Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in balikbayan's LiveJournal:

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Thursday, August 7th, 2008
10:08 pm	It's not over, it's not over, it's not over Well...... I figured if I repeated it three times it might be true??? Anyway, though our expo is momentarily over, the struggle continues on all fronts!  I still have yet to digest all the happenings here in the Philippines, but I will say that I will miss every single person I met here!  I truly love them as my own pamilya, its a deep love of the people that I feel,  mga kasama!  Full of emotions varying from happiness, anger, frustration, revelations, realizations, confirmation, determination, hesitation, to dedication!  Not exactly in that order,pero, much has deeply effected me to a point that I am no longer the person I was before.  Okay lang for na, kasi, ng computer dito must share mga tao!  I will be staying with family until the 14th! Ummm I don't know who's picking me up, but uh, I guess i'll figure that out soon!  Peace....peace and that's my piece....the lessons might change but the essence of the lessons still remain... Makibaki, wag ma taki C U soon! Jess Current Mood: contemplative (Comment on this)
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
10:13 am	reflections Hello Everyone! mga Kasama! there has been so many things that we have gone through together...first off i would like to say thank you, maraming salamat to charles! i miss you, we miss you! and i hope everything is growing better!  here's my little note response to yours: Charles~ Seemly shy, but opens up dark skies when clouds accumulate in order for us all to share the light! you're gladiator name would be, 'the Challenger" because you constantly challenged yourself when you where here, sharing food, eating kamayan stylee! "hawak kamay" holding a janitor fish(got proof for you to show everyone too!) A great listener and companion, someone to learn from and to learn with! we miss you! so here's a sample of something i wrote when i was thinking of writing a solidarity message,(something i have never done) this was only on day 3 of our 13 days here and everyday we live, we're growing and changing.... the people give me strength! resilient, passionate, determined, dedicated people power, it's life, livelihood, mabuhay! Why do we do what we do when we live in the u.s.? how? Balik sa Pilipinas! Meet the people, mga kasama! see the faces, hear the stories, their lives, the struggle, and we fight in solidarity, kasamas, to make change with our hands, our voices, and our hearts! it is the way of the Pilipino people, to struggle together, to organize, to understand that together as a people we must fight! whether dito sa Pilipinas, sa us, sa Netherlands, everywhere where we have been displaced from our homeland because of the hardships that remain,the job market, rising prices of commodities, gas, oil, tutition fees, the redistribution of natural wealth, land taken from the people and given to imperialist countries to feed obesity, while our people are given so little. We understand that the struggle can be long and difficult, and we witness our comrades become martyrs, and we feel their spirits become a part of us, giving us courage and telling us that we must keep fighting until we see victory, until we own our own land, until we have national democracy! 'Ipagtatagumpay ang bawat labanan" "Lakas ng masa ang ating sandigan" maramign salamat sa iyong mga kasama! miss everyone! Peace jess Current Mood: enthralled (1 Comment |Comment on this)
9:54 am	life changing moments Life changing moments can be tried to be explained in so many words but justice will never be done to the essence of that change. The times we had difference in opinions, tears of sadness and laughter, overcoming our fears and challenging ourselves and our abilities, we were able to build together and strengthen our resolve of why we are in the philippines in the first place.  We are here to learn from the masses, and to challenge ourselves as well as to understand how resistance is part of the cultural because of the economic and political oppression.  Questions.  what our the questions we need to ask.  why ask those questions. Life.  Sometimes life is funny.  Life is fleeting but how do we make the most of it? Change.  The only thing constant about life is change.  How do we want to see this world. Kasamas and Kaibigans, Sama sama nating baguhin ang mondo.  Ipatatagumpay sa bawat labanan sa buong diadig.  In order for us, to create change, we need to make sure we are doing this together.  I'm not talking about just the philippines but all over the world.  Life changing moments can be tried to be explained in so many words but justice will never be done to the essence of that change. Brandon (my most abstract blog by far) (Comment on this)
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
3:28 pm	1. greetings from the phils!!! kumusta! its been a minute since we been here, almost 2 weeks. i dont have much time to blog but we were in southern tagalog for 9 days... can you say talangang wonderful? briefly, we did our integ with the peasant community of san benito, victoria laguna and then did our integ with an urban poor community in cabute, cavite.  let me just say that even though my tagalog is super limited, i've never felt so close to folks like theyre my own fam... laughter is our peoples language FOR REAL. i havent smiled like this in awhile. lots of kultural work going on, awit ng pagasa is our jam! i have much more to say but we needs to get showered! mel (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
4:36 am	being back in the u.s. Well, now i can't believe it. Yup it's true. I was the weakest link in BSB 2008, so the island participants voted me off. and now i'm back home, ahhahaha, lol j/k. I am really back in the u.s. but for different reasons. i have also jet lag now so i guess the best thing to do 4 in the morning is to blog. Definitely here to support my dad in his current health condition and also be there for my family. As of now, he can recognize people and talk and drink some liquids. This apparently is a great sign (compared to last week when my family said his body was really cold and skin color was what u didn't want to see...) So medically/scientifically a little better and the good karma/prayers are definitely felt. I am especially grateful for family and all the kasamas in the P.I., especially the residents of Laguna who offer their support and prayers. And of course all my family, co-workers, friends, kasamas here in the U.S. You definitely have helped me process and be able to deal with this situation and be strong for my own family. Don't worry i still need to process and will continue to have conversations. Oh, b4 i left the p.i., i got to ride of one of the kasamas' moped. it was awesome. i am not sorry at all brandon, hehe, i will get a motorcycle/moped again and the "punk inside" will ride again lol. Another positive was that during my ride home from the airport, my brother picked me up and actually started a conversation about my bsb experiences. We talked a little bit about peasants, landlords, and corruption over there and in the "belly of the beast." I plan to continue the conversation and invite him to the eventual bsb reportback. and i know the bsb folks are doing well and are having a great integration. in fact, they should be having a solidarity nite and cultural performance as this journal entry is written. I'm singing in tune/harmony for awit ng... and what's up lol. okay that's it for now, box Current Mood: nervous (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
