Indescribable

As I sit here trying to figure out the words to say to describe my first ever EPYC and aFFAA conference, the only word that really comes to mind is

Indescribable

Looking back on all the pictures that I took, the places that I visited, and the experiences I’ve gained, it really seems impossible to describe how much I’ve learned about the other regional Filipino organizations, EYPC, NaFFAA, and about my own identity and purpose as a Filipino- American and as a student leader.

At the conference I learned about a lot of key things happening in the Filipino/Filipino American community. I learned about the National Federation of Filipino Americans Association (NaFFAA), and its mission and its goals. I was reminded of the magnitude of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda and how it still has lasting effects. I was taught many different leadership styles, and methods on how to plan events. And, as referenced by the inspirational Andrew Dimapilis, I learned more about what it meant to be a part of this big Filipino/Filipino-American community.

But out of all the things I learned this weekend, I would argue that the most important thing I learned that weekend was something I had to be reminded of:

The Filipino value of “Family”

The unique feeling where, you could be a complete stranger wherever you go, but if you find those few people who embody the Filipino spirit, you never feel lost. The feeling where you can immediately talk and laugh with people you’re meeting for the first time. That feeling when you smile at someone, and when they smile back, you can feel the genuine love and comfort from their smile alone, and it reminds you that no matter where you go in life, and no matter how many problems you run into, you’re never alone.

When I first arrived in San Diego, I planned on finding my own means of getting to the hotel, and even considered walking, but instead, I was graciously offered a ride from Shannen Bueno’s uncle, Tito Anthony, whom I’ve never met prior to this trip. Not only did he help me get to the hotel from the airport, but he also showed me around San Diego and took me out to many delicious Filipino restaurants.

On Sunday night, I had no hotel arrangements and planned on just arriving at the airport early and just hanging out there until my flight came at 11:45am, but instead Kuya Anthony and the representatives of the Philippine Students of Texas allowed me to stay in their room with them. Let me say, it’s been a while since I've slept so at peace.

The last day that most the “youth” had spent together, we all stayed up together and talked about our organizations, and the annual events and activities that we held. We talked about the things we were proud of and the areas of individual improvement. In that room, it was made really apparent that, even though most of us all started this conference as strangers, one of the most important things we will take back from this conference was that we had each other to fall on when things got rough. That we could talk to each other if something was on our minds. And that, when the inevitable string of plane flights came, we could comfortably tear up in front of each other when saying our goodbyes.

Even though I was new to the whole NaFFAA conference scene, I already felt accepted by both the youth of the conference and the experienced elders. I laughed with these people, ate with these people, and took selfies with these people. I shared my experiences with them and they shared theirs with me. And even though we were nearly complete strangers at the start of the conference, within the short span of 5 days, I’ve developed such a strong sense of friendship and belonging with my friends, kuyas, ates, titos, and titas who attended this conference. And even now, days after the conference hype has subsided, I still feel that sense of trust, care, and passion when I interact with the inspirational people I’ve met due to the conference.

If it wasn’t apparent by how I seemed to struggle putting all my feelings into a condensed amount of words, I could on and on forever about my time at the EPYC and NaFFAA conference and how the experience positively influenced me.

So if anyone ever asks me how it felt to go to a conference with hundreds of caring Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, and those who support the Philippines and its culture, the best I would describe it as is, well,

Indescribable.

---

Hi everyone! My name is Neil Miran, and I am a senior at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign studying biochemistry. Furthermore, I am also the president of the Midwest Association of Filipino Americans for the 2014-2015 academic year. I like to take photos, play instruments such as the piano and the guitar, and am a die-hard fan of the Kingdom Hearts series.

The Mysterious Cases Behind Pilipino Inventors

Groundbreaking Filipino Inventors- that was the title I envisioned when I first got the idea to write this article. It was going to have examples of Pilipinos who drastically changed the world through their innovations with brief bios on each of them. Simple enough. Once I started researching, however, finding the facts became much more complicated than I imagined. The Mystery of the Moon Buggy

I decided to check out Eduardo San Juan, who was listed in multiple articles on famous Filipinos as the inventor of the Lunar Rover a.k.a. the Moon Buggy.

The first website I landed on read: “He was the project leader for NASA in the buggy development: An underfunded and underappreciated engineering success…The moon buggy allowed greater exploration of the Moon, yet Eduardo San Juan’s contribution has been relegated largely to status as a footnote.” (Miele, 2009)

I continued researching more on his background…and that’s when things got strange.

According to many sites, San Juan contributed to a multitude of important inventions, such as the Articulated Wheel System and the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, and received one of the Ten Outstanding Men (TOM) awards in science and technology. He’s even lauded in Philippine textbooks as one of the most acclaimed scientists in the country.

