Vallejo Times Herald

i got a call from vallejo times herald. i was interviewed regarding our exhibit at the fetterly gallery. i was sick at that time and i had to focus in that instant. i just drank 60 ml of extra strength robitussin (sisenta parekoy) and i was still high during the interview. i'm not saying that what i told him wasn't true because of my state of mind but i think i could have told him more deep-funny-shit if i wasn't sick and high. but then, they wouldn't have published it.

i hate interviews because i always thought of better things to say after. i have a slow thought process you know.

the exhibit is still on as of now. see details below.

i just want to add that none of my artworks were displayed at the main gallery. the reason i think was because i was too pinoy for them and people might get grossed out and walk away when they see my art first. but that's just my opinion and i don't really care plus they gave me the juror's choice award. was that to pacify me? hmmm.



the curator asked me why i did this piece and i told her that for me, it is okay to be a dog-eater than to be a human killer. you know vietnam, the philippines and now iraq and afghanistan. they get shocked when they hear the word 'dog-eater' and block you when you talk about dropping bombs. they'll say and do anything to justify their arrogance. you see how they glorify their WMDs in discovery channel?

that means they love dogs more than humans so we better be careful. worse because we are humans who eat dogs so imagine their hate toward humans of our kind. remember the sign 'no dogs and filipinos allowed?'

you see how programmed the american mind is? they have the knack of telling you what's wrong or right but they cannot see clearly. mass media plugged and installed this computer chip into their brains that they cannot comprehend when they hear a different point of view. it's like the blind leading the way. (no offense to blind people).

itinatayo ko lamang ang bandera kong ginula-gulanit. ayaw kong basta na lang maniwala. kahit anong dami ng degrees, awards at medalya mo, para sa akin, kung hindi mo ginagamit ang iyong puso sa pag-iisip. ignorante ka pa din.

madaming magaganda sa ilong na pango.

enough of this shit and here is the article...


Exhibit covers Filipino history in United States
By RICH FREEDMAN/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched:10/15/2006 09:49:31 AM PDT

Mel C. Vera Cruz can't understand some of his peers. "Some artists, they don't like to be associated with being 'Filipino artists,' " he said. "They don't like the label. They just wanted to be called 'artists' without the 'Filipino.' " Not Vera Cruz. He'll stand by his heritage any day. "For me, I don't see anything bad about it," he said. "That's me. That's my identity. I'm proud of being Filipino." And Vera Cruz is also proud of his inclusion in "Filipinos: One Hundred Years in America," the latest exhibit at the Fetterly Gallery in Vallejo that runs Saturday, beginning with a reception, through Nov. 30.

"I'm proud of being included," Vera Cruz said. "It's an honor for me." Vera Cruz joins Carl Angel, Crisante DeGuzman, John Yogogi Fortes, Ben Lagasca, Rick Mariani, Pearl Jones Tranter and Ro.

The exhibit is the latest pin on an extensive artistic map for Fortes, a Vallejoan whose paintings are up at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, Triton Museum in Santa Clara, and the Asian-American Art Center n New York City. "Exhibits that deal with different ethnic groups are important," Fortes said, adding that it's more than "here's a bunch of Filipinos and here's what they do.' It's not just pretty palm trees and outriggers." Whatever culture the exhibit visitor is, "people will see some good work," Fortes said.

Angel, a San Leandro resident, said he's been "a huge fan" of Fortes' work "for a very long time. So it's quite a bonus to be an exhibit with him. I'm lucky to be in such great company." Angel said he's most impressed, again, "with the diversity of the work, as well as the sheer presence of Filipino artists 'doing their thing.'" The exhibit, Angel noted, is not strictly for Filipinos.
"I think everyone should see the exhibit regardless of whether they're Filipino or not, simply because it's a good work from everyone involved," Angel said. "But Filipinos can get a different perspective on their own story from looking at the work, and non-Filipinos can get an introduction to the Filipino-American story. Art, added Angel, "is very vital to the spirit of the culture. Whether it be in painting, music, dance or film. It's the document of culture. It's the expression of our spirit as creative human beings. It allows us to examine aesthetic, and concepts, and question ideas. It's everything." Most of Angel's work, he said, "is editorial in nature and is cultural as well. Someone called it 'social surrealism' and I think that's as good as description as any."

Vera Cruz, a 42-year-old Union City resident, remembered drawing as a 5 year old but didn't officially become "an artist" until he was 30. "I think art, for me, is a main language," Vera Cruz said. "It's my way of communicating. My art tries to project the truth."_

If you go:
What: "Filipinos: One Hundred Years in America" art exhibit_When: Saturday through Nov. 30_Where: Fetterly Gallery, 3467 Sonoma Blvd., Suite 10_Contact: Vallejo Community Arts Foundation, 648-4035.