6:28 pm	everyone here Hi all, it's me, charles, lol, During our first few days we have done quite a few things. On our arrival we attended a walk-out in UP Diliman, where we met students from LFS, Gabriella, and AB. Charm made a solidarity speech on top of a jeepney. Also, there were chants about unfair tuition rates, definitely something the people can relate to in the U.S. The next day we attended a noise barrage at a local Shell gas station, due to the increasing oil prices affecting the economy. So much going on, but it's amazing to see how the people organize and the number of vehicles pass by and honk their horns in solidarity. There were also children who held up signs next to us, very cool lol. We're now all here in Quezon City, as Toni has just arrived today, so the the 6 BSB exposurists are complete. We are about to go to the peasant community in Southern Tagalog: in Laguna and Quezon. ST is the area where there have been the most political killings. Our group had an orientation, where we met the chairperson of Bayan St.  And don't worry we'll share our notes and information when we come back lol. On a personal but related note, i am relieved that my dad is okay, he recovered from bypass surgery and is doing okay, after his heart attack. Our group was definitely supportive of me and my family and was willing to accept any decision I needed to make. Thankfully though he is doing better and i am receiving updates from my family. So now i can relax for a little and definitely see him again when i come back to the u.s. On a scarier note, Brandon and I feel we have a ghost in our room. water turning on when we didn't turn it on. brandon's phone mysteriously next to his bed, etc. etc. the moo moo was definitely scarier than the ipis (cockroach in our room). ahahahah.  hmmn, interesting, i wonder if ghost hungers can check this out lol, or scooby doo, or ghostbusters ahahahah. anyways, brandon says happy b-day to alan, and congratulations to shea for a long-awaited marriage. He remembers like it was just last year and rumors were spreading about the marriage lol. princess, they are still making fun of your laughing here. and in quotes, brandon says ahahahah that's stupid, shut up shut up...." Current Mood: energetic (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Saturday, July 5th, 2008
2:15 pm	youth and students After only 3 hours of sleep and having been released after 10 days of bayan duties,  i took it upon myself to contact some of the Youth and Students sectors to see what activities were going on.  After being redirected to the new National ED officer of LFS at UP campus, many adventures were awaiting me there. One, I've been taking the jeep on my own for the past few days with relatively a whole lot of adrenaline from going from point A to point B on my own.  Taxis are cool if i want conversations, and the only time here i was able to strike up a decent conversation was when I mentioned the pac mans fight over diaz followed by how the Oil pump fees were affecting him.  Two, the Y/S laid out a small program for me.  This included room 2 rooms in the college of science, visiting five classes before passing period and five classes after.  After remembering some key concepts of speaking, i tried my best to engage the audience.  I did use my "I'm an American" card on them... it was hidden in my sleeves.  When the card came out, the students were surprised mainly to find someone who they think is filipino, is actually american (with possibly filipino blood).  After a kasama spoke about the crisis of the philippines and how it related to the student's issues on campus, i spoke.  (LFSers there wanted me to speak about imperialism and how it relates to me being here in the P.I.) "ako si brandon.  galing sa League of filipino students san francisco state university, california, USA.  (the audience stops talking and pays attention to me unlike how they acted with the previous LFS speaker).  My fellow students, like the Philippines, the education in the US is being attacked.  1. our tuition, like yours is going up dramatically.  2. our class sizes are also increasing 3.  resources are reallocated from education to military spending.  Military spending has led to US. war of aggression on other countries sovereignty like Iraq and the Philippines.  They are taking our institute of learning and transforming it to an institute where they just pocket off the students wallet.  What does this all mean to you anyways?  I mean you're sitting in this desk, so why should you care?  This means that your future, your children's future, as well as the future of the Philippines is jeopardize if education is available to the broad masses.  In my american lingo, we like to say "you're screwed".  (some audience members smile, others nod)  what can you do about it?  you can educate yourself on the issues, protest the plunders of education, and join organizations such as LFS.  In the US, we like to ask the question, why are the people so poor if the philippines is rich in resources"  Most of you in this room, will take your science degree and will most likely travel abroad using your knowledge to benefit multi-national corporations and private firms instead of the using the degree to help the country.  This is what the imperialist wants-a scheme to turn our institutions into ways to make sure the students are in line with the polices that keep our people poor.  Look around folks,  how many call centers do you see being built on this PUBLIC institution?  who does those call centers serve?  after my ramblings.... other kasamas talk about the national youth walkout as well as the youth noise barrage leading up to SONA.  In my experience, i felt like they listened to me because 1) My american accent  2) thinking that americans are better than filipinos which is why they did not listen to other kasamas and/or 3) that the kasamas here have a built in stereotype of being hardcore and not too many care about the issues of gas/VAT/increased tuition. Three, flexible schedule.  