Balikbayan Bayanis: Brian Morales

In my travels, I've been lucky to run into fellow Pilipinos born and/or raised overseas who return to the nation of their heritage in hopes of contributing positively towards various causes. In this series, I hope to give the spotlight to these amazing balikbayans. We are well into Bayani Challenge 2013. I’m taking one of my many breaks during the build. As I attempt to cope with the humidity and try to finish the syrupy sweet concoction that makes up a bottle of Sting energy drink, my eyes slowly lock on to Captain Canada. He’s once again with Alvin and John Vincent, children of kapitbahayan, the beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga (GK) homes. The duo enjoyed Captain Canada’s company to the point where it seemed like they were inseparable throughout a good portion of the day. I couldn’t help but let my imagination run loose and picture that -- despite the likes of a language barrier -- how much of an impact he was making to those two, just as they would make an impact for him.

I’ve been participating in the Bayani Challenge (BC) for four years and this was the first time that I worked alongside a team from Canada. The team itself was led by Brian Morales, an airport ramp agent residing in Calgary and the man behind the super-heroic nickname. While Brian endlessly advocated in getting as many Fil-Can GK advocates to join him, the team itself was small but was nonetheless impressive: to be able to encourage a handful of his friends to dedicate at least a week of their time and resources to trek as far away as childhood home of Montreal and join us in this build is something enviable. Who knows how much larger our team would be if all of us managed to have successfully done the same!

As recently as a couple years ago, the Philippines was a distant land for Brian, himself having visited just twice in his twenty eight years. That soon changed, thanks to a three-pronged encounter that started with a visit six years ago and inspired him to bring that distant land closer to his heart. His first encounter was in a benefit concert for Gawad Kalinga, where he was reminded of his nieces and nephews as he watched a video of kids from a GK village. He left the concert with a resolve to bring a brighter future just he and those close to him have been given. The second event was on a Cebu Pacific flight into the country as he picked up a seat-back copy of the inflight magazine. It had an article on the biodiversity of the Philippines and how it was being tragically lost in the name of progress. The final piece that completed the trifecta occurred during that same trip, where he witnessed the Pilipino hospitality and family bond that his relatives shared with him despite two decades of separation. By then he was determined to return more often and to make every visit one where he would a difference.

On a grand scale, Brian is a supporter of the objectives that Gawad Kalinga has set for the year 2014, especially the goal of lifting five million families from poverty. It certainly is an ambitious target but he is a believer. Through his interactions with Amir Billones, the gentleman whom he owes a lot of his involvement in, and Tony Meloto, the founder of Gawad Kalinga, Brian has passionately advocated the GK mission throughout Canada. On a more personal level, he’s encouraging fellow Fil-Cans and Fil-Ams on the awareness on the fragile conditions of natural beauty in the PI.

Whenever he can, he’s busy doing just that. He’s constantly looking for Fil-Cans and fellow overseas Pilipinos to join him at the annual Bayani Challenge. The event has now been extended for a span of two months (a major upgrade from the Holy Week stint that we’re normally accustomed to and provides flexibility for participants) in which we can spend a few days working together with teams representing diverse backgrounds and in locations across the nation with an emphasis on the typhoon-hit regions. He also encourages individuals to visit a hub of several socially conscious enterprises in Bulacan known as the Enchanted Farm, a place whose members have left him with confidence that poverty in the Philippines can be eliminated.

His last piece of advice? No matter what cause you’re in:

“... Share the stories. Take the photos. Use Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr what have you... you'll be surprised at the reach that you will provide that can contribute to the good in this world. Tell the stories!”

He is truly a man that walks the walk. On our last day at the Bayani Challenge build site, I noticed the final encounter Brian had with Alvin and John Vincent. This time he had two inspirational books to give them, each with a note scribbled on the inner cover. He hopes that one day, both boys will pick up these books, look at the notes, and will be inspired even more.

As I type this, I’m sure Brian is out there in the Albertan winter towing a Boeing 767 out of its gate. As those CF6 engines roar to life and kick up some snow, he’s wearing those noise protection headsets… but under them are a pair of ears who are eager to hear the stories of those contributing to the good in this world.

Emerging Leader: An Interview with Storyteller Kent Truog

Meet Kent Truog, a photojournalist currently on the ground in the Philippines. Kent believes in the power of visual storytelling, and has been working on his craft since 2008. His work focuses on telling the stories of individuals in Honduras, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Kenya, many of which are rarely seen in today's media. Kent has helped to shed spotlight on endangered dolphins in Thailand and Cambodia. He has even worked with social entrepreneur and impact speaker Mark Gonzales on suicide awareness and prevention. His most recent work has been covering the aftermath of natural disasters in the Philippines, including the earthquake that hit the Visayas, as well as Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). In this interview, Kent gives on the ground insight to the situation in Tacloban. He continues to update his social media networks on his experience there, weeks after the typhoon crashed into the PI. For regular updates, follow Kent on Tumblr and Twitter @kenttruog.

