The Balisong

A Show about Human Rights in the Philippines

Beloved and venerable listener: First off, some great news. The results of the PET scan are looking good but I can’t say much more than that. Thanks for all the messages of support. As I mentioned in the last episode’s intro, I’ve been reluctant to begin publishing. Part of that reluctance has been in fear of what I imagined to be the worst possible outcomes. But seeing the outspokenness and sharpness of other politically aware folx (especially folx younger than myself on TikTok #junkterrorlaw) has made me both hopeful for the future and courageous to take action, however small it may be. In this episode, recorded on September 3rd, I speak with Bernadette and Yves of Malaya Movement [https://www.malayamovement.com/] about the Anti-Terror Law which went into effect on July 18th. Although none of us are formally trained experts in Philippine law it is easy enough to see how the Terror Law has changed both the policy and practice of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.  Various individuals and organizations in both the Philippines and in the United States have already come out against the Terror Law. Malaya Movement has reported [https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiKCTJgDZA/] on its Instagram account (@malayamovement [https://www.instagram.com/malayamovement/]) that Representative Susan Wild of Pennsylvania along with 25 other US Congresspersons have already co-sponsored the Philippine Human Rights Act as of September 24th which is astounding. But the PHRA needs to pass both the house and the senate to become law. So after listening to this episode check out humanrightsph.org [https://humanrightsph.org/] for more information on what you can do.

A Show About Filipinos in Long Distance Relationships

Beloved and venerable listener, In this inaugural episode, recorded one month ago on August 25th, I talk to my partner, Zerina, about going home to care for her parents in Seattle, Duwamish/Coast Salish Territory during the pandemic and applying to PA programs. At time of recording I was still at home on the East Coast of the United States. I’ve been reluctant to begin publishing episodes, but there are times where God and the Universe seem to push us into proper action regardless of whether or not we’re prepared for it.  As Vladimir Lenin says: “There are decades when nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen.” This seems to be one of those weeks for Zerina. On the Monday of this week she was interviewed for one of the PA programs at the top of her list. Within hours of publishing this episode her dad will be going in for a PET scan to assess how well his body has been responding to chemotherapy. Beloved listener, if you believe in the power of thoughts, prayers, and positive intentions all are gladly welcome. Lastly, on Saturday the 26th, she’ll be celebrating her 35th birthday.