MY MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

March 31, 2012.

My Middle East Crisis: Anatomy of a Meltdown: An Interesting Experience in Perception, Censorship, Arts/Culture, and Wigging Out in a Strange Land

It’s been six days since I’ve been back and I still can’t get Art Dubai out of my head. I haven’t slept well. I still have the eye infection I got from the dust storms during my last days there. I still feel kinda mindfucked. So kindly allow me to talk myself through this. Stop me if you have heard this before.

I went to Art Dubai with my mind and heart open. It felt like - and still feels like an absolute privilege. I’ve never been invited to an international art fair before, much less commissioned to come and perform in one. Half a year ago, a lovely lady named Savita came to my tour. She watched my Imelda Tour at the CCP Complex as recommended by a common friend in HongKong. She told me she loved it at the end of the tour. To push things forward, the lovely lady turned out to be one of the directors of Art Dubai and she managed to put me on the performance programme of Art Dubai 2012. Soon enough, I had a ticket to Dubai in my hands.

Journey began on March 18, 2012. The first thing you’ll notice about Dubai is their airline. Top notch. Quality all around. From the food, the multi-cultural staff, the little cold towels that they give you – EVEN in Economy class. Emirates: ‘Nuff Said.

Arriving in Dubai was even more strombotic. The airport as well as the city itself was all glitz and glamour – and wonderfully so at times. From the ambitious hotels, the unapologetic malls, to the surprisingly fantastic quality of the sand on the beach, Dubai looks like everything you’ve seen it advertised to be. But it’s still a city trying to grow into itself. Many things were a little too far apart, many things were a little too dusty, many things were just a little too “hot”.

But Art Dubai was amazing. Set in the Madinat Jumeirah, right next to the legendary 7 star hotel, The Burj Al Arab, it is one of the most majestic settings you could find for any art fair. Fine, things were a little twee here and there but admittedly so. The place is seven years old. But nevertheless, as a resort, mall, and convention center, it at least made the attempt of having a personality. Not like the nondescript convention centers that I’ve seen at other art fairs.

They were doing things right for this art fair. The staff were young, learned, snappy and savvy, the graphics were crisp and contemporary, the selected countries on exhibition were a good mix between East and West. Their Cartier installation was stunning to say the least, and the winners of the Abraaj Prize pushed the envelope as well as any other artist of their caliber in the world. I even told the Khaleej Times that I was thrilled by the variety of work and discourse.

I was surprised to see such work at Art Dubai. When it comes to the Middle East. Let’s not deny. We all have preconceived notions, most especially about Middle East tastes and sensibilities. No overt sexual content, no Arab Spring and expect lots of paintings of horses. I’m glad that my notions were shaken apart.

Here are two other interesting works that I saw around Dubai in the Al Quoz district on Alserkal Avenue during Art Week. Edgy. Impressive.‎ I especially liked the environment installed inside Gallery Isabel Van Den Eynde: I PUT IT THERE YOU NAME IT by Ramin & Rokni Haerizadeh and Hesam Rahmanian of Iran.

Another one that really got me, "Blink" by Qwaswra Hafez and Raneem Farsi from Saudi Arabia at Ayyam Art Projects. Korans in the shape of the World Trade Center. Whoa.

I spent the first two days trying to find works within the exhibition to act as an inspiration for my narrative. I found a set of great photos in front of which I could perform my “1972 Martial Law” narrative, Jim Allen Abel’s “Board of Generals” (above) at D Gallerie Jakarta, paintings of “James Dean” (@bymaliha) and “Bruce Lee” by Chan Yu of Connoiseur Contemporary Gallery of HongKong where I could perform Imelda’s New York party days and journey to Tripoli.

Jogja Contemporary's Valentine Willie was also kind enough to let me hang a photo installation of the CCP Complex for the end of Act One's "The Dreams of the New Society".

I also scattered framed photos by Stagen Si of Eric Quebral's CCP Complex architecture installation at Silverlen's Gallery around the venue to push the narrative along.

All went well for the first two performances. I couldn’t complain. I was enthusiastic by the reception of both the galleries and the guests.

But things started to unravel for me at 6pm on a Friday, March 23. I started the third performance of “Livin’ La Vida Imelda”. Same time. Same Place. Lobby Area. Near the entrance of the Arena at the Madinat Jumeirah.

All went well. Biggest crowd of the past three days (@ramie2003). I was already comfortable with the spaces, the pacing, and was already adept at using the new iPad element to the performance. The crowd was multi-cultural with a considerable Philippine contingent. They were responsive. Best performance experience I had at Art Dubai. Great crowd. Different ages, persuasions, and pretty much the epitome of what I imagined Dubai’s population to be like: chic, cosmopolitan, and well, with a heavy Philippine contingent.

But somehow, somewhere in the middle of the second act, was when I noticed things were a little off. Right around after the act where I’m talking about the 1976 IMF – World Bank Meeting in Manila, I notice a tall Arab man in long robe called a dishadash watching my performance. He had a really odd, intent stare. I thought; “OK. That is an odd stare but this is Dubai, they must be guests and patrons of Art Dubai.” But then suddenly, "The Tall One" starts filming me on his cellphone. This is not permitted in any of my other performances - But I let it pass, I’m too occupied by my tour to even bother and “Maybe he wants to upload it to youtube” I thought. Then I notice more men in robes joining the tour. By the time I do my act next to Connoisseur Contemporary HK when Imelda Meets Moammar Khaddafy, I notice that these men were no longer just milling but joined our group for certain.

“The Tall One” is still filming me on his cellphone.

