Voting for Life, Liberty and Happiness; Sama-Sama Project Takes Part in O+ Festival

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Sometime in the next couple of months, I look forward to being a citizen of my adoptive country, the USA.

It is not the country where I was born nor where I grew up. It is not where my parents or my siblings live, either. It is, however, the country that I chose to live in to make a better life, the country where I met my husband and the one I chose bring up my children and grow my family.

As I read through the Q&A in the US citizenship booklet, I am reminded of the promise of this nation to its people — that every human, created equal, has an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am not naïve to think that officials in the US government, or as a matter of fact, everyone in this country upholds this ideal with every action and decision they make. Otherwise, “Black Lives Matter” would not even be an issue. But that fact that this country is ever evolving and ever changing to ensure that these basic precepts are not tarnished, is, for lack of a better term, special.

A big part of me wishes my homeland also had the same powerful cause in its history that bonds its people together. But, since the 1986 Edsa Revolution didn’t really make a dent, maybe there won’t be.

However, this doesn’t mean Filipinos can’t work together to make the country great. And, I can already see it happening. You see, whether we agree with the current Philippine government officials, in the past years, we all have seen and felt the vast improvement in the country — in business, tourism, government services, infrastructure and the crackdown on corruption, even if it is selective for now.

At the dawn of the global era, Filipinos in the homeland are gaining a renewed sense of patriotism that slowly teaches them to patronize own first – just see the number of new homegrown restaurants, businesses and products that are being created over there now. They are inspired to uplift their image as Filipinos to the world and, most importantly, they are clamoring for progressive change in the place they call home.

To add to that, a growing reverse exodus of second- and third-generation Filipino Americans proves they are finding more promising and meaningful careers and business ventures in the Philippines, their land of milk and honey.

I am not saying all Filipino Americans should all take a one-way trip back. With the global reach of social media and all these connective technologies, we are no longer as alienated from the motherland as the Ilocano sakadas (farm workers) who migrated to Hawaii in 1906 to become pineapple farmers. In the same way, it is the connectedness of the digital world that allows us to remain attached while living our lives here.

Is it any surprise then that nearly 50% of all 196 countries now allow dual citizenship? Eight out of the top Ten Immigrant Countries to the US, including Philippines, all encourage rightful individuals to considering gaining back their other nationality. Because the truth is, we are, and will always be Filipinos as much as we are Americans and whatever happens over there impacts us as much as what we do over here impacts them. .

So, the only question is what do we chose to do? Sometime in the next couple of months, I also hope to become Filipino again. This is a significant time for all Filipinos because from now until October 31, 2015, every Filipino and would-be Filipinos outside the country has the opportunity to play a part in choosing the next set of leaders that will guide the country in the next six years by registering to vote.

With all the good that is happening, it is almost a tragedy not to give Filipinos back home a chance at true progress. It’s like your little brother learning to ride a bike and you know all he needs is a hand that will hold him steady and then, at the right time, will let him go with a gentle push. The “ate” (older sister) in me knows exactly what to do.

In the same way, I believe every Filipino living outside of the country, knows they play an instrumental role in shaping the country so our fellow brothers and sisters have a shot at a better life, true liberty and the pursuit of lasting happiness. Want to know more?

Application and Oath Taking for Filipino Citizenship Reacquisition for all previous Filipinos is open year-round at the Philippine Embassy or your respective consulates. Children of Filipinos or previous Filipinos may also be eligible to become Filipino Citizens by Derivative Dual citizenship or Reporting of Birth.

Under “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least 18 years of age on the day of the elections, and who are registered overseas voters, may vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List Representatives in the May 9, 2016 elections.

To participate, they should file an application for Voter registration/certification from May 6, 2015 to October 31, 2015 (Philippine time).

The 30-day voting period will commence on April 9, 2016 until May 9, 2016 at 3 pm (Philippine time) at the Philippine Embassy or their respective Consulates.

For more info on dual ditizenship, voter registration and the 2016 Philippine National elections, contact (312) 583-0621 or visit chicagopcg.com / fylpro.org

 

—— SamaSama Project takes part in O+ Festival 

It was a treat for Pilsen residents and guests as SamaSama Project, a Chicago-based Filipino Folk Fusion Band, performed with fellow musicians and artists to support the O Positive Festival last Saturday, Sept 5, 2015, 2 p.m. in the afternoon at the Pilsen Vintage and Thrift Parking Lot. Another FilAm musician, Narciso Lobo shared the stage last Saturday.

One of the last shows for the season, SamaSama Project performed at different cities throughout the summer including Morton Grove Tunes on Tuesday, Skokie Bratfest 2015, Downtown Oak Park Thursday Night Outs, Northbrook Taste of Asia, Piyesta Pinoy in Bolingbrook and the Windy City Ribfest and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration both in Chicago.

Held last September 3 to 6, the O+ Festival (pronounced opositive) is a three-day, communityrun celebration of music and the arts- where participating artists exchange their contributions for health care services from art-loving wellness providers at the O+ Clinic. Originating from Kingston, NY, O+ Festival has become more than a festival; it’s a movement where artists, performers and even other volunteers come together for a good cause and for each other.

SamaSama Project hopes to catch everyone at their last summer fling, the Adobofest 2015 on Saturday, September 19th, 11 AM to 5 PM at St. Paul Woods, Grove #1 6594 Oakton St., Morton Grove, IL For more info, check out www.SamaSamaProject.com ————

Louella Maningas Cabalona is a singer, actor, and a business intelligence consultant. She is the cofounder of the Filipno Folk band, SamaSama Project, ILPRO (Illinois Philippines Recovery Operations) and is one of the 10 inaugural delegates of the FYLPro Immersion program of the Philippine Embassy in DC in 2012. She is passionate about sharing Filipino culture in the modern world and actively supports all upstanding Filipino Americans who exemplify excellence in what they do. She is currently pondering on a “Pinoy” business startup while planning the next series of 2016 medical missions to the Philippines with her husband, Baron. If any of these adventures sound interesting to you, email louellarose@gmail.com.

Baron and Louella of SamaSama Project with organizers and volunteers at the O+ Festival. Clockwise from L-R: Leftmost is Rose, the Clinic Manager and right is Jody Casden, Clinic Director; With Narciso Lobo, Music Director; With Amy Jo Cannata, Overall Director of O+ in Chicago, IL

Louella with two of the youngest Philippines Senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Senator Juan Eduardo “Sonny” Angara during a round table discussion with the Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPRO) delegates last July 2015 at the Philippine Senate.

Baron Cabalona, the band’s bass player and a nurse by profession, volunteering at the O+ Clinic at the National Museum of Mexican Art; Lead singer, Louella, took advantage of the Vibrational Sound Massage by Wellness Expert, Rebecca Jane.

Clockwise from L-R, Husband and Wife, Baron and Louella Cabalona touring the Provincial Jail turned New National Museum in Vigan with Family – Dash and Sally Maningas; Commemorative Plaque hung outside claims President Elpidio Quirino was born in the building when his father was warden; Louella with Mr. Efren Vister, the National Museum of the Philippines representative.

Louella with FilAm Overseas Voting Advocate Loida Lewis-Nicolas who in June this year invited FYLPRO delegates to her home to discuss efforts in FilAm Voter Regsitration; Louella with Consul General Generoso Calonge representing the Midwest at the Ambassador, Consuls General and Tourism Directors (ACGTD)Tour Opening Night last July 2015.