Mail Order Bride in the House! 'Ching Ching Chang' says H&M Employee

‘The Magnificent Mile’ in downtown Chicago is where you can shop for the latest name brand fashion items and H&M a retail giant clothing store located in Michigan Avenue is a professional establishment where you least expect ignorant racist behavior from their employees.

Ignorant racist behavior in this day and age is unthinkable and that is not what one expects in a ‘classy’ establishment where customers are often catered to but not at H&M where Frannie Richards was subjected to a humiliating degrading racist treatment according to this article from Pacific Citizen:

Frannie Richards stopped by the Michigan Avenue H&M on her lunch break hoping to walk out with a dress or a new suit. She never expected to emerge with a different kind of suit - a lawsuit.

The Filipino American nurse is filing a complaint against the corporate clothing behemoth for an alleged racial slur one of its employees made to her in mid-September at an H&M in downtown Chicago. According to Richards, she had just entered the store and was browsing the racks when an employee near her raised his hand and exclaimed loudly, "Mail order bride in the house!" before running over to a fellow employee and bursting into laughter.

"I was shocked and disgusted," said the 33-year old retired U.S. Air Force reserve staff sergeant in an interview. In her complaint to the Chicago Commission of Human Relations, she stated: "I felt he was implying that I was a whore and couldn't understand why he would say anything so derogatory."

Richards then approached the employee, a Caucasian male in his late twenties or early thirties, and asked for a fitting room.

"Can you read that sign? It says 'fitting room,'" he allegedly told her, muttering "Ching, chong, chang" as she walked away.

"I was dumbfounded," said Richards, who was born and raised in Chicago. "When he first said it, I couldn't believe it, but even when I went up to him, he wouldn't stop. He just went on and on and on. [...] I'm not naïve about racism, but for him to say it disgusts me. He didn't understand how degrading it was."

To make matter worse as if to add insult to injury she was given the runaround by the store manager who refused to give her the name of the offending employee. Shocked and devastated she went home but was persuaded by a friend to come back who went along with her acting as a witness.

On her return while she was finally able to get the harasser employees’ name from the other manager it was a complete disappointment. She was told that his harassing subordinate identified as ‘Joseph H’ working as a ‘visual merchandiser’ would first “get a verbal warning, and if it happens again, then, it would be written down." Not exactly a response that will appease one subjected to such degrading racial insults especially after this prior racial incident, to quote:

The incident follows close on the heels of the drowning death of Du Doan, a 62-year-old Vietnamese American fisherman who was pushed off a harbor into Chicago's Lake Michigan only weeks earlier. Many local Asian Americans believe his death is tied to anti-Asian sentiment. The man being charged with Doan's murder is a member of a skinhead group (though allegedly an "anti-racist skinhead group") and, according to authorities, is prone to violent behavior.

Doan's death has raised the profile of anti-Asian sentiment in Chicago, said Myron Dean Quon, Richard's representing attorney and legal director of the Asian American Institute.

"There are a lot of anti-Asian incidents in Chicago but people don't know what to do or just suck it up and move on. Ever since [the Doan murder] we've been getting reports of all sorts of incidents," said Quon, asserting the belief that if Richards had been in an H&M in a different city, the scenario might have played out very differently.

"I have no doubt that if this happened in San Francisco or New York or even L.A., the response would be different. They might even get beaten up by their coworkers, there are so many Asian Americans [in those cities]," he added.

While Richards said that it is too late for an apology, she hopes that people will learn from this.

"I want people to know that there is no right place or right time to say any sort of racial comment, especially in a professional atmosphere," she said. "If he came to my hospital and was treated like that by any of the doctors or nurses, we would be terminated."

Indeed and the people should learn from this and should follow Richard’s lead and Filipino-Americans are not taking this racial insult sitting down either according to this article:

A protest in front of the Magnificent Mile H&M department store, 840 N. Michigan Ave., added to the usual throng of shoppers and tourists Saturday.

