Somedays was a rotation heavyweight on my playlist during the early part of the Millenia.
I was going steady and living with an aspiring Marxist-scholar book junkie at the time—his academic jargon made my heart swoon and he was a dead ringer of my first (of many) pre-teen celebrity crushes* so you could say I was in love or falling recklessly into it.
But then again, we disagreed and argued on numerous contradictory ideological principles** so you could also say that as our seemingly flawless homelife was collapsing a little bit everyday, I was frantically pulling myself out of love in a big way everyday.
I can't really remember the details*** of those days and I admit that I didn't really follow Jacksoul after the release of Sleepless, but I do remember playing Somedays on most days—the happy and the sad, the crazy and the bad.
*Jordan Knight of NKOTB. Don't hate.
**There were a lot of books pulled from the shelves for ideologial references and solid rebuttals which ended up with a lot of books being thrown around.
***I'm lying, I remember everything, but for dramatic purposes lying is justified.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Red Love Monday: Consie Lozano and Chico Taguba
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who're shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
He: Chico Guerrero Belen Taguba. PR Officer 3K-Utrecht (Kaibigan, Kababayan, Kaisa-Utrecht). Spokesperson, Rice and Rights Network (Network of Filipino and Dutch organizations in solidarity with Filipino People).
Active Turf: We live outside of Utrecht, the 4th largest city in the Netherlands, in Zeist. We mainly organize the Filipino community in the province of Utrecht.
Side by side in the struggle since: We met in the Summer of 2000.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Consie and 9 other youth went to the Netherlands after attending the “Fiesta del Mundo” conference in Belgium. They visited the NDF International Office in Utrecht. We met each other there.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Chico-Discussions at home equality, democracy, oppression in the Philippines and the world and why we had to flee the Philippines opened my mind and made me critical. Going to the Philippines and experiencing the life of the masses made me commit to become an activist for the Filipino people and for other people in the world.
Consie-It all started when I joined Gabriela-Youth in 1997. From then on I became deeply involved and in 2000, I decided to do full-time organizing work among the women youth until I went here (Utrecht) in 2005.
Anthem: “Awit sa Karelasyon”, “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge.
Battle cry: “Serve the People”, “Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.”
Why she activates his world: [She's] Organized, methodical in organizing, daring, when given a task, she'll do that task wholeheartedly and with full dedication' loving and caring.
Why he activates her world: [He's] passionate, dedicated, jovial, amorous and sweet.
What activates their world: The masses, the struggle, humble and close comrades, sacrifices of comrades, great literary masterpieces and writers and socially-oriented movies.
The Long March: To have kids and to grow old together serving the people. We envision the world to be a place for peace based on justice and democracy.
Quirks outside the picket line: Watching movies, eating out, going places with a car.
Extra rations:
Chico-Consie likes to Facebook a lot. When we fight, she does not talk to me and she sleeps on the couch covering herself fully with a blanket.
Consie-Chico can cook Adobo, spaghetti (his speciality!), Fried Lechon, Pancakes and Rice. He likes candies a lot! He can't sleep without drinking one glass of wine. It is his way of resting his mind from the stress of his work. He works in a forensic department of a psychiatric institution.
Our love is based on equality, but that doesn't mean that we both have to do the same [things]. We [inspire] each others strength.
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
Consie Lozano and Chico Taguba
She: Consie Lozano. Member of 3K-Utrecht and treasurer of Philippine Children Foundation.
He: Chico Guerrero Belen Taguba. PR Officer 3K-Utrecht (Kaibigan, Kababayan, Kaisa-Utrecht). Spokesperson, Rice and Rights Network (Network of Filipino and Dutch organizations in solidarity with Filipino People).
Active Turf: We live outside of Utrecht, the 4th largest city in the Netherlands, in Zeist. We mainly organize the Filipino community in the province of Utrecht.
