"May 1st in the elements, London bridge falling down, and Pinays that rised."

 Hello,

 

                I’m left with a bittersweet feeling that our term as JUFRANians is coming to a near end.  We’re forreal doing the mixtape huh to that instrumental below? Fresh, I can’t wait until its completion. 

May 1^st  in the elements, London bridge falling down, and Pinays that rised.  The weekend was eventful and was something I’ve been truly needing amidst the chaotic times I’m going through with my family, school, & life.  I would first of all like to say that If I could of, I would have been in May 1 in San Francisco, but I felt that the East Bay is closer to home, I went to the march in Oakland instead.  “What do we say to the government?, JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS.”This chant roared from Fruitvale Bart to Oakland City Hall. I’ve never been to a May 1^st March before, and I gotta say that it was empowering to the core.  Things at home were slowly falling into place, & I just couldn’t shake the thought of my family, They are immigrants. I was in solidarity for them & other immigrants.  It was my first time being outside my house in a while. Even though it rained, as always, being around my Kasamas didn’t make it hard.  40 blocks, 3 hrs, in the rain. Throughout the day, I accumulated 10 extra pounds due to my wet clothes, but it was a weight I didn’t mind carrying.  Below is a video of May-Day in Oakland with Anakbayan East Bay, the API Contingent, & Oakland Sin Fronteras.

Youth Perspective of May Day from Betty Bastidas on Vimeo.

                Oh… I couldn’t make it Mel’s Baby shower, Sorry Mel! I had to be with family.  Manny Pacquiao.  His fights are entertaining & he has a load of influence on the Philippines.  “Pacman” brings a lot of Filipino Families together and not to mention the country to a ceasefire.  Crazy huh? Ceasefire meaning all fighting stops on both sides. Revolutionary & Reactionary. That’s some influence that can be easily manipulated.  The day was just Uncle’s drinking beer, eating sisig, all for just a less than 15 minute fight. I guess everyone just needs to kick back and take a break whether, you’re for the people or not. 

                “Still we rise…” was the theme for this year’s Diwang Pinay and they rose above all.  I volunteered and brought a friend, but once I started to help out, I felt that the Womyn organizing the event have totally flipped the normative of male dominance and their presence made me feel that the male dominated world was no longer here and I had no problem with it since all of us were working together in unison. Each of them were…

 

“Third world sister[s], never sacrificing substance for style”

 

A fresh set all day. From the words spoken, instruments played, voices sung, lines acted, bodies in movement, & not to mention the art created on the spot.  That weekend was something I’ve really needed.  I’ve been in constant reflection mode as I close the school year.  I’ll wish everybody luck on Finals. I’ve really taken over this blog huh? I hope to read everybody’s responses soon…

 

One Love,

“Ian who be screamin’”