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January
2012 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Paradigm
Shift
IThe other day, a feeling of uncertainty gnawed inside of
me. With the Sendong flood relief concert coming right up,
I still couldn 't find the strength in my hand to play guitar;
and I wasn't sure of my post-stroke voice.
But I had promised the powers-that-be (in PAFC): give me a
venue, and I'll give you a concert.
They got Catholic University of America.
The goal was to raise $8,000 for the flood victims in the
Philippines.
With my physical limitations, I felt doomed.
That Saturday night's concert told the story.
It didn't lie.
At the end of the gig, people were coming up by the stage
to thank me for it, ask for CDs or videos of the performance.
I even got an email this morning from one who was so curious
she googled me, got into my web site and ordered a CD of one
of the songs. (And she's not even Filipina.)
According to early tabulations, the concert and a previous
Happy Hour fundraiser may have more than met the financial
goal.
Several things contributed to that night's musical success.
Several bands and musicians that I invited brought their A
game: Ivy Rose, Tutubi, Trademark, Show Pow, Russ Arlotta.
Local talent. But very good.
Although I'm just a singer-songwriter, I had my own band too.
The players:
Nicole de las Alas. She's an amazing singer. In the
quiet time backstage before we were to come on, she confided
in me.
She said,"I'm trying to match your daughter's sweet style
in the CD."
I told her, "You have your own style; and it's also very
nice. We're just lucky we found you right before this concert."
A few people commented on her beautiful voice; but a few others
(mostly men) told me last night "She's so easy on the
eyes."
Odie Sotomayor and Russ Arlotta
They really came through as experts in the guitar work.
But it doesn't stop there.
After the concert, two other guitar players approached me.
Each separately offered to join my band. One was Pong Velasquez,
a local professional session player in different recording
studios in the area. People (mostly American musicians and
singers ) pay him to play guitar for them when they record.
Another was Nestor de las Alas, (Nicole's dad!)
He's in his mid-60s but says he can still play very well.
He was a session player in Manila for Vicar Records.
(I'm toying with the idea of having an ensemble of guitar
players, even though I myself can't play anymore. Isn't that
ironic?)
Rocky
Last night was our first concert together in two years. He's
an extremely competent musician. Last night, my son did piano
for the first measures of my song Nightingale, as I sang it.
Then in the up-tempo portion when Nicole comes in,
Rocky switched to sax without skipping a beat as the
guitars and percussion set in. A very cool transition. On
our ride home, Rocky noted with me how great it was
to be performing together again.
Rick Brigham
A professor at George Mason University, but in a previous
rumbunctious existence, a professional drummer in the south.
He certainly has the chops. And he has a very soft heart for
all things Filipino. He once told me," I love the warmth
of the people, the taste of the food, and the skill of the
musicians."
My Singing
I surprised even myself that night. Without worrying about
doing guitar, I could focus on my singing alone.
And shockingly, my voice did not falter. People commented
favorably about my tight harmonies with Nicole.
A New Way of Thinking
So now, the paradigm has shifted. I don't need to worry anymore
about playing guitar in concerts. It seems the strokes had
not affected my voice as badly as I thought. Though the doors
had closed on my guitar playing (for now), doors have opened
in other ways; and I will always be able to compose.
Hopefully, the $8,000 or so that the PAFC (Philippine
American Foundation for Charities) raised in this project
would help restore the damaged area and people of Mindanao.
Rod
I thoroughly enjoyed your music Rodney. And yes, you
can still sing. And yes, you can still put together a
concert. So, there....the possibilities are endless!
--- Maurese
Rodney,
Some asked me what a paradigm was and I said--twenty
cents.
Seriously, the Metro area music scene is vastly improved
with your return. Looking forward to seeing you live
and in color again.
cheers,
Sonny
Hi Rod:
I wasn't sure what I was in for when I arrived last
night but really glad I
stayed till the end to see you perform. Watching what
went on, knowing so little about your history, got me
really curious so I googled you and after reading Rod's
Hacienda was even more touched by the events that went
through in your life.
So I purchased an MP3 version from the site ... because
I felt inspired by what you have done in the past and
are doing now.
Thanks for letting me know about last night. What a
blessing you are.
Take care, and see you soon,
Mohkeed
Congrats Rod!
Keep up your missionary work for the poor and victims
of calamities. You're really one of a kind and blessed
for using your TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. God bless
and have a good day.
--- Dante
Thanks for sharing your delightful story rod about
your paradig shift.
Congratulations!
Thanks too for doing something for the survivors of
sendong. and I am glad rocky did the gig with you. we've
been doing our modest share here in cagayan de oro.
i hope you get a chance to visit our website,
tabangsendong.xu,edu.ph
We inaugurated and blessed the resettlement site (five
hectare land donated by our jesuit-run xavier university)
last week, 25 january. Now we have a little over a hundred
families on temporary shelter. They come in batches.
our target is to relocate 500 families to our temporary
shelter site in order to decongest the classrooms of
public schools (so that students may go back to school).
hopefully, the permanent shelter area will be completed
in six months' time. we're slowly moving on.
God is good!
Fr. Eric Garcia Velandria SJ
School of Education
Xavier University
Cagayan de Oro City
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December
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
F-Words,
my Keynote Speech,
and the Holiday Inn Dinner Function
It was a little rough going at the start. First, the announcer
said some nice things about me (surprising how the public
perceives). But then he asked me to come up and give the address.
And that's when I looked the idiot I am.
Maybe out of instinct, I headed for the mic where the band
was standing.
But as I waddled (residual from last year's stroke) that way,
the announcer said,
"Rod, you're not doing a concert this time; you're giving
a speech." (laughter from the audience) "Please
use the podium on the left."
The podium was located stage left seemingly a mile away. I
waddled that way, limp and all, seemingly taking an hour to
get there.
I finally arrived and thanked everyone for inviting me to
the fancy Christmas dinner. Audience was mixed. Mostly Filipinos;
but a good smattering of political types from the mainstream
in that area. As usual, lots of Filipinos were fashionably
late.
As I made my trek to the podium, people would not have noticed
any papers in my grasp; just my pathetic walk. I don't like
using notes in speeches.
I started my talk this way:
"We can best describe tonight's event with F words. Four
of them. Each word beginning with the letter F. I hope I don't
offend anyone."
And I went on for about 12 minutes, ending with a quote of
Tiny Tim's: "God Bless us, everyone."
The rest of the evening progressed with the usual music, dancing,
felicitations. Someone introduced himself to me as a Facebook
friend from California, even though I'm hardly on Facebook.
Another had our photos taken together, with herself leaning
affectionately on me and saying,"I'll publish this photo."
She laughed; I had a quizzical, awkward, dorky look.
Later when I was to leave the function, the president of a
local chamber of commerce said he would accompany me to the
car, and he did. Nice fellow. I gave him my CD.
I checked text from my daughter Jitter to see if I can still
catch up with the family Christmas party in Virginia; but
she said it's over; so I headed home.
By the way, the four F words are "friends, family, food,
and fun".)
Rebuilding One's Life
Two strokes, a divorce, a would-be foreclosure, identity theft
and tax problems made for a rough patch the past two years.
But now, it's reconstruction.
I've begun to practice law full blast again. I'm working on
an armed-robbery case, and one forgery case (both clients
are innocent); two large corporate matters; and several estate
planning cases.
Also, I'm writing one law text book.
Unfortunately, I've had no chance to do a new fiction book,
as Krip Yuson urged me to do.
And worst, I have no health insurance. Pre-existing condition.
But the local Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has informally
taken me under its wing. When president Dr. Abraham Baccara
heard I had no health insurance and still on recovery mode
post-stroke, he set up a monitoring schedule for me with other
PMA doctors.
Dr. Irwin Bustos gave me a physical. He has a fancy ultra-modern
clinic at Providence Hospital in Washington D.C..
He and a staff of four other doctors and a bunch of nurses
worked me over thoroughly. Then they set up a series of other
visits, with the good doctor telling me, "we don't want
you to have another stroke; and we won't just release you
from our care. This will be ongoing monitoring."
I was grateful, of course, especially since the whole thing
is gratis, as if I have my own insurance. As Dr. Bustos was
handing me some medicine, Dr. Bacarra stopped by and made
sure all was well. Then he reminded me, "Don't forget
your lecture next weekend." This was going to be at a
facility for Alzheimer's patients. The lecture was on the
legal concept of incapacity.
Speaking of Rebuilding Shattered Lives
Here's something really serious: There were several recent
disasters in the Philippines; but the most publicized has
been Sendong. More than a thousand dead in the Mindanao flooding.
A friend of mine urged me to get off my haunches and do a
concert to raise funds for relief of Sendong victims and families.
In the past, musician friends of mine banded together to drum
up relief for victims of Ondoy, the Mayon eruption, and for
several other calamities. Talent like Charmaine Clamor, Niki
Gonzales, Alfa, The Speaks, and others had joined me, sans
compensation.
Now, here we are again, Sendong relief in our sights.
Target date would be sometime in February. I've gotten the
okays from some local artists.
But I pitch this to you, the greater Fil-Am community. If
you or anyone you know can help with the music or otherwise,
please touch base with me.
This kind of thing fills the heart with real gold to start
the New Year
Have a meaningful and prosperous 2012!
September
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Nature
Boy
A few years ago, when my son Rocky was
only 11 years old, someone named Nilda Godwin asked
if he could perform at her retirement party. This was going
to be a paid gig, as with all that came his way, even at that
young age.
She gave me a list of songs that she wanted Rocky to play
on his sax, such La Vie En Rose and Sway.
One of the songs she wanted Rocky to play but forgot to give
me was a song called "Nature Boy"---the haunting
50s ballad popularized by Nat King Cole.
Some years later, Rocky, my teenage daughter Jitter
and I were backstage about to perform in front of a large
crowd of employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As we waited for the announcer to call us out on stage, Rocky
suddenly remembered the request for that song. He asked how
it goes. So Jitter hummed it; and soon Rocky was playing the
melody, until they announced us.
Fast forward to the present.
I just got an email from Lijuan Shi, a beautiful young
attorney in ShenZhen, China. She said she was listening to
some music in her office as she was working late the other
night. A song captured her. She kept listening to it over
and over. She even included the lyrics in her email.
The song was "Nature Boy".
Its lyrics are actually a little strange--as it is about a
man meeting an "enchanted" boy who instructs that
the meaning of life is giving and receiving love.
Nothing strange about the message.
Just the medium, as it comes from a young boy.
Lijuan and I went back and forth on the possible meaning of
the song: Two attorneys, each from opposite sides of the world,
playing hookie from their profession, trying to extract meaning
from song lyrics.
I was half-thinking to bring up the whole Spratly Islands
issue. But I decided she might not even know about it, under
her government's censorship.
What she did tell me was this: One who practices law in China
will be bitterly disappointed if she uses her conscience.
She was obviously unhappy with her law firm.
But she wanted to talk about the song. We decided the lyrics
refer to a man's return to his pure youthful idealism about
life and love, unstained and undiluted.
Whatever its true meaning, this song has managed to bridge
expanses in my life: that of time, that of generations, and
that of separate nationalities, worlds apart.
After Rocky's performance at the retirement party, Nilda
Godwin asked me to take her to a guitar store. She wanted
to pick an appropriate instrument she can learn with.
My friend Lijuan is now leaving her firm to teach in a law
school.
And Rocky, with his classmates at Duke Ellington
School for the Arts, is learning from live interaction
with the likes of jazz great Herbie Hancock.
Enjoy the Fall season!
Rod Garcia
August
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
A
Choice for Rocky
The prestigious and exclusive Duke Ellington
School of the Arts offered my son Rocky a spot as one of its
students. Tuition is free. And of course professional music
connections will be there for him the rest of his life.
Bishop MacNamara High School countered with a huge
monetary offer that removed any tuition burden for the rest
of his private high school--if Rocky stays in MacNamara.
Remember how loyal we were to our high schools? Ateneo, La
Salle, Lourdes, San Beda, and so forth. In less mature days,
loyalty to the point of the occasional rumble at a basketball
game. But however expressed, fealty was deep-seated, feudal,
imprinted in our teenage wiring and permanent.
Rocky had been tossing and turning about this choice between
two high schools. One he loved. The other that would be good
for his budding musical career.
He didn't want to abandon MacNamara--which has been
his high school home and in which he built a loyal musical
following. According to the band director, Mr. Conto,
in the fifteen years of teaching music, his best student has
been Rocky. The principal Mr. Clark was very anxious
that Rocky stay, and personally made the huge scholarship
offer.
We did not tell Rocky of the amount -- only that neither school
will present a financial issue.
While saxophone is Rocky's first instrument; piano is the
other. Rocky's private piano teacher is Gary Dinn,
respected former president of the Maryland Piano Teachers
Association. He told me that at some point down the road,
Rocky will come face to face with an opportunity to go to
a Juliard or some other conservatory.
But Mr. Dinn suggested not to let Rocky receive that
kind of education. Rather, his education should be broad-based
and rich in liberal arts. Mr. Dinn is certain this
sixteen year old will become a professional musician. Because
of that, his early foundation should not be narrow, but academically
broad. Not narrow like Duke Ellington school.
Even so, and grudgingly, Mr. Dinn wrote a rather glowing
letter to Duke Ellington about his prodigy.
Last night, Rocky and I had dinner in the house. I had not
seen him in a week. We both listened to James Galway,
the Irish flutist. Rocky thought Galway's progressions
are "really cool"--especially considering the songs
in this CD are Japanese melodies.
He wanted us to watch a show together on TV and order Chinese.
The question of his schooling kept coming up now and again.
He knew he should go to Duke Ellington; but he felt he was
letting MacNamara down.
But as the evening wore on, he felt more comfortable with
the idea of Ellington; and that he might just visit
MacNamara and do guest gigs there. I told him Ellington
presents a chance to start fresh and thrive in his element.
His sister, Karla, who is rehearsing in Broadway for
a new play, had emailed me those exact same sentiments. And
his other sister Jitter had called me that afternoon
saying the change will be the artistic jolt he needs.
Finally later that night, Rocky smiled. He said he's comfortable
with the decision to go to Duke Ellington, and will
have no more regrets.
We hugged and I drove him back to D.C. to his mom.
