today is a new day

Family,

I am excitied to continue to build with each of you and also to join you on the journey as we transform as individuals and as a group this semester!

My only critique for last week would be for everybody to be on time, if not early. Other than that, I thought last week was a really a great experience. Introductions are never easy (and sometimes boring), so thank you all for bearing with us!

Below is a piece I wrote for the final kultural production for Manang Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales' AAS 363 Filipina/o American Literature course in the spring of 06. As I began to "lift the veil" of oppression from over my eyes during that spring, I began to see clearly, for the first time in my life, the world in a refreshing, intricate, and dynamic new way. I began to look deeper first, into my history, then into how my life is connected to not only the people/family back home in the Motherland, but to the people right outside of my doorstep and everyone around the world.

Here is an excerpt I wanted to share with you all from my Letter of Intent for my application for the Teaching Credential Program at SFSU, touching on why I choose to "teach": "I have learned that history and the social sciences have the power to construct and deconstruct, challenge and discover, and shed light on our past to move forward for a better tomorrow. It is my profound hope and faith in the youth, the people, and our shared future, that keeps me alive each day. I strongly believe that students, youth, and the people, need to be given the opportunity to think and question for themselves in order to survive in our complex society."

Peace,
Jr

---
7, 107

We laugh. We cry. We broke. We speak.
A country bustling with human trafficking,
Sweatshops thriving. Globalizing. Corrupting.

We fight. We rise. We fall. We speak.
Brown brothers and sisters unite,
Recognize our third world, colonized voices,
Instead of taking flight.

We pray. We educate. We identify. We speak
Revolution and freedom first starts within,
Pinays, pinoys stay dreamin.

We rhyme. We sing. We dance. We speak.
As a reclamation of our stolen past,
As a way of healing our wounds that burn so deep.

Gabriela
Emilio
Andres
Melchora
Lapu-Lapu
Jose, once said:

Farewell, beloved Motherland, region beloved by the sun,
Pearl of the Orient Seas, our lost Eden.
Gladly will I give you my sad and withered life;
And were it more radiant, more fresh, more flourishing,
Still, I would give it to you, give it up for your greater good.