The History that shapes Filipino Identity

from Alberta Filipino Journal - December 2022 Issue

Blood on FIFA World Cup

Seniors Choir Mother Apple and daughter Avery Mendoza MLA Christina Gray and Dr. Josephine Pallard Consul Genral Zaldy Patron

Saranay President Cesar Daus Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

Anastacia Maywood

Abigael and Michael Mendoza Erica Cawagas and Jea Cawagas-Cates Emma Araja and Sheila Pagtakhan

The richness of the Filipino language and culture can always be traced through practice. From the start, Filipino people’s affinity to arts and culture cannot easily be dichotomized and eradicated by the advent of techno centrism and millennial pseudo-psychology for the reason that Filipinos are known for their vigilance in the preservation of their inheritance.

On the 9th of December 2022 at the ACCA Centre in Edmonton, the recently concluded 43rd Anniversary celebration of the Filipino-Canadian Saranay Association of Alberta with its theme: Echoes from the Roots: Part 2, in cooperation with the Filipino Language and Culture of Edmonton was a great success.

Saranay president, Cesar Daus, officially opened and welcomed the program and acknowledged those who he believes will become assets to the association and potentially become their successors. Attending the event were Philippine Consul General Zaldy Patron, City of Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, MLA for Millwoods Christina Gray, and Edmonton Arts Council Program Advisor/Arts Development and Investment Anastasia Maywood. The president of the Congress of the Philippine Associations of Alberta and the Publisher of Alberta Filipino Journal Jose “Jun” Angles, Political Candidate for Edmonton West Nathan Ip, and Mr. Antonio, the Honorary Consul of Spain to Edmonton, were there to support.

The Cultural Presentation

Visitors and guests were entertained by the group of Filipino folk singers and instrumentalists. The Saranay adult-senior chorale group was accompanied by the youth and

Ruth Decano Folk, Edna Gilera, Jose “Jun” Angeles, Cesar Daus, Antonio - Honorary Consul of Spain and his wife adult Rondalla in cooperation with the Lopez Band headed by Maestro Renato (Mike) Lopez and his family members, who played the Luzviminda (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) Medleys. Roujea Cawagas-Cates and Her daughter Erica Cawagas also played the Christmas Medley.

Lovers of both Filipino folk songs and dances were so delighted by the Saranay folk dancers’ (from 5 year old language and culture students to 92 year old lolos and lolas) lively performances.

The Filipino Values

The Filipino culture is truly embedded in every Filipino’s soul. Filipinos are good mimics and well-equipped with

Saranay Rondalla and the Lopez Band

a good attitude when borrowing, as they always do something to maintain the good shape or even take extra effort to innovate and improve.

The Surprise Number

Witnessed by more or less 200 attendees at the ACCA Centre, Dr. Josephine Pallard, the principal of the Filipino Language and Culture School of Edmonton was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal by MLA Christina Gray.

Photos by Lito Velasco More photos to be posted on our website albertafilipinojournal.com

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL DECEMBER 2022 Gloc 9 and Shanti Dope: the Kingpin and Prodigy of Philippine Rap

One of the recent concert engagements in Edmonton was the Rapsada sa Canada featuring Gloc 9 and Shanti Dope. This tour is part of Gloc 9’s celebration of 25 years in the music industry, which also brought them to Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Red Deer. This tour in a way, is also about the beginning and the future of Philippine rap - featuring the Philippines’ King of Hip-Hop and the Phenom.

Gloc 9 is Aristotle Condenuevo Pollisco, rapper, singer and songwriter, from Binangonan, Rizal. He discovered rap during his elementary years, where he would memorize the popular rap songs until eventually making his own. He made a name in the local underground hip hop scene with the Filipino hip hop group Death Threat. Through time, he has released albums which have garnered awards, practically winning everything he was nominated for. One of the most prolific rappers and songwriters of the Philippines, Gloc 9 has been

awarded the Sudi National Music Award by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, two FAMAS Awards, 21 Awit Awards, 18 Myx Music Awards, 9 PMPC Star Awards and the 6th Wish Music Awards’ Artist of the Year. He has also been inducted at the Calle Con Hall of Fame. It has been said that rapper Francis Magalona has described Gloc 9 as “a blacksmith of words and letters, and a true Filipino poet”. He is a storyteller - of his life, universal stories of love and family, and social issues like poverty, patriotism and gender identity.

Shanti Dope, rapper, singer and songwriter, is Sean Patrick Ramos from Cavite. He discovered hip-hop with a group of neighbourhood kids, copying what they would hear on the radio. At the age of 14, he started writing his own songs for friendly battles in the underground rap scene. He started with rhyming and with the help of friends, learned about conceptualizing his writing. He maximized opportunities to perform, paid or not, to be noticed. At the age of 16, he signed up with a recording label. He is considered a phenom, generating millions of streams locally and abroad, and performances throughout Asia, Australia, in the United States, and now in Canada. His songs are described as “laden with slow-burning hip-hop beats and cuttingly honest lyricism”, with “awesome wordplay, spectacular verses and gorgeous rap flow”. His song “Amatz” was featured on Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series in Disney+, episode Power Broker.