But then suddenly, after I finish performing “The Manila Film Center 1982” spiel and lead my group to a booth in the upstairs foyer where there’s an iPad on the wall, “The Large One” stops me in my tracks. He asks me to follow him away from the group. I can see the concern in the eyes of the people I’m leaving. I’m taken back down the escalator into the basement entrance, he shoos away a person who was standing nearby and takes me INTO the parking lot itself.

I can’t give you his words verbatim but I do remember these issues being brought forward. “Are you only talking about Philippines and not another country?", “Are you talking about Arabic Country”, “Why are you talking about governments of another country?” He was not being mean, but was admonishing, and seemingly more concerned with my safety and what others around me might hear. In the end, I was advised to stick to issues that only pertained to the Philippines. “Fine” I said.

I returned to the group jarred, annoyed but nevertheless, capable of maintaining the cocky persona necessary to complete the tour without causing concern. I mean, I’m the leader here. Don’t let anyone see fear in your eyes. “The Tall One” was still there. Still filming me on his cellphone. But even before I could start, we were now told that our entire group had to move away from the booth with the iPad, The group with me were now very concerned. “The Large One” directed us away from the foyer and back downstairs to the foot of the escalator. “For Your Own Security” was a term I heard used more than once at this point. What does that mean? “For Your Own Protection” is a term I hear in mafia movies and usually without a happy consequence.

“The Tall One” was still filming me on his cellphone. (above - on the right)

But somehow, I managed to finish the performance. A little tense, a few technical glitches, and not exactly within the terms that I wanted, but I was happy and took a bow with flourish punctuated by a meaningful glare at the “Tall One” – who was not filming me anymore at this point.

And this is the part that I now wonder where it all went wrong for me. Did this all happen to me because of that glare? Would I have gone through what I went through if I didn’t glare?

After the tour was done, the group slowly drifted away. Last to go were groups of fellow Filipinos who chatted me up, shook my hand, and made “Kodakan” (took photos) with me. Before leaving, one of them told me in a hushed tone, “Carlos, please don’t let them censor you – this is our story.”

Then suddenly “The Tall One” approaches me. “May I have a photo too?” I oblige nervously. Is this a fanboy photo? Or is it a subtle way of getting a mugshot for their files? Until now, I still don’t know. I only know he still has my photo – and the video of my performance.

But just as I was walking away from him and towards my friend Marian – we were supposed to have dinner together - “The Large One” approaches me once again. “Come With Me”, he said. “This won’t take long.” I’m taken with my bag of “Livin’ La Vida Imelda” books and props into a security room right across the men’s room of the Arena Hall next to D Gallerie Jakarta.

Now this is where it all gets cinematic for me. Why am I being taken into custody? Who are these people taking me into custody? Were they police? I could have sworn I heard them introduce themselves as police. Someone in the group told me later on that he also heard them introduce themselves as the police. But either way, Why the fuck am I being taken away?

I hurriedly texted my liason, Ghada, about what’s happening to me. She first tries to assure me that I’m OK. I give her the details of the situation and my location. She soon realizes that I just might not be as OK as she thought and goes to where I was being kept.

Ghada was never allowed in the room with me. I could only see Ghada through a half open door. Each time that our eyes would meet, I would try to telepathically communicate with her that I would like some help "Please get me out of this". To say I was really worried at this point would be an understatement – and by the look of her face – it seems she was on the same page as I. My life has now had seemingly become a bad episode on the National Geographic channel – or a cheap Lifetime Network movie at the least.

Of course, I sat there trying to look as brave as I could. “The Large One” speaks to me, “How are you? “ he asks. I tell him the truth, “I’m confused. Why am I here? “. He answers, “You’ll be OK. Everything is fine” and asks me if I would like something to drink. I say no twice before eventually accepting two disposable cups of water. The one with the top you peel off? You know, the one you get on airplanes stuck inside the cup of your inflight meal? But I digress.

But also, at this point of the story, I’d just like to clarify among those who are raised in the western pop culture cinematic sensibility, isn’t “Sssh. Everything will be OK. You’ll be fine.” the last thing that is whispered in your ear before you are shot behind the head in the woods? Nice try, “Large One”, but Not. Comforting. At. All.

Soon enough I see through the half open door the faces of Ben, the founder of Art Dubai, and Art Dubai director, Antonia. They called the big guns. "Fuck. I’m really in trouble now, ain’t I?" They both look worried.

Not. Comforting. Once. Again.

Finally, Three random “Men In Robes” arrive along with who I gather to be the Alpha Arab in the set, “The Man with the Baseball Cap”. All four of them enter the room.

The door closes.

Now time goes by oddly at this point. I personally estimate to have been inside that room for an hour. Some say I was only there for forty five minutes, but at that moment it felt like forever. The interrogation/questioning begins. Another glass of water. Now it seems that “Baseball Cap” speaks Filipino. He knows that I lived in New York. He asks me what country I’m from. What countries I have lived in. He asks me how it is living in Malate. He knows where I’ve lived and where I currently live! The man did a background check? Obviously. He then asks for my hotel address. I said the Media Rotana. I lied and said I wasn’t sure which Rotana it was. Of course, I knew it was the one on Tecom.
Why does he need to know where my hotel is located though? Are you going to send people there?

Next the “Men in Robes” take their places beside me on the other side of the desk as the “Man in The Baseball Cap” sits across me. This time, the issues brought forward are more specific. “What are your views on Islam and Arabic Country”, “Why did you use the words, Mohammed, Koran, Moammar Khadafy.” I answer as truthfully as I can. Each word that I utter accompanies a drop of sweat from my brow. Each word dropping from my lips might possibly be the one that would send me to a prison and into the demography of Filipinos kept in jails throughout the Middle East.

