Turning the Tide Toward Justice!

Turning the Tide towards Justice!

Posted by Prosy Delacruz

John Salud Mina and John Davis, one of my favorite gay couples!

“History is a chronicle of human struggles to build a better world for all; but even as humanity moves in that direction, it will have many deviations. A setback may feel devastating when it happens, but it is only a small deviation in the larger movement. There will always be a few who will keep nudging humanity to move toward that vision. That is the role of social justice advocates in every generation. History in the long run is progressive." - Daniel Boone Schirmer, Ph.D. I decided to share my Rhizomes space in Asian Journal with community voices and allow a plurality of their voices to look at Judge Vaughn Walker's decision. I invited gay and straight friends to make comments which are now reposted in my blog, ProvencalinLA. John C.Davis and John S. Mina are two generous folks I know. They attend many events, eager to help causes, from the Filipino-American Library to 5K walks for the Homeless, Historic Filipinotown to those supported by Hollywood. They said, “Judge Walker got it right. This isn't an issue of gay marriage versus heterosexual marriage. This is an issue of rights...Equal rights and HUMAN rights. Our love is just as valid as the love a man can have for his wife. Hate is the root of all evil. God does not look kindly on people who hate. If the marriage of same sex couples threatens the state of your "traditional marriage"... maybe the problem is with your marriage not ours.” Keith Kamisugi works for civil rights causes, but also donates his time to significant campaigns, like Pres. Barack Obama’s. He serves on the boards of Chinatown CDC, Asian Law Caucus, CAA, Japantown Foundation and Nichi Bei Foundation. He said , “The American experiment with democracy, even after more than two centuries, shows that it often takes some time for the law to catch up with society. Judge Walker's ruling against Prop. 8 is in part a victory resting on the incredible efforts of many organizations and millions of people in this country that fight every day on the long road towards equality and opportunity. And the fight is not yet over. " Keith Kamisugi, director of communications at the Equal Justice Society, a SF-based racial justice strategy group. Kevin Hamano is a recent UC Berkeley graduate. He helped some tech-challenged senior citizens on the use of Facebook, Flickr and computers, and now works fulltime in this tech area. He said, “When I heard about the overturning of Proposition 8, I became very excited. I didn't become excited simply because I knew so many of my friends would be able to marry, but instead because it provided evidence that my friends are just as much people as anyone else. In all, the ruling on Prop 8 is a great moment in California's history and the fight for equality. It is just one step, but a step in the right direction, nonetheless.“ Giselle Tongi-Walters is a student at UCLA, a popular movie star in the Philippines, married with two children, and is now directing her first short film. She volunteers her time to reproductive health issues for Likhaan. She too, is elated at the ruling. “I am overjoyed that Prop 8 has been overturned. Now the true essence of equality can be enjoyed by all of humanity," she said. Giselle Tongi-Walters and her daughter! Brian Imagineering Loo, an industrial engineer that works at a dream jobsite, Disneyland, has this to offer: “Hearing about the overturning of Proposition 8 put me out of words. I was very surprised to see that on the Federal level, that it would be seen as unconstitutional. I am very excited, nervous, and anxious to see what the next court will have to say on the issue. I never would imagine that all of this would happen during my lifetime.” Jury Candelario, Community Activist/API Equality-LA, Director/Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team - Los Angeles, had this to say: "This is a great victory for human rights, not just civil rights. My husband and I were among the fortunate 18,000 couples who got married in 2008 before Prop 8 loomed its ugly head. We are thrilled with Judge Walker's ruling but this is far from over. We must stay vigilant and continue educating our community about the freedom to marry." Alice Hom is the current California Partnerships Program Manager for the National Gender and Equity Campaign, a demonstration project for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. From 2001-2006, she served as the Founding Director of the Intercultural Community Center at Occidental College where she worked on diversity and social justice issues. She served on the board of Visual Communications, an Asian American media arts organization. Alice is completing a Ph.D. History Program at Claremont Graduate University. She offered us these comments: “I felt a bit of emotional and relief that the ruling went our way. I didn't want my hopes up high only to be disappointed so I tried to keep a balanced view. I didn't think I would get emotional about it because I recognize and know that marriage equality is not the 'end all and be all' for progressive folks working for social justice. I did feel this strong sense of solidarity that this ruling is not for "just us" as queer folk, it's about justice. And that's what I heard from the speakers at the Olvera Street vigil/rally in downtown LA that was organized by Latino Equality Alliance, API Equality-LA, Jordan/Rustin Coalition and others. I went to Olvera Street to support and to show that LGBTQ people of color and particularly LGBTQ AAPIs are a part of this movement and we have other issues that are important to us as well.” From the husband/wife team of Ruben and Janet Nepales, who are the first Filipino members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the convening organization for the Golden Globes) and who recently spoke about their association’s philanthropy in donating over $ 1,500,000 grants to film-related projects with People Magazine: “Marriage is about the love and commitment between two people. I am happy that California is finally recognizing that,” said Janet. “When the state passed Proposition 8, it wasn't a proud a day for me to be a resident of California. Last August 4, 2010, when Proposition 8 was overturned, I was glad that justice was served and that the principle of equal rights for all was upheld,” according to Ruben. In our circle, a good friend, C, had this to say: "Marriage is between a man and a woman. Gays can have their relationships and they can have their union, but not under the institution of marriage. They can have their domestic partnerships. We are not saying they cannot have their relationships as gays. If we allow gays to be married, who is to stop those in polygamy to be married? " Let us hope this window is kept permanently open. I will summarize Judge Walker’s judgment and how it was arrived at -- key findings of law, the findings of fact, the credibility determinations of the witnesses presented, all in a 138-page long ruling in my next piece.