Gloc 9 is known for helping emerging rappers, and opening up opportunities. And Shanti Dope has acknowledged Gloc 9 as a major influence and inspiration for him. And so, it was heartening to see the interaction between them and about 16 local aspiring and emerging singers, rappers, and songwriters during the Meet and Greet in Edmonton, sharing their experiences, advice and thoughts.

First and foremost, they both stressed the importance of doing what you are passionate about and enjoying the process. To not give up. When you fail, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you push yourself forward again and persevere. But once you’re no longer happy, then probably that’s the time to do something else. Gloc 9’s start was not an easy one. In fact, sometime after the release of his second album, he studied Nursing and worked other

ARTOSPECTIVE - an artist’s point of view

Ida Beltran-Lucila

ida_b_lucila@yahoo.com

jobs, thinking that his music would not be lucrative enough to support a family. Thankfully, when he was about to take the Nursing exam, his musical career took off. Nevertheless, he is proud that he was able to have this educational accomplishment, as an example to his children.

Get inspiration from other artists, continue to research and try different styles, and be excited with experimenting. In this current music scene, there’s easier access to various works and styles, the ability to release your own songs, and to learn skills like mixing. But because of this accessibility, there are more artists in the pool. And so there’s a greater challenge to excel. Gloc 9 elaborates that this boils down to who wants it more, who is passionate about it, and willing to persevere. Consistency is the key. To stand out, make sure your output is consistent. Learn from every person you meet and work with, and each time you perform, treat it like it’s your last one and do your best. Keep learning. For Shanti Dope, he aims to learn more about the business side of the music industry, i.e. marketing and branding, apart from his songwriting.

Asked about what their advice would be to Filipino singers and rappers who are establishing their identity in Canada, they are of the same opinion to focus on where you are comfortable with, and stay authentic. Do not make impositions based on the market. To stand out here in Canada, it boils down to intentions. If it’s an expression of yourself, it doesn’t matter whether you write in Filipino or English, it’s whatever you desire to express. Shanti Dope is quick to say how impressed he is with Filipino artists in Canada who study and/or work while pursuing their art, saying with a laugh, that he didn’t think he would be able to survive that himself.

That evening with Gloc 9 and Shanti Dope was a refreshing encounter with two artists whose work I was not initially familiar with, but now appreciate, especially after witnessing their talents, discipline, wisdom, humility and generosity. It is just right that they are looked up to by the aspiring and emerging artists in the Meet and Greet, and who should heed the words that were shared with them by the kingpin and prodigy of Philippine art.

Photo credit for concert photos: Yana in Moments Photography

To comment on this article, go to https://www.philippineartscouncil. com/blog.

By Moses Billacura

Members of the Filipino Dirtbike Enthusiasts finally organized a Christmas Party for the group and their families held on December 3 at the Radisson Hotel. Games, dances and singing performances from local singers Ana Jane and Hazel of UniqueMixx spiced up the party.

Members of the Filipino Dirtbike Enthusiasts (Ryan, Crisan, Gatan, Francis, Jaypee, Ace, Eric, Randolph, Kenneth, Totoy, Don, Gerald, Jhon, Togie, Ian, Chris and Gerry) and their families celebrate, Dec. 3, at the Radisson Hotel.

Hazel of UniqueMixx sings for the dirtbikers. Ana Jane belts out a song.

Winners of the game!

A Happy Birthday to Chris Ayson!

Chris receives a prize from Laarni.

By Moses Billacura

The Yeg Pinay Entrepreneur Society held its second annual Christmas Party, Dec. 2, at the Manila Grill Restaurant.

Go Honda on 184 Street's Jane Absalon (extreme right) with friends. YEG Pinay Entrepreneurs Society members at their second annual Christmas party, Dec. 2, at the Manila Grill Restaurant.

A gentleman, Chris, with the ladies of Yeg Pinay Entrepreneur Society. Raymark and Pia of Liberty Autoworx. Tha's Rosalie and Josephine, your local singers.

Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal

PBSA members hear from Victor Cui

The Philippine Business Society of Alberta (PBSA) members had a lovely meeting with Victor Cui, president of the Edmonton Elks, who talked about business and life in general. The meeting was held at the Elks’ home, November 16.

Victor Cui with PBSA's legal adviser, Atty. Joseph Angeles.

Victor Cui with the PBSA. Photos Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL DECEMBER 2022 The Christmas that binds

By Ruth Dogue-Is

As we head towards the end of the year, the Filipino-Canadian Saranay Association had a joyful Christmas get-together on December 18, 2022. It was attended by its board members and the students of the Filipino Language and Culture School of Edmonton together with their parents. It was a joyous moment of singing Filipino Christmas carols and moving and grooving to them. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth this season, we are also reminded that it is a time to create stronger family bonds.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon from Saranay family.

The Filipino Language and Culture School of Edmonton Board of Directors, teachers, parents, and students.

Teacher Sweet and the students L-R: Henry Escalona, Anita Escalona, Tiffany Claire Girrent and husband, Jennifer Willocks, husband and children L-R: Mike Lopez, Gloria Daus, Cesar Daus, Eddie Picardal, Ruth Dogue-is, Tessie Picardal