FILTEANY Your Big Apple Jeepney!

Asians and That Thing July 28, 2008

Filteany covers the Independent Features Film Festival screening of “That Asian Thing” in Tribeca on July 27, 2008. “That Asian Thing” is a documentary film exploring the issue of low Asian American influence within “mainstream America.” It has become a unified voice by multiple Asian American artists based out of the Midwest Mecca of Chicago, IL. This project is geared to open peoples’ eyes and help them realize that there is an untapped pool of talent with an original image. An evolution is slowly taking place and “That Asian Thing” intends to tell the story that is.

 

How Curious are you About Asians? July 26, 2008

Watch this video about Asian- Americans from all over the US and see for yourself.
I will be exclusively covering the premiere tomorrow at the acclaimed Tribeca Cinemas in New York City.

Watch out for the videos =D

 

Unlocking the Gates for Those who Trespassed Us July 24, 2008

Forgiveness is a big word. You can derive a verb from it, a prefix and a suffix. In reality, forgiveness is larger than life. We often mention the word but it is a Herculean feat to do. Forgiving others asks the question “when can you really let go of the hurt?”

 

I am a person who has a lot of grudges. I love when I really love, I hurt when it is really painful and I hate to the utmost level. I am black and white- the poles where I am truly honest. Looking back, I have trespassed some people and I have been trespassed so much as well. I ask for forgiveness when in no doubt, I was at fault. I build walls of steel to those who never admitted or regretted what they have done. Forgiveness is a big deal for me.

 

Life goes on, the hurt turned into wounds; they heal and we move on. There are circumstances that remind us of the person and our hearts could still feel hollow. Most would say, “It is best to forgive and forget”, but it does not apply to the majority of people you and I know. Only a martyr could live this quote but in an unpredictable world, cause and effect situations are always complicated.

 

Last week, I was checking my networking account when I noticed a person on my friend’s list. I saw his picture, the same face I memorized when my heart turned dark. If I were writing this five years ago, you would read a cauldron of venomous words, curses and death wishes. I started at his profile and I tested myself- “What should I feel and what should I do?” If I follow my friends’ advice, I would dismiss it and moved on with business but then I asked myself, “If I forgive him, what would happen to me?”

 

I closed my eyes and unlocked the gates for him who trespassed me. I sent him a message, a friendly one wishing that all is well with him and his family. For the last time, I recalled what happened that fateful afternoon when he suddenly lashed at me in public. Not being a weakling, I spewed out unbecoming words. He questioned my morality, my intentions for my work and why I had to be with his brother. I replied in an apathetic tone, “so what” which angered him more. I castigated him for looking away even when he knew there were problems- I blamed him, I pointed the finger at everyone for giving me the burden of trying to give the best to person who pains me over and over again. We exchanged more hurtful words and struggling not to cry, I asked him to leave the room. After he left, I shed an ocean of tears of a woman judged and scorned. No one could comfort me and it hurt so bad that it ate my whole being- it left unanswerable questions in my mind. Perhaps I hated him so much because he slapped it on my face, I failed in a relationship, for letting it get the best and bringing out the worst in me. It was shards of a mirror that reflected the truth.

 

It felt good, really good that I shared it with people who knew about our infamous public argument. Surprised as they were, they commend my courage to be able to finally forgive. It took a long time but I still did it. He never replied but I know he read it. I know he had a string of misfortunes but who am I to still wish him more suffering? I maybe stubborn but I am not that cruel.

 

I forgave a few persons throughout time but life is too short to wait. I implore you to think about it. Rebuild burned bridges, forgive and walk away, leave the excess baggage and trust others again. We are capable of trespassing others as much as they can. It is part of our frailty but if I, a proud and stubborn woman can freely unlock those forgiving gates, so can you. Find that rusty hatchet and bury what needs to stop. Forgive and obtain a new beginning.

 

A Matrix Type to Convey Gratitude on YouTube July 22, 2008

Regisor94 celebrates his 1st Year in Youtube and check out his channel to watch superb editing and visual effects. I think that he should expand and share his talents outside the YouTube Community!

www.youtube.com/regisor94

 

When Love Vanishes July 18, 2008

Love makes the world go round; it will engulf you in irrational sense and alter your perception about priorities. The biggest irony of love is its charlatanic means of deceiving people that love would always stay. When love ends, it hurts like a thousand knives stabbed to your heart. My friend once said, “The only way to get over a person is to find another.” I disagreed with her until I found myself in the situation that love was equal to misery, self- loathing, mistrust and the angst of being lost in limbo. When love vanishes, it leaves a bitter aftertaste and you are never the same person – no matter how you convince yourself.

I should not have spend time with him in the balcony

I liked him so much that I wrote his name all over my college books. I made up reasons just to see him. A moment alone, we stared at the trees and my heart was beating so fast. I stammered with my words and it was given that I liked him. He asked me if I knew how to say, “I love you” in his dialect. I looked down at my shoes and he uttered them on his own. I wanted to believe that he said it to me. I was naïve and I thought the feeling was mutual. He introduced me to his girlfriend and I knew I lost. It turned out he was just a really nice guy. My mind convinced that he would notice me, more than a friend or a younger sister but years passed and he has forgotten me. All I remember is that memory of us running to his car when it suddenly rained…the time when the world stopped and I felt the warmth of his skin. Then we never saw each other. He was my first love.

