Christmas In the Philippines

[Looking out the window.] It's the holiday season again... How annoying. ...[Hesitates then sighs] I'm going to be alone again, I just know it.


[Peeks in the room holding a mistletoe behind his back.]



At least I'm not as lonely as Pa Sivv. He's so obsessed about HAPPYSLIP. What an unrealistic crush. She's already married and has a child, too.


[Sneaks up to Hayta and holds the mistletoe over her head.] [Stutters] H-h-hey Hayta!


[Turns around. Her face lights up for a second but reverts back to looking annoyed.] Ugh, it's you. What do you want.


[Waits for her to notice the mistletoe]



Oh my gosh. [Her eyes widen and her cheeks turn red.]



Uh... oh! Look, we're under a mistletoe. I guess that means -



[Steps forward about to kiss him when -]



[Walks in] Hey Q. Rius, did you do what me and S. Mart told you to do, yet?



O.O!



[Annoyed] What?! This wasn't by choice? [Slaps Q. Rius and storms off]



[Drops the mistletoe] No wait! I can explain!



Oh, so you haven't done it yet.



[Sad]

---

Star Parole
Cultural Presentation #16
Presentation Date: Friday, December 5th, 2008

W/ Kiko
[Kiko & Shela under a mistle toe flirting]

Jen, "Before I end for the semester, I have one more special presentation for all of you. And it requires the help of my good community affairs assistant friend, Kiko. ... Kiko?"

[Kiko about to kiss Shela]

Jen, "Kiko?! WTH?! We have a presentation to do!" [Grabs Kiko]

[Kiko responds all jolly-like.]

Kiko:
Jen, oh Jen, don't you know
Tis the season to catch a kiss under the mistle toe
Or put up ornaments on a Christmas tree
And sing holiday songs so merrily

Jen:
Yeah I know it's about that time
But do we really have to rhyme
About the wreaths and the Christmas lights
Or snowy stuff like snow ball fights?

Kiko:
You forgot about building snowmen or ice skating
Greeting cards, family gatherings, singing and caroling
Or the candy canes, gingerbread man and holiday food
Can't forget hot chocolate or eggnog, that stuff is good

Jen:
I guess winter will be fun; we may have less sun rays

Kiko:
We can still sing, that’s more than okay
[Sing] Merry Christmas (3x) and Happy Holidays

Jen:
[Sing] Merry Christmas (3x) and Happy Holidays
Hey Kiko, this is kinna fun rhyming with the mic
But I was wondering, are America & the Philippines seasons alike?

Actually, Christmas in the Philippines is very different.

Oh, really now?

Yes. In the Philippines, Christmas is a time for fun, food, giving, but most importantly togetherness and family. To many, Christmas is the most anticipated celebration of the year.

*How many of you have experienced Xmas in PI?

Pretty intense, huh? During this holiday season, people go out to visit their friends and relatives houses. It’s the time to spend with people. And a lot of the times, what do these parties have a lot of…? FOOD! For example:

1. Bibingka
2. Puto Bungbong
3. Lechon (Pan-Fried Roast Pork)
4. Kare-Kare (Oxtail Stew in Peanut Butter Sauce)
5. Rellenong Manok (Baked Stuffed Chicken)
6. Banana Fritters
7. Ukoy (Shrimp Snacks)
8. Arroz Caldo (Chicken Rice Soup)

Wow, that’s a lot of good food for the Christmas season, don’t you think Kiko?

One of the big reasons why is because food is a big aspect of Simbang Gabi.

[Jen tries pronouncing it] Simbang Gabi?

On December 16th, church bells ring early in the morning until Christmas day. Simbang Gabi, literally means “night worship,” and comes from the Catholic custom of gathering for the celebration of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours on each of the nine days before Christmas.

And usually at the end of these masses, there is a big party with lots and lots of food. It is a Filipino tradition that stems back to the country’s religious culture.

Because if you don’t know, many Filipinos are catholic and many of them are very religious. And so this celebration is always taken seriously.

Simbang gabi expresses the faith of Filipinos who believe that God was present in human history. It also reminds of the Jesus' birth

[Story of his birth, three shephards, star of Bethlehem - WILL BE FURTHER ELABORATED]

Kiko:
Jen, that's that thing you're holding?