The demonstrators, including at least eight Northwestern students, were condemning H&M for failing to take action when a salesperson allegedly made racist and sexist comments to a female Filipino-American shopper. Holding signs and shouting coordinated chants, such as "2-4-6-8, H&M discriminates" and "Hey hey ho ho, racist employees have got to go," the protestors marched in a circle on the sidewalk from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

"It was really empowering," said Leizl Rivadelo, a Communication sophomore and member of Kaibigan, NU's Filipino student association. "It was like a giant, well-oiled machine."

It seems that H&M employees operate based on their prejudice and biases be it racial or anti-women as shown in this Vancouver H&M store incident wherein a mother was told to stop nursing her baby as it is against H&M policy and might offend other customers.

I say a call for the boycott of H&M should be resorted to until they come up with measures to make sure that their stores are not populated by bigoted ignorant racist misfits. The racist employee is in a establishment where professional conduct is expected, he and the other racist employee (should have called the attention of the offending associate instead of letting it go) may have a sense of humor but a racial slur is not exactly humorous..... it is illegal and no one should be subjected to a very degrading humiliation based on ones' skin color.

Related articles:

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• Chip Tsao & War at Home Satire, an Opportunity for Philippine Political Cheapies to Jump the Bandwagon
• Chip Tsao satire sparking a controversy
• Harry & Paul BBC Comedy Show takes a Farcical Detour
• BBC’s Harry & Paul Comedy Show seen as Racist and Infuriates Filipinos
• Marichu Baoanan & Lauro Baja’s Diplomatic Immunity
• Marichu Baoanan vs. Lauro Baja Controversy, a case of Domestic Help Dispute?
• Former Philippine UN Ambassador Lauro Baja Sued for Human Trafficking
• The Filipina OFW being Kept as Sex Slave, an RX
• Bloggers Unite-Against Peddlers of Human Misery & .Corruption
• Raping Women and Girls for your Technological Convenience
• Filipina OFW Being Kept as Sex Slave
• Modern Day Heroes or Commodities in Human Trafficking of Slaves?
• Social Cost of Migration for Women OFW
• Men Raping Men
• The Dangers Men Face in Unlikely Situation

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Charice Pempengco & the Wonders of the Internet

Charice Pempengco the child prodigy is on her way to stardom, all because a stranger posted her performance on youtube that was picked up by influential American television host like Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey, UK’s Paul O’Grady, and other notable Entertainment television shows in the US and Korea where she was the most requested guest.

Unlike teenage pop idols whose fame or claim to stardom was their being famous being the daughter of famous parents this little girl has none of that but plenty on singing skills and delivery so mature and rich. If you just listen without seeing her you would have thought this is a performance by a well honed and seasoned veteran in the performing arts.

Indeed the internet has that democratizing effect of leveling the playing field. Armed only with pure talent Charice Pempengco was able to share the limelight with a pool of numerous celebrity stars promoted by the best PR marketing outfit in the world. Now that truly makes the internet a truly wonderful development in technology that affords us to discover a singing sensation outside of the structured corporate world that literally package to us regular mortals entertainers that are rather based on what sells than talent.

The best performance ever I should say of Charice Pempengco singing Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" that has me almost tearing up was in Oprah Winfrey show seeing the host herself awed in disbelief and standing ovations from equally mesmerized audiences. It is dazzling to say the least. Awesome is an understatement if I may so and this is the first time I have watched her on youtube at that is truly impressive. Can you imagine if you can watch her in a well produced concert venue with excellent acoustics and audio equipment?

I really never paid attention to this youtube talents especially when most of them are a joke like that prison idol dancers politicized to whine and whimper like dogs by their master trainer prison director in supporting a leader with questionable mandate.

Hopefully she stays that way and not let the political vultures take advantage of her innocence and rising popularity that will truly spoil a prodigy’s rise to stardom. Charice Pempengco reminded people of Celine Dion, who was also a child prodigy. She is so good that when her manager/husband discovered her took a gamble and risked everything he got to promote Celine and look at where she is now a very successful star to this day is in demand. Is Charice headed along the same path as Celine Dion? That I have to see and I wish her all the best to make her dreams come true…………… At a time when we see the Philippines drowning from the muck of corruption and scandals run by perverted leaders whose sense of values is driven by such evil depths of greed and amidst the squalor, the possibility of an international star on the rise against all odds is on the horizon making us feel good in the process.

