May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an unfortunate bit of timing for most campuses in the midst of finals, graduation and year-ending celebrations.
But if you want to find out more about the American Filipino experience, I’m bringing my one-man solo performance show, “Amok Monologues,” to the Orlando Fringe Festival from May 16-25.
I talk about a lava flow of truth to describe my storytelling amokness, a metaphoric eruption. Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines was my frame.
This year, Madame Pele has delivered to us all a gift for AAPI Heritage Month.
I lived in Hawaii for a few years when I worked for what was then the largest paper in the state. I lived through an earthquake and a massive sewer backup on the Ala Wai (sort of like intestinal lava flow). But I can’t imagine what the residents are going through on the Big Island.
Not Oahu, but the one that has that city that the “Today” show’s Savannah Guthrie called “High-Low.”
Of course, Hilo is pronounced “He-lo.” Although when the talk is lava flow in Hawaii, it’s more like “She-lo,” if one is to be truly respectful while reporting on the burning black mass that eats up ground and all in her way.