Jen:
Oh, just the star of Bethlehen! JK, it's actually a star parole :]

[Origin of star – symbolizes star of Bethlehem that the three shepards followed to find Jesus]

The “parol” is thus a symbol of anticipation, for indeed, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for Filipinos, as it may be for people in other countries.

Most Filipinos simply hang their parols on their doors and windows, keeping the streets of the Philippines aglow with colorful designs for over 3 months.

And you guys are in for a treat today because you’ll be learning how to make star paroles!

[Star paroles activity! :D]
+ Break into groups and make paroles :]

Additional Information

Christmas In the Philippines
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/philippine_christmas.htm

Paroles
http://www.essortment.com/all/filipinochrist_rhzv.htm

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Andres Bonifacio's Birthday Special

(Click picture for full size)

Andres Bonifacio

[Scrambles around the room]



[Walks in and pauses] ... Q. Rius?



No time to talk! Tomorrow's the big day!



What big day?



Andres Bonifacio's birthday!



Oh that's right! Andres Bonifacio is turning 145 this year!



And he's turning 145 years old tomorrow! We have to hurry!



Hurry to do what? Can't we just sing happy birthday?



We must throw a party!



For a dead person?



Wow Pa Sivv.



He may be dead, but his spirit and name lives on! Everyone must know! The legacy of Andres Bonifacio should never be forgotten! Especially for AB Samahan!


Well, how can we help?



Gather everything we have about Andres Bonifacio!



I know Jen Amos has a small biography book on Andres Bonifacio



And one of her first presentations was about him!



What are we waiting for! Let's bring it all together!

---

Andres Bonfacio

Note: To learn more about Andres Bonifacio, please refer to the following resources.

1. An outlined biography of Andres Bonifacio
   
2. AB Samahan office
   
• When you first enter, you'll see a poster with information about Andres Bonifacio posted on the right side of the computer desk.
• Look for a thin blue book titled Andres Bonifacio by Isagani R. Medina either next to the computer or in the bookshelves.
  
3. Jen Amos' cultural presentation on Andres Bonifacio
   
• Opening word - Poem
  
• Power point: Andres Bonifacio (*Recently added)
  
• "Guest appearance" by Andres Bonifacio
  
• Closing word
• Andres Bonifacio was definitely a man who went through the same struggles many of us go through today. But what made him stand out was the fact that he didn't get those circumstances define him.
• Even though history shows that he lost more battles than won, all the actions Andres Bonifacio committed left a message.
• He fought for his country, which shows his love, pride and unselfishness. He sacrificed so much to care for his family, which shows his compassion. He was organized and collaborative with his Katipunan members, which shows that he believed in unity. He took a different approach to facing the Spaniards once he found out that Jose Rizal was exiled for his beliefs and writings - thus showing how proactive he was when fighting for fairness. But among this all, he shows hard work, dedication and passion. He showed that making a difference takes so much more than saying so, but rather doing so.
• All of these qualities that Andres Bonifacio possessed are the very reasons why we should care about him and even model after him. He shows us that will power is necessary in fighting for the things we believe in.
• He bloomed through corruption, deceit and ingenuity of his time. And even though Andres Bonifacio may have lived over a century ago, learning about him is one of the main reasons why I keep coming back to this organization and why I continue to learn about my culture.

---

Okay, that's everything I could think of...



There's one more thing!



What?



... [Pauses staring at her] I'll tell you tomorrow! [Runs off with a list of things to buy in his hands]


...What the heck just happened?

Limitations

[ Sighs ]



Hey Pa Sivv, you don't look like yourself today... What's on your mind?



... Q. Rius. I think I have a problem. I'll tell you, but you can't tell anyone. I'd tell S. Mart, but he's too much of a blabber mouth.


Oh... okay! You can trust me. :]



Q. Rius... I get scared to stand up for myself. The reason why I can be so passive and full of jokes sometimes is because it usually doesn't require that I have to stand my ground... Like Hayta. Damn, she's assertive. It's intimidating.

Pa Sivv! It's not as bad as you think! I mean, look at the life you have. You have everything you need to live. You're living a stable life. You're doing well! You must've stood up for yourself to get where you are today many times!