The Take Home Dress

What a glorious evening of fun, complete with bruised soles and weary feet from walking to five parties after Golden Globes awards, yet a full heart and soaring spirit!  That was what Golden Globes experience did for me. But, the showstopper for the evening was Janet Nepales, the spouse of Ruben Nepales, a Board of Directors member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who was recently mentored by Judy Solomon. Janet, the hot fox whose left shoulder was touched by Johnny Depp, who was noticed by Jon Hamm and another man who told her that she was hot and placed his arm on Janet's shoulder saying, "C,mon I am taking you home." Janet's reaction made us chuckle: "He must have thought of me as Chinese food."

That was our hot fox, Janet Nepales, a member of the prestigious Hollywood Foreign Press Association. She strutted the gown fashioned by Carlyn Nuyda Calloway of Thumbelina. She walked like a princess, a mermaid, a beautiful queen -- call it what you want but she owned the red carpet when she walked it.  All eyes were on her and her gown. Lea Michele of Glee screamed upon seeing her outfit.   Of course, the most endearing comments came from spouse Ruben.  Ruben kept posting her photos on Facebook saying, “Bear with the proud husband for posting non-stop about how his wife Janet Nepales looked in her gown by Carlyn Nuyda Calloway ( Thumbelina Cnc). I heart my wife but last night, I fell in love with her all over again! Bravo, Carlyn! Mama Rocio Nuyda, you have a genius daughter!"  I wanted to tell him not to forget that I introduced them to the family of artistic Nuydas. I even chauffered Janet to Thumbelina’s shop.  Success has many fathers and mothers and truly that night, Janet shined in Thumbelina’s gown that I, too, shared her joyous splendor.  She danced all night, feeling like she owned the dance floor.  And she did -- stealing thunder so folks watched as she danced with Harry Shum Jr., after a flawless cha-cha dance with husband Ruben. To see her dress glimmer next to Paris Hilton and to recognize it as equivalent in grandeur and excellence -- one can absolutely say the genius is in Thumbelina’s hands. Thumbelina described it as

"The dress's silhouette is a one-shoulder long sleeve mermaid gown made from silk taffetta and ruched silk tulle.  The skirt is made from embroidered silk tulle composed of flowers in various stages of bloom in hues of peach, nude and coral against a backdrop of a soft sage green.     On the bodice, I hand sewed silk tulle appliques of leaves and flowers cascading from the shoulder down to the waist.   It is lightly hand-beaded with vintage diamantes for a hint of sparkle.  The gown's skirt has a sweep train. The jewelry was generously provided om loan by Tabesh Mirmirani for Amrapali, a leading jeweler in the world.  I noticed many celebs wearing Amrapali last night including Globes winner Dianne Warren.  The earrings set in 24k gold is composed of almost 14 carats of diamonds surrounded by little rose cut diamonds.  The cuff, also set in 24K gold is made from raw cut clear and champagne diamonds fashioned in an art deco setting.   Lind Duclos is my Tailluer Principale  (Lead tailor)" Yong Chavez had this to say about Thumbelina’s creations: “Janet’s [gown] was such [a] head turner! Her gown was so intricately made and yet it wasn't cumbersome so she was able to party all night wearing it. I think Thumbelina's gowns are magical!"