Rod Garcia
July
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Lady
Behind the Counter
Tessie Alarcon sat behind the registration counter working
on little ticket stubs for a function celebrating Philippine
Independence.
Not too many of the guests knew the truth about this inconspicuous,
tiny figure.
But Tessie and her friends are responsible for having fed
over two thousand
five hundred malnourished children in the Philippines.
She's at an age for enjoying a cruise in the caribbean. But
with other intrepid retirees, Tessie has taken a rinkydink
bangka and crossed deep waters to distribute gifts, food,
or medicine to children in some remote Philippine island.
She's done this several times.
This sense of mission started over a decade ago. Tessie and
her husband Pablito were enjoying a meal in a small restaurant
in Laguna. A small grungy boy of nine (9) in a tattered t-shirt
came up to their window and gawked open-mouthed at the food,
obviously very hungry.
The couple waved the boy in and let him eat with them. They
also had a clean t-shirt they were planning to give to some
relative's son. But they decided to let this boy wear it.
And he did, with a palpable pride on his face. Later, in a
way to repay their kindness, the boy helped slow down oncoming
traffic, waving and signalling like a cop, so the couple could
drive their car out of the parking spot. The incident taught
them that even children can learn to earn.
And so aside from all the charity work, Tessie and her posse
have also sponsored nineteen (19) livelihood projects in the
Philippines; built ninety-one (91) modern classrooms (with
six more to come); distributed two hundred thousand (200,000)
books to public schools and libraries; gave one hundred fifty
(150) students educational scholarships to high schools and
universities; and donated twenty (20) sets of computers and
other IT equipment.
And they're still at it.
Tessie is the founder of Washington D.C.-based Feed The
Hungry, Inc., which has now blossomed into chapters in Hawaii,
Nevada, and Manila itself.
Her sense of mission is infectious. Many doers and shakers
have joined the action as board members or operatives. Among
them financial whiz Martin Gaw; FilAm activitist dynamo Gloria
Caoile, and cerebral Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Alberto Del Rosario and his grand-hearted wife Gretchen, to
name a few. (Even inconsequential folks like me found a place:
Tessie asked help with the legal stuff; and adopted my composition
"Ako" as Feed The Hungry's theme song.")
This little lady behind the counter received the Pilipino
Presidential Award from President Noynoy Aquino last year(Lingkod
Sa Kapwa), adding to other recognitions in previous years.
Where does one find proof that the Filipino is worth the miracle
of EDSA? Neither in the halls of political power in Malacanang
nor in the money of Makati.
But in humble servant hearts of everyday people like that
lady behind the counter ----- who would have a sign above
her that states: Now Serving --- The Poor.
Rod Garcia
* * * *
AKO
by Rod Garcia
Hindi mo ba alam
Na nandoon AKO noon
Nang ika'y naghanap, nagtatanong?
Hindi ka nagtaka
Kung kanino ang awit?
Nakatakap ka sa lupa,
Ang tingin mo'y sa langit.
Kaya't nang ika'y naglalakad
Sa lamig, nagiisa,
AKO'Y nagaalalay
Sa iyo.
Masakit sa kalooban;
Matamlay sa pagtingin;
Pagasa mo na lamang ay AKO.
Pagmasdan mo ang paligid mo;
Mapapansin mo rin.
May na ngangailangan sa iyo.
Siya'y iyong kusang bigyan ng tanging pagtingin
And tinutulungan mo'y
AKO.
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FEEDBACK
How beautiful, Rod!
Thank you for sharing this.
Mabuhay si Tessie!
Victoria P. Garchitorena
President
Ayala Foundation, Inc.
32/F Tower One, Ayala Avenue
Makati 1260 Philippine
* * *
I love to hear positive stories like this and I take
pride in circulating it. Best,
Linda
* * *
As requested, here's the song
Ako (in YouTube).
It is partly based on the scriptural passage that says--what
you do to the least of others, you do unto Me.
Thanks to my friend Bernie Sevilla for setting it up.
When they heard me play this, Tessie and Pablito Alarcon
quickly adopted it as theme song of Feed The Hungry.
Take care,
Rod (Garcia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDLzRQkQLDc
* * *
Hello, Rod!
Thank you very much for sending me the song, "Ako."
When you first sent me the lyrics, I thought "Ako"
was a poem. Shine on with your golden voice and your
golden heart!
Marilou
I love this song! Would you agree to ever allowing
me to use one of your songs (or some of your songs)
for appropriate non-profit uses (like a fundraiser for
Filipino kids)? Let me know. .......Warmest regards,
Lorna
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May
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Filipino
Teachers Show How It's Done
Boys and girls, our class today is on teachers. Filipino teachers.
One of them used to carry a gun in his work. He now teaches
the disabled.
The other one gives a course on Filipino studies in a major
American college. The University of Maryland has recognized
him as professor of the year.
Lethal Weapon
Before he started teaching American high school students,
Felix Lazaro headed the staff of the Philippine government's
Dangerous Drugs Board. That was in 2004. Before that, he was
in charge of the counter-terrorism unit in the Philippines'
Department of Justice.
A certified marksman and combat shooter, as well as an attorney,
Felix now faces impatient young adults with learning disabilities.
He loves it and excels. The Prince George's County, Maryland
school system has consistently renewed his contract over the
years; a happy fact, tempered by the sad prospects of fellow
Filipino school teachers. These others may be headed home
to the Philippines, their stint here cut short by alleged
budget constraints.
Felix feels sad for these Filipino teachers, who had believed
in the sweet promises of a good life and stability by the
American school system that recruited them.
But he is happy with his unique situation. Not just anyone
can fill his area of specialization, an expertise won by years
of formal study and experience in the States. Each day at
school, he faces some physically huge kids who are one step
away from juvenile delinquency, but treated as mentally challenged.
I asked him whether he has to use any law-enforcement skills
honed from his days with anti-terrorism. Felix laughed, saying
combat gunsmanship is best reserved for local target ranges.
He controls the incorrigibles by patience, paired with a deep
aura of authority that these kids can sense. This is someone
they shouldn't mess with.
Professor of the Year
Gem Daus developed and teaches a course in the University
of Maryland called Filipino Studies. His course covers both
Philippine and Filipino-American history and politics. He
stays away from art and literature because he says these are
not his expertise. But he uses some material from his kababayan
--- fellow native of Binalonan, Pangasinan --- Carlos Bulosan.
This iconic writer's stories exposes Gem's students to the
struggles of Filipinos while in America.
But Filipinos make up only about 10 percent of his classes.
The rest of the students are Americans, as well as other ethnic
groups such as Koreans and Chinese.
Gem has been doing it since 2008; and last year, the university
dubbed him its best professor.
Gem is not new to awards. In 2006, the Center for the Study
of Asian American Health
gave him the National Leadership Award for his nonprofit work
on health care issues. In 2003, the Congressional Black, Hispanic,
Native American, and Asian and Pacific American Caucuses knighted
him a "healthcare hero" for his advocacy.
In his prime at age forty-five, Gem says his most surprising
realization is how old he's become compared to his students.
No one knew what he was talking about when he first spoke
of the 1986 people power revolt in the Philippines.
There is much work ahead. Gem wants to give these students
a context and perspective into the rich Filipino experience.
And this professor of the year is equal to the task.
March
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Its
Darkest Hour
We called him "sensei"-- my father's business partner
from Japan back in the sixties.
One night, I witnessed something extraordinary between him
and my father..
I was playing with my GI Joe action figures in the far end
of our home library (I was only nine, okay.) The two men were
by the large desk discussing their commercial venture. Maybe
they saw me playing with the toy soldiers. Sensei and my dad
started talking about the recent war---- only a couple of
decades before.
My father was a decorated war hero, having disposed of many
Japanese officers as a very young but notorious assassin.
When then-President Marcos appointed him chairman of the Board
of Liquidators, Marcos reportedly quipped, "tamang tama
itong titulo, Rene." (the name of your post fits you
just right, Rene."
Once, my dad held a reunion party in our house in Pasig. In
it were his former guerrillas -- a rough bunch of hardened
men, some without certain fingers, one without an eye, all
of them with tales of gunning down the Japanese, every one
telling me, "your father was very brave."
Between his assasination missions, he and his fellow guerrillas
were in numerous skirmishes, some hand-to-hand, against the
more equipped enemy. In one of those, a bayonet ripped through
my father's front torso,as he managed to grab the Japanese
soldier's pistol and use it against him.
All these battles were recorded not in a piece of paper or
film, but in the ghastly scars all over my father's body.
He even had a piece of bullet in his wrist that he never wanted
to take out.
It was at the Battle of Ipo dam that my father got shot in
the face, losing half of it forever. .
My dad was known in Pasig for his ghastly facial scar. In
fact, later in the 80s, when Sen. Rene Saguisag was working
in the law office in San Francisco, he asked me, "Ikaw
ba ang anak ni taga'?" (Are you the son of scarface?"
The Japanese soldiers were of course known for their efficient
brutality, their fanatic discipline and unswerving loyaty;
mostly stemming from "bushido"----the ancient way
of the warrior, when samurais would defend their feudal lord
against ninjas.
I really didn't know much about the Japanese back when my
father took the family on a trip to Japan after my graduation.
But I saw a clean, safe, super-organized society, reminding
me of how army ants have a singleminded purposefulness------to
serve the greater whole, at all costs.
Truly, they carried this singlemindedness into World War II.
And so when my dad and Sensei started talking about the war,
even though I was a very young know-nothing bumblehead, I
could sense that the air was thick with tension.
But the tension came from a profound sadness. Sensei seemed
sad about my father's face and asked my father to show the
other wounds in his body.
My dad unbuttoned his shirt, slowly revealing the monstrous
extent of the knife and bayonet wounds. One of the scars meandered
like a grotesque stitched-up snake around his upper chest,
down to his tummy then around to his back.
Sensei stood still as a statue for a few seconds, his mouth
agape. Then his eyes began to well up. He bowed to my father,
and slowly shook his head. But Sensei didn't lift his head
back up; instead, he dropped flat to the floor, prostrate,
in front of my father . We grabbed Sensei's arms to bring
him up.
But the old engineer wouldn't budge, wouldn't move, as between
sobs and tears, he kept whispering in his breath,
"Never again; never again; never again."
It took about half an hour to finally get him up. The men
shook hands, then embraced, strong, firm, forgiving.
Things had changed tremendously after all these years, of
course.
My dad had a huge falling out with Marcos.
Japan has achieved economic, instead of military, conquest.
Japanese engineering has become envied for efficiency and
reliability, albeit some issues with their cars lately..
Here in our Washington D.C. area, a Japanese-American society
has included in its mission the advocacy of benefits for the
Filipino World War II soldier.
And Japanese-American congressmen Akaka and Inouye spearheaded
passage of legislation for the pensions and benefits of Filipino
soldiers.
Now with the recent devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear
reactor problems, the Japanese people will need to muster
up their renowned efficiency and resourcefulness.
Filipinos must pray for this special people and this special
nation in its darkest hour.
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FEEDBACK
Wow--what a touching/powerful column. As always, you
articulate your thoughts and insight through the written
word so ably.
Mitzi
This is powerful and beautifully written. Thank you
for sharing. I'd like to pass it on to a few friends,
if I may?
Rachel Garcia-Palmer
* * * *
Hi Rod,
It's so nice of you writing those stories. Imagine mixing
the past, present and future on any topic. Hoping someday
I can find those stories in oir libraries and bookstores.
Keep up the good work. You're one of a kind and truly
blessed. Have a great day.
Dante
* * * *
Nice and touching story Rod!
I admire your dad for his courage and valor.
and yes, the Japanese are admirable people, born out
of loyalty, nobility and high principles in life.
Even the dreaded yakuza, the supposedly scum of japanese
society, are known for their sincerity and high principles.
Just count their fingers and you'll know what I mean
...
I can imagine how sensei must have felt, standing before
a great man like your dad and emphatizing with your
father and what he went through for love of country
and selflessly fighting for freedom for the Filipino
people. That's classic !!
If the world had more people like your dad and the Japanese
people, it wouldn't be in this mess..
Jerry Floro
* * * *
Hi Rodney, I can relate to this article, my late dad
was the adviser of Mitsui and Marubeni in the early
sixties, he made frequent trips to Japan almost every
month. Since 1988 I always rode JAL and only a couple
of times did change carrier. I am praying for Japan's
recovery...warm regards!
Larry
* * * *
Nice story Rod. If we have the same economy as Japan,
then most of us would not be immigrating to the States.
Take Care,
James
* * * *
... it's both touching and gripping. What a wonderful
story, Rodney and Mitzi's idea of enclosing it with our
donation is fitting.
Maurese
* * * *
Hi, Rod.
Thanks for sharing your sentiments. Great piece of
writing.
Forgiveness is an act of peace and I have long forgiven
the Japanese people for their acts of violence during
WWll.
My mother and youngest brother were killed by a Japanese
bomb. I can not imagine how an ancient culture which
is rooted
on an innate love for nature and the aesthetics could
be so cruel during a time of war. And after graduation
from college, the first
country I visited was Japan because I wanted to see
the Japanese in a different light.
We need to go further beyond forgiveness and help
the Japanese people at their hour of need. They are
no longer Japanese but
numberless and countless mass of humanity that needs
the love and care of other human beings. How we react
to the disaster that had befallen them is a sublime
test of our own sense of humaniy!
Linda
|
The discussion yesterday was interesting in
how post -EDSA Philippines relates to whatever happened in
EDSA.
At our dinner after, Ben Maynigo asked me for a copy of the
script; and I intend to provide it to him (as well as to Chris
Abale --who wishes a New York group stage it).
But I would like to --in a sense -- provide to you guys some
relevant parts of the script that point to how the play Hacienda
attached meaning to this EDSA "revolution".
The hope was that it was a revolution of moral values.
As the fugitive-activist Dr. Estrella declares to Captain
Odel at the end,
"You can take me, Captain...but what about the millions
of people out there who have come out of the corral? How are
you going to herd them all back into the hacienda?"
And as he asks, he points to his head.
Hacienda is a state of mind and the values engendered by that
state of mind.
And the hope was that the revolution was not just a takeover
in partisan politics, but a Copernican shift in attititudes
and values.
The owner of the restaurant Hacienda (an oligarch crony of
Marcos) scolds Kristine,
"There is nothing honorable about being poor. Be proud
that you're rich. Be proud that you're strong."
