Film Review
WALKOUT - A Critical Review
By Arturo P. Garcia
March 31, 2006
Some people have recently called the HBO film, Walkout, as “providing
much inspiration to the student walkouts” across America in recent days.
The movie is about the story of Paula Crisostomo, daughter of Filipino
janitor Panfilo Crisostomo and a Mexican mother, who was one of those
who led the walkout of over 10,000 high school students in East Los
Angeles in 1968. Her story was highlighted in a telemovie, entitled
Walkout produced among others by Latino-American actor Edward James
Olmos for HBO and launched this March 18, 2006.
This film is a
remarkable breakthrough of sorts one which celebrates the struggle of
the Chicano minority for self-determination in racist, capitalist
America“ something that a progressive can both appreciate and agree
with. But there are also things that one must also be critical about.
Although the film is a historical feature that tells the story
of the Chicano people’s struggle against racism and discrimination and
is undoubtedly a breakthrough against white supremacy, it is also a
telling lesson in the chauvinism of some Chicano activists towards
Filipinos in America. This is a case of a majority minority that
unconsciously or consciously discriminates against another albeit
smaller national minority in advocating for its own self-determination
in the United States.
Don’t get us wrong. Filipinos have gone a
long way in building solidarity with the Mexican people. Filipinos have
had a long history of cooperation with the Mexican people even with
their own struggle for national determination and liberation.
Tracing our history, Filipinos of Mexican origin led the Cavite Mutiny
of 1872 that resulted in the martyrdom of the three Filipino Priests,
Frs. Gomez, Burgos and Zamora (Gomburza)- an event which had a powerful
effect on the Filipino people and later became an inspiration for Dr.
Jose Rizal to write a novel about Spanish clerico-fascism and colonial
theocracy.
The early decades of the last century in the United
States tell many stories not only of how white capitalist bosses pitted
Filipinos and Mexicans against each other, but also of how both groups
united and organized eventually to prevail over corporate growers up and
down the West Coast, but especially in the valleys of California.
What is perhaps a fitting example of solidarity is the internationalism
of Philip Vera Cruz who graciously gave way to the much younger Cesar
Chavez to become the president of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) in
the mid-1960’s to preserve the union’s internal unity and unify
Filipino and Mexican workers against capitalist exploitation and
oppression in the fields.
And yet, woefully, Philip Vera Cruz
is often relegated to the background and forgotten by the UFW in its
official history and all the glories are bestowed on Cesar Chavez as if
he were some kind of demigod and savior of farm workers. Simply not
true. From the point of view of the manongs and veterans of the 1965
Grape Boycott that started it all, Cesar was a terrible ingrate. What
the UFW does not want brought to light until this day is how Chavez
stabbed Filipinos in the back when in 1978 he went to the Philippines to
shake hands with Philippine dictator Marcos and shamelessly brought
along yellow trade unionists like Luis Taruc and Jerry Montemayor back
to Delano. It was this incident that broke the camel’s back and made
Philip Vera Cruz bitterly resign as Executive Vice President of the UFW.
This is but an example of big-minority chauvinism of some in the
Chicano movement in their zeal to promote Chicanismo “ or Chicano power
at the expense of Filipinos.
If we go back to the film “
Filipinos have a point in resenting the fact that the role of the
Filipino father Panfilo Crisostomo was given to a Mexican actor. Could
the film makers really not have found any Filipino actor to play such a
role more suitably?
Thus, even in the film, the Filipino character
was again diminished and was again relegated to the background. He was
featured cussing a Filipino expletive word which was not even correctly
pronounced.
In one scene, Panfilo was quoted: If you get into
the ring, you will be hurt. And do you know why Americans are afraid to
fight Latino boxers? Because they don’t quit. This is to tell her
daughter why she should continue to fight for what she thinks is right.
This is simply a case of stereotyping and attributing to Latinos what
is also applicable to Filipinos. That fighting quality may be true for
Latino boxers. But it is even more apt for Filipino boxers today when we
have the likes of Manny Pacquiao.
And it was also true even back in the
sixties when Flash Elorde was world champ in the junior lightweight
division. Paula Crisostomo’s quality of never giving up was in her blood
as a Filipina. Like Gabriela Silang, Filipinas never give up and fight
to the last breath for what they believe is right.
One part of
the film which was almost fleeting was Panfilo’s rejoinder to her
daughter: You are not Chicana. you are a Chilifina”
Overall,
notwithstanding our criticism of the portrayal of the Filipino father,
the film is still a breakthrough of sorts and offers a way to correct
the horrible deficiencies of the mainstream Hollywood studios of
portraying the usual racist and chauvinist stereotypes of minorities as
criminals, syndicated crime warlords, berserk, exotic and other images
that they want to portray.