Side by side in the struggle since: We met in the Summer of 2000.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Consie and 9 other youth went to the Netherlands after attending the “Fiesta del Mundo” conference in Belgium. They visited the NDF International Office in Utrecht. We met each other there.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Chico-Discussions at home equality, democracy, oppression in the Philippines and the world and why we had to flee the Philippines opened my mind and made me critical. Going to the Philippines and experiencing the life of the masses made me commit to become an activist for the Filipino people and for other people in the world.
Consie-It all started when I joined Gabriela-Youth in 1997. From then on I became deeply involved and in 2000, I decided to do full-time organizing work among the women youth until I went here (Utrecht) in 2005.
Anthem: “Awit sa Karelasyon”, “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge.
Battle cry: “Serve the People”, “Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.”
Why she activates his world: [She's] Organized, methodical in organizing, daring, when given a task, she'll do that task wholeheartedly and with full dedication' loving and caring.
Why he activates her world: [He's] passionate, dedicated, jovial, amorous and sweet.
What activates their world: The masses, the struggle, humble and close comrades, sacrifices of comrades, great literary masterpieces and writers and socially-oriented movies.
The Long March: To have kids and to grow old together serving the people. We envision the world to be a place for peace based on justice and democracy.
Quirks outside the picket line: Watching movies, eating out, going places with a car.
Extra rations:
Chico-Consie likes to Facebook a lot. When we fight, she does not talk to me and she sleeps on the couch covering herself fully with a blanket.
Consie-Chico can cook Adobo, spaghetti (his speciality!), Fried Lechon, Pancakes and Rice. He likes candies a lot! He can't sleep without drinking one glass of wine. It is his way of resting his mind from the stress of his work. He works in a forensic department of a psychiatric institution.
Our love is based on equality, but that doesn't mean that we both have to do the same [things]. We [inspire] each others strength.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Red Love Monday: Kathy and Mark
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who're shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
She: Kathy Whittam.
Currently on a quest to find out what it would take for every Canadian parent to be able to say, “I can't wait to send my my child to our community school” and whether such a thing is possible in our land of diversity. My documentary project, “Educate Me?!” will explore the big picture, political and cultural that are barriers to consensus on education issues.
With a quality education being a right for all children, why do parents have to “shop” for the best learning environment for the child to begin with? Shouldn't every school already be a quality school that students and parents can be happy with? Who should control how we educate our society, and why?
I'm taking my family on a road trip adventure next year on a search for answers, to explore the potential public education has for the future and whether any common ground can be found on how we should be educating the citizens of tomorrow.
Many of my ideas for the documentary have developed over time since I travelled around BC to work on the Charter for Public Education. I remain committed to the principles expressed within the Charter, which reflect that we heard from students, parents, teachers, trustees and other education stakeholders and community members province-wide. I was a founding member of the Charter for Public Education Network (CPEN), the organization created to keep the discussion going, and continue to be an active member of the board.
And in my spare time I help the green team for our housing co-op, and at work I am an organizer for the Britannia Green Team which is taking on a Zero Waste Challenge for the entire community centre complex.
He: Mark Whittam
CUPE 391 (Vancouver Public Library Workers)-Vice President
CUPE 391-Political Action Committee Chair
Board member of our housing co-op
As a member of the CUPE 391 Executive I fight for workers rights not only within the library but also nationally and globally. As the chair of the Political Action Committee I help to educate our members about political issues, and during elections, I help to encourage workers not only to vote but also to vote for labour friendly candidates.
As a member of our co-op Board, I help to make sure that the co-op is run in an open and accountable way, and try to make sure that we treat all the members of our community with fairness and respect.
Mission: Peace, sustainability, community development, workers rights, food security, strong local economies and quality early childhood development and public education for all children.
Active Turf: We live in Vancouver, BC, specifically in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. At the home level we try to find ways to be involved with our housing co-op. Mark as active member of the Board, and Kathy by contributing to the newsletter, common room clean ups and green team projects. We both enjoy working in vibrant east side community centres-Britannia and Carnegie, and find ways to be involved in the workplace whenever we can.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of '97.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Kathy arrived from Ontario and we ended up living in the same house together. Our relationship evolved from one of friendship to one of soul mate partnership in life.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activists): When we met we were both coasting in a fairly apathetic point politically though we were both progressive types at heart. Over time we became interested in globalization and other big issues and started researching more and taking advantage of public meetings, workshops and lectures to inform and inspire ourselves into action.