Enjoy her performance at Oprah Winfrey Show below on youtube or visit Charice Pempengco's website to learn more about her.

See also other Filipino trailblazers featured proudly at Pedestrian Observer GB:

• A Gem Named Lani Misalucha
• Filipina Singers Wow Listeners in the USA
• Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton Turns Pro!

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A Gem Named Lani Misalucha

After planning to see Society of Seven with Lani Misalucha for the longest time and not making it for several reasons every time I went to Lost Wages errr Las Vegas I finally made it 2 days before the show ended at Flamingo Hotel & Casino. One of the reason being is that entertainment in Las Vegas offers a variety of original performers and watching Filipina singers in Las Vegas belting out cover songs is not as exciting when one can always watch the original singers themselves performing their signature songs in elaborate productions.

Filipina singers abound and I was under the impression that she is just one of those run of the mill pop singers who will probably be forgotten once you heard them once in a bare bones or skimpy low budgeted to almost no budget typical Filipino production. Boy, did I regret not seeing it earlier as I now realized what I have been missing all along.

Lani Misalucha is basically pure talent, a Lyric Coloratura Soprano with vocal range of more than 4 octaves comparable to other popular divas like Mariah Carey. Her Full-throated, full-chested style and wide range allows her to impersonate and spoof with ease the likes of Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion to Barbara Streisand’s with her agile light voice characterized by “runs and leaps” with high extension. It is just so amazing how she starts soft and thin that gradually thickens as she approaches the peaks of a song, I am definitely a convert and consider myself one of her biggest fans.

I have to include this youtube video of her duet with Grosh Joban just to show how talented she is taking a short leave on her Las Vegas gig when Groban requested her to do a duet with him in Manila, Philippines.

Going back to the show, what they lacked in elaborate stage productions was definitely compensated by the extra-ordinary talent of the performers led by Lani Misalucha who has definitely added value to the Society of Seven’s versatile enduring performances spanning 3 decades. The group is one of the finest Hawaiian legends trying to transplant and establish themselves in the Las Vegas strip and I should say are getting there with an impressive walk of fame star award, the first one conferred to an Asian group.

Their performances although one of the longest ever achieved by Filipinos receiving accolades from critics could have been better as pointed out by Mike Weatherford:

The Society of Seven is a tourist institution in Hawaii, but has battled for years to maintain a high profile on the Strip.

The death of long time member Gary Bautista created a void in the duets with Lani in early 2006. Gary’s stellar voice is definitely irreplaceable observed Mike Weatherford so while it may not be quite the same with the addition of Martin Nievera the son of Bert Nievera one of Society’s original singers it is on a different level, to quote:

When Misalucha and Nievera serve up the inevitable rendition of "The Prayer," or "Somewhere" from "West Side Story," there's no better singing in any ongoing show on the Strip.

While it is one of the longest running shows for a Filipina headliner it still has to attract a wider audience and the group has to think through some of the vital steps to make it even better if they are still around the strip by September as pointed out by Weatherford:

Nievera hit the ground running this time. But if he and the Society are still a packaged deal in September, it will be time to bring in an outside director. Call it "Keeping up with the Scintas," the only other full-time attempt (unless you count Danny Gans) to court customers from the pre-Pure era of Vegas.

The Scintas were wise to sit down with new producers and dissect every element of their Las Vegas Hilton act, though the changes ended up being more subtle than drastic. Likewise, it's time for the Society to back up and rid the show of accumulated tics, such as co-founder Tony Ruivivar repeatedly thanking the audience for coming, which leads to False Finale Syndrome. (He's covering for quick changes backstage, but why not talk about the history of the group or something?)

And while it's cool that Nievera follows in his father's footsteps by doing an impression or two, the rest of the group could follow the lead of his pop hits medley and say, "We're good in our own right too."

Moments such as the group's offering a cappella backing to Misalucha's version of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" give you high hopes for what they could come back with in September if they think this thing through.

