Saturday, August 31, 2019

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES Part 2

Once again, I am deeply humbled and honored by the community of artists coming together to help answer the prayers of a community in urgent need in the land of my birth across the sea. Join us on Saturday September 7 at Super Happy Fun Land, 3801 Polk Street, Houston, Texas, featuring a stellar array of music, and hosted by the distinguished Craig Long aka Tha BBC. Cover is $8.00 at the door. For your generosity, we offer the gift of some awesome uplifting infinitely meaningful music...
7:55-8:10 pm – "The Edge of Subsistence" images by Kokoy Severino from his pilgrimage with the persecuted in the Philippines, with live soundtrack by Sea Sick Fish
8:10 pm – Dance of Solidarity - a video blessing from Aeta tribal leaders
8:15-8:55 pm – The Presidents
9:05-9:25 pm – Kasama
9:35-9:55 pm – Bird of Peace
9:55-10:05 pm – Sea Sick Fish
10:05-10:45 pm – Phillipidon & Moe 11:00-11:40 pm – Free Radicals 11:55 pm-12:35 am – Karina Nistal
Click the event link - Philippine Earthquake Relief Fund Concert #2

 For those who cannot make it to the event, but would still like to contribute, click this link to donate directly to Alay-Bayan Luson.

 (Click each band/artist name below to know more)
A Houston native captivated by old school hip-hop, soul, jazz, and R&B since early childhood, Karina’s Cuban/Mexican heritage and Texas upbringing gives her music an unforgettable edge that’s neither traditional nor contemporary, but a catchy evolution of the familiar that’s wholly her own. “...Karina Nistal spits sexy verses in Spanish and English over next-level production, mixing Latin-tinged hip-hop, house, and reggaeton...” -Austin Chronicle. View - Wiser 360 Version
"The horn-heavy, continually evolving collective Free Radicals produces a wildly eclectic fusion that has as many influences as there are items in the Houston, Texas, pawnshop in which they honed their sound during all-night jam sessions." -The New Yorker. 13-time winners of "Best Jazz" in the Houston Press Music Awards... View - Water Beats Rock

In the lyrics of "Only Jah," the message of His universal and unending love for all His children is revealed. We are all His children, young and old and of all colors. He is capable of this love that we can only aspire to. Let us all be encouraged to be more like H.I.M. Moe started playing Reggae in Hawaii in the 1970s and was in the first reggae band in Texas, The Lotions. He now performs with The Mau Mau Chaplains in Austin, Texas. Follow Moe on Twitter: @alan_moe. Phillipidon was born chanting in Kingston, Jamaica. He is known for his gravelly-gruff voice, interlacing a few iconoclastic interjections, and weaving wanton mayhem amongst audiences with his impromptu outbursts during live performances. When he is not doing music, he is a college professor teaching anatomy, biology and physiology at Houston Community College.  
Follow Phillipidon on Twitter & Instagram @Phillipidon. Phillipidon & Moe together showcases artists from the Austin-based record label Music4Life... View - Only Jah Loves Them All

"...mysterious... Asian-tinged... an even flow of jangling introspective rock..." -Austin Chronicle. Read - lukewarm

Sea Sick Fish
3-piece improv space dub. An electronic music troupe featuring John Ramos on seasick bass, Torry Mercer on keyboard, and Axon on devices. Torry Mercer has been a mainstay in the Houston activist punk music community for decades, with such legendary bands as Naked America, Anarchitex (fast-forward to 39:18 mark), Happy Fingers Institute, and most recently Deconstruction Crew. Axon produces and hosts Facemelt Radio, noisy experimental electronic eclectic beats for the City of Houston, mixed and broadcast live on KPFT HD2 every Friday night at 10 pm...

Bird of Peace
Collaboration by Filipino visionary artist Eugene Jaceldo, his daughter Paloma Lansberry, and Tony Scott...

"Music with a message... There are no superficial, empty lyrics present in anything this band creates... Much of their music identifies with their own Filipino roots, but it also deals with the roots of other struggling transplanted cultures... awareness and good intentions are aspects that make their music so full of substance..." -Lori Weeks, The Scene Magazine. Listen - Long Long Read - The Presidents' First State of the World Address by John Mijares, Cool Runnings

People's Host Craig Long, aka tha BBC
Artist/conceptualist/host/illustrator/award-winning clothing designer/child of the neighborhood/creator of a "Real Hip Hop" Monthly called "THE BENCH" based on the the original core elements of hip hop - Peace! Unity! Love! and having Fun! View - FLIERS...

