Maganda’s End-of-Semester Reflection

Hello, dear readers-

If you haven’t noticed yet, students are wholly responsible for running Maganda Magazine–the publication, the organization, and the blog. Every day since the beginning of the school semester, we’ve been faced with the challenges of maintaining a newer, larger staff with a reinvigorated mission, while also making sure we keep our grades at least above average (in other words- not failing). Thus, we apologize for the sparse amount of updating to this site- it’s simply suffering from growing pains. This little web child of ours may not grow up to become a doctor, but we at least hope it’ll attain a little bit of greatness. For now, we hope it gets over its adolescent identity crisis.

What does that mean for you, dear reader? It means soon enough, you’ll have a blog with a clearer focus, more regular, interactive content, along with breaking news and events from the Filipino community, arts community, and beyond. Maybe you’ll even get to catch a few glimpses into our grassroots magazine production process, which usually takes place in between Psychology and Sociology lectures.

For now, we have to study for finals.

See you soon,

Patrici Flores

Editor-in-Chief

 

Maligayan Pasko

The Home section of today’s San Francisco Chronicle has a feature on Filipinos celebrating Christmas along with some pretty heartwarming pictures of little kiddies making parols.

I got my own capiz shell parol last Christmas season and was excited to have my own parol to put when I decorated last week. It is by far my favorite Christmas decoration. It is nice to look at something in the media and actually see yourself reflected back. That’s one of the invaluable perks of living in a diverse community like the Bay Area.

Here you’ll find the SF Chron’s “Pinoy Pod” that discusses the history of parols and how to make one.

Make your own parol with step-by-step instructions here, here and here.

 

Maganda T-Shirts for Sale!!

[click image to enlarge]

Maganda is selling T-shirts for $15/piece.
If you want to rep Maganda Magazine
please email maganda.distribution[at] gmail[dot]com
for more information and to purchase one.

 

This Just In: Barbara Jane Reyes to Perform at Fall Reception!

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.

 

In Honor of the Veterans

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

 

{m}20 End-of-Year Reception

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!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Maligayang Araw ng mga Patay!

“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.

 

open gallery/artist dialogue

On October 25th, 2007, Maganda Magazine hosted an art gallery and artists’ dialogue in 100 Wheeler Hall. The event featured a discussion with acclaimed social documentary photographer, Rick Rocamora–who has photographed Filipino World War II Veterans, Muslims in America, and imprisoned children in the Philippines. Oakland painter Mari Rose Taruc was also present to discuss her work and the nature of art. Both effectively work for social justice in different mediums, and the stories they shared were intriguing and inspirational.

Maganda would like to thank everyone who contributed their work to the beautiful event; it was a genuinely exciting opportunity for any artist and social justice advocate. Creative Director Christine P. talks about her experience:

Art can bring people together (if only for three hours), and it can connect them for even longer. I was inspired and touched by what I saw last night, by the art itself and by the community effort to bring art and artists together.

Rick Rocamora’s work was especially moving (I seriously almost cried) because it really hit home for me– his photographs made me think of my dad, my grandpa, my relatives still living in the Philippines, the kids who I just wanted to hold in my arms, and all the people that I want to help, but just don’t know how to help. He made my heart ache. And that’s a good thing, because I needed to be reminded of all those things I felt.

-cp

 

Lecture by South African Photographer Pieter Hugo

What’s good world!?

So here’s the deal, I got a heads up on a lecture coming to the San Francisco Art Institute, part of the Aperture West Collaborative Lecture Series. South African photographer, Pieter Hugo, will be heading this lecture, sharing his photography of his country and its subcultures as featured on the cover of Aperture Magazine.

So here’s the skinny…

PIETER HUGO

Aperture West Collaborative Lecture Series

South African acclaimed artist Pieter Hugo will discuss his work on his country’s society including judges, entertainers, workers and albinos. His striking portraits question the art of portraiture today. He will share the underlying meaning of his thought-provoking and controversial images of South Africa and its subcultures.

Pieter Hugo has recently gained international recognition. He has been named the Standard Bank Young Artist for 2007 and he won the first prize in the portraits section of the 2006 World Press Photo competition. Featured in the Spring 2007 issue of Aperture magazine and in Colors, this young photographer has established himself as one of the best portraitists at work today.

WHEN AND WHERE :

Friday, November 2
7:30 p.m.

PhotoAlliance

San Francisco Art Institute Lecture Hall

800 Chestnut Street

San Francisco, California

(415) 781-8111
www.photoalliance.org

Fee: 10$; free to students and Aperture subscribers
Media contact: Yseult Chehata, Aperture Foundation 212-946-7108; ychehata@aperture.org

Personally, I’m trying to go to the lecture. I think it would be cool to check out, not only as a photographer, but as someone who just appriciates art. If you are trying to come with, shoot me an email at justgonzaga@gmail.com

Taking pictures with his new 40D,
Justin

 

Spotlight’s On: the Pinoy Breakfast

Bay Area Bites, KQED public radio’s food blog, highlight’s the traditional Pilipino breakfast this weekend. Finally! Our traditional pan de sal, longanisa, tocino, ensaimada, mangoes, sticky rice, dried fish, salty egg, corned beef, and fried garlic-rice gets the attention it deserves from a more mainstream part of the culinary community!

If you like food (and you’d be soul-less if you didn’t), and if you especially like Pilipino breakfast foods, or if you simply want to learn more about it, Bay Area Bites blogger Thy Tran’s post includes a sweet reflection on a few of the delicacies of the Pilipino breakfast. She calls Pilipino’s “hearty eaters,” and also calls the range of Pinoy breakfast “impressive.” She CLEARLY knows what’s up.

She also includes a short list of some Bay Area restaurants that serve Pinoy breakfast, and a link to another blog that has a scrumptious roundup of various real-life Pinoy breakfasts complete with pretty pictures! With that said, don’t visit these blogs if you’re hungry! And if you do, you can’t say I didn’t warn you! Happy Eating!

<3 Post and photos by Krizia S.