Caught in a wire

Just to follow your metaphor, sometimes a kite gets caught in a wire. It gets entangled high up in the air, out of reach and hampered from flight. Still, with a bit of persistence and tugging, kids (like these ones from our neighborhood) may just be able to set it free. Even if they free the kite, however, there are many more wires throughout the city, and too few parks and fields for kite-flying. The environment is full of man-made obstacles that are built in the name of "development" which so few of us question. And that, I suppose, is just part of the challenge.

Jo
062012

strings attached

I was gonna write a very long, in-depth analogy of nationalism being a kite. Then I thought to just quote Celeste Legaspi's Saranggola ni Pepe:


Matayog ang lipad ng saranggola ni Pepe
Matayog ang pangarap ng matandang bingi


Hinuli ang ibon, pinagsuot ng pantalon
Tinali ng pisi, hindi na nagsinturon


Dumaan ang jeepney at gumuhit pa sa kalye
Mauling ang iniwang hindi na tinabi


Nay...nay...nay...nay...

jordan
061812

*downed kite at rooftop
**caged Philippine eagle
***sabit kids playing at jeep
****lola with apo waiting for the jeep to move

The Otherside

I missed covering the Independence Day commemorations this week due to a prior engagement. Still, I thought about the significance of creating, documenting, and remembering our history, as well as relating it to current events. When all's said and done, sovereignty and independence are illusions presented to us in school, by the media, and by the government through colorful spectacles and grand speeches -- illusions that don't hold up to the critical eye which questions and protests against domination, whether by other States, corporate interests, or groups based on race or religion, among others. Even on the otherside of the Pacific, powerful symbols can be interrogated by artists and scenes can take on other meanings. Nevertheless, it takes much more imagination and courage to consider what freedom really looks and feels like.

Jo
061512

*At the MOMA with David Hammons' African-American Flag and other art work on display

and then some

True, dear. We also went to the isawan along the UP Arcade with some friends.

We didn't have isaw and nor did they, but we did eat dirty ice cream, fish balls, squid balls, chicken balls, and buko juice, which also have street cred.

jordan
060712

*isawan along UP Arcade