Truth be told, I’ve been in a situation like this before. As we speak, I’m in a legal battle with Manila Cathedral hierarchy for doing a protest action called "Damaso" during an ecumenical meeting last September 30, 2010. But at least at that time, I was in my home country, among my countrymen, I was speaking about my religion, and I was under a law that I didn’t quite agree with but I did understand. The implications and context here in Dubai were completely different. I was alone. I was not speaking to my countrymen, I was not speaking about MY religion, and I was under a set of laws that I didn’t know much less understand.

Oh my god. Please don’t ask me about religion. Do not ask me to talk about Islam. I have no idea what would be the right or wrong answer here. Ask me to talk about anything but your religion. Talking out of line about Islam is the stuff that beheadings and fatwahs are made of. So with my heart in my throat, I recount the imagined 1976 conversation between Imelda and Khaddafy from my performance - word for word.

In Imelda's voice I say: "Islam is all about peace, and if you are funding a war in my country that is not only pitting Filipino against Filipino, but you are also pitting Muslim against Muslim. How are you following Mohammed?" All the time flipping through a book with pictures of Andal Ampatuan Sr., Nur Misuari, Moammar Khaddafy and Imelda, the signing of the Tripoli agreement, and photos of dismembered bodies splayed across a Maguindanao landscape.

Silence, conversations among themselves ensue and I am left alone with “Man with the Baseball Cap” at this point.

I now text Ghada: “Please go to my room, get my computer and throw it in a river.”

That’s how freaked out I was. I thought there was no way out.

I mean, my reaction may seem out of control, but Dubai is an Arabic country – one of seven in the United Arab Emirates. And frankly, I’ve never known much about the Middle East except for what I have read and have seen on the news, literature, and media. And those perceptions come with preconceived notions and stereotypes. Mysterious, exotic, abundant, but also intolerant, extremist, and aggressive are many of the stereotypes we have of the Arab world. And please forgive me, but I brought the latter notions with me into that room with the closed door.

And having said that, all these issues started running through my head. What is illegal in this country? What could I have done or said that would be illegal? Was it the flamboyance of my handkerchief when I channeled Imelda? Was that illegal? Is pretending to be a woman illegal? Was it all that talk about Moammar Khaddafy a referral to the Arab Spring? Was that illegal? Was the mere mention of the name of the Koran by a non-Muslim illegal? Was holding an imaginary Koran illegal? Was speaking the name of God in falsetto also considered an illegal act too? What were the limits here? I didn’t know. Perhaps I should have, but right there and then – I. Didn’t. Know.

And these were the issues that really drove to the heart of me. Perhaps everything that I am all about is illegal here? I've worked and have done protest actions with the Reproductive Health and LBGT movement in the Philippines. I am an open bisexual. I am queer - as queer as a fucking three dollar bill. I have collaborated with and donated to radical women’s rights organizations, HIV/AIDS organizations. I won Mr. Gay Pride 2010. I have correspondence on my laptop with leftists, atheists, freethinkers, radical activists in the United States, the Philippines, among many other countries. Could that be illegal? I talk of marijuana and other stimulants illegal in most places except Amsterdam in many of my personal writings. I have a court case currently pending for “blasphemy” and “offending religions” in the Philippines. And just like any red-blooded male in the world. I have porn. Not fucked up underaged stuff with animal shitplay kinda porn. But porn – which I know – as a fact – is illegal in Dubai. PERIOD. I'm perhaps exactly the kind of person they do not want around here.

Oh My God. It is I who am illegal in Dubai.

“It’s rude to use a cellphone while I’m talking to you.” Says, “The Man With the Baseball Cap.” Interrupting me. I stop and smile weakly - visions of police heading to my hotel room running in my head.

OMG. “Get me the Fuck Out of this Country”.

And then just as it started, it ended.

Before I knew it, “The Man with the Baseball Hat” sternly advises me that I should tone things down and “perhaps” take out religion and politics from my performance and I am out the door into a hug from Antonia and a pat on the back by Ben.

Soon after, Ghada and Marian walk with me out of the Exhibition Hall into the Art Dubai closing party across the bridge on a place called “Fort Island”. I had a lovely albeit glazed evening with Koken, Marian, Ben and Antonia as a funky DJ played. Free white wine flowed. I experienced fear and luxury within minutes. Antonia and Ben profusely apologized and we had a deep conversation about issues in the Middle East, Dubai, arts and culture. Antonia and Ben are good people and even they were as rattled as I was. They were not part of the fear that I felt earlier. My mind was still fucked but I was nearing a zone where I could be comfortable. I didn’t feel so alone anymore. I didn't feel so illegal.

So as a concession and result of our discussion about toning things down, editing stuff out, or even performing in a closed room, I told them that I decided to cancel the show. If I didn’t do the spiel in its entirety, it wasn’t being true to its form. And how safe was I to perform? I mean, if the security doesn’t understand me. How much more some random person who would also take my words out of context as they were passing by? I finally tell Antonia and Ben before leaving that the ball was in their court. Frame what happened to me. But just don’t deny it. We can’t say that I cancelled my tour because I was sick. That was the only thing I could ask.

But things always look different in the morning light of the desert.

The next morning found me in a vortex.

I checked out of the hotel with my clothes in a garbage bag - totally zoned out on the fact that I had to check out that day - my flight was at 3am the following day. I thought I had another night. I left my luggage at the Madinat Jumeirah in a storage room. I found myself on an emotional edge. I had a glaze-eyed lunch with my friends Jet and Bret at the Jumeirah Hotel Beachcomber and somehow as I was looking at that huge hotel looming before me and was munching on a vast tropical buffet as a Filipino cover band sang Little Richard covers, I didn’t feel right about what had happened to me at all the night before. At all.

