| \\::.PAST EVENTS OF 2006.::// ******************************************************************** |
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October 7, 2006 Bay Area Chapter hosted a meeting to celebrate our Filipino heritage with food, entertainment, and
education (topics included: Filipino History, Filipino Tattoos, and the history of our Organization. The meeting was held at the
Agnews Developmental Center Multipurpose Building: 3500 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95135.
education (topics included: Filipino History, Filipino Tattoos, and the history of our Organization. The meeting was held at the
Agnews Developmental Center Multipurpose Building: 3500 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95135.
| [.click on pictures to enlarge.] |
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October 26, 2006 In celebration of Filipino-American History month the Bay Area Chapter will be doing a lecture about
Philippine history from 1587 up until today and also about Philippine Tattoo Traditions & Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon Tribe at UC
DAVIS.
www.DavisXPO.com
www.MgaKapatid.com
www.Orpilla.com
Philippine history from 1587 up until today and also about Philippine Tattoo Traditions & Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon Tribe at UC
DAVIS.
www.DavisXPO.com
www.MgaKapatid.com
www.Orpilla.com
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October 27, 2006 FILIPINO 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! On Friday, October 27, 6 p.m. at Cardinal Stritch
University, Hale O Malo will perform 2 shows filled with new dances and costumes in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the
Filipino community settling in the Hawai'ian Islands.
Tickets are $25 for the evening. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance from Daryl Krajecki, President of the
Greater Milwaukee Filipino Club. Phone him at: 902-648-8353 or EM: dario326@yahoo.com.
Proceeds from the evening will go toward the revitalization of the Asian Moon Festival and the preservation of the Asian
Pacific community in Milwaukee. In addition, Halo O Malo will have a craft booth with some unique gift ideas.
Come for a fun-filled evening to support the Asian Moon Festival and the Asian Pacific community in Milwaukee. Hope to see
you all there!
For more information on Hale O Malo, please visit www.hawaiian-dancers.com.
University, Hale O Malo will perform 2 shows filled with new dances and costumes in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the
Filipino community settling in the Hawai'ian Islands.
Tickets are $25 for the evening. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance from Daryl Krajecki, President of the
Greater Milwaukee Filipino Club. Phone him at: 902-648-8353 or EM: dario326@yahoo.com.
Proceeds from the evening will go toward the revitalization of the Asian Moon Festival and the preservation of the Asian
Pacific community in Milwaukee. In addition, Halo O Malo will have a craft booth with some unique gift ideas.
Come for a fun-filled evening to support the Asian Moon Festival and the Asian Pacific community in Milwaukee. Hope to see
you all there!
For more information on Hale O Malo, please visit www.hawaiian-dancers.com.
| [.click on flier for more information.] |
| *************************** |
| [.click on flier for more information & to enlarge pictures.] |
October 12, 2006 California State University - Long Beach. In celebration of Pilipino-American Heritage Month Zheta
Phi Ro invited Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon to do a special presentation about the revival of Pilipino Tattoo Traditions. Other
presentations included Cuisines of the Philippines held at the Soroptomist house @ 6:00pm. Special thanks to Zheta Phi Ro
and everyone who attended the lecture for giving us the pleasure to spread the knowledge of our tattooed history.
Phi Ro invited Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon to do a special presentation about the revival of Pilipino Tattoo Traditions. Other
presentations included Cuisines of the Philippines held at the Soroptomist house @ 6:00pm. Special thanks to Zheta Phi Ro
and everyone who attended the lecture for giving us the pleasure to spread the knowledge of our tattooed history.
| [.click on flier for more information & to enlarge pictures.] |
| *************************** |
October 2006 Sarah Perez, an artist in Chicago, created a piece designed by Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon Tribe for an art
group called " You Are Beautiful." In their recent project, all different artists have been assigned different letters to
design/decorate that, when put together, will spell out the phrase " You are Beautiful" in different languages. These pieces will
be displayed outside, along the streets of Chicago. Special thanks to Sarah Perez for the beautiful job that she did on the M. [1
& 2] Finished product by Sarah Perez [3]Bernard Runo (Amang-RED), leader of Chicago Chapter, and Maia Young (Anak),
midwest member.