The noise barrage was suppose to be held at UP campus but without letting me know the change of plans we left UP campus to join up with another school that is one of the richest in the Philippines.  Within that school, there is a kultural ND org that also joined.  And the battalions of LFS highschool students who were more agitated than the UP college students.  Along with the ND orgs that held the noise barrage, other elements of the OUST GMA movement are growing such as the concern citizen's movement and the black and white movement.  These allies have been asked to help out with agitating the masses for SONA where expectations are projected to turn out 100,000.  My time with the Y/S is unpredicatable.  They have a lot of energy, time but hardly any food, money... they are very disorganized in an organized way.  Contradictory terms.  they learn from their mistakes and sometimes continues to repeat them.  They are vigilant, they are you, they are me.  They are angry at the way students and youth been treated by this government and they are happy when they sing and come together.  Their laughter rings the halls of vizon's and their militancy is unwavering.  When called upon, the youth will rise.  Their eyes burn with change, and as fast as a fire sweeps through a prairie - they are organizing in the thousands.  calling for a true genuine change of the philippines - one that will guarantee education as a right, and will be available to all instead of the few wealthy.  They are calling for the curriculums to serve the interest of the people so that when they graduate they can give their knowledge back to the communities.  It has been good for me to learn from them, and for them to learn from me.  I can not wait for the exposurist to meet our friends.  And i look forward to future members coming here to experience the same. -brandon (Comment on this)
Sunday, June 29th, 2008
1:48 pm	reflections Happy early birthday to vic eco! Reflections:I hope everyone is doing well back home.  I haven't heard too much news blowin this way.  shea's marriage is less than a month away.  It was just last year when it was announced here in the philippines that she was getting married.  I can't believe its been another year.  so much has happened since then.  i do miss the bay... its fog... clean air... my peepz... muni.  someone here was telling me the reason why they smoke is because they inhale diesel already and that smokin wont kill them as fast as the diesel. today i just got back from timog... their mission street where bars and restaurants are active through the late night.  we briefly watched the Pacquiao fight.  I've been doing Bayan work none stop just as josh did 2 or 3 years ago.  I feel sometimes there are great things to do and observe and sometimes there is dead time where im just helping clean the office.  That's currently where I sleep.  I had a pretty good talk with the taxi driver.. I talked to him about pacman winning uncontested.  we then talked about driving and gas prices.  he said it hurts his whole family and that he has to work more hours to be able to get by.  just FYI  gas prices increased 700% since deregulation which allows prices to increase without reason...  rice prices were also fixed by the United states... US gov has been selling excess rice to the P.I. for double the prices.  on my second day here, i was already put into work by the Y/S to talk to the freshmen.. They asked all sorts of interesting questions but in the end... 2 out of the 3 students i talked to seemed to be interested in joining LFS. Friday:  observed an alliance meeting with all sorts of folks who had different perspectives. later that afternoon, i participated in a noise barrage... we were covered by the media.  And following the noise barrage, i attended Ka Dan's funeral.  he had recently passed away and was the first president of BAYAN before there were chairpersons.  He used to serve the state but his later half he held high the flag of the people.  Resisted Marcos during martial law and was thrown in the brig for over 2 years.  The families and friends made inspiring speeches. saturday:  met up with steve and jun and took a two hour jeepney ride to Bulacan where Ka Bel was burried.  he had many children and grandchildren.  They each held a balloon which symbolizes Ka Bel and released him above the earth where he can rest.  i still dont get the term "rest in power" lol... i guess peace is too passive of a term... but "power" it still sounds funny.  Anyhow, i was approached by Cherry, the Anakpawis chairwoman and she asked me to make a speech on behalf of BAYAN-USA.  wow, its finally happened.. i have to make a speech on behalf of BAYAN-usa.  can't wait til charm gets here so she can do it.    Anyhow, i tried to keep the militancy of Ka Bel's legacy alive at the same time with sharing personal story about Ka Bel. To sum it up:  my speech went something like this before i choked up and had to end it before the tears broke out... Magandang Umaga po Ako si Brandon Lee galing sa Bayan usa tapos LFS san francisco state university As Ka Bel would say: "warm militant greetings" I first met Ka Bel july 2007 when he was being released from the Philippine heart center.  Later on, he would make a speech during SONA despite the sound system breaking down.  (audience laughs)  His passion for the people was confined in that small room and his release had to come out which is why he didn't care if the sound system was working.  Now, I'm no Ka Bel.  I don't make fire-ry speeches.  In fact, I hardly knew who he was last year when i met him.  It wasn't until integrating and meeting communities from various sectors of Philippine society that I understood his courage and sacrifice.  Today,  i might not understand tagalog but I do understand Ka Bel.  He held high the banner of the people and we must remember to always do the same.  we must remember to continue his militant legacy.  Kasamas and friends, Ka Bel is not dead.  He is in you and you!  He is no longer confined to his small room in the heart center, nor is he confined in this stone grave or this country.  He has crossed international borders and is very well alive in freedom fighters across the globe.  (voice cracks.) ( deep breath) Mabuhay Ka Bel! After making the speech, family members approached me from all sides and told me how they felt the emotions.  Despite whether his family is organized, they understood that Ka Bel stood up for the common person.  It is up to the people to demand their rights and if need be to fight for it. I have to remember that Ka Bel is just one small piece in fighting for the national liberation of the Philippines and of the world.  "Don't you know that freedom looks like a river, flowing freedom strong... like how we found each other..."-river song -brandon (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, June 23rd, 2008