1. What brought you to the Philippines? How long have you been there?

I’ve been living in Southeast Asia off and on for about four years now. During a stint in Cambodia, I was lucky enough to meet a girl with a similar passion for international aid work, which has since taken us to India and now the Philippines. We’ve been in the Philippines since April 2013.

2. What do you do there?

I work as a freelance documentary filmmaker and photographer.

3. When did you reach Tacloban? Have you been to other areas hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda? What is it like?

I was in Davao on the island of Mindanao when the storm hit, having just returned from Bohol, where I was documenting the relief work from the recent earthquake that devastated the island. I was immediately summoned to Leyte, with a first response team of an international NGO, to survey the damage. With the Tacloban airport out of commission, we had to fly into Cebu, where we then took one of the few ferries in operation to Ormoc -- a town a little over 100km from Tacloban. We had no idea what to expect upon arrival, as Ormoc also received extensive damage, and due to some travel delays, we didn’t arrive until about 10pm at night. Except for a few candles burning, it felt like a quiet ghost town. You cold see dark shadows in the damage behind the pier. One of the team members walked into town and found us a hotel that still had open doors (albeit no running water or electricity), so we stayed there the night.

The next morning, we found a jeepney willing to take us to Tacloban. The military had already begun to clear the roads, but the normally two-and-a-half hour journey took closer to six. We arrived in Tacloban the third day after the storm hit, and the sights on the ground were hard to process. There was devastation everywhere. Few buildings were left standing.

4. Are there any particular events that you've encountered (since the typhoon, or even the earthquake) that have made you question your work or what you're doing there? Are there any events that have reminded you why what you do is so important?

Not at all. Although Typhoon Haiyan has been by far the hardest even I’ve covered, my experiences in Bohol, and with Typhoon Phailin prior to that in India, prepared me well for everything I've experienced here in the Philippines. I knew what I was getting myself into, but seeing loss of life is never easy. All I can do as a storyteller is to help the rest of the world see what the people of the Philippines are going through, and help build a bridge between the international community and the people of Samar, Leyte, and Cebu. The Filipino people are amazing and are handing this calamity with a strength that is really inspiring. Each day I visit the field, I  find more people and more communities, working hand in hand and helping each other rebuild. It’s inspiring.

5. Have you been able to identify the major need in areas hit by the typhoon, or even the country as a whole in general? What can Pilipinos who are currently not living in the Philippines do to help?

The devastation is so extensive it’s been really hard to mentally process at times. I just wish that aid could rain from the sky. There are a lot of good NGOs out there doing great work. Find one you trust and believe in. A little bit of money can go a long way here.

6. Based on your experiences thus far, do you have any advice for our Filipino leaders, who are still figuring out their passion/work in life?

For those living abroad, return home if you can. Get to know your roots. The Philippines is an amazing place with wonderful culture and great diversity. I’m grateful to be able to live here at the moment and tell stories throughout this magnificent island chain.

Photo credits: Kent Truog

Emerging Leader: Tina Fischel

Age: 22Hometown: Irvine, CA Future residence: Denver, CO (starting in August) College of William and Mary, 2013 Kinesiology and Health Sciences

Tina Fischel is about to make a big move. At the end of the summer, she will relocate to Colorado to work as a health educator for the Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN), an affiliate of the Health Corps. While there, she will work in a clinical setting among health professionals. Her duties include conducting individual patient consultations on nutrition, diabetes and smoking, and helping to educate a community of historically underserved Spanish-speaking refugees and migrant workers.

Fischel is very excited to see her academic and professional paths converge. For the past eight years, she has been organizing and fundraising for Relay for Life. She is passionate about fulfilling the American Cancer Society’s mission to reduce incidents of cancer, as well as the suffering that comes from cancer.

When she was an EMT, Fischel was exposed to the realities that aren’t necessarily visible to the rest of society.

“[As an EMT] you’re going into people’s homes uninvited and you see things like addiction and poverty. You also see people coming into the ER as a first and last resort,” she explains. The experience shed light on just how complex and inefficient modern healthcare is.

“If I can contribute to a solution or remedy, that’s what I want to do,” Fischel adds. She is motivated to enact change in healthcare, particularly at the community level.

“What inspires me is the people who do it best. When someone does [their job] right, you notice. The patients notice and the people around notice,” Fischel states. Fischel is referring to the 'human connection' that sometimes is lacking in primary and preventative care. This connection includes giving patients the full attention and time that they deserve in order to address their individual diagnoses. She will strive to work in this manner once she’s in her new role in Denver.

When asked about her Fil-Am identity, Fischel looks back on her time before college.

“In my past, my only connection was the fact that I was brown,” she laughs. Fischel’s mom is from the Philippines, while her dad is of Eastern European descent. Growing up, they’d have Adobo once a month, which was always something Fischel and her siblings looked forward to. When she transferred from UCLA  to William and Mary for her sophomore year, she joined the Filipino American Student Association. It was a positive experience, because not only did she learn about Pilipino history and culture, but also saw just how hospitable Pilipinos can be.

“Even though we are not in the Philippines, we are [known for being] welcoming. People around the world notice it, too,” Fischel remarks.