The first thing we both put a lot of volunteer time into was the Think City series of events where we met folks from political and grassroots groups, and from there we both have continued to lend our energy for things that spark our passion while trying to maintain a family and life/work balance.
Kathy became drawn to things which revolved around community development, public education advocacy and fair trade, while Mark has been more focused on labour and workers rights, political organizing and food security. There is plenty of cross-over, and plenty of things that we both want to do but just don't have the time for yet.
Anthem: We have a hard time picking particular songs as we love such a wide variety of music. Our fave song usually has more to do with mood, time and place! The best we can narrow down is to is one fave group that we both really and truly totally love: Michael Franti and Spearhead!
Battle cry: Ain't no power like power of the people! “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”--Helen Keller.
Why she activates his world: Kathy is compassionate and caring. She is courageous and committed with an incredible amount of perseverance...when Kathy sets her mind on something she works very hard to make it a reality. She is also an amazing life partner, and mother and she shows this with her love, caring and understanding...never easy with an opinionated partner and a stubborn daughter. Her passion for education and her values around social justice issues are an inspiration for me, and a fabulous role model for our daughter. Finally to top it all off, she gives the best hugs ever!
Why he activates her world: He is loving, down to earth, and the most supporting partner and aspiring positive change agent could dream of. His faith in me makes me courageous in life. When something is bothering me he always finds ways to to make me talk it out rather than internalize everything...beyond helpful and key to my mental health. Also a wonderful father, patient, kind and fun for both his son and daughter. He will raise the bar for Sasha's* expectations when choosing her own partner in life, and he is a great role model for his son on how to be a strong yet respectful young man. All around he helps me to be a happy lady and mama too.
What activates their world: The crazy number of positive change agents we know, the amazing number of alternatives that exist to systems of greed, having the capacity to help our children grow up understanding and believing that “Another World is Possible” and, in our small ways, being part of the movement that is committed to making that better world happen.
Quirks outside the picket line: Playing with Sasha and exploring our world with her. Also really like watching movies, reading books and game nights and potlucks with friends. When we have date nights then we love live music anywhere! And folk fest, family fun, beautiful collaborative artists on multiple stages, naturally stunning setting, Eco-action and hugs with some of our fave people in town=Our heaven :)
Extra rations: One love philosophy. What we have learned from one of the elders in my life who were together for over 60 years before one of them passed away: it's not about how much you quarrel as couple, it's how you communicate and grow through all the challenges you face together in life. They remain a huge inspiration to the longevity of our own relationship...though they told us it took them about 50 years before they ran out if things to argue about. ;P
One weird tidbit (at least in the eyes of many): Kathy is hot-footed and only wears shoes that cover her toes when there is snow on the ground.
*Their daughter
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
Kathy and Mark
She: Kathy Whittam.
Currently on a quest to find out what it would take for every Canadian parent to be able to say, “I can't wait to send my my child to our community school” and whether such a thing is possible in our land of diversity. My documentary project, “Educate Me?!” will explore the big picture, political and cultural that are barriers to consensus on education issues.
With a quality education being a right for all children, why do parents have to “shop” for the best learning environment for the child to begin with? Shouldn't every school already be a quality school that students and parents can be happy with? Who should control how we educate our society, and why?
I'm taking my family on a road trip adventure next year on a search for answers, to explore the potential public education has for the future and whether any common ground can be found on how we should be educating the citizens of tomorrow.
Many of my ideas for the documentary have developed over time since I travelled around BC to work on the Charter for Public Education. I remain committed to the principles expressed within the Charter, which reflect that we heard from students, parents, teachers, trustees and other education stakeholders and community members province-wide. I was a founding member of the Charter for Public Education Network (CPEN), the organization created to keep the discussion going, and continue to be an active member of the board.
And in my spare time I help the green team for our housing co-op, and at work I am an organizer for the Britannia Green Team which is taking on a Zero Waste Challenge for the entire community centre complex.