Definitely, an outside director can give them the boost and if I may add a producer with wide experience in the strip that are willing to take the risk allocating a bigger budget for the stage and promotion to give them a competitive edge in a place where excess is routine. There is no doubt that Lani Misalucha is a gem of a talent of world class caliber and the Society of Seven composed of veteran performers with wide variety of talents should come back bigger and stronger hopefully establishing their niche in time on the strip.

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Crab Mentality, Self-Flagellation & Pacquiao

Why I support and not support, oh wait that is contradictory isn’t it, but yes that is what it is on Bong Austero’s contention regarding the much maligned Crab Mentality some people delude themselves as one “monopoly” we truly excel.

I should say that Bong Austero did raise a “valid” point on the so-called call for investigation on the possible “game fixing” in Manny Pacquiao’s close almost losing win errr split decision. How dare the anti-Gloria people even suggest such horrible investigation? I am with Bong Austero on this and if they decide to take this to the street just to discourage the investigation I will be there behind Austero not to protest but hide in shame. lol.

I am referring to the article by Bong Austero titled “Nitpicking after the victory” that was posted at E-lagda Forum where I recently joined and some Pro-Gloria people were like a chorus singing hallelujahs under the baton of Choirmaster Austero. It was obvious that the Christian pagan ritual of self-flagellation was over but the Pro-Gloria people seems vent on whipping our “Filipinoness” all because the Filipinos failed to give the Kamao ng Bayan (Nations’ Fist) their undying loyalty and support to Pacman the symbol of Filipino “greatness”, to quote Austero in all his eloquence:

Pacquiao's stellar status as a crowd drawer is not disputed. That game fixing happens is also a fact of life. But why should it automatically be presumed that the two are related, particularly in that last fight? What kind of a person automatically presumes that any person with an opinion contrary to his is simply a paid hack? Why can't people just agree to disagree and leave it at that? Better still, why can't people just express their personal reservations in a diplomatic and tactful way, while conceding that it is also possible that he or she may be wrong?

But then again, I suppose there's no fun in that. And many among us do think of ourselves as infallible. When we disagree, we do so with the sole objective of proving the other person wrong. We don't want to debate, we want to annihilate. We don't want to listen, we just want to be listened to. Those who disagree with us are simply wrong.

I hear you man, bad idea indeed don’t this people know any better? Well Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao the People’s Champ and now the world is identified with Gloria Arroyo and we know that Gloria takes care of those belonging to her camp. Manny Pacquiao was obviously hurt at the prospect of getting investigated by the Senate or maybe the lower Tongress but fear not Pacman you know what happens in those investigations….. nothing, nada, zilch, zip. So here is the deal, Gloria and the Injustice Department of SiRAULO GOONzales has this perverted sense of justice and if we go by their tract record as in Acsa Ramirez, Jun Lozada etc. where the whistleblowers are paraded on national TV as the principal suspect everything is stacked in your favor. Now, unless they come up with those pesky “wiretapped” conversations out of nowhere and if you have some skeletons in your closet that’s one risk we need to consider.

Let’s assume that an investigation is conducted and judging from their refutation the ones at risk are Juan Manuel Marquez who may get arrested or raided by the NBI, oh wait they can’t go to Mexico right, so let’s scratch that. But then again, there’s this minor problem I believe that your trainer Freddie Roach is at risk because he is an honest man who tells the truth. And for saying you were good at the gym but did the opposite on the actual fight and was not sure you will win before the decision came out. You know how La Gloria hates the truth like a plague and anyone who adheres to it are at risk. So just for that I support the Pro-Gloria in stopping this silly investigation, but there is also an advantage and disadvantage at the same time…… you get SiRAULO Goonzales and his Band of Bozos to act as your lawyer as they do with la Gloria and her minions…….. that is the advantage. The disadvantage is you have bozos for lawyers and if you are charged with let say just jaywalking, the judge might sentence you for life for having such Bozos representing you. Now this is the part of Austero’s article below where I really digress:

I am not even trumping yet the patriotism bit because I think that is a discussion minefield that is best left alone for the moment. I know that we shouldn't take anyone's side simply because of a shared citizenship, but then again, what does it make of us if we can't watch out for our own kind? And even if we can't support our own because of personal or professional conviction, do we really have to be crabby about it and pull everyone else down?