As with the film Crash which
portrays Asians as human smugglers and Arabs as angry, unreasonable
would-be killers, progressives should stand up and criticize films or
aspects of them which appear to talk about racism but in effect are
still racist or white supremacist in essence.
Genuine
self-determination starts with respect for each others culture and
learning from each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Not demeaning and
disparaging each others culture and imposing one’s own over the other.
Or else we will always be like the enemy we are out to overthrow and
change is not coming from ourselves.
We should always remember to
change the society, change must also come from within ourselves.
16.7.11
Reflections on the July 12-14, at the JFAV lobby at US Congress
Discordant Notes
Reflections on the July 12-14, at the JFAV lobby at US Congress
After the July 12-14 lobby at the lower house, JFAV is happy to report that we have 45 confirmed co-sponsors at the press time. We are confident to get 60 co-sponsors by next week.
This a big increase from the 21 co-sponsors we got last April days of lobby. We added 24 and have another 20 or more coming as they were committed by the staff directors and veterans affairs person from the 34 congresspersons we visited last July 12-15, 2011 in Washington DC.
The 17 person JFAV delegation were bolstered by a 11- person group from Damayan and Ugnayan from New York. The Damayan workers were tired from a six-day conference and lobby but still went to lobby for the veterans. Their exuberance and enthusiasm fired up the California delegation also dead tired from delayed flights and non-sleep.
They were elated when newly elected Rep.Collene Hanabusa from Hawaii personally visited the lobby in their temporary headquarters provided by Rep. Speier.
Rep. Hanabusa personally congratulated the group for its efforts to seek justice and pledged her support." We are aware of the 18 year struggle and are ashamed that the benefits was just inserted into the Stimulus law that are supposed to be given to you." Hanabusa stressed.
Persistent and Proactive lobby pays off
As our JFAV coordinator Ago Pedalizo said; " more than 95% of staff members and house reps have no question on the justness and necessity of HR 210. During our lobby. they all know this is urgent for our veterans are dying by the days.
The only problem is the money or the off-set. But that burden is on them not on the veterans or for us to figure out. "
What they call the “ off-set” is the where the fund will be coming come. The staff members said they are afraid that other sources will be tapped to be given to the veterans. A example they give is that “they don’t want to remove funding from food stamps to given to veterans and widows.”
But that should not be the case. The US Congress has a history of giving budget to the veterans like what they did after World War II, the Vietnam War and the ongoing wars. But they all excluded the Filipino veterans in all cases.
But in the end after all the questions, it is a fact that burden is on them ( US Congress) not on the veterans or for us to figure out. So in the end, when the figures lies, the lies that there is no budget and its a crisis does not figure."
We would like to extend again our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who came, drove us, fed us and acted as while we were on the tri-state of Maryland. Virginia and DC. Without them it will be a more another painful and back-breaking job to be done.
So we call on everybody to prepare for the next lobby on September 2011. Wait for further announcements.
For Justice and Equity, Ever forward!
*************
Reflections on the July 12-14, at the JFAV lobby at US Congress
After the July 12-14 lobby at the lower house, JFAV is happy to report that we have 45 confirmed co-sponsors at the press time. We are confident to get 60 co-sponsors by next week.
This a big increase from the 21 co-sponsors we got last April days of lobby. We added 24 and have another 20 or more coming as they were committed by the staff directors and veterans affairs person from the 34 congresspersons we visited last July 12-15, 2011 in Washington DC.
The 17 person JFAV delegation were bolstered by a 11- person group from Damayan and Ugnayan from New York. The Damayan workers were tired from a six-day conference and lobby but still went to lobby for the veterans. Their exuberance and enthusiasm fired up the California delegation also dead tired from delayed flights and non-sleep.
They were elated when newly elected Rep.Collene Hanabusa from Hawaii personally visited the lobby in their temporary headquarters provided by Rep. Speier.
Rep. Hanabusa personally congratulated the group for its efforts to seek justice and pledged her support." We are aware of the 18 year struggle and are ashamed that the benefits was just inserted into the Stimulus law that are supposed to be given to you." Hanabusa stressed.
Persistent and Proactive lobby pays off
As our JFAV coordinator Ago Pedalizo said; " more than 95% of staff members and house reps have no question on the justness and necessity of HR 210. During our lobby. they all know this is urgent for our veterans are dying by the days.
The only problem is the money or the off-set. But that burden is on them not on the veterans or for us to figure out. "
What they call the “ off-set” is the where the fund will be coming come. The staff members said they are afraid that other sources will be tapped to be given to the veterans. A example they give is that “they don’t want to remove funding from food stamps to given to veterans and widows.”