Thumbelina's genius, Carlyn Nuyda Calloway next to another hot fox, Yong Chavez, Balitang America newscaster!

Yong also wore a Thumbelina creation that was similarly a head turner to the point that one of the television newscasters propositioned her to go out on a date.  Wow, two take home dresses by Thumbelina in the Golden Globes!   Sorry fellas, both stunning head-turners are already happily married!

The Road to Freedom

“We are fortunate in our society that a means of resistance has been built into the law and the political process – the vote.  The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy.  We must use our votes, our power and our organizational abilities to create a movement for good. We must not give up this power.  We must not give in.  We must not give out.  We must use what we have—all our talents, resources, energy, and creativity.  We must do all we can to help build a better nation and a better world. “ Congressman John Lewis, 2008.

I was 4 when the US civil rights movement started in 1956, and 13 when it ended in 1968. I was in my third year of high school in Manila.

I had long been inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches, but, I did not realize the full significance of the civil rights movement in redeeming the soul of America.  Not until I saw two exhibits, “Road to Freedom“ and “Breach of Peace“ at the Skirball Cultural Center. I saw the exhibits one cold, dreary weekday, when gray clouds blanketed Los Angeles and rains were pouring non-stop. The weather compelled you to shirk, to hide underneath the blanket. But at the urging of my daughter, Corina Teresa, I went.

I found myself perusing over more than 170 photographs, taken by more than 35 photographers. The images were moving: policemen hosing down citizens; a hotel owner pouring acid on the swimming pool with black folks wading in; attack dogs pursuing demonstrators kneeling on the sidewalk; a fresh pool of blood next to a man laying down on the sidewalk; police using their batons on folks in a prone position; unarmed boys and women with linked arms, guarded by rifle-armed men; buses that were firebombed with passengers locked inside; and a storm of state troopers breaking up marchers.  Many more brutalities were documented for preservation, displaying America’s loss of soul.

Equally moving were photographs depicting hope and a sense of idealism that America’s constitution has yet to be realized: “ life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for everyone." America brutally reflected on those images had another side to it, an aspiration contained in the Bill of Rights that all men are equal, but deeply buried in its soul.

More images move me to tears: linked arms of men in their coats braving the rain and snow; women holding hands with men clad in their overalls; young black faces singing with tears in their eyes, afraid yet defiant of injustice; marchers standing tall while being given a two-minute warning by state troopers, yet not cowering in fear; a woman kneeling on the sidewalk, dressed in her Sunday suit, pearl earrings, a hat and an umbrella; a poster demandingfreedom, and hovering is a white police officer inside a black police van.  Images of lynching or killings were not there, nor corpses, but the audio recordings of the marches were enough to move us to tears -- myself, along with exhibit goers composed of young students, teachers, young professionals and older folks lingering, reading captions, listening to Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches.

A short documentary depicted Rabbi Rachel Cowen speaking of the civil rights movement as “ a religion, a secular creed, a community, with values, its liturgy, its rituals, part of a larger narrative, with its high ideals that the world can improve, love would conquer, it would triumph."

Dorothy Zellner spoke of her conviction, that when you see such inhumanity, there is a moral imperative to go “ thou shalt not stand idly by “.  Half of the white attorneys working in the South were Jews who felt a kinship with the injustice happening to blacks.  Rabbi Prinz shared a “ sense of complete identification and solidarity born of their painful experience." This mattered to him to take a stand. Will he allow these state troopers to kill in his name?

These were the dilemmas that they faced, dilemmas that are not unlike ours, especially with the choices we have to make for the upcoming Philippine national elections.

When I was part of a panel on clean elections at an EDSA I commemoration forum, I spoke of three traits of good citizenship: loyalty, teamwork and social responsibility.