http://www.sarahperez.net
http://you-are-beautiful.com
group called " You Are Beautiful." In their recent project, all different artists have been assigned different letters to
design/decorate that, when put together, will spell out the phrase " You are Beautiful" in different languages. These pieces will
be displayed outside, along the streets of Chicago. Special thanks to Sarah Perez for the beautiful job that she did on the M. [1
& 2] Finished product by Sarah Perez [3]Bernard Runo (Amang-RED), leader of Chicago Chapter, and Maia Young (Anak),
midwest member.
http://www.sarahperez.net
http://you-are-beautiful.com
| [.click on pictures to enlarge.] |
| *************************** |
December 21, 2006 The Use of English as the Sole Medium of Instructions in Philippine Schools: We are hoping for
your support. Recently, the lower house of the Philippine Senate has approved making English the SOLE medium of
instruction in Philippine Schools. If you believe in the Filipino language as an important link to our identity and culture, please
sign this petition and share it ASAP! As Filipinos abroad, our perspectives are very valuable regarding current issues in the
Philippines.
http://www.petitiononline.com/filipino/
Our goal is to finish this by December 29, 2006. Please forward this to all of your family, friends, and any other allies of the
Filipino community. Thank you for your support!
***************************
EDUCATING FILIPINOS ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE
By: Raymund F. Antonio
Is the fast slipping mastery of English language a grave threat in our economy? Is the proposed law by some legislators
designating Filipino, the national language, as the sole medium of instruction in school, not realistic? Or has it affected the
decline of English teaching through the years?
After the recent remark made by the US ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone about the Filipinos' incapability of English usage,
many scholars reacted, and have started to raise questions if we really are literate enough when it comes to oral and written
English communication.
The U.S. ambassador has urged the government to improve English Education in the country or lose foreign investment to
other countries.
Professor Jose Wendell Capili, a former Associate Dean of UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and currently a Ph.D.
candidate at The Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies of Australian National University agreed with Ricciardone's
observation. "I think U.S. Ambassador Ricciardone has articulated what has been happening all along. While I maintain that
Filipinos do have a higher functional command of the English language compared to most of our Asian neighbors, we are
slowly losing our competitive edge, because our political leaders are less concerned about investing in good teachers
especially in the primary and secondary level," he explained.
Capili, however, argued that Filipinos are not illiterate. "It is amazing how Filipinos use English visa vis the other Philippine
languages to enrich their daily lives. Meanwhile, how many Americans or British would actually take the initiative in learning a
language other than English? Certainly, many Filipinos do not speak with an American or British twang, but they use English
to fit their respective styles and exigencies. Compared to the rest of the world, Filipinos have a respectable command of
functional English."
Michael Andrada, another professor from UP Departmento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas (DFPP), said that Ricciardone's
concept of development is tied in the proficient use of English. He views the Ambassador's effort to urge the government to
improve the country's English literacy as a way of reinforcing English as the global language. However, he thinks that the
problem is not in the language itself but in the ideology the language has. "Implementing Filipino is still problematic because
it's not yet systematized and homogenized. The more if we promote English which is complicated to learn," Andrada
explained.
Meanwhile, Virgilio Almario, dean of UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL), thinks that it is natural for the U.S. ambassador to
make such comments and actions. "He's a good Ambassador and should be lauded by their president. As the Ambassador of
U.S, it is his duty to promote the interest of the Americans, and the propagation of the English language is one way to do that,"
he added.
LEGISLATORS PROPOSE FILIPINO AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
In the recent statements made by Ricciardone, he also said that the legislators' proposal of a law to designate Filipino as the
medium of instruction in schools was "not realistic,"citing the difficulty of foreign companies as outsourcing firms to hire
good English speaking Filipinos.
From Almario's point of view, he explained why "Why not realistic, Because it's not in favor of the Americans, and it's not
according to their interest."
