Which leads me to last night when we saw NJPW1USA live. I saw wrestlers I had only seen on the internet and tv before my very eyes. Hearing folks chant “This is Awesome,” boo a heel, or flip their shit when something insane happened was the best. We sat behind a family with two girls who were super into the show, flashing the #BulletClub sign, and standing on chairs for a better view. If I could time travel to my little kid self I would let that bowl cut Elaine know that one day you’ll be at a live show and there will be other girls into wrestling too. I would also tell myself the winning powerball numbers for the next jackpot and make myself promise that I wouldn’t turn into Biff Tannen.
.
Last night the crowd was into the story because that’s what keeps us in the seats. It’s why we boo or cheer. It’s why #tfalpodcast exists so we can tell Filipino American stories. Why hopefully one day we can talk to Dave Bautista, TJ Perkins, Kris Wolf, Jeff Cobb, DJZ Michael Paris and hear their stories as Filipino American professional wrestlers. Because if we don’t tell these stories, who will?

A year ago I was on a journey with Grace Chikui. Little Tokyo, a neighborhood I frequent often, became something new. I learned how to navigate Little Tokyo through Grace's shoes. I'm so excited to share this work with everyone. You can all walk with Grace through the video below. 

Shot and produced in March 2016, WALKING WITH GRACE is a short 360º video documentary that highlights Little Tokyo places and streets through the perspective of Grace Chikui, a blind woman and long-time resident.

To enrich the  360º experience, the project team recorded the environment with a Soundfield ambisonic microphone and mixed the spatial audio with TwoBigEars' workflow (now Facebook 360's Spatial Workstation).

WALKING WITH GRACE had its world premiere at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival in April 2016; as part of the program, INTERACTIVE LITTLE TOKYO!

WALKING WITH GRACE is a production presented by FORM follows FUNCTION and Visual Communications, with VR Direction and Spatial Audio App/Design by Vicki Huang.

The WALKING WITH GRACE team would like to thank everyone that helped this project; especially our Crowdrise donors:

Amreen Karmali
Angelica Tonatzin
Borlasa Family
Cecille Cervancia
CES
Dodge & Ging
Ed Moy
Eliza Escano
glenn togawa
Jackie Liao
Jeanell Allenegui
Kathie Foley-Meyer
KawaiiSKI
Lindy
Melanie Espinueva+Aure
Nancy Yap
Nicole Miyahara
Pebbles
Robert Shoji
t-kay san juan
Tito Boboy & Tita Myrna
and our donors who preferred to be listed as Anonymous =)

Happy Pi Day!

For as much as I make fun of Mike and Valley Twin Joe about their use of puns, I will admit I am a fan of things pun-tastic. On one of our last trips to the Griffith Park Observatory I bought a 3.14 Pi shirt with the intention of wearing it today. Sadly I forgot to put it on this morning. However I did not forget to stop by the grocery store to pick up a pie for work! Apple pie, Ready Whip, and then some miscellaneous snacks.  Those Smash Mallow Cinnamon Churro things are dangerous. And I can never resist a Rice Krispy Treat. I blame Tita Nenette. She would make them all the time when I was a kid and now whenever I see home made Rice Krispy Treats in stores I can't resist! 

A classic Disney throwback! 

For a long time I worked with students in the STEM field. Science and Math jokes were a way of life. And while I am not a math wiz, I do appreciate Pi Day!

Even my new Senator is getting in on the fun!

TREE TRUNKS! Love this Cartoon Network Pi Pun! 

That's some spiffy baking work on this Pi-e!

Even the NHL is getting in on this! 

What are your favorite Pi puns? Can you recite Pi? How far can you go? Whatever you do today, enjoy a slice of Pi! 

Yesterday was Diggin Sunday + Color Your Troubles Away. It was a much needed reprieve from the chaos around us. Having the chance to hang out with folks at Tribal Cafe while we listened to music, colored & crafted, ate delicious bowls and sandwiches was a healing afternoon. 

For folks who missed out Color Your Troubles Away will be back in March! 

New for Maganda March: CYTA Opportunity Drawing!
CYTA partners with local small businesses to foster a space built around connecting community and creativity. Enter the opportunity drawing for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to The Park’s Finest! Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Fil Am Arts.

$5 for 1 ticket
$12 for 3 tickets

CYTA Opportunity Drawing winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 28th. Winners will be contacted via email. Winners do not need to be present to win.  Please note opportunity drawing payment may not be tax deductible, since you are receiving an item for an opportunity drawing payment. Check with your tax person if there is a inquiring as to its tax deductibility.
​
Buy tickets here: CYTA Opportunity Drawing

Many thanks to The Park's Finest for providing their space for Maganda March! 

There is work to be done. There will always be work to be done. Valerie Kaur gave an amazing speech that puts into words the hope I am trying to carry with me. 

Need a distraction from the current presidential news cycle? Take a listen to the latest episode of This Filipino American Life! We talk food with Sarahlynn Pablo of Filipino Kitchen!

I share more stories about how my family lied to me about certain Filipino foods. And by lied I mean push their preferences for Sinigang made with fish (yuck) and Tortang Talong not being made with ground beef (double yuck). 

I'm happy to announce the return of Color Your Troubles Away! 2017 is the year of Get Shit Done. Collaborating with community folks motivates me on getting CYTA done! Quite excited to be joining the Diggin' Sunday family on providing the coloring meditation while they provide everyone with the vinyl melodies to help soothe, inspire, and motivate our minds. 

Color Your Troubles Away + Diggin Sunday
RSVP here or by clicking on the pic above
Sunday, January 29th, 1-5pm
Tribal Cafe 1651 W. Temple St., Historic-Filipinotown 90026