The Edge of Subsistence
Images From My Pilgrimage Among the Persecuted in the Philippines by Kokoy Severino
I travel to and around the Philippines numerous times per year to work with persecuted communities in search of solutions to the cycle of poverty in which they have been entrapped for generations. These photos serve to chronicle this pilgrimage. "When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness." -Acts 4:31. View, read, reflect - The Adventures of Kokoy
Super Happy Fun Land is one of Houston's coolest venues for experimental electronic music, underground jazz, and outsider art! It's a theatre, a gallery, a concert space, and more! How to get there - map Enjoy and think - "Devil Why Must You Pursue Me?"

ABI aims to assist in developing the capability of the most vulnerable sectors in society at pursuing community-based and development-oriented responses to disasters and issues. ABI envisions a free nation, charting its own future, exercising sovereignty over its territory, controlling and developing its resources for its own needs, existing as co-equal to others in the community of nations, a just and democratic society where every member has equitable access to the nation’s wealth, contributes to the production of society’s needs and benefits from the fruit of individual and collective labour; where every individual is given the opportunity to contribute to nation-building by taking active part in articulating the collective interest and in pursuing the collective will, a prosperous people striving to develop the potential of man for a full and creative life, free from hunger and disease, from poverty and deprivation, and liberated from the agony and wretchedness that accompany disasters and a country whose natural resources are nurtured to sustain life for its people. Be informed and donate - ABI get involved
Musika Publiko is a global network of musicians, composers, performers, and enthusiasts advocating socially relevant music making - creating and performing songs in various styles and genres that articulate people's issues and highlight aspirations for real change and development for the many. Join - Musika Publiko Community

ACHRP is an Austin-based organization in solidarity with the Filipino people's struggle for lasting peace. Stay informed - Across the U.S. Thousands of Filipinos mobilized for United People's SONA 2019

ICHRP aims to inform the international community about the grave human rights situation in the Philippines today. Beyond information dissemination, it calls on freedom loving peoples, organizations, political parties and governments all over the world to express their concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines and to join the Filipino people in their quest for just and lasting peace in the land. Defend - #StopTheAttacks
Bay+byin+ buhyin (Baybayin Buhayin) is an activist collective of educators, scholars, scientists, researchers, artists, writers, and community leaders spearheading the movement to revive the original Filipino Baybayin script into the common vernacular after its use was interrupted and virtually extinguished by centuries of colonial rule. Reclaiming our language is a critical step towards defining the Filipino cultural identity. Isang paglalayon na muling ibalik sa ating Lahi ang ating katutubong sulat - ang Baybayin. Ito ay isang kayamanan ng Pilipinas na dapat nating buhayin, alagaan at muling pagyamanin. Yaman ng lahi na mahalagang maipasa sa mga bago at susunod na henerasyon upang magkaroon sila ng malalim at malinaw na kaalaman sa kanilang pagkatao bilang mga Pilipino. Sama-sama nating buhayin... Baybayin! Sama-sama nating tuklasin, pagyamanin at BUHAYIN ang BAYBAYIN. Download - Baybayin font
Reggae Evolution with DJ-RJ has been airing every other Tuesday on KAZI 88.7 FM in Austin, Texas since 1989. Hosted by R.J. Johnson, aka DJ-RJ, with a passion for it that won’t quit, whether DJing on the air, producing original riddims for the Music4Life label or seeking out new talent to promote via interviews and promotion. Every other Tuesday from 7-10 PM Central Standard Time and streaming worldwide. Listen - love reggae
Rock and Roll Machine with Manila radio legend Cousin Hoagy spins out magical music with an eclectic mix of deep classic rock to soul, reggae, jazz and blues. Hosted every Saturday on Jam 88.3's "Weekend Rock Experience." Cousin Hoagy's legendary programming is one of the country's longest running, radio rockin' blues experiences that educates, makes listeners think and explore. It turns you on! Listen loud and don't forget world-wide streaming - breakfast in Manhattan or afternoon in Paris. Cousin Hoagy regularly invites guest performers into the studio, including such luminaries as Jun Lupito and the late Joey Pepe Smith. Check it out - Live performances in the 88.3FM studio 

 If you would like to see and read highlights from Philippine Earthquake Relief Concert #1 held at Saguijo in Makati, Metro Manila on July 3, 2019 featuring a stellar lineup of bands and Aeta tribal leaders with officers of Alay Bayan-Luson, click here Philippine Earthquake Relief Concert #1...