8:51 pm	Migrante-Hong Kong After ILPS Conference, we had a briefing from Migrante regarding the situation of Filipino and Indonesian Migrants. Currently I'm typing from an office used by BAYAN Hong Kong. Upstairs is a women's shelter. This is very important to note because 99% of all migrants here are women. That's like.... DANG DUDE! (as charm would say) Most of these migrants do domestic house work... why, you ask? because A) the problems in their homelands cause them to migrate else B) they come searching for better opportunites C) the Government of the migrants encourage that the migrants do cheap labor so that the government can tax their reimmitenance money. D) domestic work is all that is available for most of these migrants even if they have a "certified education" The women that stay at the "house of bethune" are women that have pending cases against their employers. The guides who took us from the airport to the YMCA for ILPS conference were these women. They are young, old, full of energy, happy and sad just like any of us. They are determined to fight for their rights so that the Hong Kong government does not treat them like sub-human, underpaid, and under appreciated. Every sunday, during the domestic workers day off, they congregate in large numbers around city hall and by central park, both locations are near the port. However, they are being displaced for further development of the area. My personal experience from these workers is one of mixed feeligns. I see so many of the migrants gambling their earnings because they can not save money. 1)They do not make enough money to save because the minimum wage is less than $500 a month and HK is one of most expensive cities to live in. 2)they send money back home to help their families, (one of the reasons why they were here in the first place) 3) they are in debt prior to coming to HK for work because the governments set up "required" training that migrants pay for. These trainings are done by amateurs and the trainings have nothing to do with adding skills for migrants. Although, sadness may sink in because of the reality of the situation, determination is stronger because the migrants know they can push back and gain victories through arousing, mobilizing and organizing. Organizers give political education and let the migrants come up with solutions in turn, the migrants plan and lead campaigns. The migrants then turn to leaders and train other migrants. Like a domino affect, these migrants are empowering themselves through shared responsibilities. One particular woman, no more older than my age, told me she was beat up by her clients son who is merely 4 years old. Imagine a little boy hitting you with objects while your employer laughs or yells at you. These stories will stay with me. Their faces and lives will be remembered through my actions. Long Live International Solidarity! Current Mood: okay (Comment on this)
Saturday, June 14th, 2008
10:40 pm	Hong Kong Hi all, or rather, farewell to you all, Months of planning have finally paid off. I am returning home. I am returning home with the foresight of the work that needs to be done. Though this is my homeland, China, I have mixed feelings about returning there. For those of us born in America, we oftentimes use the word "return" when we have never been. Why is that? For me, I have learned to embrace my roots that I have hated when growing up. Now more than ever, this feelings of being lost and found in the same breath is overwhelming. How can I explain it? Need I? Home, what do you smell like? How do you sound? What do you look like? I was gone for so long and now I am returning back to you... Will you accept me or cast me out? -Brandon Current Mood: anxious (Comment on this)
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
12:30 pm	Size Matters Not Preface: this was written back in March as a reflection of where I am today and to note the legacy of organizers before me. This was written as way to help contextualize how I feel about heading to HK as well as the P.I. and where I stand today compared to yesterday and where I see myself and the work in the future. Written back in march: SIZE MATTERS NOT As the trip to the Philippines and Hong Kong is underway and being planned: I try to remember the struggles of the people and the freedom that they demand. I remember Watching many people, old and young, friends and strangers, media and police anticipating the release of Ka Bel, a champion of the people. He was detained in a hospital in quezon city and seeing many cry to see him release was moving. This man has been through a lot of harassment by the police and politician for his pro people, pro national democracy points of view. In the words of --Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran "If helping the poor is a crime, and fighting for freedom is rebellion, then I plead guilty as charged." What made the experience more humbling was actually meeting people who are affected by the corrupt government of the Philippines. I will remember their stories and thefeeling helpless when they asked for my advice on what they should do. These are the people are countlessly having their land stolen. These are the people who lack resources because the corporations, elites, and politicians take them. These are the people who walk dozens of miles up and down hills and hazardous conditions to go to work and school. One particular person I was not able to meet was Cris Hugo because he was gun down for his political believe. Cris Hugo was a 20 year old student from Bicol and the first student killed for his believes in 2006. He was only 4' 11" but instead of just being timid he shown a fighting spirit and determination to fight for student's rights. He was a powerful speaker and motivated many to care. Because of his leadership, he was assassinated. His passion is survived by the many who he's touched personally and internationally. I didn't know Cris personally, but the work he has done is moving. While in this process of reflecting for the second trip to the Philippines, I found myself crying. I feel very bless to have strong friends I call kasamas. My kasamas I traveled with know its hard for me to get emotional or understand that part of myself. I remember close to the end of our integration, we visited the Nestle worker's HQ and watched a video I've seen before. I don't know why, but I couldn't stop crying then whereas before it hadn't phase me much. Maybe because I was at ground zero where many had died and got injured during