Above: {m} alumni Aims rockin’ the MC spotlight.
It’s not too late to show your stuff at Maganda’s Fall Reception this Saturday the 17th from 2-5pm in Naia Lounge (on the UC Berkeley Campus)!
Last school year’s Spring Reception was a relaxed, intimate, and vibrant celebration thanks to the genuine warmth of everyone present–whether they were up on stage, showing their artwork, running the show, or chilling on Gelateria Naia’s comfy white leather sofas with a caffe affogato. We love you, Naia.
Anyway, our featured performer for Saturday was just confirmed:
poeta Barbara Jane Reyes will be joining us, along with a great lineup of student performers. You may just be one of them. Woo!
Hope to see you there. 
Today, Maganda would like to honor and remember the contributions of all veterans. Happy Veterans Day.
Yesterday, Social Documentary Photographer Rick Rocamora–who spoke at Maganda’s Artists’ Dialogue earlier this year–wrote a piece for the San Francisco Chronicle’s Open Forum. It is titled “Waiting for Equity.” The following is an excerpt:
U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, has tried since 1992 to pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill, which would give the Filipino WWII veterans full recognition and some better benefits. “Fifty years of injustice still burn in their hearts and memories. They want justice in their last years. It is time that this country adequately recognized their contributions, recognize the injustice, and act to correct it. We must do this to establish our honor - and the honor and dignity of these veterans.”
Many have died waiting for justice. They all have hoped that justice will prevail and that they will be fully recognized as veterans for their services fighting for democracy and freedom during World War II.
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act (HR. 760 and S.57) is again pending before the Congress. The Rescission Act of 1946 gave nationals from 60 other countries veterans’ status - but not Filipinos. They were singled out for exclusion. The pending bill will restore this status and bestow full honor and recognition on the Filipino veterans.
For those who died waiting, I will wait for them. They deserve justice, even after death.
You may find more about Rick Rocamora’s–as well as view his photos of veterans–at the SF Chronicle page.
P. Flores
You are invited to the 1st {m}aganda
End-of-the-Year Reception
for
{m}aganda issue 20: our activisms
Saturday, November 17, 2-5pm
@ Naia Lounge (Lower Sproul, UCB Campus)
… MUSIC … ART … POETRY … PERFORMANCES
… RAFFLES … GELATO … AND OPEN MIC!
Please join {m}aganda magazine and friends for a final celebration of the work and efforts of contributors, artists, and staff that put together the momentous 20th issue of maganda: our activisms, published in spring 2007.
Enjoy an an afternoon of performances, art displays, raffle prizes, and gelato in an appreciation of all 20 issues of maganda, their contributors, the artists that have transformed the world of pilipino/american literary arts in the last 18 years through and with maganda, and all the staffs that have made maganda possible!
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“Araw ng mga Patay” or Day of the Dead is celebrated in the Philippines from November 1-2. During this day, it is tradition to visit the cemeteries to pay homage to the dearly departed. Rather than maintaining a somber and solemn atmosphere, the cemetery becomes an atmosphere of remembrance and merry-making. Friends and family hold festivities and picnics together. Sounds kind of strange, but it’s really a beautiful experience where the large extended Filipino family comes together to catch up and celebrate.
Like people in the States often during Halloween, students come to school in costume. Later, they go door-to-door requesting gifts in exchange for singing a traditional verse about the liberation of holy souls from purgatory into eternal life; their own version of trick-or-treating!
Just a little tidbit on Halloween in the Philippines! Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween, and {m} also wishes everyone an All Saints Day to remember!
photo & post by krizia.