Almario cited countries that use their own native language but have been experiencing progress without the help of the
English language. "European countries like Russia don't use English but it's a developed country. Japan as well uses its
native language and yet it's competitive when it comes to technological innovations."
Capili agreed in the importance of using the national language. "In Europe, people speak several languages, but they do not
lose facility in their own. Similarly, Filipinos should master Filipino as well as Bisaya, Ilocano, and other dialects, while
achieving mastery in the foreign languages. We must be Filipinos first and citizens of the world subsequently."
DECLINE IN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY MEANS LOSS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS?
According to Ricciardone, "If the Philippines won't invest in improving education, particularly English proficiency, it would
lose investments, such as outsourcing companies, to countries like China and India." He noted that in the call center
business, only three to five percent of applicants had good language skills, and "even they need further specialized training."
All three academicians agreed that the rise of outsourcing companies is not the answer to the country's problems. Andrada
believes that the boom of call centers in the country is an upsurge of a neo-colonial system as a way to eradicate the Filipino
language.
Almario asserted that "it doesn't mean that if the whole nation speaks English, there will be more job opportunities that await
them. How many millions of Filipinos can call centers accommodate? The call center business is not the hope of the country,
but producing more scientists and engineers will help the country while improving math and science."
Capili believes that globalization is important, but Filipinos should know which aspects of globalization should be embraced
and which ones should not. He said a policy shouldn't be blindly and wholeheartedly accepted simply because a powerful
nation like the United States insists about accepting it.
EDUCATE FILIPINOS IN ENGLISH OR EDUCATE PER SE?
Ricciardone warned that the mastery of the language was fast slipping and that the government must invest more in educating
Filipinos in English. "English teaching in the Philippines has declined in the last 15 to 20 years," he noted.
Capili, also a Carlos P. Romulo Professorial Chair holder, believes that the problem is in the Philippine educational system. He
said that "we do not attract the best teachers. We no longer have a competitive public school system, and even many private
schools have become diploma mills."
Meanwhile, he appealed that "the government should raise the salaries of teachers to encourage the best minds to remain in
the teaching profession and train our young people to master not just English but several other components of basic and
advanced forms of learning."
He also suggested that graduates of top educational institutions should be required to teach in a grade school or high school
from the region where they came from (for at least six months to one year) before they embark on other career choices. "This
is in fact a worthier substitute to ROTC. We need good teachers in the primary and secondary school systems. Our college
students are not competitive compared with the rest of the world because the basic things had not been mastered," he
pointed out.
Capili challenged the government that "we do not need foreigners to remind us of our problems particularly in our
deteriorating educational system. More importantly, we do not have to wait for foreigners to tell us what is genuinely wrong
with our country. What we need are committed political leaders who can live by example and implement policies that are
sympathetic to the improvement of our educational system. Good teachers and good students will only come when there are
enough incentives created for them."
On a final note, Capili stressed that "we must naturally uphold our roots as Filipinos by sustaining the multicultural and
multilingual contexts and nature of our country. To be globally competitive, many Filipinos should gain a mastery of speaking
foreign languages and not just English. We should never succumb completely to certain perils of globalization by mimicking
blindly the hegemony of the West and consequently lose our identity as Filipinos."
The Manila Bulletin Online
[http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/09/18/MTNN2004091818708.html]
your support. Recently, the lower house of the Philippine Senate has approved making English the SOLE medium of
instruction in Philippine Schools. If you believe in the Filipino language as an important link to our identity and culture, please
sign this petition and share it ASAP! As Filipinos abroad, our perspectives are very valuable regarding current issues in the
Philippines.
http://www.petitiononline.com/filipino/
Our goal is to finish this by December 29, 2006. Please forward this to all of your family, friends, and any other allies of the
Filipino community. Thank you for your support!
***************************
EDUCATING FILIPINOS ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE
By: Raymund F. Antonio
Is the fast slipping mastery of English language a grave threat in our economy? Is the proposed law by some legislators
designating Filipino, the national language, as the sole medium of instruction in school, not realistic? Or has it affected the
decline of English teaching through the years?
