Ronilo: "Mga bakla ngayon!" (Gays now) Me: "AY SALI AKO!!!" (ME TOO!)
Sometimes I really hate it when things are over with just a blink of an eye. The most memorable events are the shortest ones, like, a kiss on the cheek by your dearest love or a glance at the most beautiful artwork there is. Though a fortnight does sound long, it is not long enough for one who has made a family out of several different people. I'm that person who made a family, a hip-hopping happy family.
The US-RP Hip-Hop Happy Summer Dance Camp for Youth. I never get tired of hearing and talking about this.
This awesome project, organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Embassy of the United States of America to the Philippines, started last 25 April. Since I had just came back from the ALAC Planning Seminar in Tagaytay, I had to briefly go back home to repack my bags and rest a bit before having dinner at the Silangan Hall in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. When I had reached said hall, only my supervisor was there, but the excitement surely was surging across my entire body as I heard heavy footsteps from outside.
The kids started pouring in. I wanted to immediately introduce myself but I turned formal when I saw Caucasian faces emerging from the dim tungsten lights outside the hall. It was a marketplace full of languages I have never heard before. I oddly felt at ease. I greeted them all a good evening.
Then Tweetie came in. We were briefed that her real name is Lenaya Straker and hails from the Bronx in New York. She's one of USA's really cool hip-hoppers, and that she is also Oprah Winfrey's hip-hop instructor. I examined her head to toe and instantly fell for her high heels. I suddenly remembered that I had to buy new heels soon, but that's another blog I'll be writing in the distant future. Behind her was someone a head taller than me, who I later came to know as Neil. Sooner or later everyone was seated, and I hungrily stared at the buffet table.
Formal greetings were held; things I usually do not listen to unless told to do so. VIP talked after VIP; I'm sorry, I was really hungry. Dizzy from standing up I took a seat at the last table by the door. There I started talking to Jairo, who would be someone I would enjoy talking to. He is my co-OJT-er. I also conversed with Abner, my fellow cultural policy and arts management geek. When Abner and Jairo took their seats in another table, Neil sat beside me. He was, for that project, the US Deputy Program Manager (Neil, if you ever read this, I was doing the IDs, which is I knew your position) and, being Ateneans, we conversed about magis and cura personalis as if we had our PhDs in Atenean personality. It was a joyful dinner: I was surrounded by friends already.
The welcoming dinner at Silangan Hall
After dinner we all headed for our respective buses and cars (it was my first time to ride a red plate vehicle!) and followed each other to the National Arts Center in Mt. Makiling, Los Baños. Once there I was made myself at home in the bunk bed and the bathroom I shared with four other girls.
And also to a yellow frog.
I actually miss their croaking.
But the following morning I had to move to the clubhouse with my supervisor because we needed to always be there (at the clubhouse) early. For most of the day I had to print out extra IDs and signs. I didn't really have time, nor the courage, to get myself acquainted with anyone except CCP staff. At least, for that day I didn't.
The following days served to be a working vacation for me. The National Arts Center is an isolated area with more trees than people, and the silence was not deafening, but rather welcoming. Makati City had to miss me for a few days; I felt right at home up in the mountains. I ate well, slept well, and enjoyed everyone's company. I occasionally missed my friends and family back in Manila, but, I assured myself that they were fine. I worried about my progress blogs for my Integrating class though, but I managed to pull through.
Three different views from Mt. Makiling.
Now, being a blogger (an avid one but not entirely that avid of a blogger), I suddenly became the resource speaker on blogging. According to my supervisors, the participants had to blog their experiences. The US Embassy supposedly had a blogsite ready for them, but to no avail we weren't able to use that. So we instead used Facebook. We all encountered problems, since many don't really have internet access in their respective areas and therefore had no clue on how to use Facebook. So I had to start from the beginning, and that was setting up an email address. Sir Tony Perez, Rysa, Miss Laura and Neil, all three from the US Embassy, as well as Joselle, Miss Nikki, Miss Nikko and Sir Mic, all from CCP, also helped out as they instructed the participants to join the State Alumni website. The website is like a social networking site for alumni from different US-related programs from all over the world. In this site one can avail of scholarships or grants, and also keep in touch with fellow alumni.
Once all the participants had Facebook accounts and had signed up for the State Alumni, they all managed to blog their experiences. I honestly felt very relieved and accomplished after all of this has been done. I initially did not know how to go about this, and I was very accustomed to hearing kids giving up when they don't understand what they were doing, but a majority of the participants seemed to want to have a Facebook account and wanted to blog. I was inspired, really. All the more I was inspired to write.
I was also inspired by Tweetie, who told us to never quit, to never say no. I myself gave up on many opportunities because I was afraid, but I reassured myself that I will no longer say no to any opportunity again.
In fact, I was deeply inspired by everyone in the workshop. They all did not give up; they all were faithful to their goals. Right there and then, I reassured myself that I'm in the right place, that I'm on the road of making a change, not only for me but also for the Philippines, and hopefully the world. (Sorry, rather mushy moment, but I just had to let it out)
The days went by and we all got to know each other more, not only through the blogs but also through constant interaction. I got to know many of them, and learned to love them as if they were my own brothers and sisters. I knew that there was a special bond being made in the background. Unfortunately, I had to go back to Manila last May 1 because my mom picked me up. I missed the kids so much. Luckily, some of them were able to blog and I responded to their blogs. They went back to Manila on May 4, and we saw each other once more during their rehearsals in Market! Market!
Our last day to be together was on May 5. For that day, I was tasked to be the Assistant Stage Manager for their recital. Despite being suddenly strict backstage, I did not forget how much fun I had being with them. I honestly had to stop myself from crying from time to time because I really made good friends. The recital was over in an hour, and, well, that was it.
We later on crossed to Serendra and had dinner at Larry's Bar and Café. I hardly ate dinner (but I enjoyed it... I just wasn't in the mood for curry...), had good laughs and took awesome pictures. We remembered the things that happened within the last two weeks, and can't believe that was it: the cultural exchanges, the eye-openers, the giddy moments, the stressful backstage rush, the endless heartfelt gratitude. I did not expect all of this to be part of my training at CCP. Thinking that I was only doing paperwork, I submitted to the fact that it would be all the same; but, no, it did not turn out the way I expected things to be. Everything turned out to be a wonderful two weeks with people from different areas of the Philippines and the United States of America.
Thank you all for inspiring me, for making me a better person, for sharing your passions with me. This isn't just a workshop; it really is a big family.
Live with passion.
Live your passion.
Xoxo, Myta
Me with Basilan Group.
Me with CCP Staff and US Envoy
The end of the recital! The area of mixed feelings, as personified by everyone looking at different cameras.
Me with CCP Staff and Tweetie
Me with CCP Staff and US Envoy, slightly more complete.
Me with the guys!!! MISS YOU ALL!
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