He: Mark Whittam
CUPE 391 (Vancouver Public Library Workers)-Vice President
CUPE 391-Political Action Committee Chair
Board member of our housing co-op
As a member of the CUPE 391 Executive I fight for workers rights not only within the library but also nationally and globally. As the chair of the Political Action Committee I help to educate our members about political issues, and during elections, I help to encourage workers not only to vote but also to vote for labour friendly candidates.
As a member of our co-op Board, I help to make sure that the co-op is run in an open and accountable way, and try to make sure that we treat all the members of our community with fairness and respect.
Mission: Peace, sustainability, community development, workers rights, food security, strong local economies and quality early childhood development and public education for all children.
Active Turf: We live in Vancouver, BC, specifically in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. At the home level we try to find ways to be involved with our housing co-op. Mark as active member of the Board, and Kathy by contributing to the newsletter, common room clean ups and green team projects. We both enjoy working in vibrant east side community centres-Britannia and Carnegie, and find ways to be involved in the workplace whenever we can.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of '97.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Kathy arrived from Ontario and we ended up living in the same house together. Our relationship evolved from one of friendship to one of soul mate partnership in life.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activists): When we met we were both coasting in a fairly apathetic point politically though we were both progressive types at heart. Over time we became interested in globalization and other big issues and started researching more and taking advantage of public meetings, workshops and lectures to inform and inspire ourselves into action.
The first thing we both put a lot of volunteer time into was the Think City series of events where we met folks from political and grassroots groups, and from there we both have continued to lend our energy for things that spark our passion while trying to maintain a family and life/work balance.
Kathy became drawn to things which revolved around community development, public education advocacy and fair trade, while Mark has been more focused on labour and workers rights, political organizing and food security. There is plenty of cross-over, and plenty of things that we both want to do but just don't have the time for yet.
Anthem: We have a hard time picking particular songs as we love such a wide variety of music. Our fave song usually has more to do with mood, time and place! The best we can narrow down is to is one fave group that we both really and truly totally love: Michael Franti and Spearhead!
Battle cry: Ain't no power like power of the people! “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”--Helen Keller.
Why she activates his world: Kathy is compassionate and caring. She is courageous and committed with an incredible amount of perseverance...when Kathy sets her mind on something she works very hard to make it a reality. She is also an amazing life partner, and mother and she shows this with her love, caring and understanding...never easy with an opinionated partner and a stubborn daughter. Her passion for education and her values around social justice issues are an inspiration for me, and a fabulous role model for our daughter. Finally to top it all off, she gives the best hugs ever!
Why he activates her world: He is loving, down to earth, and the most supporting partner and aspiring positive change agent could dream of. His faith in me makes me courageous in life. When something is bothering me he always finds ways to to make me talk it out rather than internalize everything...beyond helpful and key to my mental health. Also a wonderful father, patient, kind and fun for both his son and daughter. He will raise the bar for Sasha's* expectations when choosing her own partner in life, and he is a great role model for his son on how to be a strong yet respectful young man. All around he helps me to be a happy lady and mama too.
What activates their world: The crazy number of positive change agents we know, the amazing number of alternatives that exist to systems of greed, having the capacity to help our children grow up understanding and believing that “Another World is Possible” and, in our small ways, being part of the movement that is committed to making that better world happen.
Quirks outside the picket line: Playing with Sasha and exploring our world with her. Also really like watching movies, reading books and game nights and potlucks with friends. When we have date nights then we love live music anywhere! And folk fest, family fun, beautiful collaborative artists on multiple stages, naturally stunning setting, Eco-action and hugs with some of our fave people in town=Our heaven :)
Extra rations: One love philosophy. What we have learned from one of the elders in my life who were together for over 60 years before one of them passed away: it's not about how much you quarrel as couple, it's how you communicate and grow through all the challenges you face together in life. They remain a huge inspiration to the longevity of our own relationship...though they told us it took them about 50 years before they ran out if things to argue about. ;P
One weird tidbit (at least in the eyes of many): Kathy is hot-footed and only wears shoes that cover her toes when there is snow on the ground.