I wish we Filipinos can reduce our tendency to indulge in self-flagellation. When things go well, we do tend to sabotage ourselves and shoot ourselves in the foot as if there is some scripting in our national psyche that's says we don't deserve progress, or global renown, or happiness. Maybe it is time for us to believe that we truly deserve to be victorious.

Let me state this very clearly and if you are such a knuckle head I feel sorry for you, but other races that have been subjected to oppression and exploitation has a tendency that is exacerbated by these analogies against other races like natives in other areas, such as Maoris in New Zealand, coastal Indians in Canada and the United States, Chamorros in Guam and even some Blacks to this day grapples with this mentality promoted of course by ignorance and victim mentality.We definitely need to see things with an open mind to discern constructive criticism against pure heckling (I must admit that I am guilty of this at times, ok maybe most of the times, lol) and the ability to take criticism that may point to aspects where improvements are needed that we oftentimes fail to see because of our tendency to look at things emotionally.

Ok, while there are people fitting the description there are those with open mind and willing to listen for one learns a lot just by listening as we see in forums where majority are lurkers and the noisy few does not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the membership. If Austero really wants to take care of our own then one need not look any further as there are 27.6 million Filipinos right in our own backyard earning less than US$1 a day with 1.9 million families or 12.2 million souls starving and Pacquiao can very well take care of himself with all the coterie of supporters and hangers on in the government and business sector he is definitely in good hands. Can we really say we are taking care of our own when we have so many Overseas Filipinos that are in distress, some of whom are victims of white slavery, and other dire and desolate condition victimized even by our own people and foreigners alike? Now, why do people get upset when in a lousy field of boxing Pacquiao who gets the support of the majority of the Filipinos but not getting 100%, people get upset while our Overseas Workers get screwed and instead of supporting them they also get screwed by corrupt government people?

I am sorry but having a Filipino world champion does not make a difference with our "Filipinoness" and thank you for not touching the “patriotism” aspect as it is silly and juvenile to think along that line. Fer cryin’ out loud boxing is a commercial sports enterprise and the winners are definitely not the country but those who earns a living out of it. So what’s wrong when others root for the other boxer? Pray tell me why these “patriots” (thinking they are) go berserk on silly sports but not have the wherewithal or the cajones to stop the plunder and mismanagement by the trapos?

While others are venting and so is Kamao ng Bayan in this Inquirer article Pacquiao hits crab mentality, voices hurt:

Pacquiao later told Malacañang reporters that the President would overcome the latest corruption scandal hounding her.

“If you have faith in God, nothing can destroy you. Just like me, I cannot be defeated because God is with me. He is always at my side. Just like He is with Ma’am,” he said.

Holy crap, now why in the name of Lady Madaya (Lady Cheat) will he invoke god in this, so Marquez is destroyed because god is not on his side? Of all things and “Ma’am” is also in god’s favor, que barbaridad Manny you are a great boxer just stick with it and stay out of god and politics that is not something you can box your way out, OK? Then, Mr. Pidal or maybe the brother of Pidal (Iggy the younger brother was the fallguy who admitted he is Jose Pidal) has this dumb “uniting” thingy and Pacquiao takes it too seriously that I think is one of the reasons why he ventured into the unknown that is way beyond his league….politics:

Also at the Palace to congratulate him was First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. He said he was thankful that Pacquiao won again. “It’s a good thing what he’s doing for the country. He’s a uniting factor for the country.”

Ayayay, no wonder Alexandre Imperial posted an entry Buwisit at Tinig on Pacquiao's event and I don’t blame him nor do I blame Pacquiao but hopefully his handlers if they are indeed after his welfare will advice him to stay out of politics. After all with this berserk power trippers I don't think he has a choice of staying away as they can make life difficult for someone like him.

Ang Kuwago has a very interesting entry about The Brahmana (priest) and the Prostitute, A lesson on Crab Mentality from an Indian religious perspective which is really about minding your own business.