But that should not be the case. The US Congress has a history of giving budget to the veterans like what they did after World War II, the Vietnam War and the ongoing wars. But they all excluded the Filipino veterans in all cases.
But in the end after all the questions, it is a fact that burden is on them ( US Congress) not on the veterans or for us to figure out. So in the end, when the figures lies, the lies that there is no budget and its a crisis does not figure."
We would like to extend again our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who came, drove us, fed us and acted as while we were on the tri-state of Maryland. Virginia and DC. Without them it will be a more another painful and back-breaking job to be done.
So we call on everybody to prepare for the next lobby on September 2011. Wait for further announcements.
For Justice and Equity, Ever forward!
*************
The Tomb of the Unknown Heroes in the Philippines
Discordant Notes
The Tomb of the Unknown Heroes in the Philippines
Arturo P. Garcia
One question that almost surprised me but I was able to answer during our lobby in the US Congress is one from the staff members from the representative from Riverside. She asked me why I became active in the struggle for the Filipino Veterans. But before that she asked me if I was a veteran.
I almost smiled because my age shows. Some people always ask me, especially college students if I was veteran. I always say I am so young to be a veteran because I was born after the war.
My bonding with my grandfather and my father is the answer to that. My grandfather and my father when I was in grade school, if they have spare time, always visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Fort Santiago during the early 1960’s.
And they always bring me with them on those visit. Those visit bonded all of us together and instilled in me the deep sense of patriotism and love of country.
My grandfather had bad memories of the Fort. Fort Santiago was the inner fort bastion inside the walled city of Manila during the 333 years of Spanish colonial rule and the 48 years rule of the Americans in the Philippines. It was there where he was tortured when he was arrested during the Japanese occupation. He will always point out the place where he was imprisoned and tortured. The dungeons of Fort Santiago.
And we will always end up in front of the Tomb where we always start. It was at the center of fort Santiago, in front of the gate of the old fort that became my favorite hiding and place where I meditate.
It was also the headquarters of the US Army in the Philippines from August 13, 1898 to July 1941 and the USAFFE from July 1941 to January 2, 1942 until it was relocated to the Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor from January 3, 1942 to May 6, 1942 when the USAFFE surrendered to the Japanese during WWII.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers was a simple tomb dedicated to all Filipino soldiers who fought during the Second World War. It was dedicated to all soldiers who were remained unidentified and who remained nameless, buried in nameless graves all over the country, those whose bodies were never found and were never given a decent burial during the war.
What distinguished it from other tombs that it has a light or an eternal flame that is never extinguished. This is a symbol of the nation’s eternal gratitude and also to symbolize their sacrifices and bravery for the people and the nation.
The light is inside a small lamp that protects the flame from all elements of nature—water, wind, air and others. It is located on top of the tomb. Its simplicity evokes the simplicity of the courage and the character of our nation.
I always known that the tomb was there. Until one day when I was in college, I was dumbfounded that the tomb was not there anymore. It was transferred to the newly built national heroes cemetery called the “Libingan ng mga Bayani” in Fort Bonifacio in Rizal.
The Libingan was constructed side by side with the American War Memorial Cemetery in the Philippines. That is where the more than 17,000 American war dead from the combat in the Philippines and New Guinea are buried. It is also the largest American War cemetery outside of the United States.
If for the better, it was one of those good copycat that the Philippines learned from the US.
It became a habit of mine to take a walk to the Fort after walking through the newly renovated Rizal Park, the new name of Luneta, where Dr. Jose Rizal and hundreds of Filipinos met their martyrdom during the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
The government decided to renovate Fort Santiago and maybe somebody thought that the tomb is an obstacle to the beautification of the Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago for it occupied the center. It was placed in the center of the Libingan and in its place, a monument with three pillars were made for the tomb.
In its place, a marker was made that explains that the Fort was the exact place of the palisades of the city made by Rajah Soliman, the ruler of Manila when it was conquered by the Spanish forces of General Legazpi, Captains De Goite and Salcedo in 1571.
I always hold that Fort Santiago was the most proper and fitting place for the Tomb of unknown Heroes for so many nameless Filipino martyrs met their death in Fort Santiago in the course of the 333 years of Spanish Colonialism and the Japanese Occupation from 1941-1944.
But the Fort was almost in shambles after the Americans destroyed it during the liberation of Manila during the early months of 1945. It has to be rebuilt for so many years until the Ramos administration completed it in time for the centennial of the Philippine Revolution in 1996.
I kept quiet for the Tomb was placed in a cemetery of the Republic. For it is the center piece of the whole cemetery for heroes. I rationalized that that maybe the reason they relocated the Tomb to that place.