*Their daughter
Monday, October 26, 2009
Red Love Monday: Monica and Dinah
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who’re shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
She: Dinah, Coordinator of the Filipino Nurses Support Group (a group that organizes Filipino nurses to practise their profession in Canada). Member of SIKLAB (an overseas migrant workers organization).
She: Monica, 1. Philippine Women Centre of B.C. (member organization of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada), Community Organizer, organize Filipino women and their families to address their issues as women workers of colour in Canada. 2. Grassroots Women, Community Organizer, organize working-class women to address their daily issues under imperialism with a long term perspective of achieving women’s liberation! 3. Tinig ng Masa Radio Collective, Coordinator. Bringing the People’s Views on Philippine-Canadian News to the masses.
Active Turf: Vancouver, BC, Canada and beyond.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of 1999.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Through mutual friends going on a camping trip.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Dinah: I was inspired by the other organizers in the Kalayaan Centre. I understood what they were calling for such as rights for workers, especially because I came here under the Live-in Caregiver Program and I witnessed all the struggles and experiences of each worker. I got inspired to do something.
Monica: I saw an ad in the SFU school newspaper asking for young Filipinos who were interested in learning about their roots. I was and have been rooted in the Filipino community in our struggle for social and economic justice ever since.
Anthem: “How Did You Know?” by Gary Valenciano
Battle cry:
Dinah: Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!* The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Monica: Serve The People! A Woman’s Place is in the Struggle! Proud to be a Freedom Fighter!
Why she activates her world: Monica is down to earth. She is humble to everyone and dedicated to the community since 1996. She is smart, understanding, easy to talk to and is very helpful. She is also a joker between the two of us.
Why she activates her world: Dinah has a frankness that I can always appreciate. She has unlimited common sense and a worker’s attitude that I learn from every day. She also does not hesitate to challenge me to change or improve.
What activates their world: Seeing the work that can be accomplished when a group of like-minded, positive, and creative people get together to strive for social change.
The Long March: To help prepare for revolution and peace (in that order!)
*Advance the struggle! Do not fear!
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
Monica and Dinah
She: Dinah, Coordinator of the Filipino Nurses Support Group (a group that organizes Filipino nurses to practise their profession in Canada). Member of SIKLAB (an overseas migrant workers organization).
She: Monica, 1. Philippine Women Centre of B.C. (member organization of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada), Community Organizer, organize Filipino women and their families to address their issues as women workers of colour in Canada. 2. Grassroots Women, Community Organizer, organize working-class women to address their daily issues under imperialism with a long term perspective of achieving women’s liberation! 3. Tinig ng Masa Radio Collective, Coordinator. Bringing the People’s Views on Philippine-Canadian News to the masses.
Active Turf: Vancouver, BC, Canada and beyond.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of 1999.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Through mutual friends going on a camping trip.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Dinah: I was inspired by the other organizers in the Kalayaan Centre. I understood what they were calling for such as rights for workers, especially because I came here under the Live-in Caregiver Program and I witnessed all the struggles and experiences of each worker. I got inspired to do something.
Monica: I saw an ad in the SFU school newspaper asking for young Filipinos who were interested in learning about their roots. I was and have been rooted in the Filipino community in our struggle for social and economic justice ever since.
Anthem: “How Did You Know?” by Gary Valenciano
Battle cry:
Dinah: Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!* The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Monica: Serve The People! A Woman’s Place is in the Struggle! Proud to be a Freedom Fighter!
Why she activates her world: Monica is down to earth. She is humble to everyone and dedicated to the community since 1996. She is smart, understanding, easy to talk to and is very helpful. She is also a joker between the two of us.
Why she activates her world: Dinah has a frankness that I can always appreciate. She has unlimited common sense and a worker’s attitude that I learn from every day. She also does not hesitate to challenge me to change or improve.
What activates their world: Seeing the work that can be accomplished when a group of like-minded, positive, and creative people get together to strive for social change.
The Long March: To help prepare for revolution and peace (in that order!)