the Nestle massacre. Ka Fort had also been assassinated because of his role in people's rights. As I commit myself to the movement as so many people before me has done and so may people after me will, I take a step back and breathe and recognize the work that I've done and try to understand the value of this commitment. My personal dedication is a testament to the work of other organizers because if it were not for them I would be lost and angry looking for a way to channel that anger. It was my first Anti-war rally 5 years ago, I remember going there as a 20 year boy, just the same age as Cris Hugo was, not knowing what to expect. I was in a sea of over 500,000 protesters! but seemed to still be drawned to the sea of red shirts, sexy chants, and a contingent made up of Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Mexicans, Blacks, and Filipinos. It was then that I met a kasama from the league of filipino students who I bought a "serve the people" shirt from. It was not until two years later where I would bump into that same kasama who would eventually be the one to mentor me and challenge the way I thought. I sit here, reevaluating my self-worth, why am I even organizing when I can climb the ladder ad secure my finances?. I remember at one point in time when I was suicidal-what was the point of living?-This world is so fucked up. I remember that in one point in time, I rejected my own ethnic roots. I now have to remember that as an individual I can make a difference a struggle that is far yet so close. As I wrap up my endless ramble, I take a breath, and remember those who have organized me, who will continue to organize others... It is the love for the people that we do what we do. It is our love for the people.. our love for the people. I will try to remember the struggles of the people to win true democracy and freedom. Doing so will strengthen my perspectives and drive to continue the work. One kasama had said to me before, "you are rewarded for the good work that you do with more work". That statement alone makes me crack a smile, not because of the absurdity of it but because, again, it is the love for the people that we do what we do. For myself, I am forever thankful to meet so many wonderful people. As corny as this entry sounds, and like the backstreet boys says... "for you I'll walk a thousand miles" So onward on this Long March together... Long Live Cris Hugo Long Live Ka Fort Long Live Ka Bel Makibaka, Huwag Matakot! ISULONG! -Brandon (Comment on this)
Thursday, August 16th, 2007
12:42 pm	and then there was only one... for now, i'm the last one left. brandon should be in korea right now and cess is hanging out with friends. i'm here in the office chillin w/ Taritz. officially the trip has come to a close. for me and cess, we'll be dispersing to our various locations and leaving in a week. it's crazy, this is the first time on the trip that i'm on my own, at least from the group. my uncle is picking me up in a few and taking me to cavite for a few days. then i'll be back here to finish up some stuff then fly back to the belly, armed with the newly acquired knowledge and experiences that will live in my mind forever. i guess i'll take my time with the family and just decompress. i'm one that likes my alone time, so it's been a big test to always be around somebody. not that was anyone's fault, we had to be around somebody at all times, for security purposes. and because my tagalog will only get me to the bathroom and an SM mall. i'm anticipating my questions my family will ask that i won't know how to answer. how was your stay? -um...good what did you do? -um...a lot what were your sleeping arrangements? -um...it varied, but overall very comfortable who did you meet? -people who want to change the world did you go to any rallies? -ok next question please oh and i apologize for not updating as much as my companions. i never felt like i had the time to and i hate having to write an entry over the period of a few days. but then again, brandon pretty much writes everything i would, so there was never an urgency. i really don't know what to write. i guess i'm just anticipating the typhoon that might delay my travel to cavite. which means i should leave soon. i'll try to get internet access while im home. so i can share my after thoughts with all of you. see ya on the other side of the globe. -lyle p.s.: in case we get held back, call us the LFS 3...or 2 since brandon was able to leave =) p.p.s: i'll try and fulfill everyone's pasalubong requests. if i can't, i'll find a suitable substitute. Current Mood: nostalgic (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 14th, 2007
3:59 pm	semi Feudal, semi Colonial semi Conclusion of this trip On a lunch break.... people here eat 3 meals a day with meriendas inbetween.... i'm use to my 2 meals and sometimes 1 meal a day...  that's one reason why i'm not eating.. because we just ate 2 hours ago.  Anyways... many emotions are arising.  i'm still confused a little.  i like what glenn said... sometimes its good to be confused so you can find the answers... i know that's very abstract I've grown close to many people here in the Philippines.. or i felt i did.  i'm very sad to leave but i know why i should.  i now understand how people say they don't want to leave here... i just merely i assume they meant they didn't want to leave home.  i understand it slightly differently now.  I've grown even more closer to 4 of my friends here.  Val and Mel have stayed with us 3 weeks.  they're both folks i would call homies fo sho.  Val , when i met her was a very intimidating person but to give her the benefit, i was an insecure person at that time.  She has taught me many things beyond her sphere of academia... her patience has gave me courage to ask communities question.  she pushed hard but it was her patience sometimes that was the better learning stick for me.  she doesn't know this: but i too, am now on the Valarie Francisco Fan Club.  If you have no idea what that is.. go ahead and ask Val, Josh, or lyle.  Her talents are many and one day, i hope to have that same courage to light up a crowd.  Thanks Val.  Mel, I wish she was with us longer.  I love the earth a lot, even started a recycling club but Mel has certainly out done anything i've ever done for the earth or even the understanding of soil composition still gives me the giggles.. yes, the giggles.  Her knock knock jokes are classic.. she can do the worm on bricks... besides that, she was the person in our assessments that usually gave a different angle that us, or at least myself go "ahhh.. never saw it that way".  i miss both of them. To the other two companions... lyle and cess... what can i say about these two. (OKAY IF YOU"RE GROSSED OUT ALREADY you SHOULDN"T READ ANYMORE)  through our many struggles... we were able to unite and become stronger.  