The interference, the other two censorship cases, the intimidation I felt, and well, intimidation in general reeled through my head. Something was ticking and unresolved inside me. “Come let’s discuss” Antonia texted. I was more than willing to see things her way.

But when I arrived at the Madinat Jumeirah at a little before four thirty, I saw this white card at the VIP Desk. “Due to ill health and unforeseen circumstances, the ACAP Live Review at 1230 and the Carlos Celdran performance at 1630 have been cancelled. Thank you”

I read it twice. I’m sorry, but does this note read that I was “sick”? This is exactly what I requested not to be said. One of the ladies behind the counter asked how I was feeling. OK. Confirmed. It does sound like I’m sick.

And then - my deepest apologies to all who witnessed me. I wigged out. I really. Wigged. Out.

I suddenly felt that Art Dubai was trying to hide the intimidation and fear that I felt in that room. I felt that my experience was diminished. I felt that Antonia and Ben were actually never on my side. I felt alone. But Of course I was not. I had made friends with the people of Art Dubai. These are good people. I was hanging out with new friends Jet and Bret, and I had Ghada, Natasha, Marian, Koken and a lot of other people behind me. But somehow red flashed before my eyes and I felt desperate.

“Why do you need to lie? I’m not sick!” I texted Antonia. I posted the damn picture on facebook.

She ran to me to console, Ben soon followed. But the freaky feeling and screaming that I felt inside the night before had to come out. They insisted it was all a misunderstanding, that it was all three musicians of the event that were sick and not me. I was not the “ill health” but the “unforeseen circumstance”. It was just all semantics. Things were OK.

I’m sorry but the note reads that I was sick. "No more negotiations."

I couldn’t see it their way at all. All I saw was that my experience was being hidden, I felt that I could not trust them and I that had no one on my side. It was at this point I became admittedly unreasonable. I mean, after the last two censorships at Art Dubai 2012, the removal of Moroccan artist Zakaria Ramhani's work, entitled “You Were My Only Love" (above) which portrayed the infamous image of the beaten Egyptian woman who's bra was exposed as she was dragged by police forces and Palestinian artist Shadi Al Zaqzouq's work “After Washing" (below), a painting of a woman rebel holding underwear with the word, "Leave" written on it, what part of this doesn’t make me think this was a coverup? Was I supposed to be quiet about this? After going through that FEAR, I now have to keep quiet and just leave the country without closure? We will discuss? Do we have time to discuss? WHAT will we discuss? What do I have to GAIN by being quiet? What lessons can I learn from being QUIET?

And I responded to this by doing a last minute performance. I wrapped my mouth with tape and packed my bags intently and angrily in public as Antonia and Ben quietly pleaded for me to calm down and pack my bags in the organizers office downstairs. It was the most frenetic, panicky performance I have ever done. I refused to go downstairs again.

“Get Me the Fuck Out Of Here”
Impromptu Performance, March 24, 2012 4:45PM
Materials: Suitcase, personal belongings, scotchtape, me.

It’s not one of my best works. Granted. Not thought out and more melodramatic than my usual works. But if ever I have to say, it was the most cathartic experiences of my life. It was a performance I felt truly and absolutely defined exactly what I was feeling at the time. I decided not to be silent. I decided to react. It personally felt much more sincere than the ten year old schtick that got me this gig to begin with and felt like a closure to the repressed panic I felt the night before. And Thank You Antonia and Ben for letting me work through it.

And word went out.

Yahoo News GMA News ABS-CBN Asian Journal Art Leaks

After being lavished with a luxury suite at the Mina A Salam (Thank you very much Art Dubai organizers for that room – it really wasn’t necessary – but thank you), and it was the Sunday March 25, 3am Emirates flight directly to Manila for me.

And back in the warm light of home, the issues flooded back to me. Time had passed. I was a little sheepish about my behavior and more analytical of the issues. Was my tour “censored” or was my tour just “interrupted”? Was my fear justified? Is there a difference between interrogated or questioned? Is there a difference between censoring and self-censoring? How did they get my background information? Why didn’t the organizers foresee something like this happening?

Taking me aside, questioning me, making me finish my tour away from my originally planned route crowded is rude, but is it illegal? Filming my performance and knowing my personal information was a traumatic violation of my privacy, but since I now KNOW that I wasn’t guilty of a crime, was I ever under threat at all? Can I be forgiven for not seeing it that way at that time because I didn’t I know the rules of the game nor the outcome? And even though they DID introduce themselves as police (I have another witness to attest) they turned out only to be local Jumeirah security forces after all. I learned after that the forces around me were only minor ones. And that note. That note. Until the evening before I left, people were still asking me if I was feeling OK but if Antonia and Ben claim it was a misunderstanding, I'll take their word for it.

But then again, perhaps it was my ADHD addled brain, perhaps it was my ego, perhaps it was my low threshold for stress, that last tab of acid I took in college, my family's bipolar inclinations or even Mercury in Retrograde - but I'm sorry. Whatever the reason may have been, I just couldn’t help but snap back in Art Dubai and it was that little white note which triggered me. That white note was the catalyst that brought me to the floor, into a fetal position, wailing, and rocking back and forth. I guess that was the moment when I didn't feel safe to be me in Dubai anymore.

So in the end, Art Dubai has two cases of real censorship; one case of censorship weirdness lite (that’s me), a record number of 22,000 visitors and highest sales of their six year history. The numbers speak for themselves. Congratulations and more power next year, Art Dubai. Mazeltov.