Loyalty
I spoke of loyalty to the ideals of People Power I, when we as a people, advocated for the return of democracy and an end to the dictatorship in the Philippines. Collective aspirations for decades were crystallized in 3 days through non-stop rallies, where millions converged in EDSA to say no to dictatorship, guns, battalions,tanks and violence; and yes to rosaries, flowers, lumpia and pancit, and yes to freedom.

Friends spoke of their convictions, their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice: their lives in EDSA in exchange for freedom. They have reached an ultimate tipping point -- we want to be free!

Teamwork
When we are free, we can choose good actions.  Thich Nhat Hanh said "Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice… No one can prevent you from being aware of each step you take or each breath in and breath out."

When we choose teamwork as a life’s ethic, we learn to harvest what Fr. Rodel Balagtas called “harvesting God’s nuggets of grace," when we become our kababayans’ source of strength, our folks’ source of unconditional support.

Try it, start looking for strengths in others.  Cultivate it, and connect with folks to help them reach their dreams.  Without realizing it, you have created a safety net, a firewall of goodness, a sense of security that wherever you go, God’s family is wide.  Drive that goodness forward during the upcoming elections.

Social responsibility
Consider our choices this election. If you are a dual citizen, ask yourself: can I cast my vote for the highest common good? Which candidate did not resort to votebuying? Check, and steer away from the candidate who significantly destroys the sanctity of democracy and mocks the electoral process.

Who has served the Philippines with honesty and integrity? Steer away from those who compromise themselves, while in public office.

Who is that candidate, who, even when faced with the barrel of a gun, chooses goodness over evil?

Who is the candidate who can pray to God and say, “ Lord, thank You for guiding me to choose You, to not lose my soul in all that I do.”

Choose, my readers, and let us vote for the presidential candidate who will redeem the soul of the Philippines, so we may no longer be at the top 20 corrupt countries of the world!

I believe that the May 2010 elections will be a transformative event that will redeem our collective souls, to uphold the sanctity of democracy, and become heroes of the world that we can all look up to, just like Efren Penaflorida, Charice Pempengco, and Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno of the Supreme Court of the Philippines who will receive the prestigious Elise and Walter Haas Award at UC Berkeley this May 16, 2010.

We are the heroes we are waiting for, we can elect a president who will stand up for our collective values and who will preserve the democracy as envisioned by our founders.

Jazzmopolitan: A showcase of talent and creativity

"Groove is that quality that moves the song forward, the musical equivalent to a book that you can’t put down. When a song has a good groove, it invites us into a sonic world that we don’t want to leave.  Although we are aware of the pulse of the song, external time seems to stand still, and we don’t want the song to ever end." -- Daniel Levitin

It was more than a song, it was the entire Jazzmopolitan concert’s array of performers -- Raffy Lopez, Ner De Leon, Mon David and Michael Paulo -- who all transfixed the audience.  We melted in awe! A band usually stays in the background, forgotten in the recesses of the grotto, but Tateng Katindig’s band foregrounded the performers. That was self-assurance!

Just imagine Tateng Katindig on the piano, simultaneously playing a keyboard and adjusting his synthesizer.  He had no limits to his multidimensional talents, yet he retains his humility as any master artist would.

Next, consider Abe Lagrimas, Jr. who on the drums can beat them, as if a one-man band, accelerating his performance to a summit of fully engaged interaction with Michael Paulo, to the point of firing up the crowd to jump up, clap, dance, and shout bravos.  The performers had the audience captivated, ready to play for them. They were on fire! 

At first, Abe had a full suit on and was relaxed. Then, he took off his jacket.  Mid-concert, he took off his tie, and just before Michael Paulo turned to him with his saxophone, Abe had rolled up his shirt sleeves.  Dimples showing, his whole body matched his relentless drumming.  We were surprised that he still had a full set of limbs after. 

As if playing the saxophone was not enough, Michael showed the Ford audience the range of motions and emotions that he could evoke from them. Michael got on his knees while the audience was transfixed, watching him. The band stopped, as he became one with his saxophone and played The Last Tango in Paris, a tribute to his 83-year-old father, Rene. Michael sent his tunes some thousand miles away, across the ocean. 