Investigators on just as many a number of other sites, however, argue that the great Eduardo San Juan is but merely a myth. Some attest that although there was a man of that name that worked as a technician on the project, he was by no means its chief designer. Other accounts claim that there are no records connecting an Eduardo San Juan to the Lunar Rover at all. Then there’s this letter written by San Juan’s alleged daughter pleading to set the record of his life accomplishments straight, which curiously contains multiple inaccuracies.

Karaoke Crisis

A similar case emerged while I began researching the man who invented karaoke- a person whom I’ve been told countless times was, in fact, Pilipino. Several websites touted Roberto del Rosario as the original inventor of the karaoke machine who patented his “minus-one system” in 1975 and had his idea stolen by Japanese corporations. Many more, however, gave the crowning title to Daisuke Inoue, a Japanese musician who created the “Juke 8” machine in 1971, but never got a patent. Still, some Pilipinos defend that even though Inoue may have created the machine first, he never got a patent and therefore the invention is del Rosario’s by technicality.

In most accounts of the creation of karaoke del Rosario isn’t even mentioned, particularly if the source isn’t Pilipino. In 1999, Daisuke Inoue was recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s “Most Influential Asians of the Century” and was awarded the Ig Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. It’s clear in the eyes of the public who won out this round.

Battle of self-worth

The same wild goose chase for the truth tails the alleged Filipino inventor of the fluorescent lightbulb, Agapito Flores, and the supposed inventor of the Armalite or M-16, Agapito Flores Armando Literio.

So it comes down to a classic battle of one person’s word against another’s. Great inventors, just like Greek gods and war heroes, stand at the crossroads between legend and myth, where historical facts become blurred by different agendas. History is still a story, and whoever sells it best wins.

But of course, most people who aren’t trying to write articles on Pilipino inventors aren’t usually going to do this extent of research. Heck, even my research consisted of simply typing their names into Google and skimming through the first few pages that showed up in my search. Most people wouldn’t have the time, or the resources, or even care about who invented what. Most people do, however, enjoy their fun facts of the day, and will spread them as truth to whomever may care to listen.

So what does it really matter then, what’s real and what’s not? Stories will always be different depending on who’s telling and who’s listening. It all comes down to what we believe.

But I think that’s the important thing- it’s what we believe that’s the problem.  We latch on to mythical legends because we as Pilipinos feel like we don’t have enough definite champions that can show the world our people can exceed its expectations.

These battles over who invented what are not merely frivolous obsessions over the past, they are battles to prove our legitimacy- the fight for our own self-worth.

Let’s not be lost. We as Pilipinos need to take hold of our own narratives and make them clear again. Let’s find the true living legends here and now and celebrate them loudly and proudly so that there is no doubt over what we bring to the table.  By highlighting our real successes, we can debunk the sorry myth that Pilipinos are not born leaders and make the need to glorify lost legends unnecessary.

Photo credits: istorya.net, arnelpineda.ning.com 

With Every Name, A Face - EPYC

To the left, right, and in front of me was a new face. I was in a circle with individuals I have never met before. And even before we learned names, we sang in unison:

“This may be the last time,

this may be the last time,

this may be the last time we stand in this circle.”

We looked at each other again, but this time not as strangers. Singing that song made us acknowledge the moment we shared. Thus, there was an essence of barkada, a connection that would be highlighted throughout the conference weekend.

The workshop was called “Writing for Social Justice” hosted at the Empowering Pilipin@ Youth through Collaboration Pre-Conference to the 11^th National Empowerment Conference in San Diego, California.  Renee Rises was the workshop facilitator, who adapted the song from a colleague and in turn, adapted it from a Negro spiritual. It was the first time I sang in a workshop, second time to sing in a group that day, and hopefully not the last time at an advocacy event.

Thanks to the good folks at UniPro, EPYC, and NaFFAA, I was given the chance to speak on the Regional Student Leaders Panel at the EPYC Pre-Conference. It was an overall empowering experience, where different Filipin@-American youth leaders shared their stories, best practices, challenges, and passions. I felt as if everyone was energized from SoCal’s sunrays and the interaction within the convention center. My primary role at EPYC was to speak in the first panel on behalf of the Filipino Americans Coming Together (FACT) Conference. I coordinated its 21^st installment with Grace Geremias and the Philippines Student Association at the University of Illinois last November.