Then Father Eric retorts,
"Don Asyong, you belong to a dark age that I hope is
slowly fading in the light,"
and sings Sinagtala--a very spiritual enjoinder to give up
the material and work for self-redemption through love.,..
as the impoverished street urchin Teresa dances in front of
him--a dance of a beggar...
In her soliloquy to Capt. Odel, Kristine pleads to him not
to be blinded by his "duty to any one leader..now or
hereafter..but to your country, to the people, to the children..sa
mga bata..."
And eventually says to Odel,
"You can't hide behind that uniform Odel...whether you
know it or not, you are free...we are free..to murder or to
create...and by creating ourselves , we wrench away from this
oppression and create a new nation!"
Kristine is appealing to a value change--a change in the heart.
It takes courage to go against endemic systems (symbolized
by word "uniform").
Odel himself refers to this courage that effected action.
He says at the end,
"A sorbetero put himself and his ice cream cart in front
of me, in front of my tanks this afternoon. Others joined
him. An old woman, A young lady, Even little children..."
It was Chito the cynical, expediency-driven sorbetero who
earlier in the play had lectured Teresa on how to survive
the streets of Manila by essentially going with the "routine"--the
system.
And finally when Odel says he needs time, Kristine sings,
"..courage starts when you begin to care..."--
tying in the notion that the courage to change from within
begins and ends with love.
I'm not so sure that the courage to change from within has
been the case... since EDSA...certainly not in the political
arena.
More promising is that there certainly has been nation building
in the private arena, e.g Feed The Hungry, AngKop, Couples
for Christ, Gawad Kalinga.
Rod
** * *
...It is a beautiful story and the songs are memorabl.
Thanks again Rodney for sharing your work!
Maurese Owens
* * *
Thank you Rodney for writing this most beautiful musical.
The message and moral has a timeless quality that has even
more relevance given the current unrest in the world where
oppressed people are overthrowing the yoke of dictators. Thanks
also for the points of clarification of the script. The lovely
songs may have overshadowed the poignant message of hope and
yearning that is the central theme of the play.
Sonny Busa
Consul General (retired)
February
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
The
World is Hollow
And I've Touched The Sky
That's the title of an old Star Trek episode. The protagonist
had been living in an oppressive society, unaware that she
is inside a giant artificially constructed orb flying through
space. When she discovers this truth later, she wants out
and rebels against the authorities.
Recently, the younger generation in middle eastern countries
have been defying autocratic powers. These children of the
Twitter and Facebook generation activate their emails, engage
their cell phones and IPads, harness various other gadgets.
And by doing so, they achieve warp speed access not just to
trivial things, but also to meaningful knowledge and communication.
The world has been revealing itself through new technologies,
making denizens of oppressive states want to question demarcations
and reset definitions.
In 1986, when people power inundated the streets of Manila,
neither emails, cell phones, nor IPads existed. And the government
was trying to shut down what was available then ---- TV and
radio coverage of the extraordinary events in EDSA. But a
stubborn resourceful radio station, called Veritas, continued
to broadcast from an unknown location. It reported how a random
collection of ordinary people formed a giant human barricade
to protect a camp of soldiers who had decided they no longer
wanted to support the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. A
tenuous perilous standoff set in between two groups. One was
the human barricade consisting of street vendors, teachers,
students, musicians, priests --armed only with rosaries and
guitars. The other--- forces of the brutal military dictatorship
The human barricade held strong even after the dictator called
up elite tank forces from the Muslim war in the south. After
three days, it was clear that Marcos had given up his stranglehold
on power.
Thanks to Veritas and international news coverage, the world
witnessed this heroism and courage. U.S.Secretary of State
George Schultze stated publicly and officially,
"We honor the Filipino people.."
We have celebrated this triumph ever since. And it is right
to keep this memory alive, so the Twitter and Facebook generation
of young Filipinos have genuine access to what is truly meaningful---
their heritage, history and pride.
January
2011 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Letting
Go
As the new year arrives, we each take a look
at what we've done and what we plan to do.
But sometimes we can only do so much with the cards we hold.
My hand in 2010 consisted of a divorce process this Winter,
and a stroke earlier in the Spring.
This stroke was worse than an earlier one in 2009. This recent
version prevented me from performing music.
A long time ago I performed in a pub for a couple of years
to help support myself through law school. But last year's
stroke affected my left arm and hand. I've not been able to
play guitar for the whole year.
So I couldn't do any charity concert for organizations like
Feed The Hungry, like I used to do in the past.
In my own selfish heart, I had ardently wished I could perform
again with wonderful musicians like singer-songwriter Alfa,
jazz great Charmaine Clamor, rockers Raf Toledo and the Speaks,
and my own band, which includes my son Rocky and daughter
Jitter, our drummer whiz Rick Brigham and violin virtuoso
Russ Arlotta.
I had been wishing to return to music performance so much.
But in my office the other day, before New Year, in the last
complete work day of the year, one did not hear the sound
of music, but the sound of crying.
An elderly woman and her daughter were crying. The woman's
husband was in a hospital near death; and their bank was threatening
to freeze their assets. Some paperwork seemed to lock them
into an unfortunate situation. I had to do some legal ad lib
and improvisation. Fortunately, at the end of a long and tension-filled
day, things worked out fine.
As we were saying goodbye to each other, the client and her
daughter gave me a big, long hug. Usually lawyers don't get
hugs. Many of us are regarded as bloodsucking guttersnipes
(or worse).
While I was helping my clients, Jitter and Rocky called from
Manila and left a loving message in my cell phone. Later that
night, I had a tender moment on the phone with my oldest,
Karla. West Side Story in Broadway was dark that night. And
so instead of dancing, she was going to Times Square to watch
the symbolic ball descend.
Now the ball has dropped and a brand new year faces us all.
For me, I've always felt that music performance would be core.
But this coming year, maybe it's time to let go.
I'm already fortunate with the aces laid out on my table:
my kids -- to whom I devote my personal attention; and my
practice-- by which I might help others.
I hope 2011 is filled with blessings for everyone.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Rod
|
FEEDBACK
Hi Rod,
It is not only what you can do but also what you have
done. You have guided Feed the Hungry along the way
and your being part of FtH has also helped millions
of Pinoys here in the Philippines.
Let's do it , let's keep on helping, you can still guide
FtH! And that will be music to our ears, even without
the guitar.
Rgds.
Pablito
* * * *
Dear Rod,
Your message is so touching == napaiyak mo ako, I guess
becuase you are dear in my heart and I could feel your
sadness and heartache.
You have done so much for us, personally and for FtH.
As PJ said, you have guided FtH through the years, encompassing
even the personal personal legal problems of some of
us. And we have seen how you have helped others == in
your music, legal expetise and goodness of heart.
God has His ways in guiding you where you are most needed.
You have beautiful and talented children. They are your
source of Joy.
Please take care of yourself and do whatever you do
best. Someone UP there is holding your hand leading
you to the right direction.
We all love you. Please stay with us -- guiding us.
Thank you and best regards,
Tessie
* * * *
Rodney:-)
Thank you for sharing your very touching New Year Letting
Go story.
The holidays always made me appreciate my blessings
like Carolyn and
daughter Mishel. My bodyguard & doctor as i face
the challenges of
bronchitis, diabetes and prostate exams this winter.
Best to you, Karla, Jitter & Rocky. Let's go jamming
soon.
BTW, I will be PH Feb 2-20 for consult our leaders
there on USFilvets,
Save Act, and the US Medicare PH campaign.
Eric Lachica
* * * *
Hi Rod,
Happy New Year. Thanks for your write-ups. I really
enjoy reading them. How I wish I could do the same.
Remember that your trials make your faith stronger and
you're too blessed with your talented children. Like
father, like son and daughters. Just keep up the good
work. You still have a mission on this planet. Best
regards and God bless.
Dante
* * * *
I saved reading this for a quiet time. I enjoy reading
your work and wanted to concentrate, so I saved it for
after the Christmas shopping frenzy. Your style is so
comfortable, like a warm blanket....easy to read, pleasing,
sometimes funny, sometimes poignant. Reading about people
in the community is a pleasure for me. I know the people
you write about, but you see them with a different eye...
...The Rocky stories remind me of my own children growing
up and how i dealt with their situations. Thru the challenges
of teenagehood, I know he will be a fine person, because
he has your love and attention.
mo
* * * *
Have a blessed and a happy new year Rod!....
rene gacuma
* * * *
Rod, this year and the next years to come will be great..you're
on track..I wish you and your family all the best..take
care!
Larry
* * * *
Hey Rod,
Happy new year to you too. I hope things go better for
all of us in 2011.
Everyday, I thank God that we are dealt more aces than
deuces. Sometimes, we are dealt duds but overall, I
think we have been very fortunate. Your children are
all very talented (like you) and you must be one big
proud Papa.
Best,
Pepe
* * * *
Dear Rod:
Belated Christmas 2010, New Year 2011 and Three Kings
Greetings Prayerful Wishes for you and all your dear
ones!
I do thank God for the many special blessings showered
upon you and your dear family. In particular I wish
to thank God for the miracle of life He has given you
to serve more people in urgent, emergency need like
the troubled family you have greatly helped and comforted.
Father Entines
|
December
2010 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
The
Gentleman Barber
As the year unwinds, I want to recognize some
folks who have truly made a difference in our lives. But they
did it with humble, even quiet, effectiveness.
One of them is Ador Carreon. He works at Friendly Barbershop
in Oxon Hill. But
he's not just a barber.
Some years ago at his wedding in Batangas, he and his new
bride Nanette donated most of the monetary wedding gifts to
purchase medical equipment, typewriters and computers for
a hospital in Lipa City. The balance of the money went to
the local Department of Social Welfare and to the police precinct.
He's still at it, now chairing the Philippine American Foundation
for Charities, Inc.
Although gentle and always kind, Ador does not hesitate to
put anyone in place if necessary. Once at the annual Paskohan
concert at Catholic University, Ador changed a prepared speech
by the coordinator. Ador took out overly self-important references.
Instead, he redirected the speech to the event and the music,
much to the ire of the coordinator. Recently the Philippine
Embassy and some organizations joined him in putting up the
2010 version of Paskohan-- by all accounts a resounding resplendant
success----full of beautiful Christmas music by local Filipino
church choirs. Behind the scenes, Ador did all the coordination---from
the exact hour the choirs had to check in to the exact time
decorations and stage props h ad to come up.
This attention to detail and efficiency does not spring from
his work as a barber. That's his weekend job. On weekdays,
Ador is also financial officer for a major office in the United
States Department of Treasury.
And he has enough awards to fill a large wall: Navy Meritorious
Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Naval Achievement
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,
National Defense Medal..just to cite some.
I hope he'll stay active with this community for a while,
this humble barber.
Faces I Remember
I want to salute a few in the community who touched our lives,
but untimely passed away this year.
One is Frank Redondo, best known for his stint as a DC Comics
illustrator, particularly for the popular action hero Sgt.
Rock. Frank was very generous with his talent, involving himself
in many artistic projects like Brown Strokes on White Canvass.
He and his dynamic wife Aurora were also active in theatrical
productions, one of which was the staging of Alfred Yuson's
Luto Linis Laba, for which I did the music. Frank was always
funny and self-effacing. Once, in a rare downtime during its
production at the Bethesda Writer's Center, Frank handed me
and my son Rocky an original Sgt. Rock comic, something we'll
treasure forever.
Another loss this year is Letty Lechoco, who together with
her husband Nap, put up the Mrs. Philippines Home For Senior
Citizens. I recall how kind she was to my own mother who stayed
in the Home for a while. When it was obvious my mom's Alzheimer's
made it dangerous and awkward on many occasions, Letty always
found a way to deal with the situation with a gentleness and
caring for which I will always be grateful.
Rocky and Manny
Pacquiao
A few days ago, I was talking to my fifteen year old son Rocky
about how to carry himself in his high school. My words came
off my mouth, unrehearsed, spontaneous. I said, "Be humble
like Pacquiao." My son readily accepted it, like it was
normal to use this boxer as an exemplar of behaviour.
But humility has not been normally linked with the sport of
boxing. Bragadocio has been accepted behaviour --even dating
back to Muhammad Ali.
In some eastern martial arts like judo,karate, kung fu, humility
seems to go hand in hand. Those fighting forms use the image
of water, of softness, pliability, one in which the practitioner
uses the opponent's strength and aggression against him.
Boxing is somewhat different. It is based on blunt force aggression,
and its proponents tend to have the same personality. Most
obvious would be Mike Tyson. Or even take Floyd Mayweather,
whose abrasive, uncouth manner wears on everyone, even though
his own personal boxing style seems to be based on slick avoidance,
and not necessarily on direct confrontation.
On the other hand, Manny Pacquiao's fighting style is in no
uncertain terms based on well timed attack and confontation.
And yet, there is that endearing sincere humility about him,
now legendary worldwide, even as he is spoken of as arguably
the best pound for pound fighter who ever lived.
My son's own arena is music. He has been recipient of many
accolades on this score. Some of his teachers have told me,
"Mr. Garcia, he's scary." Not because he's able
to beat up people the way a good boxer can, but because Rocky's
music skills are "off the charts." I don't think
any of it has sunk in with him. In fact, a few weeks ago he
wondered why the school band director asked him to do four
solo improvisational sax pieces with the school jazz ensemble.
I smiled and simply told him, "they like to hear you
play. But always be humble. Like Pacquiao."
Recently, I happened to use Rocky's computer;and I smiled
as I noticed his screen saver. It's a photo, now iconic, of
Manny Pacquiao, kneeling in the corner of the ring, praying,
as he does right before every single fight he's done.
Happy New Year and Best Wishes for Fresh Starts and Second
Chances!
|
FEEDBACK
Your style is so comfortable, like a warm blanket....easy
to read, pleasing, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant.
mo
* * * *
Lovely article Rod. I enjoyed reading
it.
Cheers,
Oliver
* * * *
A very nice piece Rod. Thanks for sharing with us your
thoughts and sentiments. You too deserve recognition
in all the good things you do.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Presy
* * * *
Dear Rod,
Thanks for sharing your column.