through our heighten emotions we were able to embrace each other as well as be critical.  The two of you have made it easier to trust in people for myself as trust is hard to hand out for myself because of levels of insecurities.  Cess, thank you for leading, guiding our group and making sure the program is maximized for our learning and to even attempt to understand where each of us are coming from.  You have been able to provide a listening ear as well as able to take criticisms and those were two things i really really REALLY appreciated about you.  Thank you for not undervaluing us as individuals as well as a group.  You placed a lot of trust in us and i thank you for that.  Lyle, my future landlord from cavite.  (you know had to say it)  you were the only guy i could go to when ihad guy issues.  anyways, seriously you were a nice fresh face when the group was dominated by women.  Sometimes i felt left out but it was not intentionally done.  Anyways-you were able to put up with my lame and often times bad jokes.  And you were able to listen to my rants, emotions about evertyhing we saw, and yes we have a lot in common.  Cess and Lyle-didn't think i would say this-i love the two of you. This trip in itself was, IS life changing.  Those of you who went, understand this.  THose of you who haven't, I hope one day you will be able to make the trip.  The exposure itself is just barely touching the lives of the many who are exploited as well as why people fight back.  In light of everything, today we will have a solidarity night with many youths and students.  Today is my last night i'm sleeping here in the Philippines; but I will be constantly thinking of the people i met, the stories that were shared, tapos-the lasting relationships that were built.  In solidarity of the peasants, women, students, workers, and other sectors!  I hope I give give as much back as they have given to me. princess "hair cut".... "cess are you done, my flight leaves in 2 days".... "cess are you done, we just watched a movie and walked around the mall".... "cess are you done yet? GMA is no longer president".... "Cess are you done yet?  Nato and Beng is having their second kid" -has anyone else thought that rita and cess looks awfully familiar?  how about Nats and Charles? Val-forever, every guy in NAT'L is part of your fan club.  Mel-remember the club?  oh yah-we do... Lyle-my future landlord.... your balloon foot.... random chubby kid punching you... you leaving many things everywhere ready to get lost but it ever does get lost because ppl find it for you... sleeping with you and waking up to my head on your chest... my other scandalous things I look forward to coming back and sharing what i know.. what i seen... what i've heard.  I also look forward to building more relationships with people depending on time alloted.... and look forward to SHEA and IVAN's weddings... OMG! had to say it.  I do not look forward to longer work hours and sleepless nights, and debts that need to be paid.  and to Charm... i look forward to how you serve the people Brandon (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, July 27th, 2007
11:04 am	Processing Folks,   Just letting everyone know... everyone is good, excited, pumped, healthy... well.. except that i had bad gas... lyle's foot is getting better.   I'm still trying to process things on the go... collective processing helps  but you can't process everything all together if you're still trying to process it yourself.  Definitely SONA was mad crazy.  even though there were only  8000-10000 folks there (a drop from the 50000+ 2 years ago) the people  were still spirited and adamant about being the agents of change... demanding more pro people policies and really telling each other, how the nation is doing. The president thus far, has ignored the continue deteriorating state of the nation. She has said that the government has worked really hard in improving education and that all there is left to do in terms of improvements is improving the educators. She has ignored the 300 percent increase in tuition, the lack of maintenance of facilities.  They decided to build one new restroom where there is a "disney land" line of folks waiting to use the toilets yet they refuse to put $ in the budget to  maintain old broken restrooms.  ceiling fans are broken in most classrooms where the learning conditions are affecting students.  In fact one ceiling fan fell on a student last year and there are no health clinics on campus.  Can you imagine that the state only has enough money in the health care system to pay for 1 asparin per person  and that's it?!?!  what the fuck is that?  no wonder people are pissed off!   The president has said that she has been doing a better job in crackin down  the political killings and stopping human rights violation.  The people have spoke and have shared their stories about how because of political pressures around her, the political killings have slowed down.  The president is asking for harsher punishments for those who are doing the killings.  Yet NGOs, the people, and 3rd party organizations,  the church, have linked many of the killings to the AFP.  Will the president come down hard on the AFP? or will she continue to lie to the people as she has down with her state of the nation address?   On a very light note.... a random chubby kid punched lyle as we were walking to get his visa  extended at the bureau of immigration.  = ).... another rumor i heard is ivan getting married...= ) okay... off to baggio.  see you back home... hopefully w/o malaria and nik nik bites.  oh yeah,  since its my birthdate today, i am off health care coverage. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, July 24th, 2007
