Taking Lead Now: Filipino communities in NYC

Showing posts with label Filipino communities in NYC. Show all posts

4.12.2014

My First Time Seeing Marshall Factora Doing A Cabaret

A shot I took using my celfone during Marshall Factora's cabaret at Pan De Sal in Manhattan last night. It's my honor to have me and be introduced to him by friends Roger & Carmelo, who, like Marshall, are artists in their own right. The intimate place was packed with people representing those you'd see typically in New York City. I recall listening to him singing and interpreting at least 10 songs, and members of the audience participated most happily. It's almost like a private affair but you get a sense that something good was happening that Friday night. We came for the food, which was awesome, and the entertainment that Marshall put up. We're glad to have been delighted beyond our expectations. Carmelo told me that Marshall also sings and plays the piano, and I'm looking forward to seeing him perform again one of these days. And Roger told me that Marshall has been staging these shows for years now, and both them worked together in past shows with other artists.

I was seated among friends Roger and Carmelo, and also got the chance to meet new friends who have known, I would soon realize, one another for some time now. Marshall sang old and new favorites but I barely recall the titles now, with me being someone who barely recall lyrics and listen to music selections because of their tunes. But I remember Marshall singing Stevie Wonder's LATELY in the most heartfelt live performance to-date I've seen. It was lovely and I felt like recalling certain episodes in my own life, which got me remembering how wonderful great art really imitates life. Marshall did something beautiful last night. The musician accompanying him, likewise did a great job. The audience wasn't really an easy crowd to please. But everybody went home happy after enjoying brief time with friends and strangers with great food and great intimate show by Marshall.

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3.23.2011

On A Filipino Trans-Sexual In New York City

Staged Readings of Nick Pichay's Two Short Plays in NYC, Briefly

"Flores de Mayo" at the Philippine Consulate, New York

CHECK THIS YEAR'S FLORES DE MAYO SCHEDULE AT THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE IN NEW YORK IN THIS LINK. Thank you!

Well, I hope this posting works out clearly here, given the changes on Picasa which I was discovering only now as I included pictures I took using my celfone camera. I wanted to share here last-minute pictures I took during this year's Flores de Mayo at the Philippine Consulate in New York, which definitely turned out to be very well attended.

Tonight's attendance's easily double than last year, indicating how people have become more strongly aware and more interested in this annual event being managed by "The Catholic Fellowship of Young Filipino Professionals." It's to the credit of all volunteers who have worked hard to deliver something worthy of sharing here, and being proud of, given usual thoughts about events like this for those who may have seen it all. Other than the expected crowds who are from the Philippine community, there were those who showed up from other communities, whose presence contributed much to make this event more exciting to observe. It's not anymore a small affair, as many might have dismissed it to be (they have surely missed not attending this one!). It's become one of those events that's meant to be attended to every year, and helped with to become bigger each year.

Flores de Mayo is actually one of the biggest community events, a Marian event at that, which happens in the Philippines every May, traditionally, as a definite influence brought about by Hispanic presence for 300 years in an emerging and fast-emerging developing country that people need to know as the farthest post of the Spanish Empire up to late 19th century (but was briefly, for 50 years, part of the USA). In this year's event, the second floor hall witnessed participants in their best representative native attires (not usually worn everyday as "street attire"), and recalls to mind the romance, the accompanying anxiety and drama of the whole event. May is a month in the Philippines where the first rainfall is considered "sanctified" and healing for those who'd decide to take shower as the rainfall happens outside.

The procession in the Consulate Hall's not exactly, as admittedly, the most spectacular, especially if you've witnessed something more grand and festive back in the Philippine archipelago. But what was presented reminded everyone of how it was back in the Mother country. It's always one of those opportunities for the best looking young ladies to don the most fabulous attires and be seen by everyone curious and envious, as they step and do their dainty walk on the streets where they would usually work it out without creating much fuss but showing much grace and elegance amidst all the gawking stares. To be even considered as one of those sagala's (or those invited to join the procession representing a saint or another religious character) is a great honor that signifies you're definitely someone worth looking at by the crowds.

But, we need to remember (and be strongly reminded), that this annual event is in commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary's (BVM) very courageous stance to carry Jesus in her womb, as God's incarnation on earth, and subsequently give birth to the Savior. The whole event is very loaded with religious overtones, hoping to make people aware of the significance of the events by the lives of those women who are represented by present day volunteers doing the walk on the streets. Flowers are usually seen abundant, overflowing, and very much seen all through out. In this year's event, this happened again, as the Mass was celebrated, and participated in by most everyone tonight. The San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir sang wonderfully during the mass, heightening its seriousness for everyone.

I remember in my childhood being herded by our fussy elders, mostly women, to the Church to offer flowers to the BVM --- this is part of the same event that happens on May every year. Children, also, have great roles to play during this month. During the mass at the second floor, I noticed how the floor was covered by rose petals. At the start of the event, there was nothing on the statue of the BVM, but towards the end, the statue's bedecked and surrounded by flowers, twigs, branches arranged beautifully.