While we're at the point of recognizing those who have
made a difference, I also wish to commend you for your
exemplary work as PAFC legal counsel, Rod. Not only
do you give willingly of your time, effort, guidance
& advice gratis et amore, but also give us the pleasure
of your musical composition/performance prowess. So
mabuhay to you as well!
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon.
Cheers,
Mitzi
* * * *
Rod,
You made tears flow down from my eyes with this one,
specially with your son,Rocky. I'm one person who would
be proud to hear Filipinoes are being honored, not just
by their victories but by their extreme show of humility.
Merry Christmas to you and the whole family!
Sir Rico
|
September
2010 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Walk
For Kris
After
the finale of a music concert by Filipino artists one Fall
evening of 2008, Delegate Kris Valderrama stepped onto the
stage at Harmony Hall. She thanked everyone for holding the
Ondoy flood benefit in her district in Maryland. In a previous
year at the Knights of Columbus Hall, she patronized a concert
to help Feed The Hungry rehabilitate devastated areas of the
Bicol region.
This young
Fil Am assemblywoman has shown untiring support for all Filipino
causes, especially if these causes involve her constituents
in the 26th election district. That would be Oxon Hill, Fort
Washington, Forest Heights, Temple Hills and some other southern
areas of Prince George's County, Maryland. Kris has championed
educational, artistic and law enforcement issues. She cosponsored
eighteen bills and was the primary driving force in a couple,
namely one for funding Harmony Hall itself and another for
helping ease criminal liability for anyone who helps others
in medical emergencies.
Daughter
of long time Fil Am politician David Valderrama, this mother
of two and wife to husband Abe is loved by FilAms not just
in her district, but all over the metro Area.
Last weekend,
local Fil Ams proved this love. They gathered in Oxon Hill's
Philippine Center, then methodically spread out into targeted
areas of Kris' district for a door-to-door election campaign.
Organizer Jon Melegrito aptly called it true "empowerment."
We can call it political bayanihan.
At stake
was the primary election in early days of September when Democrats
select who will run for their party in November.
Dave Valerrama
clarified this for me. I bumped into him a few weeks ago at
the Philippine Center. Dave got me to drop my independent
affiliation status and return to the Democratic Party so I
can support Kris--whom I had mistakenly thought was running
on an independent ticket herself.
It's funny
how things come full circle. Back in the 80s, I served as
Dave's campaign manager in his successful bid to become first
FilAm probate judge in the eastern US. Eventually, as I had
moved away to practice law in San Francisco, Dave continued
his meteoric political rise in Maryland. Assisted by political
advisers far wiser than me, Dave acquired the state-wide assemblyman
seat---- the position that his daughter has now held for three
years and hopefully for a long time to come.
Perfecting
a Lasting Philippine Community
The spirit
of bayanihan is powerful enough to carry a house or carry
a candidate. Getting in the way of bayanihan are certain flaws
in the Filipino character: Flaws that we can overcome.
One flaw,
termed "hinanakit" is the tendency to hold bitter
grudges and use these to fuel irrational personal attacks
on good Fil Am projects. I am told of an unfortunate situation
down in Virginia Beach. Some FilAms engaged in negative politicking
against a FilAm politician, urging others not to vote for
him.
I'm made
to understand the motivation was revenge for a slight. Fortunately,
he won anyway.
Such attacks
are really no different than a recent anonymous public letter
to the editor of this paper. The letter criticized the Philippine
Village displayed at the recent Asian Fest in Reston, Virginia.
Motivation is suspect from the timing of the criticism. It
comes too late for any use, if at all.
Apparently,this
individual saw it fit to wait smugly coiled by the grassy
sidelines, not raising any effort to help
Then the
Asian Fest ended, the Philippine Village dismantled. That's
when this person let fly the many criticisms in an anonymous
but public letter to the editor.
But he
(or she) only achieved the irrelevance of a Monday morning
quarterback with the impunity of a sniper in the bush.
Fortunately,
volunteers might now still consider constructive suggestions
for next year.
The Asian
Fest organizers (from Thailand) have asked the Fil Am community
to make the impressive Philippine Village a perennial fixture
at the festival.
This certainly
gives the anonymous critic time to roll up sleeves and help
for next year.
Somewhat
curious is Manila Mail's treatment of the anonymous comment.
Usually, and correctly so, this paper does not give space
to anonymous editorial comments. However, in this particular
instance, the paper let the comments print, stating that the
they are "valid." But the comments stand on many
factual assertions that no one from the paper itself has authenticated.
It is coming to light that many of factual claims are actually
inaccurate, even though adopted like reportage by this newspaper.
|
FEEDBACK
Super
pieces. I can relate to both of them very well. Thanks
for your well chosen words.
Maurese
*
* *
I'd
like to see this in circulation. Thanks, Rodney. Your
pen wields mightily. More power to you.
Presy
* * *
Thank
you so much, Rodney. The power of your article will
invalidate the "valid."
Cheers,
Becky
|
|
August
2010 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
It
Takes a Village
They had to be one to make one. The "Philippine
Village" showcased in the recently concluded Asian
Fest in Reston, Virginia didn't just spring up from
the ground.
It took teamwork and a sense of community not seen in
a very long time. For almost two months, the volunteers
of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities
(PAFC) and their supporters, some coming all the way
from Richmond and even New York, had rolled up their
sleeves together in beautiful synergy to make all things
Filipino shine bright and true at the festival.
Long unfairly attacked from certain corners of the FilAm
community as elitist, irresponsible, and fractious,
the PAFC found its unifying power and energy at the
Asian Fest-- an annual mega-event put together by the
Thai Tennis Association.
Bankrolled by the Thai government itself, this festival
is so big, it could have taken at least two hours to
walk from one end of the site to the other, passing
food booths, craft corners, roller coaster rides, three
separate stages showing folk dance demonstrations, martial
arts performances, music concerts, thirty-five authentic
Asian food vendors, and more than 150 multicultural
retail stores, all from different Asian heritages---
Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and many more.
But the largest of all was the Philippine Village--occupying
a huge marked-off section of the park. That's because
this year, the featured country was the Philippines.
Cultural attache Robert Borje's invitation to check
out the Village went thus:
"Take a virtual trip to one of Southeast Asias
preferred destinations! The Philippine Village showcases
the diverse culture and rich heritage of this nations
peoples and 7,107 islands. Learn more about age-old
traditions and exciting places that have defined the
Philippines and her peoples.
Food from various regions of the Philippines, traditional
folk art performances, handmade crafts, and interactive
displays and indigenous games for children will highlight
the uniqueness of the Philippines ..."
To build all this on bare grassland had to demand cooperation
of heroic proportions. PAFC board member Mitzi Pickard
noted:" ...the Asian Festival Philippine Village
exemplified and epitomized the Philippine bayanihan
spirit! "
Now there is talk that the efficient joint efforts displayed
in this project can form the paradigm for future projects
and a validation to base major fundraising requests.
Filipino filmmaker in Virginia.
June Daguiso is low key and unassuming, even though
his 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do has given him
skills to be a master stuntman in many an American action
film, and even though he himself has already made four
independent movies in the past five years. Based in
Woodbridge, Virginia, June plans to do more films. But
first he needs to finish the most immediate matter:
He is sponsoring a gala independent awards night on
August 21 at the Capitol Hilton in Washington DC:. It's
called the World Music and Independent Film Festival.
Co-presenters that night will include Lou Gosset and
Danny Glover.
Tickets are still available. Here's a link to the event.
http://www.wmiff.com/?q=tickets
|
|
June
2010 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Beauty
Contest
It seems that, in general, the American ideal of a
beautiful woman would be one who has muscular gym-honed
arms. She is loud looking and comes at you with all
her flesh in display, out and about so you cannot miss
to observe her assets.
By contrast, an Asian beauty would seem more demure,
quieter, more subtle.
But who am I ? A rank amateur when it comes to these
things. In fact, for a long time, I've even harbored
deep reservations about any beauty contests. What is
truly beautiful anyway? What is beauty? It might not
even be something physical.
My principled stand crumbled into abject compromise
when Trining Padama sweet-talked me into judging in
a beauty pageant.
Little did she know she was taking an enemy into her
camp.
I chalked it up under the "another-fine-mess-I-got-myself-into"
department.
But this Miss Teenage Philippines Pageant has been
around since 1985. There had to be a reason for its
perennial success for over twenty years, I told myself.
So there I was among a panel of five other judges.
The day before the pageant night, we interviewed each
girl--all very young Filipina ladies, with freshly sprouted
set of dreams and ambitions, mostly economic in nature,
mostly of future jobs, careers or college.
At the interview, each of the ladies were in that strange
zone between shy/terrified and determined/ aggressive.
They mostly have similar likes: shopping for clothes;
dancing; movies; music -- the usual healthy, youthful
concerns.
But that next evening, these normal young ladies were
to come face to face with an extremely abnormal situation:
Displaying themselves in front of a crowd of strange
gawking people in a luxurious hotel ball room.
The zone would move toward the shy/terrified end.
Here for all to see: the risky dance or song in the
talent portion; the graceful walk in a splendid gown
and on extremely high heels; the valiant unrehearsed
response to an extemporaneous brain-numbing question---
as hundreds of eyes and ears give full attention.
Surprisingly, each was equal to the task; although
sadly, one of them didn't know the meaning of the word,
"legacy."
Anyway, all these young ladies are Americanized and
see the world through Americanized lenses. They only
vaguely know about the diaspora in Marcos years that
in many cases brought their parents to the States.
In a metaphorical sense, these youngsters are the products
of our collective successes; the personifications of
the fruits of our labors---well adjusted, happy, beautiful
young people --- walking, talking, breathing trophies.
Our own trophies.
In the course of the two day event, I stopped being
judgmental of the pageant, and settled into just being
a judge in the contest. Then, I realized I was beginning
to cheer for each of them. I was becoming a fan, shedding
the cold impartiality of a judge. I wanted each of them
to do well.
But one stood out to me, not just for her beauty and
her talent, which the others have as well, in varying
degrees: Jacklyn Cordero, who is planning to be a doctor
someday, has been active in community service projects
in her young life. And, quietly, with a simple smile,
at one point in the contest, she mentioned that she
now wants to be active in Filipino-American organizations
that help the poor in the Philippines. She's not clueless
about what's going on there. She wants to make a positive
contribution.
An instance of true beauty. Quiet, caring, aware, simple.
She won the contest that night.
And with the pageant over, I went back to my philosophical
musings about the nature of beauty. Some time back,
a friend of mine took a leisure trip to the island resort,
Boracay. Beaches, sand, blazing sunset; blue water and
clear blue sky; multicolored coral reefs. Exciting night
life with the blaring modern music of dance clubs.
Boracay is not subtle. It came at her in all the senses
and almost overwhelmed her. If Boracay transforms into
a human being, it won't be a demure Filipina; but rather
a bikini-clad bare armed American work-out queen.
But one late afternoon, my friend was walking by the
sand with her family. A poor little girl, maybe nine
years of age, came up to them, smiling shyly; and with
a tentative hand, offered them a tiny flower, freshly
picked. The girl was not a visitor, but a local urchin.
The girl presented the flower, smiled, then walked
away. The flower was not a commodity to purchase; but
a gift to receive: spontaneous and sincere. The gift
of a little flower.
In the midst of all Boracay offered, that act was the
most beautiful of all.
|
May
2010 Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
Through
a Glass Darkly
Life seems
to have played a cruel joke by giving someone the gift of
visual artistry and also the burden of a visual disability.
But Julian
Oteyza has beaten the odds. Lauded for his brilliant artwork
by mainstream media, including by the Washington Post, Julian
has had to deal with "dyslexia" all his life.
He can't
see words and symbols correctly, which are often spaced incoherently
as if through a bothersome prism. But this condition does
not bar his artistry. Instead, it informs, even defines his
work.
Julian
has created what's become known in the art world as "Dyslexart,"
taking the viewer into the dyslexic's vantage point with stunning
and unique results.
Julian's
art and that of "normal" artists will display at an exhibit
called Brown Strokes on White Canvass at the Romulo Hall of
the Philippine Embassy on June 3. Son of the iconic Filipino
artist Victor Oteyza, Julian has made it his mission over
the years to help other artists, especially Filipino artists.
Brown Strokes has been this vehicle for quite a while now
-- dating back to 2002. This current edition of Brown Strokes
will showcase creations by local artists from the Washington
D.C. area and by established artists from the Philippines.
Also a
musician himself, Julian has even done visual renderings on
the Beatles. Once when my son Rocky was with me in a gig at
the Philippine Embassy, he noticed such art displayed on the
wall. Since Rocky has a deep fascination for the Beatles and
his 15th birthday approaches, I am acquiring this Oteyza for
him. I know it will dominate Rocky's wall in his room, pushing
aside his posters of everything else.
Physician
Heal Thyself
She's
not an artist, but a clinical psychologist, whose mission
is to save others from the mental brink.
But in
one of life's ironies, she was the one on the brink.
Dr. Laura
Noblejas was beset with severe depression and anorexia-- a
condition in which the mind cannot let the body accept any
food. Many have succumbed to a horrible death from the resulting
starvation and other complications.
Dr. Noblejas
---- beautiful, young, professional, Filipina--- was about
to become another victim. But as she stared out into the deadly
abyss, strangely drawn by its dark allure, she decided to
turn back, consciously, systematically inching off the ledge.
It took a lot of forgiveness and love, and a clinically sound
system. She used her training as a doctor to develop a unique
method that worked so well, she's written a book proposal
about it:
"Don't
Stop Eating, Stop What's Eating You: Spiritual and Practical
Answers from a Successful Psychologist Who Finally Found Peace."
In what
is to be similar to a practical step-by-step manual of mental
and emotional exercises, Laura shows how to strengthen the
love and forgiveness muscles. The end result is a much fortified
spiritual being, so much in shape that spiritually- based
diseases like anorexia can't take hold.
There
are practical, clinically proven ways of exercising love and
forgiveness muscles. And Dr. Noblejas will show you how. It
worked for her and it can work for everyone else who qualifies
as human.
The book
proposal is going through a process of approval involving
public voting. She needs your vote to get this book project
to proceed further with the publisher. The book proposal is
in the worldwide Next Top Spiritual Author Competition. There
were over 3000 writers from all over the world competing through
four Rounds. Laura and about 250 other authors advanced on
to Round 2. Only 25 authors will advance to Round 3. The grand
prize winner from Round 4 gets a publishing contract with
Hampton Roads. Voters can go to www.nexttopauthor.com
to register as a voter.