After the recent remark made by the US ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone about the Filipinos' incapability of English usage,
many scholars reacted, and have started to raise questions if we really are literate enough when it comes to oral and written
English communication.
The U.S. ambassador has urged the government to improve English Education in the country or lose foreign investment to
other countries.
Professor Jose Wendell Capili, a former Associate Dean of UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and currently a Ph.D.
candidate at The Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies of Australian National University agreed with Ricciardone's
observation. "I think U.S. Ambassador Ricciardone has articulated what has been happening all along. While I maintain that
Filipinos do have a higher functional command of the English language compared to most of our Asian neighbors, we are
slowly losing our competitive edge, because our political leaders are less concerned about investing in good teachers
especially in the primary and secondary level," he explained.
Capili, however, argued that Filipinos are not illiterate. "It is amazing how Filipinos use English visa vis the other Philippine
languages to enrich their daily lives. Meanwhile, how many Americans or British would actually take the initiative in learning a
language other than English? Certainly, many Filipinos do not speak with an American or British twang, but they use English
to fit their respective styles and exigencies. Compared to the rest of the world, Filipinos have a respectable command of
functional English."
Michael Andrada, another professor from UP Departmento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas (DFPP), said that Ricciardone's
concept of development is tied in the proficient use of English. He views the Ambassador's effort to urge the government to
improve the country's English literacy as a way of reinforcing English as the global language. However, he thinks that the
problem is not in the language itself but in the ideology the language has. "Implementing Filipino is still problematic because
it's not yet systematized and homogenized. The more if we promote English which is complicated to learn," Andrada
explained.
Meanwhile, Virgilio Almario, dean of UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL), thinks that it is natural for the U.S. ambassador to
make such comments and actions. "He's a good Ambassador and should be lauded by their president. As the Ambassador of
U.S, it is his duty to promote the interest of the Americans, and the propagation of the English language is one way to do that,"
he added.
LEGISLATORS PROPOSE FILIPINO AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
In the recent statements made by Ricciardone, he also said that the legislators' proposal of a law to designate Filipino as the
medium of instruction in schools was "not realistic,"citing the difficulty of foreign companies as outsourcing firms to hire
good English speaking Filipinos.
From Almario's point of view, he explained why "Why not realistic, Because it's not in favor of the Americans, and it's not
according to their interest."
Almario cited countries that use their own native language but have been experiencing progress without the help of the
English language. "European countries like Russia don't use English but it's a developed country. Japan as well uses its
native language and yet it's competitive when it comes to technological innovations."
Capili agreed in the importance of using the national language. "In Europe, people speak several languages, but they do not
lose facility in their own. Similarly, Filipinos should master Filipino as well as Bisaya, Ilocano, and other dialects, while
achieving mastery in the foreign languages. We must be Filipinos first and citizens of the world subsequently."
DECLINE IN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY MEANS LOSS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS?
According to Ricciardone, "If the Philippines won't invest in improving education, particularly English proficiency, it would
lose investments, such as outsourcing companies, to countries like China and India." He noted that in the call center
business, only three to five percent of applicants had good language skills, and "even they need further specialized training."
All three academicians agreed that the rise of outsourcing companies is not the answer to the country's problems. Andrada
believes that the boom of call centers in the country is an upsurge of a neo-colonial system as a way to eradicate the Filipino
language.
Almario asserted that "it doesn't mean that if the whole nation speaks English, there will be more job opportunities that await
them. How many millions of Filipinos can call centers accommodate? The call center business is not the hope of the country,
but producing more scientists and engineers will help the country while improving math and science."
Capili believes that globalization is important, but Filipinos should know which aspects of globalization should be embraced
and which ones should not. He said a policy shouldn't be blindly and wholeheartedly accepted simply because a powerful
nation like the United States insists about accepting it.
EDUCATE FILIPINOS IN ENGLISH OR EDUCATE PER SE?
Ricciardone warned that the mastery of the language was fast slipping and that the government must invest more in educating
Filipinos in English. "English teaching in the Philippines has declined in the last 15 to 20 years," he noted.
