer to home…. And many more things. Not flying, not driving as much or at all, but don’t you think that we’ll have to do that anyway eventually.
Working for positive change in your own life is preparation for a realistic future. Like training for a race or studying for a test, would you want to be prepared for a challenge ahead and potentially help to shape the future or unprepared when the time comes to deal with reality (or at least your illusion bursting).
So, I shouldn’t be speaking Filipino, but I want that for myself. For many reasons, again another story, but with using my intention I have the opportunity to reshape my habits, my skills, even my brain (see brain plasticity article last month). And if I can reshape myself, which I am, I can reshape the way I move through the world and my interactions with others, the way we spend our time, and what we focus on and prioritize. And that shapes the world.
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