Filipinos
in Outer Space
Kevin
Owens is not Filipino; nor is he in outer space. But he's
married to pocket rocket Maurese Owens, an indefatigable Filipina.
And he
has spun a tale involving Filipinos in other planets: "*Martian
Panahon Virus*"--- a story that follows Apollo Panahon,
a young Filipino hired as part of a Martian prospecting crew.
The hero contacts a disease after eating fish he found in
a Martian puddle, and the story unfolds from there.
As a young
man, Kevin Owens had always been drawn to the stars and science
fiction. Now, he has cooked up a delightful imaginary world
of his own, flavored with realistic characters --- "hard
workers like Filipinos."
Kevin
also says: "I didn't find science fiction by Filipinos
in book stores in the Philippines, so when I wrote this book
I chose to include many Filipino characters..."
Kevin's
science fiction book is available at Amazon.com and at Barnes
& Noble.com. You can also touch base with Maurese, his
defacto agent, for ordering signed copies. Mo can be emailed
at mpaoose@aol.com.
Happy
reading!
|
FEEDBACK
Love
it. I just love your style Rodney....and I know it comes
so easy. Thank you!.
Maurese
*
* *
Wow!
that was truly uplifting and inspiring Rod! Thanks for
'Feeding' us with this info. Always a pleasure to read
what you write!
*
* *
Hi
Rod,
Thank you for this piece. I really admire your 'writing'
talent. You really have a way with words and music too...
a rare combination lawyer/musician I guess.
Pax et Bonum!
Jojo
SOL batch 1984
*
* *
Rodney,
Thanks
so very much. Your support means so much to me. I'm
sure Lolly appreciates the wonderful things you have
said so beautifully about her and her book.
Warm
regards,
Leonor
|
Manila
Mail DC
April Column: Playing It By Ear
Rod Garcia
When
To Have A Stroke
Never.
Certainly not just after you just had a bad haircut. A few
weeks ago, I received a terrible haircut in a McLean, Virginia
salon. I decided to have it repaired by my old reliable friend
Ray Cabacar of Friendly Barbershop in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
I'd take this tough World War II vet any time over any fancy
hair stylist fop. But the problem was me --- in what can be
termed the "marunong pa sa barbero" syndrome ---
(thinking-you-know-better-than-your- barber syndrome.) I asked
Ray to fix only the offending part of my hair and to leave
everything else alone. The result was not quite as appealing
as it could have been had I let Ray freely exercise his art.
In fact, I found out later how grotesque it turned out. Unfortunately,
it was about that same time that I was having my second stroke
(since last year's) and had to end up in Fort Washington Hospital.
In the Emergency Room, I was sitting on my cot when one of
the nurses came by and, smiling, quipped sarcastically "groovy
haircut." I guess I didn't want to die looking like a
person who only paid his barber half the cost of a full hair
cut. So I was determined to survive. And of course, I did.
In the ensuing days, I sought Ray out again, and gave his
mighty scissors free reign over my humbled head.
Love
Song
When I
was headed for the States the very first time, my high school
classmates met me at the airport and handed me a 45 single
record. It contained a love song I cherished and believed.
I kept
the record with me through the years, but eventually lost
it probably sometime during my married life, due to all our
re-locations.
Though
I'll be losing my marriage soon, I have reunited with the
love song in a most unusual way.
In 2008,
when my wife announced to the kids the plan to go our separate
ways, there was crying among the girls (who were getting to
be young adults) and stone silence from my then pre-teen son.
One of
the girls asked, with tears on her cheeks "How should
I be in my own relationships? What can I believe in now?"
I could not answer that question. And that bothered me a lot
for a long time.
How does
a parent who failed in his own marriage let the child know
that love has its worth? That it is not to be regarded with
cynicism and profound doubt? That it's not like the Easter
bunny or the tooth fair? That it can be something real.
A few
months ago, I was experiencing a severe attack of insomnia
and was surfing the television channels. I came upon an infomercial
on 60s music. Among the hundred of songs featured was the
one my classmates had given me.
Vulnerable
in a state of insomniac stupor, I ordered the whole collection.
Within
a month, the CDs came. Soon I was once again listening to
the love song, but this time not so sure its innocence still
resonated within me.
When my
daughter Jitter was home last Spring break, I had her listen
to it. She was in the middle of her laundry, but said, "That's
nice, Daddy," then went back down to the basement with
her clothes in a basket. When she came back up, I told her
that my high school classmates gave me a 45 single of that
song (I explained what a 45 single was), and that to this
day I believe in what it says, even though deep inside I was
secretly struggling to believe.
Months
had passed when Jitter invited me and others to the popular
Philippine Cultural Night given by Filipino college kids in
University of Maryland. One of the featured performances was
Jitter singing some solos.
As she
was to begin her third piece, Jitter said, to my pleasant
surprise, "Now I want to do something my Dad wrote."
She proceeded with "The Right Time" ---- which we
usually do in duet.
As the
song was about to end, something completely unexpected happened.
Jitter
smoothly transitioned into the tender, gentle refrain of that
song ---the one my classmates gave me at the airport so long
ago.
The words
flowed out naturally and with meaning,
"Love
can make you happy
if you find someone who cares
to give a life time to you..."
and in
the applause, she looked out smiling into the audience in
the direction of the darkness where I sat. And I knew she
believed, as I then realized I still did too.
Rod Garcia
|
FEEDBACK
Dear
Mr. Garcia,
I tried to sign your guestbook, but my computer wouldn't
process my message, so I copied and pasted it here.
I'm sorry to hear about your second stroke, and I hope
you are feeling better. You write very well, and your
story had God's fingerprints written all over it. He's
obviously not done with using you as a tool for inspiration
and love yet. It sounds like you have many talents,
and have a very talented family as well. One thing I
learned throughout my recovery is that God goes with
you wherever you go, indeed He abides in you and you
in Him (paraphrased from 1 John 4:6-7). 1 John 4:13
goes on to say, "There is no fear in love, but
perfect love casts out fear." So I hope you adjust
to your single life without any sense of fear, for God
is with you always, and he speaks to us in many ways,
as I'm sure you know. If I may be so bold, if you would
visit my blog, you will see an excerpt from my book,
in which I cite a beautifully written passage "from
God" by another author, and then how God spoke
to me.
With love, peace, blessings, and abundance,
Laura Noblejas
PS. My website should be up and running by the end
of next week, so I put in my blog URL where it said
website instead.
* * *
Rod,
Thanks for sharing about what you're going through.
How sweet of Jitter to connect through music especially
at this time. What's touching is that candidness and
engagement you have even in difficult moments.
Yen
*
* *
Hi
Tito Rod,
What
a beautiful, yet bittersweet piece (Love Song). I admit
having felt nostalgic when I heard Jitter sing "Right
Time" at the PCN. I can only imagine how much more
meaningful the performance was to you...
It's
difficult to garner up an appropriate response to these
articles considering everything that's going on with
you and your family. However please know that you are
all in my prayers and that I wish for nothing but peace
for everyone. Also, I understand how cathartic it must
be for you to put your thoughts into writing. I would
like to offer you a promise: that for as long as you
keep sending me these, I'll keep reading them. I may
not always respond, but I will certainly make sure to
take time to read all of your articles.
Til
next time,
Mart
* * *
Thank
you for sharing Rod. That was beautifully written.
Wish you more than luck, wish you a rainbow.
Take care,
Dulce
*
* *
Hats
off to you Rod. Great writing. I can actually feel your
rollercoaster of emotions.
Claro
*
* *
How
touching, bitter-sweet naman ng love story mo, Kuya
Rod!
I could just imagine your groovy haircut.
Thanks for sharing and I hope you are doing well!
Best regards to you, your family esp Karla!
Loreto
*
* *
Profound
words capturing eternal emotion.
Seems to be your gift, my friend. Seems to be your gift.
Me, I hit things with a stick.
Rick
*
* *
This
made me cry. Thank you for sharing this Rod. See you
this Saturday.
Your friend,
Vellie
*
* *
Hello,
Rod!
Thank you very much for your touching letters in your
column in Manila Mail! As usual, you have an ingenious
way of expressing your heart and mind to your readers.
Marilu
*
* *
Hi
Rod,
That was so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I didn't know you had a second stroke. Are you better
now?
Take care,
Ruby
*
* *
Hi
Rod, very nice article indeed! Thanks for sharing :
)
Hope things are moving in the right direction.
Russ
*
* *
Hope things are moving in the right direction.
This made me cry. Thank you for sharing this Rod. See
you this Saturday.
Your friend,
Vellie
* * *
Thank
you for sharing Rod. :) This touched my heart.
Alfa
|
A
Dinner Out
(from the March 30 edition of the column
Playing It By Ear by Rod Garcia, Manila Mail)
Last week,
two friends asked me out to dinner. Since I was feeling in
need of good karma, I thought I'd get some off these guys
---who are two major survivors.
One of
them is Bob Caparas. A guitar virtuoso even as a teen back
in the 70s, Bob won first place in a central Luzon guitar
competition. In the 90s and already in the States, he was
struck with cancer and things didn't look too good. Still,
he helped stage my musical play Hacienda. During the theatrical
run, the cast and crew found inspiration in Bob's life- affirming
energy and dedication.
A few
years later, at my mother's funeral mass, Bob played gentle
solo guitar on a song I wrote called "Where are You"
-- a piece from Hacienda. After the mass, complete strangers
came up to him asking for a CD of the song, a couple of them
in tears.
Bob's
tenacious love of life and music and his fierce loyalty creates
a deep well of inspiration from which I draw in tough times.
In the
past, I've lost friends to cancer and other diseases. But
it won't happen this time. In 2010, Bob is in complete remission.
My other
friend, JB Bernabe, is a quiet, unassuming engineer for a
government contracting firm. He'd rather tinker with gadgets
and computers than manage people. So a couple of years ago,
when they offered him the top managerial position, JB dreaded
having to deal with personnel. But he didn't have to worry:
His kindness and technical know-how have endeared him to his
American staff.
Back when
I was in law school and he was an engineering student at George
Washington University (GW), JB was my sound man on the gigs
I did at the local pubs.
Eventually,
after graduating from GW, JB found a job as engineer at the
Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Unfortunately,
his student visa had already expired and he was working illegally
for a while. After a few years, Goddard authorities discovered
his illegal status. They were going to terminate him and then
have him deported. Things were looking bleak.
But then
came an epiphany to Goddard authorities: It became clear to
them and their lawyers that this former Ateneo whiz kid had
unusual skills and possessed unique inside knowledge of the
Goddard's technological protocols.
It was
going to be risky and inefficient to hire and train someone
new.
So Goddard
Space Flight Center sponsored JB for a work visa and eventualy
something even more permanent.
In our
dinner the other week, both Bob and JB wanted to make sure
I was okay in the wake of my many current challenges. If you
recall from the early March edition of the Mail, I recounted
the troubling issues facing me. Some folks thought I was simply
providing a narration for a next book of fiction. But it was
all true: named as an illegal alien-felon in national criminal
records, including the Homeland Security Watch List; job in
jeopardy due to post-stroke condition; house financially "under
water" due to foreclosures nearby, and a few other unfortunate
personal exigencies.
So there
we were--- one lost soul dining with two success stories---
in a restaurant on a late winter night---going over some funny
incidents of the past, jabbing and parrying at each other,
laughing it out with a gusto that only true friends can understand,
or maybe more accurately, that only true survivors can comprehend.
I think they wanted me to be one of them.
Rod
(The
following is a copy of a Feb. 26, 2010 column in Manila Mail)
Playing It By
Ear
I am an
illegal alien-felon, perhaps soon to be without a job and
without a home. This is true. It's a heck of way to start
the new year. Here's what happened.
Back in
January, in a routine traffic stop at the National Harbor,
the park police looked at the registration to my car and found
that the record states I'm an "illegal-alien felon"
which of course isn't so. They suggested I stop by the police
department to clear things up. Back in October, I had received
a bill from Sprint charging me a large amount for calling
Mexico many times. Since I never was a Sprint customer, I
had to straighten things out with Sprint, with the FTC, with
Experien and several credit bureaus. It's the nightmarish
world of identify theft!
After
a few months, and thinking that it's all squared away, I went
along my merry way into 2010. But to my dismay, I have discovered
that the effects of identity theft have apparently leaked
into the national homeland security record. I visited the
local police department, telling the bemused cops at the precinct
that the registry indicates I'm an illegal alien felon, which
can't be true. I'm an attorney and may have run into some
of them in court at some time in the past. The officers logged
in my complaint of identity theft, but said they can't do
anything about my status on the criminal record and suggested
I "go national' ---- like the INS or even the courts.
Of course, in this country, you don't need to go around proving
your innocence. It works the other way.
Other
lawyers I've spoken to were not sure exactly what to do. I
finally got a telephone number that connected me to Homeland
Security, specifically, TSA --the Transportation Security
Administration. The agency sent me a form in which I ask relief
from inclusion in the terrorist "watch list"--so
I don't get detained in an airport. I recently inquired whether
TSA had received my filled-out form; but it has not responded.
There's
more! Because of the bad economy, a couple of houses near
my neighborhood in the area of National Harbor foreclosed,
thereby driving down the values of all the other houses, including
mine. It's a fair sized house with a full patio with poured
cement, a large recreation room on top of a two car garage,
a finished basement and many rooms and baths. A couple of
years ago, the assessed value was in the vicinity of $750,000.
Now, the value has plummeted down to $300,000. As a result,
the house is "under water"---with its value lower
than the existing mortgage! My realtor suggested I consider
a "short sale"--- basically a distressed sale that
will allow forgiveness of all loans at least theoretically).
In very real financial terms, I am without a viable abode.
As if
these were not enough, my employment with the American law
firm may be ending soon. As many of you are aware, I had a
stroke last year, and am going through a long process of recovery.
A couple of clients last month expressed their concerns with
the boss lawyer that because of my post-stroke condition,
I may not be able to adequately service their cases. So the
law firm asked me to take some time off for further medical
evaluation-- including having my brain checked and validated
by a neurologist--to make sure I'm cogent. I made a recent
visit to the law firm in McLean and discovered my office cleaned
and personal effects boxed. The firm has not been giving me
any new cases.