And let me make it clear to everyone. Do not judge all Dubai, Art Dubai and The Middle East by my experience. This surreal sandstorm of misunderstanding, miscommunication, and mishandling happened to me and only me. Yes, it really screwed my perception and experience of Dubai and Art Dubai and I’m still processing my experience. But the big picture still holds true, Art Dubai and Dubai itself are leading the path to progressive thought in the UAE and for that I commend them and fully support them. I really do. Although it may seem like one step forward, two steps back every year, the journey has started and I hope they never give it up.

I come back from Dubai with my mind a little more fucked and my heart a little more hardened and it’s not entirely a bad thing. I learned lessons in Art Dubai, I was front row witness to what Arab Spring can do a country. After all, if I felt intimidated, unheard, frustrated, angry, and desperate all at once. How much more the average person who’s really caught up in a daily situation of oppression, rebellion, and censorship in the Middle East?

But if anything that I know, my fear in that room at that moment was real. It’s as real as the anger felt by people who feel they have been wronged. It’s as real as the frustration every artist and actor experiences when their painting is taken off a wall or whose voice is silenced by a bullet or truncheon. It's as real as the uncertainty many Filipinos experience when caught up in a legal system far from home. It’s as real as the confusion felt by every person rendered helpless and alone by the Arab Spring.

The intentions of organizers or Art Dubai are pure. It will not be denied. A world with Art Dubai is better than a world without Art Dubai. Frankly, I am grateful and humbled by the experience. I am grateful for their response as well:

“Art Dubai is a cultural event. Our performance programme is about taking an innovative approach to engaging audiences, as part of Art Dubai’s extensive community-oriented, not-for-profit programme of events. Of course, given the great Filipino community in the UAE, we were so happy to have the opportunity to engage -- just as we reach out to all communities in the UAE. The arts scene in the UAE is opening up year-on-year, and providing great opportunities for artists and young people to engage in debate and art and design production. This is a very isolated incident and naturally, as hosts and curators, we regret any upset to the artist. In general, the fair and our programmes aim to build links between communities, and lead to a greater understanding of the role of art and performance in society."

Thank you for acknowledging this isolated incident and thank you for the regret. I’m happy that you are not diminishing my experience and for that, I do not diminish your intentions.

So at the end of it all, I am ready to move on. I'm back home - rattled, vertigous, but unscathed and ultimately - educated.

And that is far more than I expected from any fancy art fair.

And for that Art Dubai. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!

YOU KNOW I CAN'T SMILE...

I visited Philippine General Hospital today. Why? I don't know. I just wanted to see what things are like on the ground. Being the son of a pediatrician, it only makes sense that I should go and see what things are like for kids out there in Manila's hospitals. Thank you Kimmy, for granting my request to see what things were like at PGH and what they do over at www.smiletrain.ph (below).

I learned that cleft palate is ngo-ngo & it's a bit tragic. Ngo-ngo is when genetic factors coupled with a badly managed pregnancy, results in a face not fully "formed". Although non-life threatening, it affects a person psychologically (think: ngo-ngo joke) and affects a person's development as a confident adult. And since lack of education about planning a pregnancy is a major factor here, well, it's mostly the lower economic strata of the Philippines that is affected. Note to self and YOU ALL: No more ngo-ngo jokes.

I'll tell you some stuff that I learned this morning: There are 4,500 cases of ngo-ngo born every year. In PGH alone, over 100 surgeries are completed annually. The PH has double the rate of that of the US or any other developed nation (US: 1 in 1,000; PH: 1 in 500). Most, if not, ALL of these cases require post-procedure therapy. There are only Two, yes TWO universities in the Philippines that teach speech therapy. UP and UST. Do a little math and you can see that we still have a long way to go. Folks, take speech therapy over nursing or PT. There is a huge demand.

Even though some might think that connecting high incidence of ngo-ngo in the PH to the RH Bill might be a stretch, I think the issues are totally connected. Cleft lips are mostly a product of badly managed pregnancies, Ngo-ngo mostly happens among the lower economic strata of the PH, and incidents keep increasing in the PH. And to not see the connection between education, reproductive health access to the poorer sectors and gov't population management in solving this problem, is to well, just be arrogantly ignorant or delusional. Without agencies like www.smiletrain.ph, it would be IMPOSSIBLE for the overstretched PH gov't health system to solve this problem on it's own.

I also heard that PGH is not under the Department of Health but is mostly run by the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine. Cool! From being part of the underfunded Philippine public health system, it's now been transferred to the auspices of the underfunded Philippine educational system. But hope springs eternal, I see that many wings have been renovated due to private efforts (Senate spouses, Alumni orgs, Corporate endeavors), and even a spanking new Reproductive Health wing is being constructed. I certainly hope the Ortolls (the name on the building) support reproductive health access (both natural & artificial) for Filipinos.

Sigh. I still dream of the day when the Philippine health system would no longer be overstretched. A day when there will be just the right amount of doctors with the right amount of hospitals catering to the right amount of patients and everyone is given an equal chance of a healthy life in ALL economic sectors of the Philippines. But given the spirit of the health workers that I met at PGH and www.smiletrain.ph today, that day is getting closer and closer. (above: birthing room under construction at the Ortoll Reproductive Health Center at PGH.)

Please please PLEASE donate to www.smiletrain.ph and pass the #RHBill.

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

Now showing in Vancouver, June 10 to 11, 2011! See you there!

LIVE THE LIFE!

Come to my Livin' La Vida Imelda Show at the Twist Gallery in Toronto on June 2-5. It will be a night of disco, dictators, and a whole lotta dirty laundry. Log onto www.kapisanan.com for details.

WALK HIS WAY!

GO WITH GREG...