Capili, also a Carlos P. Romulo Professorial Chair holder, believes that the problem is in the Philippine educational system. He
said that "we do not attract the best teachers. We no longer have a competitive public school system, and even many private
schools have become diploma mills."
Meanwhile, he appealed that "the government should raise the salaries of teachers to encourage the best minds to remain in
the teaching profession and train our young people to master not just English but several other components of basic and
advanced forms of learning."
He also suggested that graduates of top educational institutions should be required to teach in a grade school or high school
from the region where they came from (for at least six months to one year) before they embark on other career choices. "This
is in fact a worthier substitute to ROTC. We need good teachers in the primary and secondary school systems. Our college
students are not competitive compared with the rest of the world because the basic things had not been mastered," he
pointed out.
Capili challenged the government that "we do not need foreigners to remind us of our problems particularly in our
deteriorating educational system. More importantly, we do not have to wait for foreigners to tell us what is genuinely wrong
with our country. What we need are committed political leaders who can live by example and implement policies that are
sympathetic to the improvement of our educational system. Good teachers and good students will only come when there are
enough incentives created for them."
On a final note, Capili stressed that "we must naturally uphold our roots as Filipinos by sustaining the multicultural and
multilingual contexts and nature of our country. To be globally competitive, many Filipinos should gain a mastery of speaking
foreign languages and not just English. We should never succumb completely to certain perils of globalization by mimicking
blindly the hegemony of the West and consequently lose our identity as Filipinos."
The Manila Bulletin Online
[http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/09/18/MTNN2004091818708.html]
September 9-10, 2006 Come and join TATAK NG APAT NA ALON TRIBE at the 15th Annual Festival of Philippine
Arts and Culture at Pt. Fermin Park, San Pedro, CA. Admission is $3 per day at the Festival, but a two-day pass is $5 and
available here! Since many people come the Festival with family and friends you can also purchase an FPAC 4Pack, a $20
value which includes 4 two-day passes comes with a free Banig (Filipino mat). Come for the whole day and enjoy a wide
variety of food, clothing, artwork, books, and other memorabilia will be sold at the event. FPAC features a wide array of cultural
and artistic showcases and activities. Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon will have a booth for anyone interested in tattoos or just inquiring
some more information about the revival. Hope to see you there!
Arts and Culture at Pt. Fermin Park, San Pedro, CA. Admission is $3 per day at the Festival, but a two-day pass is $5 and
available here! Since many people come the Festival with family and friends you can also purchase an FPAC 4Pack, a $20
value which includes 4 two-day passes comes with a free Banig (Filipino mat). Come for the whole day and enjoy a wide
variety of food, clothing, artwork, books, and other memorabilia will be sold at the event. FPAC features a wide array of cultural
and artistic showcases and activities. Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon will have a booth for anyone interested in tattoos or just inquiring
some more information about the revival. Hope to see you there!
| [.click on flier and pictures to enlarge.] |
| *************************** |
September 29, 2006 Ooklah the Moc. RASBIRD, a member of the tribe, will be on tour performing roots rock reggae. If
interested in positive vibes, and lovely island reggae music please click on the link to know when they are performing in a
town near you -- www.ooklahthemoc.com
interested in positive vibes, and lovely island reggae music please click on the link to know when they are performing in a
town near you -- www.ooklahthemoc.com
| *************************** |
| [.Ooklah the Moc's Upcoming Shows.] |
SEPT 29 BOARDRIDERS
Kailua, O'ahu, HI
SEPT 30 MAUI COUNTY FAIR
Wailuku, O'ahu, HI
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The night of September 9th the Tribe had a ceremony to celebrate tribe member Jayson Winborn as he moves up in rank as
Amang-RED.
Amang-RED.
| We ask that you do not copy the patterns of the tattoos given here as well as the tattoos from our other pages. These tattoos have actual meanings that are specifically made for the person wearing them. Each pattern and design depict their own personal stories of their lives and ancestry, NOT YOURS!!! "Research your own roots and water your own tree." © 1998-2011 TATAK NG APAT NA ALON TRIBE. All Rights Reserved. |