Fischel describes how it’s been a goal of hers to live in Colorado. After casually mentioning it to a friend who worked for AmeriCorps, she was encouraged to apply for the position in Denver. As of a result of what may appear to be a stroke of luck, Fischel offers the following advice to other emerging Fil-Ams and Pilipinos.

“You can’t just give up and settle. Don’t be afraid to look to other people for inspiration. You can gain direction from your peers, and you shouldn’t be afraid of that.”

Emerging Leader: Amanda Andrei

Age: 24 Hometown: Woodbridge, VA Current Residence: Ashburn, VA College of William and Mary, 2010 Anthropology and Math minor

Meet Amanda Andrei, an Artificial Intelligence Engineer at MITRE Corporation.* Essentially, she does everything from building computer models to working on organizational change management with various government agencies in the Washington D.C. area.

Andrei, a multifaceted Fil-Am, is also well-versed in the realm of creative and performing arts, which has been quite influential in her life. Since high school, she’s been involved in acting, directing, making props and assistant producing. In her senior year of undergrad, she took a playwrighting class and wrote the award-winning play Every Night I Die, which is set in rural southern Philippines during the 1930s. It has had staged readings in Arlington, VA at Little Theatre on the Run, and has been performed at the 2011 Capital Fringe Festival and the College of William and Mary.

“It’s important in life, being able to tell a story,” Andrei reflects. “Theater is very fulfilling. I love creating for the sake of creating and touching the human soul. Theater is the most effervescent of the arts, so you never get the same show twice; it’s never the same [and only] there for that moment, so it’s really precious.”

When thinking about her identity, Andrei takes both her Pilipino and Romanian heritage into account. She writes for Asian Fortune, a newspaper based in DC. In college, Andrei yearned to learn more about the Philippines. She explored her connection to her roots while participating with the Fil-Am organizations at UVA and William and Mary, being actively involved in FIND, and while studying abroad at Ateneo de Manila University.

Andrei would like to see the Fil-Am and Pilipino community cultivate the arts.

“I’ve taken writing classes, and there have been times where I have questioned my identity in the writing of my pieces because I didn’t know if anyone understood, [and have thought to myself] ‘Should I be less brown?’”

While working with the Smithsonian and the Organization of Chinese Americans, she learned the importance of education, arts, culture and outreach. She envisions this for the Fil-Am community in the DC area, particularly with the establishment of a safe space or program where Asian Americans and others can be trained in performance and writing.

“We need more of those voices and perspectives. It doesn’t always have to be about the Philippines; I’d rather have someone tell a good story,” notes Andrei.

Andrei offers the following advice to fellow Fil-Ams and Pilipinos.

"Don’t be afraid to spend money on your heath,” adds Andrei. “I pay for [and use] a monthly pass to the yoga studio, have acupuncture done and eat healthy."

"If you’re still in college, take some technical courses, such as math, computer science, or GIS. You may not like it, but to survive in today’s world, you should have that component,” Andrei advises. For those studying just hard sciences, don’t be afraid to get a minor in something else. “You need to have an interesting combination. Mix it up!” notes Andrei.

“Carve out your own space. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. No one I know really has it all; if they do, they’re really lucky. If everyone’s telling you what you have to do and what you have to be, remember to be true to yourself. Be practical, but still allow yourself to dream. Be open to the universe."

Photo credit: Dan Tran

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*About The MITRE Corporation The MITRE Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that provides systems engineering, research and development and information technology support to the government. It operates federally funded research and development centers for the Department of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, with principal locations in Bedford, Mass., and McLean, Va. To learn more, visit www.mitre.org.

Introducing UniSpotlight

New this week to UniPro's list of community building events and initiatives is "UniSpotlight." UniSpotlight is an online series of video interviews that showcases notable Filipino Americans in the community here on the East Coast. They will be sharing their stories and discussing their current or upcoming projects. The new project allows us to inform our network of young professionals and students to connect with interesting leaders and organizations.

UniSpotlight #01 - Ron Morales is the writer and director of the independent film, Graceland. The film was a featured selection in the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, Fantasia 2012, Fantastic Fest 2012 and is the winner of Best Narrative Feature in the San Diego Asian Film Festival 2012. The film will be premiering nationwide in 20+ cities on April 26th and staying in theaters until May 2nd. 

(They have a screening in lower east side at the Village East Cinema and will be holding a Q&A session on Sunday 4/28 and 4/30 at the 7:50pm screening)

Graceland is about a family man named Marlon Villar - a longtime chauffeur to corrupt Filipino politician Manuel Chango - is faced with an unthinkable predicament when he is ambushed while driving both his boss's and his own daughter home from school one afternoon. In the chaos of the kidnapping attempt, things go horribly awry and Marlon's daughter is taken and held for ransom instead. Desperate to save his daughter, Marlon must navigate the conflicting motives between the ruthless kidnappers, untrustworthy Chango and determined detectives eager to name him a suspect without letting on the wrong girl was taken hostage. As events spin wildly out of control, Marlon, Chango and their families are forced into a rapid downward spiral of deceit and betrayal that will leave no one innocent.

For inquires or interested in being on UniSpotlight, email meriden.villanueva@unipronow.org.