As you know, I am on tour in Canada and the U.S. until July 2. I'll be bringing the Imelda and Intramuros tours to North America. Meanwhile, in my absence, Mr. Greg Dorris, an honorary Filipino who has been living in the city for more than 20 years will be touring the Walled City in my absence (above). If you really need your Intramuros kick, Greg will be more than happy to provide. His regular schedule is listed below.

June 4 (Saturday)

June 5 (Sunday)

June 11 (Saturday)

June 18 (Saturday)

June 19 (Sunday)

June 25 (Saturday)

June 26 (Sunday)

July 2 (Saturday)

July 3 (Sunday)

Details:

Tour begins at the San Agustin Church at 3:00pm and concludes at Fort Santiago by 5:30pm. Tour fee is 750 including entrance to the both the San Agustin Church Museum and Fort Santiago, and a kalesa ride between the two. Please sign up to reserve a space with Lesley at +63920-9092021.

Minimum number of reservations for a tour to proceed is 10.

Contact Greg Dorris for additional information at +63916-7669170.

FROM THE MAILBAG...

A heartwarming story about the Philippines and the nature of the Filipino...

Dear Carlos,

I had the great fortune to participate in your tour of Intramuros when I was in Manila on Friday afternoon, March 11, 2011. The tour was not just entertaining but terrifically informative even if it opened my eyes to some of the typical American embarrassments we cause for ourselves. Interesting how so much of what you pointed out never made it into the history lessons I was taught!

I do have a great story for you though which made my first visit to Manila a real intense personal experience and showed your City and her People to be warm, caring and highly spiritual.

A friend and I had a flight on Cebu Pacific to Bangkok on March 15, 2011 from NAIA 3 International Airport and stopped for a snack at the San Miguel Food Shop in the Departures area. When we left to board our flight, I forgot my hand bag on a chair in the snack shop. It contained everything...money, credit cards, ATM cards, Travelers Checks, my checkbook, two watches, rings, my driver's license, all my health insurance cards, future flight information, my address book...basically everything I needed for life!!!!! I discovered I lost it an hour into the flight so you can imagine how delightful the rest of the flight was! The only thing I did have with me was my passport since I needed to have it with my boarding pass to get on the plane.

Long, long story short, the two young men running the shop and the shop owner, Nora Culajara, found my bag, secured it and then got my son's email address out of it and contacted him immediately. A friend living in Manila then was able to get my bag from Nora and bring it to me in Bangkok when he came a few days later. Everything was in place, nothing had been touched as Nora assured me in our emails and calls. Can you even imagine something like this happening almost anywhere in the world and having that kind of an outcome??? Nora has politely refused my attempts at rewarding her and the young men working that day telling me the reward for them is knowing they were able to help me make it through a very stressful situation. Genuine kindness and humanity like that doesn't just happen, it's something people are born with and it is the way they live their lives. And it happened in Manila.

I tell my story all the time, especially when people ask me why I chose to go to the Philippines. Yes, as you pointed out on the tour, Manila is a city of extreme contrasts and because of that, people often come away having only experienced the chaotic, gritty part. I want people to know there is a real, lively, spiritual and beautiful Manila and meeting a classy lady like Nora and those two gentle men at the shop has changed forever the way I look at not only your City, but even more importantly, her People!

Maybe if you get a minute, you'd be kind enough to email Nora and thank her and her guys for helping you in your quest to change the way people look at Manila, one step..one person at a time!! You might even be able to incorporate this feel-good story into your tours.

(NORA CULAJARA, email: ARON_1953@yahoo.com)

Best wishes for a nice holiday (your website told me!) and thank you for a terrific visit!

Tom Minicucci

Sarasota, Florida, USA

LIVIN' LA IMELDA GOES TO TORONTO...

MY FULL STATEMENT

THE LAST WORD... PROMISE.

It was hard to get an edge in wordwise last night while I was on HARAPAN. I actually had a two minute statement that I prepared to read out to Joey Lina and Roilo Golez, but there was just no time. So since I couldn't fully express my entire sentiment, here is my statement in full as written before I went on air:

Your Honorables Joey Lina and Roilo Golez.

The Reproductive Health Bill is not a new bill.

It's no secret that the RH Bill has been languishing in Congress for the last 16 years.

And unfortunately, the problems we face today are not new as well.

Because after all your fancy words have been said and done, your economic numbers and scientific data thrown about, one thing will remain for sure: outside on the streets, life is a living hell for a majority of Filipinos.

We’re still plagued by high infant mortality, high maternal deaths, overpopulation, & a skyrocketing HIV and abortion rate and it’s the worst it’s ever been in our history.

And for the last 16 years, people in Congress have been trying to pass the RH Bill, a piece of legislation that would holistically address these issues. And this bill has been held back, delayed, and shot down by Anti-RH lawmakers such as yourselves for reasons that were either legal, economic, or religious.

But it also seems that for the last 16 years, these problems that I have mentioned have gotten worse. So tell me, your honors, if your alternate solutions to the RHBill are so great, why haven’t you implemented them in the last 16 years? Why haven’t I felt its effects on a national scale? Your honors, tell me: After 16 years, why are we STILL where we are?

And since the RH bill has been shot down so many times by lawmakers like you, in effect, we have been trying it your way for the last 16 years and we haven’t seen any tangible results at all. The mortality numbers are still there and staring at us in the face.

So as a member of the public and as your boss – so to speak – allow me to say that either your solutions to these problems have failed, you aren’t doing your job, or you are just plain ineffective as public servants.

I sincerely believe it is time for us to try a different strategy, a new one. We don’t have much choices anymore. Your side has never really presented us with any. It is time to turn away from this ineffectiveness of the last 16 years. It is time to activate the RH bill and let the power of education, information, and choice create a better Philippines before it’s too late.