Jay at Froodee has an entry titled "Hail, Pacman" focused on commentaries by boxing analysis and Pacquiao's lamentation. You can also check out Dita's entry at Mystique titled A Standstill for 12 Rounds.

P. Kenneth Burns takes on crab mentality and black victimhood in Maryland politics just to highlight and prove a point to hopeless ignorant people that Crab Mentality is not the exclusive domain of Filipinos. While Lotus factor blog has Sports and Life Parallel that is a good read on Black sports, athletes and Crab Mentality that goes with it.

The only people that benefits from the false notion that Crab mentality is the exclusive domain of Filipinos are the TraPos and sadly self-flagellation goes hand in hand with this ignorant mindset. Instead of looking at the totality of the problem we tend to put on our blinders and whipped those fellow Filipinos as if they have not been abused and exploited enough. Is it because it is easy and convenient to point the blame on our "Filipinoness" instead of focusing on the Trapos that brought us so much hardship and endemic corruption? Why if they become so good at mastering the nuances of spinning they can even get hired by those numb nuts who will stoop so low just so they distract the people away from them.

Related Articles:

• The Pac-Man gobbles up another Mexican
• Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya Dream Match a Nightmare
• Manny Pacquiao-Oscar De La Hoya Fight Is ON....
• Pacquiao Rules
• Pacquiao on Politicians
• Really Funny Parody at Pacquiao Pacland Forum
• Pacquiao a victim of PADDING!

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Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton Turns Pro!

Angelo the handler of our very own Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton brings to us the latest news on Ana.

Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton pronounced (Hoo-la-ten) fresh off the silver medal victory in the US Championships held in Colorado Spings, Colorado last June of 2007 currently ranked #2 Female Boxer in the US is turning professional.

Ana Julaton’s decision to turn pro was due to a disappointing absence of a female boxing division to be held in the Beijing Olympics (the only sport in the Olympics to not have a female division). True to her calling of bringing positive attention to the sport of female boxing and pride to the Filipino community (unlike that self-proclaimed “DIVA” Malu Fernandez who belittles her own people for her delusional self importance and above everyone else sick mindset) using her popularity and boxing skills towards positive projection of the sports by turning professional.

After defending the Diamond Belt & SF Golden Gloves title news media dubbed her the female amateur boxing version of Danika Patrick, some have said Ana can bring mainstream popularity to the sport like Kournakova. Philippine media has called her the "Philippine Queen of Women's Boxing" & "A national Treasure ".

What better way to get both her feet wet in the sports of female boxing by having Freddie Roach the Coaching King of Philippine boxing no less to be on her corner comes 6th of October in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas for the Pacquiao vs. Barrera rematch.

Her Pro Debut is Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar “Golden Boy” de la Hoya billed to be one of the biggest fights of the year. The pride and honor transcend not just the Bay Area where she hails but the Filipinos worldwide as well to be an under card of an HBO PPV fight. Here are some interviews she's done recently:

LA18tv with Jannelle So

Comcast sports Interview

KRON4

Latin Nation Featuring Ana Julaton
KTVU2 with Joe Fonzi
May 5th 2007 by KTVU2
CBS 5
The Segment from ABS-CBN (Philippines World News)
ABS-CBN

S.F. most popular station
NBC11

Ana's most recent accomplishments include: 2006 SF Golden Gloves Champion, California State Champion, Diamond Belt Champion, 2007 SF Championships Gold Medalist, US Championships Silver Medalist, currently ranked #2 in the USA. She was also on the cover of "Filipinas" & "PrimmerRound" magazine.

Related articles:

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton will slug it out at the Women‘s National Boxing Competition
Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton's Balitang America Video
Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton Vs. Ronica Jeffrey Superfight a Success
Catch "The Hurricane" the rising sensation

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton Female Boxing malu fernandez

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton will slug it out at the Women's National Boxing Competition

Update 6/4/07 11:19 PM from Angelo Reyes

Here is the latest update on Ana's US National tournament in Colorado Springs. Ana made it to the [b]Semi Finals[/b] (that solidifies her at the very least as the rank #4 boxer for 2007). She will be fighting Tuesday Night Jun 5th at the University of Colorado Springs, Colorado. If she is successful, Ana "The Huricane" Julaton moves on to the finals Wednesday night Jun 6th, Ana will be the 1st Filipina-American to ever be ranked #1 in the history of USA boxing & The 1st female from the SF Bay Area to ever win the US National Championships. Send her all your positive energy!!