Michael Paulo, photo taken by Charmie Morales-Salihan

I still remember the duet between Michael and Rene, when the latter got the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) in Hawaii.  Father and son played an original composition of Michael's -- My Heart and Soul, and at the end of the song, all 70 people in attendance had tears in their eyes. As Daniel Levitin says " the timbre and overall sound "was preserved with high fidelity in our long-term memory system."

That night, after hearing the song again, I could not help but cry. 

As if getting on his knees was not enough, he climbed the grotto to play his sax and to dance. He was more than gifted -- he was one with his musical instrument and his grooves. ‘His beat dimensions created a strong momentum’, using Daniel Levitin's words.

During a post-concert brunch with friends, one exclaimed that the whole evening was "nakakaano,” evidently at a loss for words. But we had fun translating the ambiguity -- nakakaloka, nakakabaliw, nakakalunod sa tuwa. One woman boldly described the whole experience as “better than foreplay."

Mon David humbly gave his tribute to Michael, saying, "Sinunog niya ang Ford!" In other words, he torched the audience’s hearts, literally!

Jeff Bello, a jazz aficionado, flew in from San Francisco with his muse, Tricia Maristela.  He had this to say: "I was blown away to see the passion of every artist on stage.  The love for their craft showed as it reflected from the cheers and the standing ovations from the crowd.  Even though it was a chilly night under the stars in the Ford Amphitheater, I forgot about it because I was so focused on the music and the vibe."

"Mon David's rendition of Balut Penoy and the Kapampangan song, O Rosing, were spectacular because it not only showed [his recognition] of his roots but it [also demonstrated] his creativity -- [proving] that there should be no limitation to art.  Michael Paulo was also amazing.  To [know] his credentials and [to] find out [that he worked alongside] famous artists were awesome.  He got the crowd going with his saxophone and his dancing.  I have never seen a saxophone player do both at the same time.  It was mind- blowing."

"The performance not only showcased each featured artist, but also acknowledged each band member by highlighting their talents with solo performances not just once, but all throughout the show.  The collaboration between the player and the featured artist brought the performance to a different level.  It's about time to bring them up front and center -- not just in the background.  My gratitude to whoever choreographed the event."

The ascent to excellence was Jazzmopolitan’s mark!  Raffy Lopez was quiet and unassuming while performing Brazilian tunes on the guitar. He credits Serge Osmena III for exposing him to Brazil's music at the age of 15.  

Ner de Leon was brave to tackle Dave Brubeck’s Blue Rondo and his saxophone performance was superb. Mon David was self-assured with his world-class serenade(in Kapampangan). His words were sobering as he gave tribute to the 9/11 victims and their surviving families. 

Jazzmopolitan replaced the infamy of 9/11 with feelings of bliss and unity. This was a night of community building manifested through collaboration, teamwork and excellence! As Daniel Levitin said, "Groove had to do with a particular performer or particular performance, not with what is written on paper.  Groove can be a subtle aspect of performance that comes and goes from one day to another, even with the same group of musicians. Groove is the beat dimensions that create a strong momentum."

Created by Ted Benito and Rex Sampaga, Jazzmopolitan left us with the grooviest of grooves, imprinted with the highest fidelity, in our memory banks.  

During Kultura's performance at the Ford some months ago, I whispered, "Ted, you have to exceed Kultura's excellence!" He simply looked at me with quiet confidence. 

Now, witnessing Jazzmopolitan and its new legacy of impeccable artistry, I know excellence has been set.