Because unless you Anti-RH lawmakers can present a cohesive, concrete plan of action to solve these problems holistically TODAY and right now. I’m not going to wait for another 16 years.

Let the RH Bill start doing it’s work or get out of the way. Because if you have no better solutions, then you are just part of the problem.

Sincerely,

A Filipino named Carlos Celdran

Feel Free to cut and paste and sign your own name and send it to them or any other Anti-RH congressman that you know. Let them know that we know.

PRETTY PACO!

PRETTY PACO!

Paco. One of Manila's oldest districts. Named after a fern that once grew abundantly in the area. Paco is the home of historical residences, heritage sites, and really cool architecture. Come with us on a souped up aircon jeepney ride. We'll visit one of the city's oldest cemeteries, a heritage site public market, walk along a cleaner Estero de Paco, visit the 19th century residence of one of the Philippines' most famous historical figures, along with other historical sites.

May 15, 2011 - Sunday
8:30AM

Meet at an American Era Residence on Peñafrancia Extension

Paco Park

Visit American Era Paco Market

Walk Along the Estero de Paco

Laurel Mansion on Peñafrancia Street

Plaza Dilao.

Late Lunch

Php2000.00 inclusive of Jeepney transportation around Paco, and donations to Laurel Foundation/Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission/Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig, and a fantastic organic Filipino buffet lunch at the Fructuoso Compound.

Directions to the starting point at: 1238-B Penafrancia Extension

From Plaza Dilao, follow Pres Quirino Extension around the Philippine Colombian Association. After the second signal and immediately after the Manila-Sacramento Library, turn right. You will see Paco Volunteer Fire trucks. Do not turn right before the library or you will be on West Zamora (the street signs are wrong). Park anywhere along the street. The house is down a small alley on the right side of the street.

From UN Avenue/Unilever, take Pres Quirino Extension toward Plaza Dilao. At the first signal, do a U-turn and immediate hard right onto Penafrancia Extension. You will see the Paco Volunteer Fire trucks. Do not merely turn left or you will end up on West Zamora (the street signs are wrong).

Land line: 564-8635

Cellphone: 0916 7669170

Email: gahdorris@hotmail.com

Only 20 slots available

Tour Guide: Gregory Dorris

Hope to see you guys there. I'll be hopping along on this tour as well. Cheers!

Thank you Just Wandering for the picture of Paco Park.

COOL QUEZON!

SUMMER QUEZON FESTIVAL TOUR!
3 Days 2 Nights Package Festival Tour of Sariaya, Tayabas & Lucban!
Proposed Itinerary

Day 1

(May 12, 2011) Lucban - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

0700 ETA Lucban. Breakfast at Lucban Public Market (pansit hab-hab and siopao)

0900 Start of Lucban Tour

Kamay ni Hesus - located on the slopes of Mt. Banahaw, Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban, Quezon. It features a church where healing masses are celebrated by the known healing priest Fr. Joey Faller. Also on the site is a 292-steps hill with life size figures depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross. On the top is a large statue of Jesus Christ, a 50-foot statue that is said to be the third biggest in the world.

1200 Lunch at Buddy’s Restaurant . Walk. Shop.

0200 Langgonisa Festival- This native sausage is usually homemade. Langanisang Lucban is usually made of ground pork, oregano extract, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic. Every year, Lucban holds the Langgonisang Lucban, an event in search for the longest langgonisang Lucban and Langgonisa eating contest.

0600 Dinner at Abcede’s Restaurant

0700 Mutya ng Lucban Beauty Pageant – Mutya ng Lucban Pageant willl present the women of Lucban, these are the women who will represent Lucban's beauty and intelligence.

1000 Check – in. Sleep.

Resort and Hotel options:

Balai Sadyaya Resort - offers a luxurious theme for special occasions like b-day and weddings. Strategically located near the Poblacion, Sadyaya is also perfect for summer getaways, holiday vacations and even for a simple day tour. It has its own restaurant with Sariaya's cuisine such as the Pancit Hotia, which is the owner's family secret recipe Elegant, stylish and affordable rooms are also available for accommodation.

Dalampasigan Beach & Pool Resort – located at the long stretch of Tayabas Bay, Dalampasigan beach resort offers the ideal venue for out-of-town corporate functions and family gatherings. Activities available in Dalampasigan are: beach and pool swimming, kayaking, play beach volleyball, basketball, billiards or table tennis.

Villa Del Prado Pool & Beach Resort - offers comfort and fun in an idyllic beach setting. In just one day, one can relax sipping coffee outdoor while getting a glimpse of an exotic bird, walking the beach to collect seashells, and building sandcastles. But most of all, Villa Del Prado provides the best way to spend the day at the swimming pool or playing sport activities.

Day 2

(May 13, 2011) Sariaya - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

0800 Breakfast, Swimming at the hotel / resort.

1000 Gala - Rodriguez Ancestral House - The historical town of Sariaya, Quezon is home to a number of ancestral houses. Among the most revered is the two-storey Gala-Rodriguez house owned by one of the most prominent couples in Quezon, Dr. Isidro Rodriguez and Doña Gregoria Gala.Situated in the heart of the town, along the impressive string of houses owned by the “illustrados,” this house is said to have been used as headquarters by the Japanese occupation forces during World War II and later by the American forces. In May 14, 2008, the mansion was declared as a national heritage site by the National Historical Institute (NHI).