After the mass, Filipino food was served at the ground floor, where participants/attendees had all the chance to mill around and do networking. Lumpia, San Miguel Beer (also Hong Kong's number 1 beer!)'s Red Horse and Pale Pilsen, Pancit Palabok, Embotido, Litson, Pandesal, Fruit Salad, Empanada, Leche Flan were easily among the food items that I noted, were served, and enjoyed sumptuously by everyone. Cultural notes, and small chats were exchanged and flowed around.

"Here's looking forward to the event next year! May a much grander Flores de Mayo happen in 2012."

12.07.2008

Simbang Gabi sa Katedral 2008 (Dawn Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral, NYC!)

See the RED STAR? [1st and 2nd pictures] That's the insignia used by ushers, in different shades to call the attention of those who have the corresponding color of stars of those attendees so they'd be given guaranteed seats!!! I'm simply dumbfounded at how the hardworking organizers of this year's Dawn Mass at St Patrick decided to come up with a set-up like this. My friend Bob & myself, who managed to get inside St Patrick's before 6:30pm Simbang Gabi mass (Dawn Mass), & got ourselves seated close to the left side facing the altar were asked by a Caucasian looking guy who's a member of the staff of the Cathedral, to go out again, and line up with the others who were waiting outside for the Dawn Mass. I FREAKED OUT, and insisted I have the right to keep my seat. I was just prevailed to change my mind, after a Filipina asked us again to move to some other seats, as most front pews are reserved for other attendees of this Mass.

I fumed really mad, even my friend Philip, (whom I saw later busy with his volunteer work as an usher, before Bob & I moved to another seat) looked helpless. In fairness, he called up earlier inviting me, and reminding me that only those with "stars" would be given guaranteed best seats. Upon seeing me there quite mad, he just said, there would be vacant seats actually, as the Cathedral won't be deluged by Filipino attendees, anyway. Some other Filipinos were also disgusted by this set-up. It's just like being reminded of certain practices back in the Philippines, where certain seats are reserved for the elites, those who are deemed to be powerful, and has connections with influential people!

We're in a mass, & it should be "first come, first served" policy! The least that the SGsK organizers of this "Simbang Gabi" event could have done was just to announce right away on their website, for those who are attending that seats would have to be reserved, at least by groups, or by affiliations! This approach is simply, purely elitist, that smacks of exclusivity! It goes against the very essence of being Christian, as you're admonished to love your neighbors as you love yourself....what if you're seated with someone you don't expect the least to be your seatmate while in Mass...the least that you can do is to accept and respect the person, and not plan to make sure you get seats for yourself for some unknown reason (& just for your comfort)!

I cooled down eventually, went on to take pictures, and proceeded to hear mass. The ushers later distributed sweets in small Christmas bags at the end of the mass. The usher who was in charge of the pews where we found ourselves eventually was apologetic, as she understood the situation. We hugged each other, and let "bygones be bygones."

I also suggest that next time, please refrain from using the "STAR" symbol, for gatherings like this, even though Filipinos usually understand this as symbol of Christmas, among others. However, I've observed from those who are members of Jewish communities, who react to it with silent disdain......apparently, the "star" reminds them of the "Star of David," that can bring horrible memories of the Holocaust.

Other photos, with descriptions, follow:

Most Rev. Antonietto Cabajog, [3rd picture] (more about Bishop Cabajog? pls click this link!) Bishop of Surigao, Philippines, was the principal celebrant of this year's Dawn Mass.

An icon of "Our Lady of Manhattan" [4th picture] stands on the left side, while the Bishop walks up the elevated altar, with back on screen. The photo was taken from the TV sets installed inside St Patrick's.

Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek [5th picture] (you happen to want to use the website of the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York? pls click this link!) did the First Reading - Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Ms Corazon Reyes, [6th picture] a registered nurse, did the Second Reading - 2 Peter 3:8-14

Deacon Clodualdo M Leonida [7th picture] (he's been a deacon since 2005 in New Jersey. pls see this link to a PDF file!) read the Gospel (according to St Mark Chapter 1 verses 1 to 8)

Rev Jaime Noel Deslate, Psy. D., [8th picture] talked of his homily (he's joked about his being a priest from Capiz in the Philippines, being a place disreputably known for stories on "dracula"-like creatures! pls see this PDF file link for more info on him!)

Rev Joseph G. Marabe, JCD, [9th picture] (more about Fr Marabe? pls see this news link!) gave "Words of Thanks."

There was a "SGsK Bible Quiz" introduction before the mass ended, with Ms Elvira Go, [10th picture] Chairperson of Manila Bible Quiz Team, who flew in from Manila, describing all about the quiz.