"Life is not a journey, but a pilgrimage..."
- Kokoy Severino has been in a constant state of travel since he was four years old.
Photo by Dad.
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Friday, July 12, 2019

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES


Photo by Jaime Hernandez.
I want to express my deepest and utmost gratitude to all those who made the Philippine Earthquake Relief Fund benefit for the Aeta communities in Central Luzon a beautifully moving and generous gathering of artists, musicians, activists, community leaders, and concerned citizens on July 3, 2019 at saGuijo, Makati. 

 The highlight of the evening beyond a doubt were the Aeta tribal leaders who came with staffmembers of Alay Bayan-Luson, Inc. all the way from the hinterlands of Pampanga. They spoke truth and strength to our gathering. Theirs were not the faces and voices of victims, but of warriors persevering through centuries of oppression, injustice, marginalization, persecution. They came to witness for us boldly, with conviction, with steadfast unwavering faith in the righteousness of their cause, with strength of purpose in the struggle that they continue to wage against mighty multinational corporations wreaking havoc upon Bathala's creation all in the name of profit, with complete disregard for the needs of the local people in that area who are still in the midst of crisis. Accompanied by Karl Ramirez of Pordalab on acoustic guitar, Fridie Saplala, Piping Dela Cruz, Palak Abuque, and Tokaya Trajano lead the community in a couple of revolutionary anthems "Buhay at Bukid" and "Awit ng Pag-asa." In their voices was the sound of uncompromising determination, unquestionably willing to put their lives on the line to save their people and preserve their way of life. They then blessed our gathering by dancing the traditional Aeta unity dance.

 In all of my years of organizing, I must say this was the most intensely beautiful thing to take place in any event I have been involved in. What a blessing for our gathering to be able to witness an ancient dance and hear their voices of leadership in struggle. By giving them the space and opportunity to express the Aeta vision for the community, they granted us inspiration that we will carry in our hearts for years to come, inspiration to do more in this struggle for justice, equity and freedom for all.

 The Aeta families continue to live in makeshift shelters under tarps. This is where they sleep, cook, eat, and go to school. Years ago, this community made the decision to abandon the traditional nipa hut design for their homes. They shared with us that the modern concrete structures with cinder block walls and corrugated aluminum roofs they thought would better protect them from the elements actually collapsed on top of many of them, causing unprecedented death and destruction during the earthquake. The Aeta now want to return to their traditional designs that had been used for hundreds if not thousands of years. The funds we raised are just a drop in the bucket of what this community needs. But the most important outcome of fundraising events like this is immeasurable in material terms, and the true benefit will play out over time.

 We must continue our work. The next Philippine Earthquake Relief Fund benefit concert for the Aeta communities will be on September 7 at Super Happy Fun Land in Houston, Texas. Artists coming together for the Houston edition - Karina Nistal, Free Radicals, Kasama, Music4Life featuring Phillipidon & Moe, Bird of Peace, The Sea Sick Fish, and The Presidents. A new event page is in the works as details continue to coalesce. In the meantime, please read more about the cause on the July 3 event page - click here Philippine Earthquake Relief Fund.

I would like to thank the sponsors of this fundraiser for their ongoing support - Alay Bayan-Luson, Inc.; International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines; Baybayin Buhayin; Rock and Roll Machine with Cousin Hoagy; Musika Publiko; Austin Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines... If you are a non-profit grassroots organization, a local business, or an advocacy group interested in expressing your solidarity with the cause, please join us as a sponsor! Contact Kokoy at presidentscrucial@gmail.com. 

 I want to thank the members of the Central Luzon Aeta Association and Alay Bayan-Luson including officers Aprilyn Perido, Radz Ybañez, and Marvz Natividad, and the Aeta tribal leaders who drove several hours to join us in solidarity. The next day, Pordalab vocalist Boogs Villareal, who also volunteers for Alay Bayan-Luson, shared with me that speaking and performing at our event really boosted the morale of the Aeta leaders. That news in itself made it all worth the hard work in putting the event together.