*Advance the struggle! Do not fear!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Red Love Monday: Laarni and Murray
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who’re shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
She: Laarni de los Reyes, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines and the Philippine Women’s Centre of B.C.
He: Murray Martin, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C.
Changing the world since: 1999
The Meeting of Two Worlds: At a BBQ, completely non political.
Anthem:
Laarni: “Kaisa Ka” (Unity of Women) by Teatrong Bayan, the cultural group we met during our exposure trip to the Philippines
Murray: “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine
Battle cry: The People United Will Never be Defeated!
Why she activates his world: Laarni truly cares about other people. She is very passionate when she gets connected to a cause. She has an open mind and will change her position if she thinks she is wrong. Laarni is also very curious and doesn’t presume to know it all.
Why he activates her world: Murray is thoughtful, intelligent and open-minded. I love his sense of adventure and he is always questioning traditions, rules and authority.
The Long March:
Laarni: To continue learning from each other and from people living in all parts of the world in order to build international solidarity. To resist economic injustice and inequality. And to advance the rights and welfare of marginalized Filipinos in Canada and abroad.
Murray: To keep working for a world where human needs are met and are not dependant on how much money someone has. We hope to travel more. Not in the standard vacation sense but similar to our Solidarity trip to the Philippines that allowed us to learn how organizers resistance is being carried out against tyranny and greed. Personal plans: to keep learning from each other and take life as it comes.
Quirks outside the picket line:
Laarni: Reading, traveling, hanging out with friends.
Murray: There’s life outside the picket line? Just kidding, but we like to travel, read and other standard boring things.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
Laarni de los Reyes and
Murray Martin
He: Murray Martin, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C.
Changing the world since: 1999
The Meeting of Two Worlds: At a BBQ, completely non political.
Anthem:
Laarni: “Kaisa Ka” (Unity of Women) by Teatrong Bayan, the cultural group we met during our exposure trip to the Philippines
Murray: “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine
Battle cry: The People United Will Never be Defeated!
Why she activates his world: Laarni truly cares about other people. She is very passionate when she gets connected to a cause. She has an open mind and will change her position if she thinks she is wrong. Laarni is also very curious and doesn’t presume to know it all.
Why he activates her world: Murray is thoughtful, intelligent and open-minded. I love his sense of adventure and he is always questioning traditions, rules and authority.
The Long March:
Laarni: To continue learning from each other and from people living in all parts of the world in order to build international solidarity. To resist economic injustice and inequality. And to advance the rights and welfare of marginalized Filipinos in Canada and abroad.
Murray: To keep working for a world where human needs are met and are not dependant on how much money someone has. We hope to travel more. Not in the standard vacation sense but similar to our Solidarity trip to the Philippines that allowed us to learn how organizers resistance is being carried out against tyranny and greed. Personal plans: to keep learning from each other and take life as it comes.
Quirks outside the picket line:
Laarni: Reading, traveling, hanging out with friends.
Murray: There’s life outside the picket line? Just kidding, but we like to travel, read and other standard boring things.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Red Love Monday: Julie and Neil
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who're shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
Julie Nieto and Neil Castro
She: Julie “Julay/Juls” Nieto, Secretary-General of the Philippine Women Centre of Quebec
He: Neil Castro, Secretary-General of Kabataang Montreal
Side by side in the struggle since: 2006
Active Turf: Cote-des-Neiges, Montreal, Quebec
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Met at the Ipagpatuloy: Living the Storm! First Quarter Storm Conference in 2005, in Vancouver, B.C....
Anthems:
Juls:
• Dakilang Pakikibaka* (Neil's version)
• Buhok** by Grace Nono
Juls:
• Dakilang Pakikibaka* (Neil's version)
• Buhok** by Grace Nono
• Determined to Rise by Dagamuffin
• Mabuhay Revolution by Peace Pipe
• Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley
...I could go on really, but I'ma stop here!
