Memorial Day Weekend

As APA Heritage Month comes to a close, we come to enjoy Memorial Day Weekend with our friends, family, and loved ones. Let us remember that this holiday is to commemorate the American men and women who perished while in military service. Let us also remember the following:

• Filipino WWII veterans win Senate vote on military benefits
• World food crisis
• All of our military troops serving here and abroad
• California wildfires that took out dozens of homes in Santa Cruz
  

Last, but not least, let us remember the tens of thousands lost in the China earthquake and Myanmar cyclone this month. I can’t tell you how devastated my family and I feel about the recent disasters. The bad news continues to pour in as more people are losing their homes and loved ones. For those of us that live in California especially, please be smart and prepared for the same can happen here as well. Get a kit, make a plan, and be informed as American Red Cross puts it.

I know many of us here in America are experiencing tough times as well and we do what we can to help out our neighbors- although I’m sure we can spare even a little bit to help those overseas. You can donate at the American Red Cross online.  Don’t worry folks, this is a legit link. Or you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Thank you for the news, Dennis Richmond

If you are a Bay Area native and don’t know who Dennis Richmond is, then you’ve been living under a rock (or two). Last night, May 21st, Dennis Richmond has signed off after 40 years as an anchorman for KTVU Channel 2. I watched both the 6 o’clock and 10 o’clock programs. His final signoff was emotional and honestly hard to watch.

I’ve been watching Dennis on TV, pretty much my whole life. I remember as a little kid, while my Mom worked evenings, I would watch KTVU’s 10 o’clock news at my Lola’s apartment to kill time (yes I was a late sleeper). As KTVU.com puts it, “[Dennis] Richmond has been a voice of calm amid the chaos of many of the Bay Area biggest news events.” You really cannot forget Dennis’s voice. He really makes you listen and watch the news. Dennis is a Bay Area icon no doubt about it. His personal story and longtime dedication to KTVU is far beyond admirable. It’s remarkable, especially in an era where change is constant- like anchors moving station to station. Daytime anchorman, Frank Somerville has been chosen to take Dennis’s seat. Everyone knows that you can never replace Dennis, but like stages in life, you move on and grow.

Thank you Dennis for the news and for the company. Enjoy your retirement, family, and most of all, life!

Happy APA Month with Filipino Heritage Night and the SF Giants

Last night was one of most fun game nights I’ve attended at AT&T Park- though the Giants lost against the Astros, 6-3. The SF Giants brought Filipino Heritage Night to AT&T Park in celebration of APA Heritage Month! A portion of the upper sections were allocated for this heritage night and those who did purchase those tickets also get a “Filipino Heritage Night” t-shirt. I’d like to know who designed the shirts as well- a truly awesome layout (coming from a designer myself). Cultural groups: Hiyas Dance Group, SF Barangay and Likhas Pilipino Folk Ensemble provided the public some great entertainment.

Much props to the SF Giants for finally recognizing our APA communities this week! Thanks for also recognizing our “Major League Pinoys” like Robert Rudolph ‘Bobby’ Balcena, Benny Agbayani (boo… I won’t forget that game-winning homer), and Chris Aguila (where are you my man?!). I know ya’ll are looking for ways to fill seats now that Barry Bonds is no longer with you. From what I’ve heard, over 4,000 tickets were sold and many as 200 attendees didn’t get their tees. The turnout was incredible, especially since my wife and I ran into almost every Filipino we’ve known in our lives- friends and even family. haha.

By the way, for those that got their t-shirts and left the park before the game started… shame on you. Game na Giants!

Happy APA Month with Love, Sex, and Relationships

Looking for Love, sex, relationships, and everything in between? Check out “Lexationships with Marc and James” hosted by Lexationship black belts Marc, the resident “Chieftain of Romance” and James, the “Poppa-Sutra.”

This has been one of the funniest (and cheeky naughty) online shows I’ve seen in a while. Together the show is out to prescribe their very own unique brand of Lexationship medicine to cure what ails you. The man behind Lexationships is Bay Area’s own John P. Raposas. Remember, the show is a comedic take on the world of love advice shows (where have they gone?!) and should be watched for entertainment (or maybe other) purposes only.

Let John know what you think. Send them a message or if you have a question on love, sex, and relationships, they’ll be more than happy to answer. You can also find Lexationships on MySpace.

Happy APA Heritage Month. Save your rice and go to “The Cooking Show!”

APA Heritage Month was first established in 1977 thanks to Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta and Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga who introduced resolutions asking President Jimmy Carter to declare the first ten days of May (the month when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S. in 1843) as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. In 1978, President Carter made it an annual event and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush (Sr.) proclaimed the entire month of May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students.

If you’re in the SF Bay Area and are looking to celebrate without spending it all on rice (prices have ridiculously doubled and then some!), check out The Cooking Show con Karimi & Castro at the SomArts Cultural Center (934 Brannan Street in SF) starting May 8th through May 18th (check dates and times)- in part with the 11th Annual United States of Asian American Festival. The Cooking Show is a tasty theatrical experience with revolutionary chefs Mero Cocinero Karimi and Comrade Cocinero Castro as they dish up Iranian-Guatemalan-Filipino food, cultural consciousness and humor. Just to add, it is written and performed by Robert Farid Karimi of Def Poetry Jam fame and John Manal Castro who co-wrote “The Debut” (ya know that Filipino-American movie starring Dante Basco and Joy Bisco).

I’m definitely looking forward to this! These two are very talented… and darn funny!