Can 2010
be any more dire? Actually, yes; but let all these suffice
for now.
While
I was moping last week, pathetically feeling sorry for myself,
a letter came in the mail. It was from a 12 year old child
who was born with cleft lips. She no longer has that problem.
She sent her photos, showing herself all brand new, after
surgery that made her look normal. Operation Smile took care
of it, defraying costs by means of contributions from me and
many others. It lifted my spirits and made me realize my many
blessings. One of our Washington DC area community leaders,
Joe Subido, runs a charity that provides a similar service
for Philippine kids. A former university professor in the
Philippines, Joe has been running his version of Operation
Smile for many years, mainly from money he raises teaching
tennis. We should all be thankful for people like Joe, a true
hero.
Rod Garcia
Concert for
Flood Relief
With the
devastating flood that has hit Manila recently, the Alay
concert set for Oct. 25 in Harmony Hall has taken on special
meaning and purpose, now specifically focused on funding flood
relief efforts. Gawad Kalinga and Feed The Hungry, with the
help of The Philippine Foundation for Charities, will benefit
from the concert.
Im
proud of the people in these organizations. They are effective,
humble, and above all, sincere.
But I
have to make mention too of my musician friends who are volunteering
their time and talent for this concert. Many of them are giving
up paying gigs that weekend just to join in this show.
One of
them is Charmaine Clamor---L.A.- based FilAm jazz singer and
popularize-r of Jazzipino a music movement
that beautifully and skillfully blends ostensibly incompatible
genres: traditional Filipino songs and old school jazz. A
recent recipient of Filipinas Magazines artist of the
year award, and top 5 in American jazz billboard, Charmaine
found the time to email me a few weeks ago asking about my
medical condition and wondering if th e Oct. 25 concert is
still on. As I told her it is, she immediately offered to
help. So on Oct. 25, Charmaine is flying all the way from
LA and will do a set in the concert --- for free! Her jazz
renditions are a must-hear.
Its
a similar story with the other artists. For example, the Nicki
Gonzales Band which plays in local hotels --- has the
distinction of being voted the Best Pop Group of 2001 by the
Washington Area Music Association, which also gave Nicki the
award for Jazz Vocalist of 2002 and Latin Vocalist of
1999" --- albeit shes Pinay and not Hispanic.
When I
asked Nicki what she wanted in return for doing me this favor,
her emailed response was simply and jokingly Can you
have a piece of lumpia in the back stage?
My close
friend Alfa is a singer-songwriter from New York---very popular
among the Greenwich Village/NYU crowd. Shes doing a
concert of her own at the University of Illinois, after which
the college will fly her to Maryland for the Harmony Hall
gig. Ive conscripted my daughter to pick her up at BWI.
As a musician, Alfa can do it all--- she composes catchy tunes,
plays bluesy guitar, coaxes sweetness from her violin, and
accompanies herself in piano, while singing in a beautifully
lilting alto. You should watch her to believe it. Quite amazing.
If you
play or like guitar, you will really appreciate Lucky 28---two
sizzling hot FilAm guitarists who also sing and write their
own songs. Pong Velasquez and Odie Sotomayor are local boys
--- a couple of tough guys with hearts of gold -- who play
the music bars, and have come up with a new CD---of original
adult alternative pop.
Finally,
my friend, Russ Arlotta, and I met almost two decades ago
when we were both at the Prince Georges County Attorneys
office. Neither of us knew we were more than boring trial
and tax lawyers but actually true blue musicians. One night,
a few years ago, we found each other playing at Takoma Parks
Savory Café and the rest is history---- culminating
with Russ lugging his Martin acoustic guitar with me and the
rest of my band on a concert tour of Hawaii, Manila and Bohol.
He had a blast (despite a death defying ride in a motor tricycle
through rapidly moving traffic while ignoring lanes and stop-lights
in the Ermita area). He is a singer-songwriter of beautiful
poem-songs. Strange that soulfulness should come from a lawyer.
But life is full of miracles.
If you
care for exciting jazz and acoustic sounds, you will enjoy
the Sunday evening at Harmony Hall, while knowing you helped
relieve the misery and suffering that Ondoy and Pepeng have
caused.
Rod Garcia
My Oct.
25 concert for Philippine charities is still on.
Click
for PDF of flyer to download
Sunday
at 6 p.m. Harmony Hall off Livingston Rd. Fort Washington
(near National Harbor). Doors open at 5 p.m.
The line
up to join me includes: Alfa (singer-songwriter from New York);
Nicki and Ira Gonzales (who play Brazilian jazz at the Shoreham);
Lucky 28 (sizzling alternative pop guitarists Odie Sotomayor
and Pong Velasquez); and award winning jazz singer Charmaine
Clamor. Note write-up below.
Thanks,
Rod
FILIPINA
JAZZ & WORLD VOCALIST
EARNS FILIPINAS HONOR
September
12, 2009. San Francisco -- Charmaine Clamor, the trailblazing
Filipino-American vocalist and creator of jazzipino,
has won the 12th Annual Filipinas Magazine Achievement
Award in Entertainment.
The Panel
of Jurors voted unanimously to confer the honor upon Clamor
for her "remarkable strides in promoting Filipino jazz."
Ms. Clamor is the first and only Filipina to place two consecutive
albums in JazzWeek's World Music top-10 -- both of
them containing Filipino-language songs. Her landmark recording
Flippin' Out also made top-5 on the Traditional Jazz
radio chart.
Reached
in the Philippines, where she is currently touring to supporting
her debut release on Manila's Viva Records (appropriately
entitled "Jazzipino"), Ms. Clamor said, "I
have been a reader and admirer of Filipinas Magazine
for what seem like forever. Because I've dedicated my musical
career to bringing pride and dignity to the Filipino Community,
I'm especially touched to be honored by a publication that
clearly shares my goals. It's amazing!"
The CEO
of Viva Entertainment, Vic "Boss Vic" DelRosario,
said, "It was a joy to discover somebody like Charmaine
Clamor who is giving Filipino music a new life with the Jazzipino
sound. And I am very honored to welcome her to the Viva roster
of talents. Thank you, Charmaine. You do your country proud."
The 12th
Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards will be held
on October 1, in South San Francisco.
For more information and a selection of downloadable high-resolution
photos: http://www.CharmaineClamor.com
For Interviews,
Photos and Promos Contact:
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services T: 845-986-1677
E-Mail: jazzpromo@earthlink.net
Jazz Promo East: Lorraine Tucci Sound
newsoundideas@earthlink.net
Dear Family
and Friends,
We want
to take this time to thank ALL OF YOU for supporting Karla
in this interesting ride on So You Think You Can Dance on
national TV. For Karla, it began in March at the Denver auditions,
continuing in April in Las Vegas, up until May 21 in Los Angeles
where she was included in the Top 20. Now four weeks into
the show, her elimination last night does not stop us from
believing that she is 1) an excellent dancer, 2) that she
is strong, and 3) that she has the loving support of her family,
friends, and community.
We all
got an insight into what "reality television" really
is. Everyone will always have an opinion, and it will be different
and varied. I want to share with you the best and true comments
that were given last night about Karla. These did not come
from the judges, or the blogs. They were expressed to me by
the people who Karla interacted with everyday, and all day:
the talent and schedule coordinator who plotted the dancers'
day, the security person who protected them from the fans,
the production coordinator, and the stage manager. While we
waited outside for Karla to finish her televised exit interview,
they sought us out and invited us to wait inside.
"She
is the sweetest and most thoughtful girl, always asking if
I was fine. She never gave us any trouble, always followed
the rules and actually understood them. Smart, funny and always
concerned about others. A pleasure to work with - and I mean
it! Very professional - she knows her cues, her timetable
and studies her movements. Has the kindest heart. You brought
her up well."
Of course,
we would have wanted her to win it all. But these are the
comments that matter to us.
Again,
thank you, and please forward this to everyone in your network
that we have urged every week to vote!! We can now have back
our Wednesdays, and especially our Thursdays. WE ARE ALL WINNERS!!!!
With great
respect and gratitude,
Rod and
Ella Garcia
July 3, 2009
Congratulations SOL Rod and Ella, on behalf of the Community
of Sons Of Lourdes - for the outstanding achievement of your
daughter Karla. It does show the immense talent of the Filipina
on the international stage. Though she may have already been
eliminated, for her to be included among the top finalists
of "So You Think You Can Dance" is already monumental
- it's much like the "American Idol of dance" -
so we know how tough the competition.
This also
demonstrates what great, supportive parents you both are!
Warm regards,
Oliver
Thanks, Oliver.
Relating
Karla's weekly travails and artistic adventures to compassionate,
sympathetic ears helped quite a lot.
pax et
bonum
Rod
Karla's
Fan page
in So You Think You Can Dance.
We can't
stop saying thank you to everyone who voted for Karla this
week and who continue to believe in her abilities. We are
especially grateful to all those who stayed up and voted numerous
times despite the challenging reviews on the hip-hop routine.
Karla lives another week on the show.
It is
Karla's birthday on Tuesday, June 30 - the day of the performance
show taping. Enough votes to keep her in would be a great
birthday present! We hope we can count on your support again
next week.
Please
forward this to your networks so that they know that we are
truly grateful for their support.
We will
inform you soon of the partner changes, and the new routines.
Rod and
Ella Garcia
June 26, 2009
Dear Famly
and Friends:
I just
got off the phone with Karla. The show has just finished taping.
As she expected, she and Jonathan got the worst comments of
the night. Nigel even predicted that they will be in the bottom
3 on Thursday. She said that she did what she could with the
Hip-Hop choreography, but they were given things that her
partner could not do. One of the most stinging comments was
that they expected more from her, since she was a member of
a crew - she could have been funkier.
Karla
said it makes for great tv drama - the judges said that they
came off from a brilliant routine last week to a downer tonight.
She is already preparing a good solo for Thursday.
They will
dance first in the program, so the number to call is 1-888-836-7601.
Her fate is now in the voters' hands. We cannot abandon her
now since we know she can really dance. So, let's mobilize
everyone and show them that she has a lot of support! Also,
if she gets through this, everyone changes partners next week!
thanks,
Rod and
Ella Garcia
June 24, 2009
Dear Family
and Friends,
We just
want to convey our appreciation to all of you who are following
Karla's journey in So You Think You Can Dance. Karla is very
much aware of the blessing showered on her. Though she and
her partner were named to the Bottom 3, they were determined
to fight and stay alive. So she danced her way into another
week, and we will see Karla and Jonathan next Wednesday in
another choreographed number.
We hope
you continue to support her by calling (not texting) your
votes after the June 17 show. Alas, the show is a popularity
contest first, and a dance contest second - "America's Favorite
Dancer". So we need to keep those votes in if we want to see
more of Karla's dancing. Remember - VOTING IS FREE. YOU CAN
VOTE AS MANY TIMES AS POSSIBLE FROM THE SAME PHONE NUMBER.
YOU CAN VOTE DURING AND FOR THE ENTIRE TWO HOURS AFTER THE
SHOW.
With gratitude,
Rod and Ella Garcia
June 15, 2009
Hi friends,
My daughter
Karla phoned me from LA Sunday morning to greet me Happy Father's
day. I told her, "Thanks, Karla, but I think Father's day
is next weekend." And we laughed together. She told me she's
excited about the dance number she was assigned to do this
week at Fox Channel's So You Think You Can Dance. I asked
her to keep centered and calm and that it seems a whole lot
of folks are cheering her on and hopefully voting.
A long
time ago, when she was four, I used to practice law in California.
One night we were coming out of a Thai restaurant off Mission
St. in San Francisco. And I had her by the hand as we walked
in the parking lot. She pulled at my hand and motioned, saying,
as she stared up at the clear night,"Daddy, carry me up so
I can touch the stars." And I lifted her as high as I can.
In a sense,
our children are still trying to touch the stars. We cheer
them on, attempting what we ourselves couldn't--- to touch
success far beyond our wildest expectations.
Anyway,
the next show is Wednesday at Fox Channel, beginning 8 p.m.
Now there are only 18 (9 guys, 9 girls) dancers left (two
were cut last week).
Let's
hope for the best. Thanks to all.
Rod
June 15, 2009
Dear friends,
My daughter
Karla will finally be able to show what she can do - right
in front of the camera. She takes the stage with her partner
today, Wednesday, June 10, on the premiere of So You Think
You Can Dance, where the Top 20 contestants will be showcased.
The show runs from 8 to 10 PM after which the phone lines
will be opened. She and her partner's unique telephone number
will be announced after they dance.
Karla
has worked very hard to get to this point. We think that you
will not be disappointed in her performance and that she will
make all of us proud!
Rod,
June 10, 2009
Hi
friends,
I
just got back from Manila (to take care of certain legal issues).
In that short time, in between official meetings, I had a
wonderful opportunity to meet up (after three decades of not
seeing him), a former teacher of mine, Mr. Baylon. He was
my English and math tutor when I was 11 years old! He had
asked his son to contact me and so we got together for a merienda
at the Dusit Hotel in Makati. Dennis, his son, came from work
near Makati and Mr. Baylon --who is now in his late 70s --took
the train from distant Antipolo.
It
was a one of those meetings that will be etched in my memory
for a very long time. He's still quite acute, genuinely warm
and affable. (I gave him a copy of my book The Right Place
and Other Stories and a copy of the food anthology Taste of
Home in which my essay, Chicken Asses on a Stick, appears.)
Also,
a few days earlier, I found myself in another "meeting" --
the Manila critic Krip Yuson treated me and Ed Maranan (multi-
Palanca award winner) to dinner at a restaurant called the
Hacienda (same name as my musical play) and Krip noted the
purposefulness of the venue selection.
Anyway,
he urged me to do another book and not focus on music all
the time. Ironically, after being gently chastised by Krip
for scattering my energies, Ed Maranan offered to work on
a possible music concert by me in London where he has quite
a network, having worked there as a writer and diplomat for
many years. (I don't know if I jinxed this project by mentioning
it here.) Anyway, Krip also mentioned that every semester
he requires his Advanced Creative Writing students at the
Ateneo University to do a term paper on at least one or two
stories in my book.
