Asian community forum, 4/30

soon there will photos of the April 30th event on Fb of the rituals, panel discussion, dances, fashion show, and other elements of the day-long program. people will see the images and make up stories about what they are seeing. so let me give you a map for viewing. looking at the photos, some  may wish they had been there:

• to hear Manong Peter Jamero
• to hear the heartfelt sharing of the intergenerational panelists about growing up Asian and/or Filipino in Sonoma County
• to enjoy the performances of the college students, or chat with Christian Cabuay about baybayin
• to cheer on the models of Marybelle Bustos' ethno-fusion/fashion show
•  to be mesmerized by Christine's rendition of Ili-Ili 
• to be soothed by the opening and closing ritual by Lizae, Alexis and Titania
• and wish they had been part of the closing circle where we thanked and honored our ancestors and each other as future ancestors.
• to partake of the bountiful and delicious luncheon buffet

some will see the photos and be glad that they were part of this day. they will be grateful to have had the opportunity to:

• co-create, to collaborate, to cook, to decorate, to share
• listen to an intergenerational panel talk of how we are weaving our connections
• get their books signed by Manong Peter 
• get their name done in baybayin. 
• model beautiful indigenous attire from Titania's baul/treasure chest and Marybelle's cachet of accessories. 
• witness the talented Fil Ams at SSU do their tinikling and hiphop and folk dance choreographies
• meet new people, listen to each other's stories
• support the fundraising efforts of young people who are going to Kapwa 3
• learn and embody new perspectives 
• share dreams about our shared future in Sonoma County and beyond 

many will feel awe and pride at the beauty of the Filipino indiogenius even if they have never heard of the word before. maybe they won't be able to adequately articulate the feeling of being surrounded by Kapwa and yet they know that it feels good and it feels better than other events they may usually attend.

some will see the ethnic/indigenous elements and will raise questions about cultural appropriation. orientalism. exotic self-representation. nativism. some might say that this is all wrong or disrespectful of indigenous peoples' traditions and practices. some will say that we are merely being nostalgic or romantic about our pre-colonial past.

it is usually those who are never present at these events who say these. how can they know otherwise when their books tell them so? visual representations are easy to deconstruct using one's theoretical lenses and assumptions but critical perspectives are nothing more than an invitation to get a closer look at what we are resisting. remember that the shadow hides many gems.

we create the communities that we want to belong to.

so what are you seeing in these photos?