Governor Natalio Enriquez Ancestral House - This eye-catching and brick-roofed Sariaya landmark near the church, is an Art Deco style house designed by European schooled architect Andres Luna de San Pedro, the son of artist Juan Luna. It was built in 1931 by erstwhile Tayabas Provincial Governor Natalio Enriquez (1941 - 1945) and his wife Susana Gala. A venue for fabulous social gatherings in pre war Sariaya, it hosted the grand reception during the 1938 wedding of their daughter Alicia to Manuel Gala where Philippine Commonwealth First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon served as principal sponsor. It was declared by the National Historical Institute as a Heritage House on May 14, 2008.

Enriquez - Gala House - This big house is owned by Atty. Librado Enriquez and his wife Josefina Gala which was built to replace a much older residence that burned in the Japanese-started great fire of 1944. Among its features are an arched roofed - entrance topped by a curved veranda, a silo-like outside wall with small windows where a curving flight of stairs inside leads to the second floor of the house as well as three cathedral-type arched side doors with Corinthian style column embellishments that open to the garden topped by another veranda upstairs held by the curving crowns of ionic columns.

1200 Lunch at Plaza de Shalom featuring Kulinarya Sariaya - located at the back of Gala rodriguez house. Plaza de Shalom offers Sariaya's best cuisines. It has a swimming pool with the view of Gala Rodriguez Ancestral House. Plaza Shalom has apartment type of units for groups and they have affordable prices for food and accommodation right in the center of Sariaya's Poblcaion.

0100 Visit the Municipal Hall, Sariaya Park and St. Francis of Assisi Parish for the Diocesan Shrine of Santo Cristo de Burgos, Sariaya Bread House for Baking Demonstration of Pinagong and Leah’s Store for Cooking Demonstration of Tamales. Merienda at Casa Plaza La Casa de Sariaya.

0500 Back to resort/ hotel. Rest. Dinner.

0700 Sariaya Sports Complex for The Grand Launching of Buli Products and Bulindakan (a street dancing competition that requires to wear buli costumes in a Filipiniana stlye of dancing)

1045 pm ETA – Tayabas. Check in.

Resort and Hotel options:

Mi Casa en Tayabas –Striking Mexican-inspired architecture and landscaped gardens which allows you to relax and enjoy our beautifully designed rooms that evoke elegance and comfort at the same time. Wine and dine in restaurants that are sure to satisfy your palate. Rest.Sleep.

Nawawalang Paraiso Resort & Hotel - Dubbed as “The Lost Paradise”, its living up to be one place for ultimate fun, rest, recreation and romance. Nestled at the foot of the mystic and legendary rain mountain. Mt. Banahaw. Rest. Sleep.

Day 3

(May 14, 2011) Tayabas - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

0600 Gayakan ng Pa’yas sa Munting Bayan. (Decoration of freshly harvested fruits by the people of tayabas).Tourist may witness on how Tayabenses decorate their houses in preparation for the Mayohan sa Tayabas Festival.

0900 Breakfast at the resort / hotel.

1000 San Miguel de Archangel Basilica Manor Church - St. Michael the Archangel Minor Basilica.One of the oldest churches in the century, it was first built in 1585 and repaired in 1590 using nipa and palm. In 1600, they used bricks. The church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1743 and later rebuilt and made bigger in 1856. It is located in Tayabas, Quezon.

Casa de Comunidad de Tayabas - Constructed in 1831 when Don Diego Enriquez was Gobernadorcillo, it is primarily designed as a guesthouse for visiting Spanish dignitaries. Casa de Comunidad is a national historical landmark which houses the local museum and the municipal library. It is host to many cultural and historical activities.It is the biggest “bahay na bato” ever restored by the National Historical Institute.

Kalye Budin(Budin or cassava cake)Tayabas caters the sweetest cassava cake, with a street known as Kalye Budin(A portion of Jacinto St between AM Regidor and Legaspi Street ), tourists may have a taste and take home with them this native dessert made of cassava, margarine.

1200 Lunch at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan – offers exquisite taste of its freshly harvested seafoods and delectable fine dining. The place provides guests with the opportunity to relax and commune with the serenity of nature. Stylish and luxury rooms are also available for accommodation.

Lunch at Palaisdaan Restaurant- spearheads the promotion of the traditional culinary arts of Tayabas. The restaurant offers guests with fresh sea foods matched with the natural and serene ambiance of the place.

0100 Lambanog Distillery - a wine made from coconut. Lambanog is famous for its potency that normally carries about 80 to 90 proof variations. It is mostly produced in the Tayabas,Quezon. It has been passed down throughout generations of coconut plantation farmers. The process involves collecting the sap from the coconut flower, similar to rubber tree tapping. The sap is then cooked and fermented to become tuba, popular coconut toddy. The tuba is then distilled to make lambanog.

Malagonlong Bridge -Built by the Spanish colonizers, this bridge is considered the oldest one in town. However, it is not clear whether it was constructed before or after the town church was built in 1585.

0300 Back at the resort / hotel. Rest. Dinner.

0700 Lambanog Night “Flairtending Competition”- A showcase of talent in flairtending with Lambanog as the main beverage for mixing drinks. Lambanog night celebrates Tayabas pride in producing the original coconut vodka.

Umpukan sa tagayan(Lambanog) The Tayabenses way of drinking Lambanog is simple. It is usually coupled with songs accompanied by a guitar player (who is also part of the “inuman”). One common glass (tagayan) is placed on the table and is shared by everybody who symbolizes their common level in the society and of course, camaraderie. And when it is your turn to take your “tagay” you would have to say “Tagay ko!” before taking that round.

0900 End of Tour

For Inquiries and costs:

Please Contact JC Constantino of The Quezon Tourism Office:

jc_05e@yahoo.com.ph
0919 2504043

Thank you Lugaluda.com for the photo.