3:31 pm	we ain't never scared.. i can't even lie. we came and we came with it yesterday. the sun was punishing. the orders to do the 'hoy-hoy' repeatedly was a challenge. my hoarse voice was an obstacle. but the international contingent really put together a good show of international solidarity. i thought three hour mobilizations were hard..geez..we were in the streets for like 7 or 8 hours. seemed like days.the march, a halfway marker of my trip, left such a good, warmfuzzy feeling in my heart for the people's struggle. yes there were peeps peepin us, in uniform and in civilian clothing. but they didn't get in the way of the movement of the people. the people held their flags high. marched peacefully militant alongside each other. now they got all this frenzy, folks trippin about us being out in the streets. tellin us that we don't belong out there. that people outside of this country shouldn't care about the fascist and gangster goings-on here. that we have no business to be downright agitated because there have been HUNDREDS of people who have died, disappeared, tortured and detained for wanting genuine change, and millions more that are suffering under unlivable conditions de-prioritized under an inhumane and unfit government led by a despot, GMA. that we, as people who have escaped this place, should really just keep on going about our business since the poverty doesn't affect us, since the pollution does not reach out cushy american homes, since the human rights violations are not happening outside and around the corner. that we have no right to express our dissent because we don't live the hardships. fuck that. in the face of the HSA threatening people here, their everyday lives, their families, their livelihoods. the heat of the fire pointed at common people, the masses who have too little to eat, who have no jobs, who have no land, who have no money for tuition, who have no medicine to give their children. on top of that all the lies that GMA just delivered in her insane state of the nation address, people are trippin over US? in reality, the international solidarity and the authorities' anxiety around it really just exemplifies how the HSA has really turned up the notch on the ANY and EVERYone who can think critically and who are pushing for change. the HSA, a desperate attempt by a flailing government to legalize the state terrorism they call 'security'. who's really nervous? para sa ating pakikibaka, sho' SHOT (new rhapsodista aka handed down by the legendary, kiwi illafonte) (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, July 21st, 2007
2:09 pm	my very first entry so here's my first entry in this journal. let's see if i can sum it up. i should be out with the other folks handing out flyers for SONA at Commonwealth Ave. but for the past couple days i have been disabled. after we got back from our exposure in batangas, my right foot started to get sore and swell up. it was really hard to walk. but we were able to talk to nato (bayan sec gen) and he referred us to his wife, beng. she prescribed me some drugs and the swelling went down enough so its not uncomfortable to walk. though there is fluid in my foot still (i can feel it when i walk, ewwww). my left foot is starting to feel uncomfortable. i dunno if its cuz of bites or i've been depending on it too much the past couple of days. regardless, i am restig my feet in the BAYAN office, taking care of some tasks i need to do for SONA (p.s.: writing in lj isn't one of them, but whatever, hehe). so don't worry everyone, i'm being taken care of. i think that's why i love the folks here. if someone is hurt, there are folks who can help you. it's very comforting. so brandon talked about our last exposure in pretty good detail. not much i can add. yes, we got to swim in an active volcano (pictures to come). we hung out with the community and chopped it up with them (with the help of interpreters of course). ate some good, homegrown food, and slept on concrete floors (at least the guys did). we visited a farm that one of the organizers works on. it was beautiful. we hung out on the farm for most of the day. chillin, helping him weed (though we unexpectedly weeded some plants, boo on us forreal). we had dope conversations with folks. the folks here are as smart, if not smarter than most of the professors i've run into. they are super sharp when it comes to their analysis and understanding of the global economy. their passion for the work is truly inspiring. many times i heard from their mouths, looking into their eyes, that they are willing to risk death to fight for the rights of people. many of them have received death threats. its interesting when they tell you this while laughing. i guess it's they way you have to deal with it so it doesn't get to you. they can't see their families because to go home is to risk ambush from people who want them dead. in their eyes and from their mouths, i witnessed what it is to truly serve the people. and to risk everything just so their children can continue to use the land. our last night was emotional. we thanked them for letting us stay with them and for talking to us about their issues. we were welcomed like family into their community. and no words could truly represent how humbled and grateful we felt. it was hard. but i think we both understand that we have our struggles to fight. and since we have a common purpose, we can take pride in the fact that though we'll be thousands of miles away in a few weeks, we are fighting the same battle. just in different conditions. so we left Taal and visited some fishing communities. talked to them for a few, then we had to leave for manila. during our bus ride, police stopped to search the bus. we woke up to a man in uniform asking us who we were and to open our backpack. though there was no altercation, it was an interesting moment for us. for the past couple of days we've been preparing for SONA and the international press conference. we all got tasks we got to handle. SONA looks pretty good. folks in BAYAN have been running around for the final preparations. the GMA effigy looks pretty sick so far. with that said, i must finish the Y/S statement. the press conference is tomorrow so look out to see if its covered in TFC. i'm sure my parents will like that =). big ups to the SONA actions in the belly. can't wait to see pictures. oh yeah, we went to go watch Brownman Revival yesterday. they were awesome. and guess what? Kiwi performed with them! it was one of those you had to be there type of moments. oh and folks got their drank on, but let's not talk about that =) -reporting for the homeland lyle Current Mood: sore (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 19th, 2007
4:52 pm	Back From Batangas We just got back from our Integration with the Peasants on an Island in Bantagas which is in Southern Tagalog.  The issues facing the locals there, are commercialization and privatization of their property by A Korean Corporation which wanted to build a SPA on the closeby Volcano.  One thing about the Volcano is that it is still active.  The livelyhood of the people are determined by their income they make from being horesemen guides.  We were able to ride the horses to the top of the volcano where we looked down to see a lake.  Along the side of the lake you can see steam rising indicating that the volcano can errupt.  If the Korean corporations, or any other capitalist take the land or privitize it, it would mean the end of the lives of the peasants.  The fact that they were able to come together as a community and stop the Construction is inspiring.  The people also took us to the lake inside the volcano which some parts were boiling.  The journey there was treacherous... I will admit, my butt is pretty banged up from bumping up and down with my horse.  