Neil:
• Imagine
• Dakilang Pakikibaka
• Imagine
• Dakilang Pakikibaka
Battle cry:
Juls:
• Chant: Makibaka! Huwag matakot!***
• Motto: A woman's place is in the struggle
• Chant: Makibaka! Huwag matakot!***
• Motto: A woman's place is in the struggle
Neil:
• Chant: Kabataan Lumalaban!****
• Motto: Serve the People
Why she activates his world: She is very creative with a big caring heart. She refuses to conform to the norm, especially when it comes to style! She is very passionate when it comes to expressing herself on behalf of the people and doesn't need a megaphone to lead chants at a rally. Sometimes I think that she and Tala*† are going to be more like sisters than mother and daughter coz of their close bond.
Why he activates her world: His commitment & passion to serve the people, I'm always inspired when I hear him speak at a conference/press con/community forum/workshop/discussion group... but even more so when it empowers the people! Neil could totally be a one man band... really... he sings, plays guitar/bass guitar/piano/percussion. Although I'm not sure if he can do that all at once. Neil is a lot of fun! Especially as a Tatay.*±
The Long March: To be the living study of a revolutionary Filipino family in Canada
Quirks outside the picket line: We love walking around Cote-des-Neiges being with the masses. We constantly download TV shows/movies. We love kicking it with Tala and teaching her things like the “Isang Bagsak!”*‡
Neil has a Tatay dance which is almost as good as the KM dance, and makes cheesy Titoˆˆ jokes... ya'll know what I'm talkin' bout!
-Juls
Juls loves to knit everything for everybody and when she's in deep concentration her head tilts and her lips curl up to her nose!
-Neil
* Great Struggle
** Hair
*** “Advance the struggle! Do not fear!”
**** “Youth Rise Up!” or “Youth Stand Up!” or “Youth Resist!”
*† Their fiercely cute daughter!
*± Father
*‡ “One Big Clap!” Executed when a group or collective has come to a point of unity
ˆˆ Uncle, from the Spanish Tio
Monday, October 5, 2009
Red Love Monday: Denise and Carlo
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who’re shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
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She: Denise Valdecantos. Chairperson, The Philippine Women Centre of B.C.
He: Carlo Sayo. National Chairperson, Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance-National.
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Changing the world since: April 2003
The Meeting of Two World Outlooks: Met the first time at Under the Volcano Festival in August of 2002. While attending a women’s conference in November later that year, she saw him wearing a shirt that said, “Men of Quality Respect Women’s Equality.” She left for the Philippines 2 weeks later, and they e-mailed and texted until she returned to Vancouver in April 2003.
Anthem: Toss up between Stevie Wonder’s “Sunshine of my life” and “I’ll Cover You” from Rent.
Battle cry: “Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!” **
Why she activates his world: “I am always inspired by her creativity and compassion. Most often, I find she is the first to volunteer to help someone in need. She’s also more good natured and fun than I am.”
Why he activates her world: “His hard work and commitment to serving the people. I love his creativity, thoughtfulness and watching him perform poetry.”
The Long March: A bundle of revolutionary children --who will grow up to change the world in their own way.
**Advance the struggle! Do not fear!"
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
Denise Valdecantos and Carlo Sayo
He: Carlo Sayo. National Chairperson, Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance-National.
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Changing the world since: April 2003
The Meeting of Two World Outlooks: Met the first time at Under the Volcano Festival in August of 2002. While attending a women’s conference in November later that year, she saw him wearing a shirt that said, “Men of Quality Respect Women’s Equality.” She left for the Philippines 2 weeks later, and they e-mailed and texted until she returned to Vancouver in April 2003.
Anthem: Toss up between Stevie Wonder’s “Sunshine of my life” and “I’ll Cover You” from Rent.
Battle cry: “Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!” **
Why she activates his world: “I am always inspired by her creativity and compassion. Most often, I find she is the first to volunteer to help someone in need. She’s also more good natured and fun than I am.”
Why he activates her world: “His hard work and commitment to serving the people. I love his creativity, thoughtfulness and watching him perform poetry.”
The Long March: A bundle of revolutionary children --who will grow up to change the world in their own way.
**Advance the struggle! Do not fear!"
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