Fun times. A friend called me after work and asked if I wanted to watch the Kings game. They were playing the Los Angeles Clippers and one of the cast members were talking about not being able to get tickets just last night. So I decided to go. I hadn't been to a game in a while and I even got to sit lower level! It was my first time sitting lower level and it was "outstanding." Section 116 Row Y Seat 5. It was a great view. I had good company and outstanding conversation. We were able to catch up a little bit. It's funny how Xanga happens to be one of the few ways that we keep in touch with each other. It works, to an extent, but it's definitely not as exciting as speaking in person.
Ultimately, the Kings won 118-114. and it was a close game for the most part. For most Kings fans, there were some stressful moments in the fourth quarter though.
After the game, I went and got a personalized jersey. I had been planning to get one even during the last games I attended, but decided otherwise. Today, I finally came through for myself. 125 LIL SEXY. It's a beautiful thing.
It's really an expression of how important Chi Rho Omicron is to me. I mean, I was raised as most Filipino American children were - biculturally but with an emphasis toward assimilation. I was asked if I wanted to learn Tagalog. After I denied it once, it wasn't brought up again. Somehow, I just "knew" that certain American ideals, physical, spiritual, and mental, were the pinnacle of humanity. Sure, I knew lumpia, barong, tinikling, and other key phrases. However, I didn't have substance behind those words.
I learned later, and believe now that we were raised with a chip on our shoulder called self-hatred, consciously or subconsciously. That denial of my innate culture really shaped me towards the end of my high school career. I started to notice my people. I started to learn how the barong developed, what tinikling symbolized, and the history of my people. It was liberating. It was amazing. Most of all, it was mine. I could lay claim to it. It made me unique.
One of my fraternity brothers talked about how many Filipinos in college become "uber-militant social activists" and majored in Asian American studies. He criticized them for jumping on the bandwagon and turning Filipino pride into one of those "stylish things to be a part of - romanticized activism for appearance sake." While he believes that there are individuals who truly are trying to make a difference and dedicate their lives to writing our history and recognizing our mark on the American tapestry, he also believes there are many who exist in the realm for show. I hope I am the former and not the latter.
His assessment is so true, as biting as it is. He happens to be one of the founding brothers at UC Davis, and he really captured the essence of the fraternity as this: [It] was like an ethnic studies class combined with many of the principles of fraternity life - learning to time manage, stay on top of school, give back to the community, be under the microscope by those who might misjudge you, and learning to be a team player."
He goes on: "A Filipino is still a Filipino - whitewashed or FOB - and all are part of [the] larger community that need[s] to support and uplife the race. Many of the sacrifices my immigrant ancestors made were for me to succeed academically and socially - to penetrate places thaty could not because they were not expected to. Being Filipino [is] not about lumpia, dancing, speaking Tagalog - it was about acknowledging your bicultural existence and using its positive attributes to succeed in a world of people who amy put you in a box because of it."
The first cultural event that I attended of Chi Rho Omicron was when I was still a prospect. I was looking into it. The speakers they brought talked about Virgilio Enriquez, who developed Sikolohiyang Pilipino, or Philippine Psychology, a strong movement during the 60's. During the talk, the professor said, "What matters the origin of a particular trait or belief, as long as it takes us in a positive, progressive direction." It was a warning. Just because it's Filipino doesn't make it inherently good. Nor does something that's not Filipino make it inherently bad. Ultimately, an action or item's intrinsic value should be determined by where it leaves people.
Dr. Steffi San Buenaventura, still one of the most influential individuals in my life, said once that as a woman in academia she had to work twice as hard. As an Asian woman in academia the struggles even double. She had value. She still does, in the research and lessons she left with us even after she passed. That's what Chi Rho Omicron is about. Leaving intrinsic value in our people and making sure that people know about it. We have a long way to go. I say bring on the challenge.
That's part of the reason that I wanted to include Filipino American History Month in the California Department of Education calendar. I considered celebrating Asian Pacific Islander month, which is in May. Yet I knew and feel that would not be fair to all the diverse cultures of the Asian Pacific Islands and their communities. I just felt that we would not be able to effectively cover such beautiful cultures without glossing over parts of it.
Even within the Filipino culture, there is so much to cover. I only hope the committee will be able to highlight some aspects of it, and teach people in the process.
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