I would like to share the live presentation I did last year on June 18 at the Marble Summer Arts Festival in NYC. I called it Babaylan Prayer in honor of the shamans and healers who, even today, in different forms, carry on the rituals and traditions of ancient Philippines. I choreographed this short program as a “wordless worship”. It is part of a longer work that I’ve taught in seminars. The background music is from the CD Shakuhachi The Japanese Flute by Kohachiro Miyata. The video was filmed by Carlos Esguerra and edited by Manny Maramara.
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Tai chi Sword and the Cop
The hate crimes against Asians and Pacific Islanders and other minorities prompted me to reprint this article I wrote sometime at the millennium. The crimes have been directed not only against the people of Asian and Pacific descent but also against their culture. A few years ago, I was practicing Tai chi chuan sword and staff at a public gym when I was told by the director that I could not do it there. I used to leave my staff/pole at the gym but one day it was gone. I was told by a custodian that he was ordered to get rid of it.
Continue reading “Tai chi Sword and the Cop”Enso
One of the pleasures of being a new author is hearing that one’s book is being read in other places. It is so warming to receive a photo of Master Tek Wah Eng, Tiger Claw teacher and calligrapher, with a copy of the book. Acupuncturist Amy Yam, a student in the Philippines, also sent me her photo (below); so did Myles Dunlop. Shaolin and Tai chi teacher in UK and Aishuan Wang in Taiwan.
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Diary 5/17/24
I’ve been reading a few books, among them “Old Testament Parallels” by Victor Matthews and Don Benjamin, “Studying the Historical Jesus” by Darrell Bock,” “Gospel Fictions” by Randel Helm and “Adam’s Rib” by Robert Graves. Again, they raised the question in my mind, “What is fact and what is not?” These books are only a few of those that shed light on the historicity of the Bible.
Continue reading “Diary: the Bible”Len Roberts: Poet
On the anniversary of Len Roberts’ death, I would like to reprint the tribute I delivered at his funeral service.
Continue reading “Len Roberts: Poet”Photos of the subjects covered in the book “Of Fire and Water: Alchemy and Transformation”.
New book “Of Fire and Water: Alchemy and Transformation”
I’ve heard from friends and students from different countries — England, Philippines, Scotland, Thailand, USA, Canada, Russia, Taiwan. Seems like the book is selling in other countries.Three of my students in the Philippines have already ordered their copies of my book “Of Fire and Water: Alchemy and Transformation” (Tambuli Media: 2023).
Continue reading “New book “Of Fire and Water: Alchemy and Transformation””JOSE DAVID LAPUZ: April 19, 1938 – March 8, 2023
Hi Rene, I just learned Jose David Lapuz, the grand Upo of the ’60s in Diliman passed on, after 3.5 months in the hospital. He was a bachelor, lived alone, had no visitors and died. A caretaker was the sole companion. A nephew took over his house, books, memorabilia (recto, rizal, etc). I remember he taught at UST. The news reminded me of our Diliman days. Just sharing. Vic R
Continue reading “JOSE DAVID LAPUZ: April 19, 1938 – March 8, 2023”25 Years of Teaching in the Philippines
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES
This year 2023 is the 25th anniversary of teaching in the Philippines. I’ve taught healing seminars and and covered different subjects –
Nostalgia
Diary 5/30/23:
Just saw the movie “Paris Can Wait” with Diane Lane in the lead role of a married woman who decides to travel to Paris with her husband’s business partner. I won’t go into the details of the movie. It was written, produced and directed by Eleanor Coppola. I remember Diane from when I got involved in work teaching martial arts fist and staff forms and movement in a 2-week theatre workshop in 1974 or 75 to the Great Jones Repertory Company under director Andre Serban.
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