Kindness on the People's Coast

“ Right action demands that we find a deeper and truer source of energy and guidance than relevance, power and spectacle can provide." - Parker J. Palmer Sometime in the 1930s to the 1950s, the visionary thinking of two Sams, have provided for the public enjoyment of 363 miles of breathtaking coastline along Highway 101 in Oregon.  It starts from the border of California on the north and ends in the border of Washington onthe south.  It is a rugged coastline of spectacular views, attracting bikers and motorcycle riders and vacationers all the way from Vancouver, British Columbia making their way down to San Francisco and for the more adventurous, all the way south to the Mexican border.  We were coming from Los Angeles to Seattle, the other way around.  In admiring the rugged coastline, we thought of the right actions of two Sams, who envisioned and planned for the People’s Coast. Sam Boardman negotiated for lands to be bought, as Oregon State Parks’ first superintendent and the markers in Sam Boardman State Park credits him as Oregon’s Father of State Parks.  The second Sam, Sam Dicken, was a professor of geography in University of Oregon who persuaded the state officials to create the Oregon Coastal trail from border to border.  He was worried that the rugged Oregon coastline might be lost to public access.  He is credited as the father of the OregonCoast Trail.  No cars make it directly to the beaches, instead, cars are parked in paved areas and the beaches are accessed by foot.  Harris Beach was accessed minutes by foot, while another, Lone Secret Beach took more.  Harris Beach attracts more visitors and is more interesting because of its coves, the wading pond, including waveboarders (they use the receding waves of the ocean and the compact sand to ride their boards).   We first met an Oregonian transplant, formerly from Chicago, in Harris Beach.  Lisa works in a dental office. After work, she takes photos of the Oregon coastline and now has a collection of 1,000 images.  She offered us the front of her car to lean on, with an Indian wool rug thrownon top, while we waited for the sunset.  It felt cozy!  With our map, she highlighted spectacular photography viewpoints: Natural Bridges Cove, Cape Sebastian, Cape Foulweather and more.  These were all gratuitous by the way, unsolicited!  With Lisa’s help, we got to our first spot.  We came upon the Natural Bridges Cove, a natural bridge that connectsthe two coves. The water looked calm and the serene.  In the afternoon,the sight is breathtaking, and even more enchanting in the morning.  Here, we met another Oregonian, Bill, who lives near Harris Beach.  He loves Oregon and would not consider living elsewhere.  “ There is so much beauty here that I am willing to put up with some cold.  It is not too bad, it gets 50 to 70F, but for my wife, it gets too cold for her. “   We planned to walk the entire coastal trail to reach the Natural Bridges Cove’s beach area.  It would be at least two miles downhill and another treacherous climb uphill -- only to find a fallen tree morphed into a log!   It became both a crisis and a reward point for us.  Do we climb over or crawl under?  We watched a thin, young man climb over the log adeptly.  What choice should we make?  If we do not proceed, we succumb to our fears of height, and stay caged inside this familiar fearful zone with no action.  The trail was but 24 inches wide, enough for us to stay safe, but the other side of it is the cliff.     We decided to face our fears, kneel down, step a bit on the roots of a fern, not much to keep us from going down into the cliff.  With our legs shaking, we practically crawled our way to the other side.   We met a teenager who coached us, as we crawled under the fallen log, and when we were done, he offered to take us to the lookout point.  No need, but thank you very much for helping us!  We wanted to do it by ourselves.  We went back to the trail the next morning.  This time, equipped with feeling and a memory of a challenge conquered, we bent such that our body could fit the space under the fallen log without crawling and soiling our clothes. Perhaps when fears are let go, bodies become pliant and flexible.  Once we got to the other side, we smiled, a big one that came from within. We walked most of the trail with no one watching us to make a spectacle of ourselves.   We walked uphill and downhill, more assured and on our own!  We felt an inner joy to rid ourselves of baggage: no longer fearing the heights, no longer afraid of the cliff, and now, with a sense of ease that we trust ourselves to take on the challenges that life gives us.  Our next challenge: to walk down to reach the natural bridges and do the‘treacherous climb uphill’ to get back, and our third visit to the Natural Bridges Cove would be a charm! But, in these two visits, we saw the fruits of the right actions of theOregon’s state government: of providing their coastline for generations to enjoy, supported by the right actions of Oregonians to put people firston their people’s coast!  We feel blessed by these random acts ofkindness from Oregonians, for they represent the best of America we love!  For us, we scored one on life!

The Power of Teamwork

“Our most important asset does not have a price. They are not for sale. They go home every night. They do not show up on the balance sheet. They are priceless. Our most important assets are our employees, we are here, because of you!" - Jeff Lim, CEO of Island Pacific Chains of Supermarkets

Jeff was trying to compose his inspirational speech while waiting for his employees to arrive. He was among the first to get to the event, making sure that everything was going smoothly. 

Then, he went to the guests’ table to make sure we were okay, sharing that he did not know what to say. “Just speak from your heart , and everything will be fine," said one of the guests. 