 I want to thank the wonderful staff at saGuijo for hosting the event and making sure that everything went smoothly. Off the saGuijo menu, I highly recommend Jackie's Famous Siomai - Thai style sprinkled with crispy crushed garlic chips with a succulent homemade sauce on the side. One order has eight or ten siomai (I can't remember how many I counted, but it was a good amount). Order it with a generous mound of garlic fried rice and Red Horse on the rocks. If you're lucky, Ate Jackie herself will serve it right to your table. 

 I want to thank Pastor Jay Enage for opening our event with a heartfelt prayer. Pastor Jay is the Chairman and founder of Baybayin Buhayin and spearheads the movement to revive the traditional Filipino script into the common vernacular after it was interrupted and virtually extinguished by centuries of colonial rule. I want to thank the other members of Pastor Jay's Baybayin Buhayin leadership team who came to the event in solidarity and shared some of their photos - Justine Louise De Vera, Jaime Hernandez, and visual artist Arlene Seraspi. (Later in the week, Pastor Jay was interviewed by my brother Howie, who also came to the event in solidarity with the Aeta people, for a segment of his award-winning documentary series i-Witness on the GMA-7 television network. That segment will air on August 25, 2019 during the annual Buwan ng Wika - Filipino Languages Month.)

 I also want to express utmost thanks for members of Initiatives and Hearts for Indigenous People who came to hang out, including musician Cecilia Garcia Artates and former Philippine National Team football players Ludwig Fuentebella and Elmer Lacknet Bedia. As core members of IHIP, they volunteer as youth football coaches in economically disadvantaged indigenous communities, using the beautiful game to mentor their players out of poverty. I am honored to be associated and to work with such a distinguished group of football coaches.

 Many many thanks also for many members of the Musika Publiko collective who came en force. Musika Publiko is a network of musicians, composers, performers, and enthusiasts advocating socially relevant music making - creating and performing songs in various styles and genres that articulate people's issues and highlight aspirations for real change and development for the many. Special thanks to Musika Publiko photographers Markuss Javier, LJ Pasion, and Belle Jarligo who took some awesome shots at the event. (Many are featured below.) 

 Finally, deepest gratitude to all of the musicians in the bands, each of whom put on an inspired and spirited set - Bopek, Elemento ni Lirio Salvador, Tropical Depression, Talahib People's Music, Yohi, Pordalab, and my kayumanggi Pinoy rock band players.

 Here are links to some cool videos posted by various people from the event:
Scenes of destruction in the Aeta communities of Pampanga - shot and posted by Marvz Natividad of Alay Bayan-Luson
Highlights reel created by Darrel Roberto of Talahib People's Music
Tropical Depression - Mahal Kita Bilog Na Naman ang Buwan and an untitled Excerpt 
Makibaka by Pordalab and Yohi
Below are some choice images from the evening. 
(All photos below by Kokoy Severino unless otherwise indicated.)

Pastor Jay Enage opens the festivities with a prayer...
Alay Bayan-Luson Officer-In-Charge Aprilyn Perido speaks passionately on the current conditions endured by the Aeta communities in Pampanga...  
Aeta Tribal Leaders Fridie Saplala, Piping Dela Cruz, Palak Abuque, Tokaya Trajano 






Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Arlene Seraspi.
Photo by Arlene Seraspi.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Justine Louise De Vera.
Photo by Jaime Hernandez.



Elemento ni Lirio Salvador
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Cecilia Garcia Artates.
Photo by Justine Louise De Vera.
Photo by Justine Louise De Vera.

Tropical Depression
Photo by Musika Publiko.




Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.




Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.

Photo by Arlene Seraspi.

Talahib People's Music
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.






Yohi
Photo by Musika Publiko.






Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.

Pordalab


Photo by Musika Publiko. 
Photo by Musika Publiko.










kayumanggi Pinoy rock band
with Anna Marie Santos on flute, Bo Bismarck on lead guitar, Cocoy Dimala on drums, Shariko Pascual on bass, Tan Cuenca and Ryan Ignacio on percussion, and special guests Boogs and Yohi
Photo by Arlene Seraspi.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
Photo by Musika Publiko.
See you on September 7 at Super Happy Fun Land, Houston, Texas...
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