But Q. Rius... The reason why I have everything is because I never stepped on people's toes before. I always did what I had to, without upsetting anyone.


... So what are you trying to say?



I want to be more... But I'm scared.



Scared of what? What's holding you back?



... People. What they'd think. They've always seen me this way... I'm scared to change... I'm scared of what they'll say... And what if I change for the worse?


Pa Sivv...

---
Limitations
Cultural Presentation
Fri. Nov. 21st, 2008

---

Parts of the presentation that's offered here (the rest may come later):
[] Youtube Video of the Cultural Presentation
[x] Jen Amos' Opening Word - "Limitations"
[] Discussion groups - Topic: "Am I Limited?"
[] Sarah Marasigan's Poem
[x] RonJ Pascual's Poem
[x] Thanh Hoang's Poem (*Added 11/26)
[] Jon Valdez' Poem
[x] "Young Won's" Poem
[x] Jen Amos' Closing Poem

---

"Limitations" by Jen Amos

Am I Limited?

My name is Jen Amos.
I’m 20 years old and a military kid
I go to SDSU and am a third year student.
I’m also active in AB Samahan a Filipino organization
Because I’m a curious Filipina, a curious Filipina American

I’m here to learn about my roots so one day I can grow new fruits
I feel like the first course of action in figuring out my passion is to first know where I come from
So I use this organization’s resources and meet many faces
I absorb as much as I can because I know it’ll help me get places
I’m driven by passion that I have to mention…sometimes I find myself overwhelmed with enthusiasm
But to keep it simple, I’m striving to succeed striving to achieve beyond the definition of success that many people believe
I truly believe I can do and succeed in anything I put my heart into
But often do others challenge me in what I believe is true

I usually get that look, kind of like a look of doubt
Why the lack of confidence? Is there something you want to forewarn me about?

“Watch out for obstacles, especially society’s norms and unwritten regulations.
Jen, you’re driven now but wait till you realize your limitations.”

Excuse me? My limitations?

Am I limited because I live in the new millennium?
The age of information that has preceded industrialization?
Information has become easily attainable
Hello! I can get anything
Whatever, whenever, however I want to be knowledgeable

Am I limited?
Because I live in the USA? An individualist country.
We’re all about progression in our own personal succession that teamwork is rarely genuine. Oh, the competition
Not to mention the imposition we cast upon one another
“Do this yourself. The resources are out there. You have to apply yourself. This is how you’ll get better.”
But I have to be proactive cause if I am reactive, none of this will be possible

Okay… I gotta admit… Maybe that’s one of my limitations. I get scared to reach out and ask questions.
I get scared to ask for help and just wish someone would reach out to me.

Am I limited?
Because I can get hesitant. More than half of the things I do I am afraid. I’m not always confident.
Competition is intimidating. And I usually avoid debating cause I’ll always find someone who can refute better than me.
I am most afraid to speak up for what I believe is right.
Let alone stepping out of my comfort zone.

But before I can get in dept about my insecurities, you hint at me
“Jen, the limitations are beyond what you struggle with internally…”

So what is it? What else can limit me?

Am I limited because my family expects so much from me?
They try guilt tripping me to abide and agree
“We gave you everything and we can take it away just as easily.”
Am I limited because my friends and my significant other mean so much to me?
That I make too many sacrifices and use up a lot of my studying time just to make them happy?

What else could it be? You tell me to think less deeply.

Is it my homeland’s history?
If it’s not America today, is it the Philippines’ past holding me back?
From 300 years of colonization by the Spaniards to the US
To Manila’s destruction in WWII to the day US gave the Philippines independence
When people look at me, do they associate me with my homeland’s past?
Has what happened before cast a limitation on me.
Do they think I’m sensitive, so they treat me differently?

It’s less than that, isn’t it?
It’s less than my location, less than the people I love
Less than my history.
It must deal with equity … or lack there of

Am I limited?
Because of my age? Because I’m a student?
Because I’m a female?

Or am I limited because of my origin
The color of my skin
The fact that I’m a Pinay
If I try my best in anything I want to do will it bring great reward to me?
Or will that glass ceiling keep me down because I’m a minority?

