A few days late, but here’s a photoblog post in commemoration of the 9/11 attacks that shook the world 10 years ago.
“The Cross of 9/11” — Cross made of steel scraps taken from the ruins of WTC Twin Towers. May this cross not only serve as a symbol for a particular religion but as a reminder that New York City is one of the most (if not the most) diverse cities in the world where people from all walks of life and nations meet — where everyone is an immigrant, and that everyone deserves to be given respect and a chance to live with equal rights, regardless of religion to which s/he belongs. (Sony Cybershot)
November 2004 (Ground Zero, New York, USA)
A photoblog post in commemoration of the 2nd Anniversary of the Gaza Massacre.
“Palestine belongs to the Palestinians” — At the huge mobilization in response to the massacres in Gaza wherein hundreds of Palestinians were killed and thousands injured by the US-Israeli attacks. (Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
03 January 2009 (Times Square, New York, USA)
Thanks for sharing, Hanaleiers. Tuloy ang laban! Hanggang tagumpay!
Jonna’s painting, Baril Baraha Biktima.
Please read the article, Knowing Karen Empeño, and leave a comment at our site!
For our current campaign, I helped write an article where Jonna talks about her friend, Karen Empeno who was abducted by Philippine military in June 2006. Jonna was a perfect interview subject, giving me a lot of detail on her life when she and Karen were active members of STAND UP.
But, after the interview, I was reviewing my notes, and creating a soft outline for the story, and I suddenly lost my shit in a real way. I was alone in my room in the middle of the night, sobbing. I was overwhelmed by Jonna’s descriptions. I was upset that innocent people were being killed to show the power of the state. Not that I didn’t know that this was already happening, the nature of my community work has exposed me to these stories through the years, but it has never been clearer that to simply want better, and to help people has become a punishable offense where culprits are rewarded with impunity. I think about the Nestle picket line - which is entering a decade of struggle. I think about Nanay Conching, little Conching, and Marissa in Tatalon. I think about how Karen was only 23 when she disappeared. It frightened me to know that there are strangers working for me to reap the benefits of a better world, who I will never meet, let alone thank for their actions.
People risk their lives everyday, simply by waking up on the wrong side of privilege (and history.)
After coming back from the www.IAMR3.org in Mexico City, and meeting the faces of our international movement, I couldn’t help but think if that was the last time I’d ever see those people again - all very much involved in labor and migrant rights work. This prompted a wave of frenzied texts, emails, and calls to some key people in my life, telling them how I absolutely love them and how I’ve appreciated the ways they’ve invested in me and our community.
On November 30th, Bonifacio’s birthday and the anniversary of the youth and students organizations of the National Democratic Movement, I want you to please remember Karen Empeno, and all the innocent civilians who have been victim to human rights violations, murdered, and disappeared to enact state repression. Ituloy ang laban hanggang tagumpay. mga kasama! MABUHAY ANG KABATAAN NG BAYAN AT MABUHAY ANG SAMBAYANAN PILIPINO!
“Gabriela and Son” — At the founding assembly of GABRIELA USA, an alliance of progressive Filipina organizations in the United States and an overseas chapter of the biggest progressive national women’s alliance in the Philippines, GABRIELA. Member organizations of GABRIELA USA include Babae (San Francisco), Pinay sa Seattle (Seattle), Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment/FiRE (New York), and Sisters of Gabriela, Awaken!/SiGAw (Los Angeles). (Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
29 March 2009 (Los Angeles, California, USA)
At the multi-sectoral mobilization on Economic Crisis, with Ka Elmer Labog, Chairperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno (May 1st Labour Movement) — the biggest progressive national alliance of hundreds of workers’ unions, organizations and associations in the Philippines — at the frontline, in a standoff with the Philippine National Police (PNP). (Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
22 September 2008 (Manila, Philippines)
“Stop the Gaza Massacre” — Anakbayan New York/New Jersey march in solidarity with the people of Gaza and in condemnation of the attacks on Gaza by US-Israeli government in January 2009, wherein hundreds of Palestinians were killed and thousands injured — including women and children. (Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
11 January 2009 (New York, USA)
“Never Again to Martial Law” — Protest in front of the Philippine Consulate in NY right after former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared Martial Law in Maguindanao following the Ampatuan Massacre last November 2009. Organized by the US North East Chapter of the Never Again to Martial Law (NAML) Coalition. (Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
10 December 2009 (New York, USA)
At the candlelight vigil for the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre in Maguindanao (mostly journalists and women) last November 2009, after the public forum organized by the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP).
(Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
03 December 2009 (Woodside, New York, USA)
“Save Laguna Lake Movement” — Basic Masses Integration (BMI) with families of fisherfolks around Laguna Lake, whose homes were in danger of getting demolished by the Laguna Lake Development Authority* in place of a private establishment.
*Laguna Lake Development Authority or LLDA is a branch of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippine Government.
(Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
August 2008 (Muntinlupa, Philippines)
“The filmmaker, like his fellow artists in different media, has now realized that the artist is also a public person. He does not work in isolation from society. Instead of working alone in his ivory tower he is a citizen of the slums, of the streets, of the battlefield if need be. The artist is always a participant. He tries to be true not only to his craft but also to himself. For it is the supreme duty of the artist to investigate the truth, no matter what forces attempt to hide it. And then to report it to the people, to confront them with it, like a whiplash that will cause wounds but will free the mind from the various fantasies and escapist fare that the Establishment pollutes our minds with.
To the best of our abilities, and even if we oftentimes fail, we want to do works that will hurt, films that will disturb, films that will not make you rest. For the times are really bad, and given times like these, it is a crime to rest. We can not rest, and we should not, while there’s a fellow Filipino starving in Negros, an Aquino or Galman crying for justice, a salvage victim lying in a mountain of garbage while a corrupt family rules the country with uncontrolled power and wealth. While it is the duty of the artist to work for what is true, good, and beautiful, first we have to expose and fight for what is wrong.
In these times when most of the media hide the truth from us, when most of what we get from the media are silly gossip and petty flesh and sensationalized crimes, we go to the streets to find out what’s happening. We listen to those artists who dare risk their lives and livelihoods, who reiterate once more the utmost duty of the artist —- that the artist is a committed person, that he will always take the side of any human being who is violated, abused, oppressed, dehumanized whatever his instrument —- the pen, the brush, or the camera.”
-Lino Brocka
Artist as Citizen
“Checkmate” — Battle of the buildings. In Sepia.
While roaming around the streets near southstreet seaport. (SONY Cybershot)
November 2004 (New York, USA)
‘Nuff said. Go, Kiddo!
At the 2008 People’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
28 July 2008 (Commonwealth Ave, Quezon City, Philippines)
“Yoko*” — At the candlelight vigil for victims of Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines organized by Sandiwa National Alliance of Fil-Am Youth.
*50% Japanese +
50% Dominican Republic(an)
————————————
100% Filipin@
We all <3 Kasamang Yoko. &=)
(Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
16 October 2009 (Woodside, NY, USA)