Even though I was a designated speaker and my nametag said “Workshop Presenter”, I caught myself throughout the day oscillating between the role of speaker and attendee. During my hour answering questions and presenting FACT on the Regional Student Leaders Panel, I was a speaker. Listening to and singing with Prof. Ramirez, I was an attendee. While my fellow panelists spoke I was an attendee. I related to their stories. Each of the panelists’ presentations seemed representative of their respective regions. We had differences in how geography and the population of surrounding Filipin@s affected topics of our events. We had similarities in advice to network, apply initiative, and to take advantages of the surrounding resources. Later, I had the chance to speak to some of the panelists one-on-one. We were swapping event-planning tips as if they were recipes.

Kristine Maramot, Marc Densing, Neil Miran, Miko Jao, and Marian Sobretodo: If you are reading this blog post, we should write a book!

At EPYC, I felt reactivated and empowered. After four years of involvement in Asian American advocacy, sometimes I feel like I have seen and heard it all. The same issues get brought out; similar calls to action are established. However, it surprises me when the sense of urgency continues to come back when I congregate with other advocates like last Thursday. I am surprised to learn that I am not too world-weary yet, and that pushes me through any burnout.

Going back to the moment I felt in the “Writing for Social Justice” workshop, I only wanted to stay in my seat and get to know everyone else in the workshop even more. We could not, for there was a timeline to follow. In the hour allotted to us, we managed to write passages of who we are, where we are going, and who we were becoming. Every single person in the room shared their story. In that room we were connected, but the moment could not last- there were more stories to share in other rooms.

Often times it is said that one can only discover passion but cannot learn it. I believe experiencing feelings of barkada on the panel, in the workshops, or speaking to someone on the way to lunch are ways to drive passion to appear. We connect causes to the faces we meet, then faces to names we learn, and then names to a humanity we share.

---

 

Jeselle Obina was the Co-Coordinator of the 21^st Annual Filipino Americans Coming Together Conference at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She hopes to see you at the 22^nd FACT Conference this upcoming November. She is a recent graduate with a degree in Advertising. She is currently a Bronze Cohort of Designation Chicago and is seeking opportunities as an art director. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter. 

Five Instagrammers You Should Follow (and who also happen to be Pilipino)

Instagram has revolutionized social media. It’s a vehicle to share stories, connect people, and exchange dialogue. Here are five Instagrammer you should be following (if you aren’t already).

1. @ejsamson - EJ Samson

Guys - here’s an account full of chests that your girlfriend will actually WANT you to look at. With his signature posting style, GQ Digital Director EJ Samson showcases perfectly crafted combinations of pocket squares, shirts, ties, and jackets. His looks have even gotten him featured on Huffington Post and Business Insider - no big deal. Not to be mistaken as just another Instagram account dedicated to men’s fashion, @ejsamson is actually the opposite. In fact, hashtags like #ootd, #style, and #suitandtie never even make an appearance in his captions. You will, however, find witty puns and wordplay. Here’s a guy who (just like all of us) enjoys posting everyday moments to share with followers... he just happens to be really well-dressed while doing so.

2. @geenarocero - Geena Rocero

Geena Rocero is a fashion model who, after delivering a TED Talk earlier this year, came out to the world as transgender. The T in LGBT is still a concept that most people struggle to understand. It is because of this that Geena founded Gender Proud, an organization that brings advocacy and awareness to transgender issues. Her Instagram account isn’t a portfolio of her latest editorial shots, instead it is a personal glimpse into the story of a woman who is lending her voice to represent the transgender community’s fight for acceptance and equality. It is a ticket to join a journey rooted in courage that has brought her to places like the White House, the United Nations, and even South America. It is a chance to walk alongside not just a fashion model, but more importantly, a role model.

3. @nealsantos - Neal Santos

Raised as a concrete city boy in the Tri-state Area, one would think that Neal Santos would be a pro at Instagramming sky scrapers and zooming taxi cabs. However, Neal’s mastery lies in capturing the rural hometown feel in a very urban Philadelphia -- the place he now calls home. His portraits of locals are honest and touching.  His food posts are way too classy to be called #foodporn (one might even call them ‘sacred’). @nealsantos makes you want to eat your veggies... and then ask for more. He has a way of snapping photos that make elements come to life in ways you didn’t know you could experience them -- as if you could actually hear the sunshine, smell the colors, and taste the silence.

4. @bjpascual - BJ Pascual

BJ Pascual is one of the youngest yet most accomplished fashion photographers in the industry right now. Although based in the Philippines, BJ is also making waves internationally. His Instagram mostly depicts samples from his body of work, with a few occasional sprinkles of the photographer himself appearing in front of the camera. BJ’s editorial photos coupled with his everyday snapshots depict an artist always at work. He has a way of translating his subjects’ style into sentences and expressions into edicts. Who needs to flip through pages of magazines when you can just follow @bjpascual and keep scrolling... and double-tapping?

