published in VenusZine.com on 06/17/08
Tell me about your current involvement in Filipina/o American politics. How does that tie in with your work with LGBTQ issues?
I'm dedicated to performance and facilitating workshops that entail LGBTQ, racism, and immigrant rights. Working with various organizations, we try to coalesce these aspects. I'm a believer of Audre Lorde's, "There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives."
Like many QPOC (Queer People of Color), I had to struggle with being queer/trans, of color, an immigrant, low income, etc. all at once from an early age. It was only later that I discovered that the Philippines have a vital radical political history, but also a vibrant LGBTQ, anti-U.S. imperialism movement. LGBTQ people are affected in every facet of any community—Latin, Caribbean, first nations, and in my case, Filipino—although, there's denial about LGBTQ people in the Filipino solidarity communities here in the U.S. People want you to put in the sweat, but not talk about straight privilege, much like white feminism alienating experiences from women of color. Being Pinay and queer are intrinsic to my spirit—you can't separate that.
Being that poetry is your forte, how do you prepare for an open-mic night?
For the last few years, I have been performing solo and ensemble work nationally with Mango Tribe at theaters, universities, community organizations, etc., which demands a lot from me in a wonderful way. Since I am terrible at memorization (and always have been), I'm usually the nervous one who is mumbling to hirself behind the stage. Performances and workshops run all year, airport to airport, sometimes for special events like APIA (Asian/Pacific Islander American) heritage month or Pride Month, but mostly out of the basic need for APIA queer experiences to be told.
You seem to be involved in a lot of different projects and causes (Awesome!). But do you ever feel like you spread yourself thin with too many projects? How do you find the time to work with your LGBTQ caucus, Mango Tribe, open mics and having your work published (am I missing some other projects?!)?
Too many projects? Nahhh NEVER! Spread myself thin? Well, yes. All the time. It keeps me going and helps me build with powerful and fly people who believe in art for social change. I was born a busy kid. I've always enjoyed being an educator and working with youth too, but being on stage isn't enough work—I feel we can always do more.
My recent projects include: a contribution to 'Kicked Out' Anthology by Homofactus Press, a one queer show in the works, and a documentary about me entitled, Bring Your Fierce by Say It Loud Productions. Don't get me wrong; I am such a homebody. I like to grill, read, and kick it with my lovely partner and my handsome puppy. I make the time.
Read the article here.