Please help pass the word around & if there is anyone who would like to watch the event in Colorado Springs please let them know to support and cheer on our champion!

Words of encouragement would also be great you can go straight to her MySpace site and give her some words of encouragement.

___________________________________________________________

Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton will be leaving for Colorado Springs on May 31^st – June 7^th 2007 for the US National Championships. The women’s competition will start June 2^nd and ends on June 6 this will be a real test for her boxing skills, ability and stamina fighting 5 opponents in five days. To reach her goal of being ranked #1 she has to beat all 5 opponents in a grueling schedule. She needs encouraging words of support to reach her goal of being the first Filipina to be ranked #1 in the history US Women’s Boxing.

The current rankings according to the USA Boxing site:

125 lbs
1. Ronica Jeffrey, Brooklyn, N.Y. (320)
2. Jennifer Han, El Paso, Texas (275)
3. Katy Klinefelter, Iowa City, Iowa (200)
4. Melissa Roberts, Manchester, Conn. (150)
5. Ana Julaton, Alameda, Calif. (125)
6. Magdalene Kearse, Atlanta, Ga. (100)
7. Jennifer Barber, Northridge, Calif. (75)
7. Kayla Kay Combs, Lubbock, Texas (75)
8. Jody Ann Weller, Pomona, N.Y. (50)
8. Elizabeth Cole, San Francisco, Calif. (50)
8. Celena Salazar, San Antonio, Texas (50)
8. Amanda Jones, Visalia, Calif. (50)
9. Valerie DeFreitas, W. Va. (25)
9. Diana Blue, Dania Beach, Fla. (25)

Here is her LatiNation coverage:

Latin Nation

Add to My Profile More Videos

Help spread the word around especially those who happen to be in Colorado Springs this June 2^nd to 6^th to watch and cheer for our very own Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton. Send her some words of encouragement if you can't come to the fight either here or her MySpace site. If succesfull and the olympics decides to include women boxing, which has been her goal and advocacy to gain respect for the sport it will be a historic moment for women and Filipino women in particular to have a Filipina compete in the olympics.

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Filipina Jazz Singer wows listeners in the USA

Charmaine Clamor a Filipina American Jazz singer will be performing again at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, California on May 22, 2007 at 8:30PM (for current and future shows/performances click HERE) as special guest of Michael Konik & His Tasty Band. She is the first Filipina American Jazz singer to break through the mainstream US radio with her album “Searching for Her Soul” heard in over 100 stations all over the USA. Her album peaked at #1 on the CMJ jazz charts in several markets.

While critics and disc jockeys have compared Charmaine's sultry alto voice to legendary vocalists like Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, and Cassandra Wilson, they also recognize her style and sound as distinctly her own.

What makes this Pinay standout is her down to earth attitude and perspective that is truly remarkable in recognizing the very essence of a Filipina as seen in her brief Bio:

A Pinay is a Filipina woman. I spent the first 16 years of my life in the Philippines, and I witnessed a syndrome that persists to this day. Filling our magazines and lining our country's major roadways are countless advertisements and billboards promoting whitening soaps and creams, with larger-than-life photos of European-featured mestizas and mestizos, idealized creatures with creamy skin and distinctly pointed noses. Even today, in the 21st century, my beautiful little brown nieces wear heavy long-sleeved shirts under the broiling sun for fear that they might become even darker -- which they equate with "uglier." Visiting them recently reminded me of my childhood, when I was called a negrita and teased for my flat nose. I recall desperate (and fruitless) attempts at bleaching my skin with papaya soap. I tried pinching my nose every night, hoping I would awake the next day to find it nice and pointy. (Take a look at my face: It didn't work!). As a lifelong fan of American jazz standards -- and as a tribute to America, where, for the first time in my life I learned to appreciate my unique attributes-- I've rewritten the lyrics to the classic Rodgers & Hart tune, "My Funny Valentine," while preserving its essential sentiments. I'm trying to communicate to all my dear Pinay sisters a sincere appreciation of their Indio beauty. I say with the utmost pride, "Stay?don't change your hair" -- or anything else. Because you are Filipina, and you are beautiful.

