The Asian country of the Philippines is my heritage and I invite you to join with me this month to celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. From Asian Americans or Pacific Islander Americans, each week in May I’ll offer links to book reading, podcast, music, poetry, film, panel or art. Questions? Contact WSUU member, Roseanne Lorenzana, roseanne.wsuu@gmail.com

Hawaiian-born Shimabukuro has virtually reinvented the instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele.” View  here (2 minutes)  and  here (7 minutes).

Poems from a father, a refugee from Vietnam, an activist resisting the invisibility of the Asian American urban poor. Bao Phi is a spoken word artist, writer and community activist. Listen  here  and  here  from  Thousand Star Hotel 

“A Filipino Food Crash Course”. Best known for his standup comedy, Fil-Am Jo Koy offers this joyful video food tour (9 min, free). More about Filipino cuisine is here.

“Asian American Women Rising: NOT Your Model Minority”. Celebrate AAPI resiliency in response to recent violence experienced by the AAPI community with these Badass Womxn on Sat, May 22, 10:30AM-12:30PM (free, register here)

Kapaemahu from Kanaka Director, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, is a delightful animated short that reveals the healing power of four mysterious stones on present day Waikiki Beach, the legendary transgender spirits within them and the Hawaiian concepts of healing and gender diversity. This film was shortlisted for Best Animated Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards (2021).  Watch the film here (8 minutes, free)

Author, Oliver Chin, reads from his book Awesome Asian Americans: 20 Stars Who Made America Amazing in this video from SanFrancisco Public Library  From superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to journalist Helen Zia, kids and adults will love learning about these accomplished icons including local favorite Bruce Lee. This book can be purchased at Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum bookstore 

I Tinituhon tells the story of Puntan and Fu’una, Guam’s creation myth. Guma’ Palu Li’e provides CHamoru music/chants. Watch the film here (6 minutes, free) More about Guam (here). 

We Hereby Refuse, Monday, June 14, 6:00 pm, Seattle Public Library Author Series. A vision of America’s past with disturbing links to the present by authors Frank Abe and Tamiko Nimura. (free, register here)