[ This is where we break into discussion groups (Topic: "Am I Limited"). When discussions end, poems are recited. ]

---

Break (Samahan Cultural Exclusive)
By RonJ Pascual

Am I limited?

What I am does not define me.
Where my roots are planted does not bind me,
matter of fact it's where I'm from that drives me.

I am inspired to make a change.
A change in how the world sees me
and a change in how I see the world.

The structure of society might try to
limit me and hold me down with its stereotypes,
but it is that very challenge to my potential
that makes the difference.

Pilipino ako.
Acquiescent I am not.

I am a son of a culture brimming
with beauty and pride.

My history is that of perseverance and heart;
of conquerors of destiny.

I am a descendant of warriors, philosphers,
artists, and musicians.

Mabuhay.
A word that lived in the hearts of revolutions
and a belief that led movements.

Am I limited?

Ako ay Pilipino.

I am limitless.

---
Poem by Thanh Hoang

Am I limited?
Let's flip this metaphoric script
And I ask you,
Do you limit yourself?
Are you limited by these
Preconceived notions that
you constantly mentally note,
that you aren't as good
as anyone out there
just because the color of
your skin,
the color of your hair,
the color of your eyes
the color of any of your
characteristics that differentiate
you... from... them?

I ask you,
Do you limit yourself?
Are you limited by
The Untangible?
By your history,
By your culture,
By your economic standing,
or do you lack time and funds?

Do you limit yourself?
Yes,
The only limit you have is
the limits of your imagination
and your will and determination.

---

Poem by "Young Won"

In this world I feel so limited
I'm am not able to live to what I really wanted
I had plans on what I wanted to do in college
But it’s hard
When I live in a home
Where my dad is pulling me back
With a chain full of stones
I can’t escape his grasps because I’m tied to his home

I want to be able to do what I want
But I cant, because he wants me to do what he wants
I can’t do what I want to do
Because I live under his roof
He is the one who gave me my shirt and my shoes
I wanted to do something with my self
I wanted to get away from everyone else
I wanted to be free
Fly skies, and over the seas
To fly around the world, and feel the breeze
But I couldn’t because he wanted to watch over me
I am the one who wanted to get away from him
But he told me it would be against my religion
That it would be a sin
My life to me looks grim
He has me in a chokehold

Suppressing me, putting me in a box
I’m telling him I want to get out but he says, “Hey I'm the one who bought your shoes and your socks.”
Pops, your limiting me
Your holding back from my friends
I miss the laughter I used to have with them
I ask him if I can get out for a minute
And he says no because I didn’t bring it
Because I didn’t bring the grades
Because you wanted strait A’s
But all I could get were B’s
Hey pops cant you see
That you are living in a different reality
You are limiting me
With all the rules you are giving me
I'm sorry I can’t see what you see
That I am a different generation, a different seed
You can’t see what I see
I see a different reality
You are the one limiting me
I told you I want to be away from your home
So I could have the ability to roam
I want to find that grass that is greener
But you said I have to stay here
You are steering my car, my ride, my life
I hope you know that this isn’t right
You say that you are proud
But actions speak louder than words, and your actions are loud
You being disappointed in me hurts more than you being mad
I am sorry I am not what you wanted dad

U denied me my right to study where I wanted
I got into every college I applied to
But you wanted me to stay here and go to SDSU
I said I wanted to go to San Francisco state
I said I wanted my own place
But you said I had to stay
Can’t you see that you are the one limiting me?
From what I can potentially be
So will you take this time
To listen to your own son’s rhymes
Because pops you are the one limiting me
From MY true REALITY

---
Jen Amos' Closing Poem

Am I limited?
Is anything internally holding me back? Is anything externally throwing me off track?
Will I be kept down because I’m a minority?

I say no. I’m only as inferior as I allow myself to be.
I say forget external factors, forget that.
I will be aware of unwritten limitations but I won’t let them hold me back.
I will not be defeated before I even begin battle
There’s just so many lives I want to touch so many lives to rattle

I’m going to do whatever it takes.
Because I have what it takes.
I have what it takes
Damnit, I have what it takes.

I’ve considered the stakes
Discrimination and stereotypes, I will break them
It starts with how I feel inside and the potential I have within

---

... Pa Sivv?



... I have a lot of thinking to do.