My horse guide was a 10 year old boy who everyone kept saying was 5.  I wish we were able to have deeper conversations besides what are name is and everyonce inawhile the boy would say< "are you okay sir?"  Me, feeling guilty that we're on a horse like the other tourist from australia, france, taiwan, china, and especially korea.  I couldn't believe how much the governent tax these people as well as how fat all these tourist were... when we reached the lake, We were able to tread in the water which smelled of sulfer.  When will we ever be able to say we've been in an active volcano swimming? That was 3 days ago, my butt is still hurting...  For bathing... we just walked to the lake that wasn't in the volcano and bathed together..  at one point we all stayed in there for an hour playing group games.. like sharks and minnows... The people there listen to loud rock music!!!! It was like being in a club, awesome... I actually fell asleep to it the first night.  If anyone is wondering how I was doing with the toilets... I've been fine with them.. squatting isn't a problem.  I still miss my first world toilets though?  = ).   My poops are still solid.. Cess said that's what guava does, harden your poop.  I've been taking my vitamins everyday.  Worried, because it's the 18th, and I've already spent 200 dollars... My goal is to use only 300 dollars.   I often times get lost in translation... trying to listen to what the locals are saying but trying to listen to the translation itself.  Sometimes, there isn't a translator avaiable so I have to rely on listening closely and watching hand movements.  SONA is coming up soon... more security checkpoints are already noticeable.. Our bus was stopped by a people dressed in CAMO with tags that said "police"... they searched our stuff and asked if we were Filipino.  I hope Kasamas don't get hurt.   Are last night, Val drew pictures with the community children.... we sang songs together... and the children were teaching me tagalog.    Next entry... hopefully won't be from me... and will probably be after SONA if it is me. We're all doing okay... some of us are really tore up from mosquittos and might beat shea's record (lyle) some of us can't stop talking about soil and enviroment (mel) and sometimes i'm quiet... sometimes i'm loud...  i'm still trying to find a balance of being intraverted vs extraverted...  Brandon Current Mood: chipper (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, July 12th, 2007
5:07 pm	FREE KA BEL FREE KA BEL! Mel, Val, Cess, our guide and myself ran through the rain this one particular night for about 5 minutes. The rain was poring pretty hard... I had my rain jacket and backpack protector (tell ryan the camcorder is still okay) the girls didn't have much rain protection so we ran as fast as we can to the heart center where they kept Ka Bel detained. Cess and Val talked to the guards to go visit him upstairs and they brushed us away with "humor"... trust me, cess and val were not impressed and through on their own "humor" it was interesting standing there listening to their exchanges. in the end we decided to wait for his release because its not like we can barge in and say hi... An hour... two hours went by. we kept ourselves entertained by playing sha-boo-yah roll call. even our guide participated!!!! we came up with new chants for Ka Bel... we were all getting a kick at it. Finally media swarmed the doors, chanting was going on with all the other organizers, sectors. the military was keeping an eye... one police officer kept taking pictures of the organizers... intimidation, threat, and intel gathering was being done. When Ka Bel walked out everyone was swarming him. An organizer pushed us to talk and shake his hand and soon enough, cess was saying "bayan-usa is here for you" and val was saying, "to keep strong" and i was just happy with shaking his hand... and when it was all done, can you believe we almost didn't go because we were tired or wanted to check our emails? Just wanted to say: the govt had no rights of detaining ka bel. Nothing was justified. Finally the supreme court ordered his release.. and they sure did take their sweet time releasing him. The hardest part about our trip so far for myself has been visiting the urban poor. It's so fucked up that 50,000 families living near the new tri-noma mall where we watched transformers are gonna lose their homes. about half of the folks there are planing to fight it, the other half our gonna leave. the conditions there are so bad that instead of addressing the issues of that community the mayor plans to make it a business hub of the city. The mayor even had the audacity to visit the urban poor community and solicit their votes without hearing public comment. It was hard not to cry. seeing kids who were so curious to see us, us who held camcorders and cameras entering their daily lives... not ever having health care, coughing... sometimes not even having work.. living in makeshift homes from cardboard, plastic, rocks, and wood. So hard not to cry in front of them. All we really could do is hear their stories, and share them with the folks back home. I'm thankful that they were willing to share apart of their lives with us. Th Just in case i don't get to say it: happy berfday Rachel, Alan, Jo, Carlo, Me, Kristen! and that is all. Oh, we're waiting for lyle to come here = ) Brandon (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, July 7th, 2007
8:25 pm	Second day Wow Wow WEEE!!! The plane flight alone was hard to endure;I already miss the folks at home. My flight was delayed so i didn't get into Manila airport til 11pm. My feet were the size of an elephant from the blood rushing down. AND dude, the air quality is so bad, i just didn't know how bad it was until i smelled it for myself. Using the restroom is good so far. The next day, I woke up early ready to go. Wish Lyle was here with us now. Val, Cess and myself went shopping today for most of goods. I got a pair of islanders, plastic rain coat, and wet naps. We of course, watched transformers again. AND HEY: TO ALL THE TRANSFORMER NERDS: autobots: is short for autonomous robots, not automobile robots. I still need to practice my tagalog but i'm following along some conversations. My food here, hasn't given me the squirts yet, thank god. Can't wait for Melanie and Lyle to join us.... wish other folks were here still especially jessicka. NO one is sick yet, thank goodness... and motocycles are scary. in fact, traffic is scary but the people are nice. Hope everyone is doing good. Brandon (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 10th, 2006
7:55 pm	REPORT BACK THIS SATURDAY!!! FREE. Come through kasamas, friends, and family. (1 Comment |Comment on this)