I have questioned the government relocation of markers, destruction of historical places and other seemingly disrespect for history and heritage. But on this matter I gave them the benefit of the doubt.
The only question is if the dictator Marcos will be buried in that place, maybe the Tomb must be relocated elsewhere for it will desecrate the memories of the real nameless heroes if the dictator will be rested besides them.
**********
The Tomb of the Unknown Heroes in the Philippines
Arturo P. Garcia
One question that almost surprised me but I was able to answer during our lobby in the US Congress is one from the staff members from the representative from Riverside. She asked me why I became active in the struggle for the Filipino Veterans. But before that she asked me if I was a veteran.
I almost smiled because my age shows. Some people always ask me, especially college students if I was veteran. I always say I am so young to be a veteran because I was born after the war.
My bonding with my grandfather and my father is the answer to that. My grandfather and my father when I was in grade school, if they have spare time, always visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Fort Santiago during the early 1960’s.
And they always bring me with them on those visit. Those visit bonded all of us together and instilled in me the deep sense of patriotism and love of country.
My grandfather had bad memories of the Fort. Fort Santiago was the inner fort bastion inside the walled city of Manila during the 333 years of Spanish colonial rule and the 48 years rule of the Americans in the Philippines. It was there where he was tortured when he was arrested during the Japanese occupation. He will always point out the place where he was imprisoned and tortured. The dungeons of Fort Santiago.
And we will always end up in front of the Tomb where we always start. It was at the center of fort Santiago, in front of the gate of the old fort that became my favorite hiding and place where I meditate.
It was also the headquarters of the US Army in the Philippines from August 13, 1898 to July 1941 and the USAFFE from July 1941 to January 2, 1942 until it was relocated to the Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor from January 3, 1942 to May 6, 1942 when the USAFFE surrendered to the Japanese during WWII.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers was a simple tomb dedicated to all Filipino soldiers who fought during the Second World War. It was dedicated to all soldiers who were remained unidentified and who remained nameless, buried in nameless graves all over the country, those whose bodies were never found and were never given a decent burial during the war.
What distinguished it from other tombs that it has a light or an eternal flame that is never extinguished. This is a symbol of the nation’s eternal gratitude and also to symbolize their sacrifices and bravery for the people and the nation.
The light is inside a small lamp that protects the flame from all elements of nature—water, wind, air and others. It is located on top of the tomb. Its simplicity evokes the simplicity of the courage and the character of our nation.
I always known that the tomb was there. Until one day when I was in college, I was dumbfounded that the tomb was not there anymore. It was transferred to the newly built national heroes cemetery called the “Libingan ng mga Bayani” in Fort Bonifacio in Rizal.
The Libingan was constructed side by side with the American War Memorial Cemetery in the Philippines. That is where the more than 17,000 American war dead from the combat in the Philippines and New Guinea are buried. It is also the largest American War cemetery outside of the United States.
If for the better, it was one of those good copycat that the Philippines learned from the US.
It became a habit of mine to take a walk to the Fort after walking through the newly renovated Rizal Park, the new name of Luneta, where Dr. Jose Rizal and hundreds of Filipinos met their martyrdom during the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
The government decided to renovate Fort Santiago and maybe somebody thought that the tomb is an obstacle to the beautification of the Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago for it occupied the center. It was placed in the center of the Libingan and in its place, a monument with three pillars were made for the tomb.
In its place, a marker was made that explains that the Fort was the exact place of the palisades of the city made by Rajah Soliman, the ruler of Manila when it was conquered by the Spanish forces of General Legazpi, Captains De Goite and Salcedo in 1571.
I always hold that Fort Santiago was the most proper and fitting place for the Tomb of unknown Heroes for so many nameless Filipino martyrs met their death in Fort Santiago in the course of the 333 years of Spanish Colonialism and the Japanese Occupation from 1941-1944.
But the Fort was almost in shambles after the Americans destroyed it during the liberation of Manila during the early months of 1945. It has to be rebuilt for so many years until the Ramos administration completed it in time for the centennial of the Philippine Revolution in 1996.
I kept quiet for the Tomb was placed in a cemetery of the Republic. For it is the center piece of the whole cemetery for heroes. I rationalized that that maybe the reason they relocated the Tomb to that place.
I have questioned the government relocation of markers, destruction of historical places and other seemingly disrespect for history and heritage. But on this matter I gave them the benefit of the doubt.
The only question is if the dictator Marcos will be buried in that place, maybe the Tomb must be relocated elsewhere for it will desecrate the memories of the real nameless heroes if the dictator will be rested besides them.
**********
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