So
after a few days I'm back in Oxon Hill still doing battle
with severe jet lag. I am now sleepily eyeing my guitar which
sits quietly like a temptress in one corner of the room, and
the word processor which is perched on my desk in the other
corner.
After
some consideration, I opt for a third and laziest of my alternatives:
the comfort of my pillows on a soft bed. For now, I'll believe
that I'm most creative when I snore.
Be
well,
Rod
April 9, 2009 -
April 26, 2009, Sunday 4 to 6 P.M.
Full Concert at the Manila Cafe, Commerce Rd., Springfield,
Virginia
With special guest Alfa -- a wonderful singer-songwriter
from New York.
Admission is $10
Part of proceeds to benefit Gawad Kalinga.
Rod's
Upcoming Gigs, Spring 2009:
March
21, Wednesday 5 P.M. at the Fort
Myer Recreation Center in
Arlington, Virginia
Rod and his Band, specially featuring Rocky as the Guest Performers
Young Artists Showcase, will be performing at the Kabataang
Bituin:
v The Philippine American Foundation for Charities,
Inc v
cordially invites you to
a talent show by our amazing
young
Fil-Am performers
K
A B A T A A N G B I T U I N
you will marvel and be proud of
our exciting singers/musicians and incredible
dancers
Special Guest: Rod Garcia and his band,
featuring 13-year
old sax sensation, Rocky Garcia
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Fort
Myer Community Center
(224
McNair Road, Fort Myer, VA 22111)
Performances
start promptly at 5:00pm
Dinner
at 7:00pm
$25
For
more information:
|
Rodney
will be among the participants at the Philipine Embassy
presentation of
Brown Strokes on a
White Canvas
June 2-13, 2008
click on image for enlargement
|
Press
release, July 28, 2007
Rod
Garcia Band
August 18, 2007 at American Legion 8:30
p.m.
Inspiring original music...
Back from
a successful concert tour of Honolulu, Manila and Bohol...
August
18 at the American Legion Hall
3445 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Press
release, June 27, 2007
This
June 2007, the Rod Garcia Band went on a concert tour of Honolulu
(Bikini Cantina at Aloha Towers Marketplace), Manila (Oyster
Bar at the Pearl Manila Hotel, and The MagNet in Katipunan St.)
and Bohol (Amorita Resort). The tour was to promote their CD
entitled "The Right Time." The band was very well
received in all venues, and was even interviewed by Chiqui Roa
for her television show. Below is review by an attendee of the
gig at the MagNet.
Rod Garcia Band at
the MagNet Katips
Rod and
his band played last June 15 to a large appreciative crowd
at the Magnet Bar along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City here
in the Philippines.
The show
opened with the song Nightingale and this was
followed by several Tagalog duets with daughter, Jitter. As
the band warmed up to several acoustic pieces with 11-year
old son, Rocky, at the sax, we warmed up to cold bottles of
San Mig Lite and Coke Lite. Other talented members are Matt
Magnaye on alto sax, Eric Champaloux on electric guitar, Russ
Arlotta on violin/acoustic guitar, Martin Magnaye on bass,
and Vince Magno on drums.
Before
moving on to Rods English compositions, the band performed
the lively Luto Linis Laba. This song as well
as several other pieces sounded like Gary Granada
compositions with nice melody, catchy and meaningful lyrics
interspersed with jazzy sax bits. Other songs in the all-original
repertoire include: Sorbetero, Nasaan, Sana, Sinagtala, Panaginip
Ko, Fly Dragonfly, Long Day Short Night, Summer Girl, and
Im LikeYou . All in all, the band played sixteen songs,
ending with the beginning Nightingale.
As Rod
sang, you had to say the guy is a pro. Boy, can he carry a
tune, with the Manila crowd impressed by the performance.
by Tito
Caoile
Manila,
June 15, 2007
MagNet
press release, May 23, 2007
MagNet
to Feature Rod Garcia Band June 15 with T.V. Coverage
FilAm author, composer/singer-songwriter/lawyer
Rod Garcia and his traveling U.S.- based band will be performing
at the MagNet Katipunan on Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. as part
of a concert tour that includes venues in Honolulu, Manila,
and Bohol. The Rod Garcia Band recently finished a CD of Rod's
songs called "The Right Time" -- unique and original
music that's been hailed in the Washington D.C. area. Among
those who have praised Rod's music is former Philippine Ambassador
to the U.S. Alberto del Rosario, who said in his official
farewell address in Washington, "I aspire to the musical
genius of Rod Garcia." Even the popular rock band, The
Speaks, declared to Rod and his band, "Love your music!"
The
Rod Garcia Band has an 11-year old sax player; an 18 year-old
high school musician-of-the- year; a beautiful young singer
who has starred in the Kennedy Center; a couple of veteran
musicians including Rod Garcia himself on vocals and
guitar. After the band's recent performance at the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, organizer Nilda Godwin said the employees
called the performance "spectacular and magnificent..."
Other gigs have resulted in similar reviews, such as that
by Asian Fortune, "A group of incredibly talented musicians...
" and by Manila Mail , "Rod's thoughtful lyrics
and melodic harmonies combined to create an evening of warmth,
good spirits and great music."
Washington
D.C. musical impresario Robert Dizon (On-Stage Productions
which co-produced a successful US concert by APO Hiking Society),
stated after Rod's gig at a local supper club, "I'm impressed!
"
Appearing
with Rod Garcia are: Russ Arlotta (violin, guitar); Jitter
Garcia (vocals), Matt Magnaye (alto/soprano sax), Eric Champaloux
(guitar), Martin Magnaye (bass), Vince Magno (drums), and
Rocky Garcia (alto sax).
The
new CDs will be on sale at the MagNet, and television personality
Chiqui Roa will cover the concert for her show. A few years
ago, Rod Garcia gave a reading at The MagNet of his book,
"The Right Place and Other Stories," and last January
2006, Rod and his two children made a last minute appearance
for a short but well-attended gig.
Other
venues in the tour include Bikini Cantina (Aloha Towers Marketplace
Dr. ) in Honolulu, Pearl Manila Hotel (Ermita) and Amarito
Resort in Bohol.
Rod's
Spring Gig
April
14 at 8 p.m.
RENES SUPPER CLUB
3251 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Va.
General admission: $15 (includes one drink)
"Love your music!"
--- The Speaks
"Rods thoughtful lyrics and melodic harmonies
create an evening of warmth, good spirits and great music
--- Rose Lally (Manila Mail)
I aspire to the musical genius of Rod Garcia."
--- Ambassador Alberto Del Rosario,Jr.
Farewell Address July 7, 2006
J.W. Marriott, Washington D.C.
a group of incredibly talented
musicians
--- Asian Fortune
Many have commented on a sketch
of Rod by Mya Talavera. Here are just a few of them:
Rod,
good luck on this and your other 2007 ventures. Perhaps well
make one of your performances. I like the sketch very much.
It does you justice. --- Joe
Lustig
Again,
thanks my friend. Btw, who did your sketch? The likeness was
really uncanny.
--- Elise Eclar
By the way, the graphic art you used in your announcement
captures both your spirit as artist and musician. --- Jon
Melegrito
"...provocative" --- Eric Townsend
Write-up
on Rodney by
Judith Ladringan, January 1, 2007
The
Right Time
a
winter concert
The Rod Garcia Band
high-energy
and inspiring original music
with
Jitter
Garcia, Matt Magnaye, Eric Champaloux, Russ Arlotta,
Belle
De Leon, Martin Magnaye and Tito De Leon
January
13 at 8 p.m.
John
Addison Concert Hall
HARMONY HALL REGIONAL CENTER
10701 Livingston Road
Fort
Washington, Maryland
"Love
your music!" ---- The
Speaks
"Beautiful
music!"
--- Giorgia Cavallaro, Professor of Guitar, Catholic University
of America
"I
aspire to the musical genius of Rod Garcia."
--- Ambassador
Alberto Del Rosario,Jr.
Farewell
Address July 7, 2006
J.W.
Marriott, Washington D.C.
"...
an engaging voice."
--- Beth Stewart
Director,
Sleepy Hollow House Concerts
PAFC
FUNDRAISER NETS 20K FOR LEYTE
The
Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC)
turned over $20,000 in funds raised to Gawad Kalinga last
Saturday, November 11, 2006 at Manila Café in Springfield,
VA. The funds are earmarked for the building of homes in Leyte
for those who were displaced and rendered homeless by the
mudslide that occurred early this year.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF
THE STORY.
October
31, 2006
Hi everyone,
The other night's set at the Marriott went well--better than
expected, actually. The new sound system worked like a dream
--easily filling the large ball room of about 500 folks with
our music. I miked Rocky's sax and plugged in my Morris acoustic
guitar for the three original songs. People were coming up
to us afterwards paying really nice compliments; and one of
the people in my table (she had seen us before) told the others
- "if you think this was good, you should hear the entire
band together."
The new PI Ambassador to the US Willie Gaa was in attendance
and he told me he's a musician too. I asked him (half-kidding
of course) if he played percussion [since I didn' have Belle
that night]. And he replied that he likes to sing. Anyway,
Rocky [as usual] upstaged me and got lots of applause each
time he finished a phrase or rift.
October
21, 2006
8 p.m.
JW Marriott Washington DC
On the occasion of -- Feed The Hungry's "Handog"
September
24, 2006 (Sunday)
Doors open 5 p.m. (matinee)
Rod begins at 6:45 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Concert Hall
Columcille Council Hall
1633 Tucker Rd.
Fort Washington, Md. 20744
Council:
www.rc.net/washington/kc5317
Parish: www.rc.net/washington/stcolumba
August
19, 2006
9-10:30
p.m.
Manila Cafe
Springfield, Virginia
March
26, 2006
Sharing
on Concert: Savory Cafe, Takoma Park March 25, 2006
Hi everyone:
This is a weird time. I had a gig at the Savory Cafe, Jitter
was at rehearsals for her musical at the Kennedy Center and
Karla was at the National Theater for her Broadway-bound musical
'Hot Feet." Rocky was at my Uncle Jun's place -basically
grounded (translation: no gigging/sax playing) for telling
a fib at school.
When they called me on, people started gathering around the
performance area and the second level. The only one with me
tonight was Russ (violin/guitar). It was the most packed I've
seen at the Savory. Mixed crowd - age-group and racial demographics.
Blacks, whites, one Filipino, some Asian-Americans, people
in their twenties/thirties and older. The bluegrass/folk musicians
who performed before I came on stayed to listen.
The lesson learned by me tonight is "know thy audience."
I was thinking of doing a light acoustic jazz set and started
with "Sweet Summertime" (without my band's sax players,
percussionists) BAD IDEA -- as I was finishing the song I
noticed that two people on the second level began to take
their coats and walk out. NO!! I exclaimed in silence -come
back! I won't sing that song again. Anyway, they obviously
couldn't hear my pained but mute cries of anguish over their
lost patronage. So I had to think fast before I start losing
more. What could have been the problem? Then it struck me
like a frying pan upside my head: This is a folk crowd tonight!
I decided my next series of songs should be folk acoustic
compositions (except "Lately"). Fortunately, by
the third song, even more people from the cafe part of the
place were coming down to the performance area and by the
end of the evening, I made many new friends.
One of the new friends happens to be a percussionist and songwriter
too. He's performed at La Mayorga (a "rival" venue
of Savory). Since I need a percussionist for the Catholic
University gig a few days hence, I decided to ask him if he
could come to the house and jam tomorrow. Hopefully, he'll
be good for the songs. Playing this upcoming gig before college
kids bothers me, since I can't quite read them as well. I
just figure that it's better to have percussive sounds than
folk songs this coming Wednesday. But - just as I was wrong
at the Savory- -I may be wrong about Catholic U- and may end
up pulling out my folk song repertoire yet again. We shall
see.
Anyway, I picked up Rocky from my uncle's place (and Rocky
reportedly displayed good behavior); Jitter and Karla came
home from their respective performances tired but beaming
with the promise of a breakfast full of stories about tonight's
performances, and all's right with the world.
Coming up -- Opening of The Carlos Bulosan archives at the
Library of Congress. Organizers asked me to compose two songs
for the event (dinner/symposium/ribon-cutting launch). Interesting
challenge. Someone suggested I do something "of the earth"
-almost country style. I don't know. I think acoustic style
works just as well, but I'm playing with the idea of composing
the pieces in piano this time. Bahala na.
Take care,
Rod
Feb.
26, 2006
Poem
composed and recited by Linda Pirrone at the Feb. 18, 2006
concert.
"Over
the years, Rodney Garcia has entertained us with stories,
taught us our rights under the law, written songs and sung
to us, educated us on living wills, wrote bylaws and helped
support the arts and the humanities and tonight, Julian and
I would like to give him an introduction, Tutubi style:
Please
allow us to introduce Rodney
Versatile and musical words are the key
He teaches in words written and spoken
He sings of life and pledges once broken
He celebrates the land where he was born
His creative mind is active till morn
He was wise enough to choose a smart wife
Who with his children complete his rich life
His legal talents are legend to all
Who seek to honor and comprehend law
He writes our charters, bylaws and much more
His kababayans honor his folk lore
Shared in musicals, plays, and in words
Stories of his homeland are always heard
In melodic tones and poignant verse
He reaches the edge of the universe
And touches our hearts with his spirit, true
To provide a lens to see it anew
He offers a forum for expression
In doing so, he offers the lesson
To help each other celebrate our young
By giving a platform for their own song
And offering you a night to treasure
He brings his music here for your pleasure
And gives his talent and those of his friends
When this magical evening starts to end
Youll leave this café with a new outlook
Run to his website and buy his new book
Invite his band for your next occasion
Ask him to be your legal liaison
When you want someone to be on your side
When a task is hard to take it in stride
Call Rodney Garcia is what we would do
Now here he is, without further ado.
By
Linda Pirrone, 2/18/06 Manila Café Tutubi Cultural
Center
Just
a brief note that we just finished a pretty satisfying concert
at the Manila Cafe. We were billed for 9:30 p.m., but at 6:30
I got a call from my friend Nory who asked why I wasn't there
yet. Apparently, her group and some others were already "camped"
at the cafe and said they'd leave if I didn't show up by the
time they finished their dinner. So I took Rocky with me and
instructed Jitter and Ella to handle the rest of the band
-who, I imagined, were scouring the music stores for a new
bass guitar -because Martin's bass conked out earlier that
afternoon at practice. In the meantime, a portion of my right
thumb's fingernail had peeled off! On concert day! So I would
have to play with a guitar pick that night -something I'm
no longer used to doing. Off Rocky and I went, when we got
to the cafe, the tables were full already and I wondered how
it would be for those who would be coming later at the true
concert time. I started mixing with the folks at the cafe
-some gently asking if I can just go ahead and start. Instead,
I asked the owner if we can play Jitter's CD on the system,
to tide them through while we waited for the rest of the band.