5. @zagadago - Marie Zagada

@zagadago is an everyday girl with a paper boutique side hustle and a lover of all things positive and healthy. Moments in our lives happen and sometimes we’re not lucky enough to capture them. Thankfully, @zagadago does it for us. She turns everyday moments into art -- moments like reading books, eating breakfast, listening to music, and yes sometimes even working out. The compositions of Marie’s posts are similar to what one would see in the lifestyle section of magazines, yet she manages to post in a way that is familiar and relatable. Her posts take on different perspectives of sights and experiences that are universal. She never abstracts simplicity, nor does she simplify the abstract. She lives in these moments, and the best part is... we get to join her.

Oh, and umm...

We hear @hoygino posts some good things every now and then too... allegedly.

Photo credits: @ejsamson, @geenarocero, @nealsantos, @bjpascual, @zagadago

EPYC

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens could change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

This quote has always resonated with me since my first time seeing it at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This quote validated for me the work I was doing. This told me: “Marc, you and your team can and will change the world.”

Just one week ago, I was blessed to have attended the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) 11th National Empowerment Conference - “We Break the Dawn: Master Planning the Future.” Something unique to this year’s Empowerment Conference was the implementation of the Empowering Filipin@ Youth through Collaboration (EPYC) Pre-Conference on Thursday, August 7th. The purpose of this pre-conference institute was to facilitate collaboration between regional Filipino American student organizations and encourage networking and sharing of best practices for student organizing. And it did exactly that.

I don’t know if anyone realizes, but we made history that day. For the first time in history, the leaders of the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue, Inc. (FIND), the Midwest Association of Filipino Americans (MAFA), the Southern California Pilipin@ American Student Alliance (SCPASA), Northwest Filipino American Student Alliance (NWFASA), and the Philippine Students - Texas (PST) were in the same room sharing their experiences, tribulations, accomplishments, and best practices of their respective organizations. I was honored to have the opportunity to share the stage with my fellow Filipino-American student leaders from across the country.

Up until that moment, I never realized how privileged FIND was as an organization to have such a big network and an established structure. For the past 20+ years, FIND has been growing larger, evolving and striving to be better with every passing year. I always knew that there were other Filipino-American student organizations in different regions. Last year during my first term as National Chairperson of FIND, I made an active effort to connect with the other regional student organizations. But I never truly got to know them - time, space, and lack of funds separated us from bonding and really knowing the true person behind our public image.

Although I had met two of my fellow panelists before, it was a short, brief encounter that didn’t give us a chance to really delve into the inner workings of each other’s organizations. I spent most of my time at EPYC and the rest of the Empowerment Conference bonding and getting to know these people, young leaders like myself. It was only then that I was truly empowered to make a difference. As I have shared with my fellow leaders before, I was suffering from a tremendous case of community burnout. I was dealing with long-term exhaustion in the Filipino-American student community and a diminishing interest in the work I used to be super passionate about. Even with my self-care time away from community organizing, I still found that the community wasn’t as fulfilling as it used to be. In connecting with these amazing young leaders, I’ve come to the reality that I’m not the only one who’s experienced burnout. These people have helped rekindle my passion and instill in me the Filipino value of kapwa - togetherness, community. It’s not about “me” any more, it’s about “us.”

I would like to take this time out to thank UniPro, the EPYC Coordinators, and NaFFAA for flying me out in the first place. It is truly an honor to have been part of an amazing conference such as this one, both as a presenter and a delegate. I would also like to thank every single person - youth or seasoned leaders - that I’ve met. It was so humbling to have shared this space with you and learn from you all. I hope that I have touched your life in some way just as much as you have touched mine. I am so thankful and grateful for my experiences in San Diego. Those memories are something that can never be taken away. Thank you all for renewing my faith, passion, and drive to make this community better and moving forward.

Cheers to the community! May we always keep moving forward, breaking the dawn, and master planning our futures as well as the future of Filipinos everywhere. Together, we stand as OneFilipino. Let’s change the world. #iamEPYC #weareEPYC

"It's not about intention, it's about IMPACT." - Leezel Ramos

"Let's stop being organizational leaders in the community, and start being community leaders in organizations." - Steven Raga

---

Marc Densing is a rising senior at CUNY Baruch College in New York City studying Corporate Communications with a minor in Asian and Asian American Studies. Representing District Three, he is currently serving as the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND), Inc.’s National Chairperson for a second term. Outside of FIND, Marc also works with young leaders in the community who wish to further their growth through LEGACY | NY, an organization dedicated to the professional development and mentorship of rising and future Filipino-American youth leaders in NYC. In his spare time, Marc loves long walks on the beach and candlelit dinners. #iamEPYC

---

All photos courtesy of: Marc Densing