In 2005 world famous Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club saw the first Filipina performer headlining a sold out Filipino-American Jazz Festival. A longtime member of the renowned vocal harmony ensemble CRESCENDO, Charmaine is also the first Pinay to headline the world-famous Catalina Bar & Grill jazz club, in Hollywood, which presented Charmaine at their sold-out 2005 Filipino-American Jazz festival. In 2006, she headlined the Manila International Jazz Festival in her birth country, the Philippines.

Originally from the provincial town of Subic-Zambales, Charmaine Clamor and at age 3, is already showing signs of a promising performer singing to passengers at the back of buses traveling to Manila. It does not come as a surprise to see her in the Jazz scene growing up providing piano accompaniment to her mother singing kundiman (Filipino torch songs) and American classics. Her love for the classic standard songs came from her early exposure to the Great American Songbook.

She is one of the founding members of JazzPhil-USA, a non-profit organization that promotes Filipino-American jazz artist in the United States together with Bobbie Garcia, Evelyn Haddad, Elizabeth Reyes, Thelma Sugay and Tony Vizmonte. She is also in the board and president for the year 2006 – 2007.

Charmaine’s Sophomore CD “Flippin out” due to release officially on August 31^st 2007 containing Filipino Kundiman (first time in US Jazz history sung in tagalog) songs featuring some of the top Filipino jazz artist in the US including Abe Lagrimas, Jr. (ukulele) & Julius Tolentino (alto sax), the renowned trio of Christian Jacob, Trey Henry & Ray Brinker (Tierney Sutton Band) , the indigenous Filipino instrument called Kulintang performed by the celebrated Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble and the Filipino Naxos Recording artist, Richard Ickard on guitar.

This is how she was described by Don Heckman of the Calendar section of Los Angeles Times last December 7, 2006 Classy Jazz, via the Philippines:

When Charmaine Clamor's warm, luscious contralto slips into a rhythmically seductive version of "I'm in the Mood for Love" or purrs through the tender lyrics of "The Very Thought of You," there's no doubt that a first-rate jazz talent is present. Her first album, "Searching for the Soul" (2005), announced the arrival of an impressive new vocal artist who worked her magic with material including Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday," Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love," Rodgers and Hart's "My Romance" and Gordon and Warren's "You'll Never Know."

What is surprising about her singing, with its very real sense of jazz authenticity, is the fact that Clamor is a Filipina, born in the provincial town of Subic-Zambales. Her first contact with anything remotely jazz-related came while she played piano to accompany her mother's vocalizing on kundiman (Filipino torch songs). It didn't take long, however, before she was on her way to becoming the first Filipina jazz singer with a recording heard on more than 100 radio stations across the U.S.

On Saturday and Sunday, Clamor will be one of the headliners in the second annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival at Catalina Bar & Grill. If jazz and the Philippines seem an unlikely combination, think again.

The music has built a considerable following in the islands since the post-World War II swing music days. And Clamor is among a growing number of Filipino jazz artists who have begun to attract international attention. Among those who will appear at the festival: keyboardist-composer Emil Mijares (known as the "grandfather of Philippine jazz"), singers Mon David and Sandra Viray, alto saxophonist Julius Tolentino and jazz ukulele player Abe Lagrimas.

Check out Charmaines' MySpace blog where you can listen to some of her songs such as “My Brown Pinay” her own version of My Funny Valentine and listen to the frank and honest lyrics. A self realization that shatters the stereotype of a conditioned mentality on aesthetics attributed to a colonial mindset. To check out current and future shows and event go to Charmaine's website. Continue reading on the latest update HERE.

Jazz Singer