Jeff went to a quiet corner to scribble some notes, then whispered to his wife, Krista, who was dressed fashionably in black textured leggings and a tent black dress.  

That was how I got introduced to the newly married couple, Jeff Lim and Krista Ranillo. All night long, they sat next to each other, whispering words to one another. He constantly kissed her, and she reciprocated with hugs, as they took photo ops with the employees. When Krista jokingly attempted to take a sip from a glass of wine, Jeff grabbed it, set it aside and whispered something to her ear. I could imagine him saying, “ No wine for our baby." Of course, Krista was only being her playful self and wasn't planning to even drink a drop of alcohol. But she enjoyed the protective gesture, nonetheless. She was giddy, expecting a boy -- her first. The expectant mom is due to deliver the baby on April-May 2011. 

I told Krista I read her essay that was featured in Monet Lu’s column and I was touched by how she revered her dad, Matt Ranillo. “ You must be so well – loved!" That came from the heart, seeing how she was so comfortable in her own skin, with so much love to give to folks.

The menu was a balanced spread of good food: sisig, chicken with pineapple, eggplant salad (my personal favorite), inihaw, chop suey and pancit with Goldilocks mocha cake. I saw an employee fill up a paper plate with four servings of cake! They must know the cake is delicious, light with a delicate mocha taste.  

However, light and delicate was not the theme of the night -- it was robust, alive, funny and vibrant!

A post on Charina Carrera's Facebook caught my eye. She shared that Island Pacific’s employees were rehearsing to make sure they win the performance competition, dubbed a mini "Showtime." Three judges were chosen randomly: Amy Almirol, who donated the $500 prize money; Department of Tourism Consul Ann Cuevas, who served (and is still serving) under three Philippine presidents  -- Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Noynoy Aquino III ); and of course, myself. We had no idea we would be asked to judge these performances.

I was impressed that IPDI, the head office employees, were the second best performers -- a great example of good leadership.  But, the Panorama City branch was the most energetic of all teams. Before we could give our scores, they kept shouting, “ ten, ten, ten!"  

Of course, as judges we resisted their lobbying, but their performance was, indeed, a convincing ten out of ten. They had prepared their costumes well, had the highest energy level, they worked as a team where no one was left behind and they carried us forward with their synchronized, energetic performances, ala Showtime!  

My remarks on the best number: Bonggang-bongga!, Bigay hilig. High team energy, Match na match ang dancing pairs, Nakakaaliw, and aside from the group’s talents, individual talents reminded us of Arnel Pineda and Beyonce’s prowess.

In teamwork, when an organization gets to a level where they enjoy each other’s company, synergy is generated that takes the organization to its highest operational levels.  

Jeff shared three things: "Nothing is impossible; All is possible when we work together; and All things are possible with God. Let’s make 2011 the best year possible!”