Within the hour, more people had filtered in and the Cafe
attendants were bringing out more chairs from the back room.
Soon
the place was packed. Finally, the rest of the band walked
in, lugging the instruments (keyboard, drumset, and yes -a
leased bass guitar) and other peripherals. How'd the concert
go? Jitter had her charisma; but those sax guys (including
Rocky) blew the place away -I am so proud of them. Just a
week before, Matt Magnaye [Rocky's 16 year old sax tutor)
starred in solo piece after solo piece with an elite jazz
orchestra concert. And at the Cafe, he had the audience up
and applauding. The other sax guy is Martin (also plays smoking
bass guitar) - who was recruited by Chris Vedalla of Chuck
Mangione fame to play in a jazz ensemble with the University
of Maryland. It also helped that I had a true pro on keyboards
and/or drums -Romeo Casanova is quite an addition to us -whose
virtuosity has seen airplay in a jazz radio station WKYS.
He even put "strings" (violin, cello) sound on a
couple of my change-of-pace folk ballads.
I
don't know, seems that sometimes Providence really does gift
us with the missing pieces.
NEXT
GIGS:
March 19 Friday. Bishop O'Oconnel 5
p.m.-7 Leyte Mudslide Benefit (including Agos, The Speaks,
First Rays, Angie Pepa)
March
29. Catholic University Of America (8 p.m.) - short gig
sponsored by the Fil-Am students association.
Feb.
24, 2006
Hi
all,
Well, as you know, tonight the Philippine Embassy celebrated
the anniversary of EDSA I with a grand reception at the Romulo
Hall. Dignitaries, state department, etc. And most of the
Fil-Am leaders were there. A defiant but calm Ambassador del
Rosario told the crowd that the coup attempt in Manila today
did not succeed and that the Filipinos should remain united.
Interestingly enough, a few days prior to the reception, the
cultural attache had contacted me and requested me to play
at the reception, specifically my composition "Nasaan"
--a song about unity.
So after all the speeches -including a rather long evangelical-type
prayer (I mean--really interminably long -- and I felt guilty
that my mind was wandering to the food and that I started
people-watching). Anyway, then it was time for dinner, and
yes, I was one of the first in line (but then I ended up giving
my plate to Ella). After the repast, our trio (Jitter, Matt
and myself)got up on the stage; one of the staff arranged
the mics together for us (but these were non-music mics, but
I guess we were okay with them, and there was no time for
sound check) Jitter was with me to do the bulk of the singing
because I'm coming out of some form of sore throat this week,
and Matt brandished his soprano sax (I had given him some
counterpoints and note runs just two nights ago -and I told
him not to do any jazz licks on this one; the guy had the
whole kaboodle pat down in a couple of days.) Then when we
finished and the crowd yelled for more, we sang our staple
"Sana."
Then they called for more, but we finally demurred. The head
of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities came up
and announced the upcoming Leyte Mudslide Benefit Concert
that I'm organizing. We promised fantastic artists at the
concert. Feedback from our little schtick up there was actually
very nice. Even the young intern working at the embassy introduced
himself to me and talked enthusiastically about the songs
(even though I bet he hardly understood the first one we did).
I'm looking forward to that Mudslide Benefit Concert because
I'll be seeing my music friends again --most of whom were
the same rough riders from Bagyo Aid last year.
Rod
Feb.
12, 2006
Rodney Garcia will be doing a full concert
of his original compositions February 18 at the Manila Cafe
in Springfield, Virginia. Last February, Rod put together
a group of local musical artists (including the Speaks, Agos
and Average Joe) for the Bagyo Aid concert to benefit Feed
The Hungry's projects in typhoon-devasted Quezon and Aurora
in the Philippines. Last May, Rod also performed in Manila
Cafe to benefit Gawad Kalinga.
Joining him in this year's performance will be Martin Magnaye
(tenor sax, bass). Martin is considered one of the best tenor
saxophone player among the Catholic high school bands in the
archdiocese. Also in Rod's band are Glenn Davis (guitar),
Matt Magnaye( alto sax, guitar, percussion), Romeo Casanova
(keyboards, drums), Rocky Garcia (alto sax), Jitter Garcia
(vocals) and Eric Champaloux (guitar) and Russ Arlotta.
Aug.
25, 2005
The younger members of my band have created
a site in myspace.com/rodgarciaband.
Please check it out for pictures and recordings we're working
on.
Concert
Schedule
July 30 Vision Gallery
- Georgetown, Georgetown Park Shopping Mall -a short set on
the occasion of the closing party of art gallery exhibit by
Julian Oteyza- 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 13, Virginia Beach - Silver &
Bull music fest (the whole family is going and Ella and the
kids are staying on the rest of the week)
Aug. 27, (tentative date) House
Concert in Woodbridge ( hosted by Leonor Noblejas)
Happy Father's Day to all.
Here's
my June-July Schedule:
June 21.......... 7 p.m. Lecture on Living Wills at
the Mrs. Philippines Home for Senior Citizens, Bock Rd. Oxon
Hil, Maryland
June 25...........9-10 p.m. . mini-concert Savory Cafe,
7071 Carrol Ave, Takoma Park, Maryland
July 9 ............8 p.m., guest appearance, launch
of Angie Pepa's CD Karaoke Idol, 7151 Lee Highway
Back
from LA
I'm back from my reading/concert in LA this
past Feb. 5. The venue for the reading was an Italian restaurant
at the ritzy Bonaventure Hotel -- it was filled and all books
sold. There was coverage by a California public radio station
(they had me sign a consent to air the concert/reading), and
a good number of folks from the Filipino press were present;
as well as several arts/cultural directors and such --- connected
to school systems and communities.
Let me share this letter from one of them,
Zen Lopez, a former Bayanihan dancer and model. I don't think
she'll mind.
Hi Rodney!
Thanks again for the wonderful book reading
and musical renditions that you gave last Saturday at the
Bonaventure. Am enjoying your book and reading it at leisure.
It was great meeting you. Should we have another chance to
go to Washington DC, will definitely keep in touch.
Best regards,
Z e n
p.s. couldn't decipher your aol address (again!),
so just went to your website. Great website!
Zen Lopez
Arts and Culture Commissioner
City of Glendale
Also present was the Rene, President (and
his wife) of the Don Bosco Alumni Association of the US -Rene
Ramos. He was very encouraging in his support. Here's a portion
of a letter to my friend Raoul -which was copied to me:
....
Tell Rodney that we enjoyed it very much - it was our first
time to attend such. I am almost through reading the book
- baka biglang mag test si Rodney. Also, I will remind him
to send me a sampler CD ...!
Rene
But what touched me the most was what a sixteen
year old did. Raoul took his son along -who was naturally
not too keen about going to a book reading. I read from the
story, "Pasig Boy," and stopped at a certain pivotal part
of the story. Raoul told me the next day that on their way
home, his son insisted (ang kulit daw) on getting the book
out of Raoul's bag so he can read it in the car and find out
what happens next.
Next gig is Bagyo' Aid benefit concert on
Feb. 26 in Falls Church , Virginia.
So long for now.
Feb 11, 2005 -
Concerts coming up
Anyone in the L.A. area, please note that on
Feb.5, I'm doing a reading (of my book) and a mini-concert of
songs in my upcoming CD. It's at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 5,
2005 at Marcello's Original Tiramisu Italian Restaurant and
Caterer, Suite 417, 4th Floor Shops and Gallery
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel, 404 S. Figueroa
St, Los Angeles, CA 90071; Tel 213-629-2000 or 213-880-8371
cell
Tickets available at $11.50. Includes sales
tax and tips.
Space is limited to 50 people. Strictly by
reservation.
RSVP before February 3, 2005. Email the organizer,
Linda Nietes at lindanietes@earthlink.net or linda_nietes@sbcglobal.net.
She accepts payment by check, major credit
card or thru PayPal.
1/21/05 -
Back From the 7-Day Book Tour
Well folks, I'm back from a 7 day whirlwind
book/concert tour to Hawaii and Manila. I I read before several
professors from the University of Hawaii, and members of the
Filipino Association of University Women, at the beautiful Philippine
consulate in Honolulu. Consul General Rolly Gregorio and staff
officer Mod Villalobos and her husband were very gracious. Marised
Badal whisked me straight from the airport to the site, baggage
and all. My friend Dr. Alberto San JUan Jr. took a lot of nice
shots -which hopefully I can share here in the near future.
Honolulu has some of the best sushi I've ever tasted. On Monday
morning I was off to Manila. Eventually got there late Tuesday
night and got ready for my reading at Lourdes School the following
evening. It was good to be in Lourdes - my alma mater from Prep
to 3 year high school. Representatives from different batches
read from "The Right Place and Other Stories." I read too and
also presented a video excerpt of my musical plays. Then they
asked me to sing one of my compositions -and I obliged with
"I'm Like You" -the title track from the CD I am finishing.
When they asked for another number, I noted that the book's
last story contains one of my songs, "City Lights" -and played
that, as my cousin Theresa sang while reading the lyrics off
the book. Finally, that Friday, it was time for the hot spot
-"The Magnet" an art gallery/book store across Ateneo, near
Miriam College, frequented by denizens of worlds of literature,
music and academe. Met many new friends, including published
poets and authors, university scholars, including Butch Dalisay
and excellent musicians --including jazz saxophone virtuoso
Karen Tan. While I was waiting to be called for the start of
the proceedings, Rock Drillon --owner of the Magnet --set me
up in his private quarters and showed me his classical guitar
strung up in alternate tuning. He offered some wine, but I was
so jet-lagged, I felt I'd keel over if I consume an ounce of
liquor. My sponsor, prominent literary critic, Krip Yuson came
a little later, some gin and lots of good will in tow. To start
the evening, Ces Drillon (of ABS-CBN's "People") and I unveiled
a Poet's Alcove outside the Magnet, while cameras clicked. This
is in effect a shrine that Krip had prepared, honoring Filipino
poetry. That night, the alcove featured Nick Joaquin. Then after
a nice introduction by Krip, I read from some poetry in the
last story of my book, then from the title story, "The Right
Place." My cousin, Sonny, told me "lumabas ang pagka-Amerikano
mo," I think he was referring to the fact that I apparently
slipped into my normal American accent while I read. Up till
then, I seemed to have affected a slight Filipino accent. At
the Q & A that ensued, a Japanese scholar from U.P. asked me
where the "right place" is for me - the States or the Philippines.
I told her that its a continuing issue, but that ultimately
the mind is its own place (paraphrasing Milton). Didn't sleep
any more the rest of that evening. Attended my cousin Lulus
birthday party in Barrio Kapitolyo, then was at the airport
at 4 a.m., lined up with my one box of pasalubongs. I'm very
grateful to Krip Yuson and the Drillons for the wonderful time
I had at the Magnet; to my octane-fuled cousin Kai Garcia and
to Oliver Darvin (of "Sons of Lourdes") for the touching tribute
they gave me at Lourdes School; and to Ms. Ethel Ward, to the
officers and members of the Filipino Association of University
Women, to the consulate's Mod Villalobos, to Consul Gen. Rolly
Gregorio, to Dr. Alberto San Juan and his family, and to Marised
Badal for each sharing a piece of Honolulu with me. Rodney Garcia
11/15/2004 -
PHIL. EMBASSY INVITATION TO HERITAGE 2
The Oct. 16 show is getting close. I'll be presenting
excerpts from my musical play, Hacienda at 4 p.m. that Saturday
at the GWU auditorium. Hope to see you there! I've included
another musician - Al Baes, an excellent professional keyboard
player. Talented thespian Valerie Resultan will recite lines
by the character of Kristine. And four young singers will render
most of the vocals: Arceli Magpayo, Jordana de Leon, Jitter
Garcia and Marinel de Jesus.
For guitarists out there, I'l be using a
Taylor 714CE. I'm bringing my Spanish guitar for good measure.
For more information on Hacienda, the musical,
please visit my website at www.rodshacienda.com. It was shown
several times in the DC area, including at the Le Neon French
American Theater and Gunston Hall.
For thoe also interested in the book readings,
I've been asked to do a reading of my book "The Right Place
and Other Stories" at 1:45 p.m. that same Saturday.
All the best,
Rod
Oct. 6, 2004 -
Heritage II
Rod will particiate in "HERITAGE II
Pride in our Books,
Pride in our Future
Meet the Filipino-American Authors of Tomorrow. . .
16 October 2004, Saturday
Go to:
http://rodshacienda.com/articles/heritage2.htm
for details
Sep 14, 2004 -
Now that summer's over
Now that summer is almost over, I thought I'd
let you all know what I'm up to:
I'm currently trying to complete a CD of original
music - it should be done by October;
also, I'll be reading excerpts from my book
at the Philippine Embassy book fair October 16, as well as
presenting excerpts from my musical Hacienda (thanks to several
talented musicians);
in November, I'll be headed for Manila for
a couple of readings -thanks to Philippine literary critic
Krip Yuson. There's a possibility I'll also do a reading in
Honolulu (Nov. 7) prior to Manila.
Full plate, folks!
Aug 28, 2004 -
Music Fest
I'm happy to report that all went well at the
music fest. We performed four of the ten songs in Hacienda to
an audience of mostly non-Filipinos. After the performance,
strangers came up to us on stage to ask where to get the CD,
where to catch the full show, and in one case, to comment that
the material and performance was "Broadway quality" A professor
of music at the University of Maryland and Catholic U wanted
to look at the score and was rather effusive.
I was lucky to have excellent singers in
Jennifer Escano, Jordana De Leon and Arceli Magpayo.
We'll be performing again this Saturday at
the American Legion in Arlington (off Columbia Pike) in Julian
Oteyza's jam night, starting at 9 p.m. -although without the
services of Jennifer -who will be out of town.
June 22, 2004 -
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