Love vanished but my young heart was scarred so soon.

I should not have let love intertwined with friendship

During our elementary years, I loathed him and vice versa. I hated his being different from our classmates. He was always questioning every lesson much to the dismay of teachers. He only cared about drawings and his sarcasm. I made it a point to avoid the air he breathed in the hallway. High school graduation paved way to my indecisiveness on my course. I was flabbergasted when I saw him in the same room- we exchanged weird looks. As weeks passed, I found myself listening more to his philosophies in life. Perhaps I have matured that I became competitive to debate with him. We spent hours together talking about arts and the future. He became my best friend whom I loved so much that I was not complaining. People were astonished on why we spent so much time together but never took our friendship to the next level. I shrugged my shoulders and through our freshman, sophomore and junior year- we got involved with other people. I was there when his girl cheated on him and he, when I was dating someone simply because I was bored. Then it happened one afternoon, someone told me he slept with one person who immensely complicated what we had- a friendship skipping constantly between love and companionship. I hated him enough to lash at him. This was days before our graduation and uncontrollable tears flowed. I cried because I loved him inspite of me having a relationship and I mourned because I lost my best friend. He retorted that I was unfair- “You took him for granted, shunned me away whenever a new guy came along. You would go back into my arms when you need comfort.” It was true but I was too proud to admit that I was the bad person. Months passed and I was miserable without him. I apologized and he accepted it. I said, “If there is one thing you should know, you are the one person that I’ll always be in love with. But I cannot lose you and our friendship.” Things were back to normal and I had my best friend- always there when I needed an sparring partner. Playing pool until 3 in the morning was the best time together. Alas! I left the city and he left for another country. I missed him- having someone to trust and love at the same time.

Love vanished but my heart would always have a special chamber for my best friend.

I should not have spend time talking to him

He sat in front of me. My mind was somewhere else and he cracked a joke that I raised my left eyebrow. He talked about mundane things and as much as I was having a bad day, I started answering his questions. Out of the blue, I invited him for coffee in my favorite spot. That night, we spent hours talking and I gave him my number. After a month, we became an official couple. It was not easy because we had to keep it as a secret. Only his family knew. I was such a coward of being judged by my own parents on my choice of men. Our relationship withstood 3 years of happiness, jealousy and frustration that we can never be equal in society. The burden of being so depended upon proved to be tiring. I ended it inspite of his incessant protests, million phone calls and letters that I dismissed.

Love vanished and I became the wicked witch, I cheated on him because I met a guy whom I found so mysterious and unpredictable.

I should not have asked for an empty promise

His eyes were expressive and his demeanor so relaxed. He laughed like a little kid and when he smiled, my heart did a somersault. He was a great artist; he can do anything, from murals, paintings to impressions. I admired him- his talent for enjoying his craft. Intriguingly, I found his being irresponsible a perfect challenge for me. We started going out like two peas in a pond. We did not have a single care in the world. When he was behind the wheel, I experienced excitement, the adrenaline rush and the taking of risks so delectable. Our first year was the best; we could not live without each other. I turned my back on my parents because I believed I found the one. Until a demon came between us, changed us from nice people to vicious monsters. We became parasites and we never trusted each other again. We lied to our families, friends and even to each other. A painful decision had to be made and I was left on my own- he was nowhere in sight and I lost myself,  self- confidence and hope. I hung on to the last thread still believing that love conquers all. He gave up; I died multiple times before I accepted that it was over.

Love vanished and my heart was mutilated and pieces of it were never found.

I should not have looked into his eyes

I was still trying to resuscitate my bleeding heart when my friends hauled me out of my black hole. We painted the town red and somehow it worked- I became less lonely and I was breathing again. I met him at a friend’s birthday party. I was unaware that he was looking at me since I had no intention of jumping into another catastrophe. Then I sat next to him unknowingly and the game “truth or dare” came up. Imagine a childhood game being played by tipsy adults. It was my turn and I chose dare- look at the person next to you and do something unexpected. I gazed upon his eyes and I saw comfort that I needed. In a flash, I planted a kiss on his red lips. He was surprised but smiled endlessly throughout the night. That was the beginning of the greatest adventure I had with love. Since we knew that time was short, we took advantage of the rare chances that we can be together. Maybe it was not real love yet he helped me to get up after my biggest stumble. He made me feel pretty again and wanted. I thanked him endlessly and as a final farewell, a room filled with rose petals and scented candles was the perfect ending.

He was the last person I called before I boarded the plane.

Love vanished but my heart remained grateful for the air he shared to bring me back to life.

 

I am exclusively seeing someone but I am no expert on the field of love. Having a plethora of love being betrayed, given, scorned and shared; I realized love may vanish but the remnants of its inevitable happening become permanent. We may deny our desires but we can never triumph from avoiding love.

When love vanishes, I am now assured that it would resurrect in due time.