Leading with a Conscious Heart - Part II

“Do not stick out your booty, lead with your chest!” - Quoc Ngo, 2010 Who would think that this line would inspire me to write a two-part essay?  It started one morning with a hearty workout and correctly guided push-ups “to align my booty with my back and to lead my push-ups using my chest first.” I immediately saw the wisdom in Quoc’s statements and reinterpreted it as “ Do not start your relationships with lusty appreciation of your booty, but instead, lead your relationships with your heart."  When we put our self-interests first, we lose relations with folks. Instead of using our conscious hearts, we relate to them with our unconscious bottoms, looking to them for maximizing our opportunities, instead of serving them. Leading with a conscious heart, according to Gary Hendricks, has three qualities: telling the truth, keeping agreements and listening non-judgmentally. Part I dealt with telling the truth and why that practice is about loving yourself and others.  Part II is about keeping agreements and listening non-judgmentally and how these help build trust within a community and a nation. Why keeping agreements is honoring others When you tell the truth, you honor yourself. Your soul is at peace. You also make agreements that you keep. Over the years as a non-profit volunteer, I worked with folks who made excuses as to why they could not fulfill their responsibilities.  When the going gets tough, I got phone calls from people who wanted to drop out. The more excuses they gave as to why they could not fulfill their responsibilities, the smaller in stature they felt. We then discussed some of their personal barriers. In some cases, I succeeded in influencing them to keep on going.  In other situations, I could not.  They showed little or no importance to folks who worked with them, and even less to their legacy while showing more to their self-interests. Lately, we had a failed run of a vice-presidential candidate who cared more about winning the election than her own running mate -- the other party’s presidential candidate.   She went to events spouting off her own ideas, some half-baked, some even ludicrous, like Russia can be seen from Alaska.  When her candidacy for America’s second highest position failed, she resigned as governor, mid-term in her tenure.   In Hill.Com, a fellow Republican, Governor Christine Whitman described her as “unqualified to run again for public office, as she shows more allegiance to her self-interests, and works against the interests of the constituents who elected her.” When I read that recently, it underscored the absolute importance of keeping agreements, as it shows how you honor your constituents and the mandate they gave you in electing you -- much like non-profits. At the recent memorial for the late Peter J. Corpus, SIPA and other organizations collaborated. It was a seamless celebration as folks contributed towards a common goal -- "introducing Peter J. Corpus to the larger community,"and setting aside their organization's self-interests. It was a labor of love, unselfishly and wholeheartedly given, as tokens of their final respects to Peter.  A video montage of his photos, the music, short tributes and even food entrees were carefully prepared.  Folks were ushered to view the casket, giving order to the event.  12 or more organizations unselfishly shared their talents and resources as parting gifts to Peter, like a seamless lei of orchids.   Each organization kept their agreements to one another.  Honoring agreements, these community organizations understood its importance, fulfilling an unwritten social contract as part of a caring and humane community. Herein lies the importance of listening non-judgmentally.   Most of my adult life was spent living in America, dealing with various multicultural groups: Jews, Caucasians, Italians, African-Americans, Latinos, and of course, Pinoys.   Can you imagine what it would be like, not being heard but being judged? You feel like a geek or a nerd or a social misfit  -- categorized or marginalized.  You feel like an inadequate outsider as Charice did in an episode of Glee.  Try spending time with a community of musicians.  Each musician validates one another and each player contributes to the overall musical arrangement which a jazz singer sings to.   Before Annie Brazil sang, she asked the pianist, Eli Brueggemann, “Is that an F?" to which Eli nodded. Annie smiled, and considered it might be her mistake, as she confided later on that she seemed to be hearing the bass at a lower tone.  She listened non-judgmentally and got going. The audience came to life and started singing with her. That is the effect of listening to one another, it was as if the audience blended with Annie’s positive energies and created a synergy of harmony -- a peaceful sea of contented hearts.    That is how I feel about my current set of friends. We come from various colleges and universities, yet later on, we found out that we share common values -- love of family, love of country, and love of music.  We shared stories that made everyone laugh, like one evening, at Rocio’s house.  Maura Brito, a Honduran-American, kissed and surrounded by young men in Paris, France She had assembled alumni from St. Agnes Academy and included us among them: Ligaya who went to Philippine Women’s University and who worked at ABC-TV here in the US; and myself from the University of the Philippines who worked in government.  We had nothing in common, except that we're both women, yet we stayed open and listened to one another non-judgmentally.  The end result was a non-stop evening of laughter over good food for three hours. Our gay friends, John and John did the same for Christmas brunch. Despite our differences, we had one thing in common -- a strong love of community. We went from table to table, exchanging stories. Even the teenagers and young children bonded on their own.  By the time we said goodbye, four hours had passed. Grace and Gratitude Dinner, Dec. 2010 All these three qualities of telling the truth, keeping agreements and listening non-judgmentally build trust within a community and create peace of mind within oneself.   Try doing the opposite, and you incur the ire of a community -- the anger of a nation upset over the loss of unemployment benefits, increased taxes for working families and too much generosity to the wealthy 2% of the population.   We have nothing against them, but we want them to recognize that they have everything: food, clothing, education and shelter, while other income groups are lacking in those basic needs.  So, why not help rebuild the trust within America and consider others’ interests and not solely our self-interests?  Pres. Bill Clinton said it best, " it is not about class warfare, it is [about] fairness, and that is what America is about. " Now, I fully appreciate what Quoc Ngo said and my own interpretation of it. Maybe we can recapture the best of America through our best selves, our healthy families and our healthy community!