EVEN THE RAINBOW HAS A BODY —Distinct Artistic Legacies

By Rose Churma

This book is a compilation of essays on Filipinos and Filipino-Americans who have put the arts at the center of their existence and made it their life’s mission to help others achieve their goals in different artistic fields.

It attempts to share the stories of exceptional individuals who took the extra mile to show their commitment to the arts against all odds.

The book consists of six chapters, with each chapter featuring individuals in various fields of art—from theater and film to art and design, with most of the featured artists falling under Chapter 3— Music.

In the first chapter, one of the artists featured is Ted Benito, considered a cultural visionary.

He is credited with bringing the manongs’ story into the theater and raising awareness of the sacrifices of Filipinos in America from the 1920s to the 1940s.

Ted’s vision for The Romance of Magno Rubio was to expose the audience to a

(COVER STORY: Dr. Lee.....from page 6)

Premed, Medical School

Buenconsejo said “I had to buckle down at Stanford University where I was a pre-med student with so many others who were smarter than I was.”

She recalls many nights not getting sleep. “[It was] a bad idea, now that I have learned better.”

She helped pay for her schooling by working as a manager of the school dorm’s student-run food service and worked at the medical school.

“I didn’t have time to do research or become very involved with other activities besides the Hawai’i Club. However, there were so many opportunities at Stanford to learn different subjects that helped shape my interests and make me more well-rounded.” different experience and subject matter.

The play ran for six weeks at the Ford Theater in Hollywood where over 1,600 people saw it in its English, Tagalog and Spanish versions.

This was the first time that Filipinos came in droves to see the play—since Filipinos were never “identified as lovers of theater or the performing arts.”

In Chapter 2—Photography, the artist Hydee Ursolino-Abrahan stands out as one who takes photographs with a “perfect triangulation of emotion, timing and moment,” where can capture the emotional peak of the moment. In each shot, she attempts to tell a story without the use of words.

There were 15 artists featured in the chapter on Music, and the most visible, or most known is Ryan Cayabyab who is associated with the history of OPM or Original Pilipino Music. He is credited with developing 23 film scores, 15 OPM songs and several albums.

In addition, he is the author of 11 musicals and produced albums for artists such as Smokey Mountain, a singing group consisting of teenaged performers back in the 90s—

She said when she returned home to JABSOM in 1990, the problem-based learning curriculum fit her learning style – “so while the content was challenging, medical school didn’t feel like a struggle because of the tremendous support by the faculty and my fellow students. I was in the first recruited class of Family Medicine residents in 1994, with four of my classmates from JABSOM and two who have made Hawai`i their home.”

She recalls, “back then, there were no restrictions on duty hours, so I was pretty tired and grumpy. However, because Wahiawā General Hospital was our home-base hospital and the clinic was in Mililani, I was supported by family. I felt I had come full restaurants in 2016. Purple Yam, which has a minimalist interior design uses touches of bamboo throughout the restaurant, complementing its Filipino-inspired food.

In the field of literary arts, the writer NVM Gonzales is one of two artists featured in Chapter 5.

When asked the question: “How do you write”? He answered, “Write like a lover, but edit like a serial killer.” such as Geneva Cruz, Lea Salonga and Julio Iglesias.

He also had a television show for years called Ryan Ryan Musikahan which garnered various awards. Despite his staggering output, he makes time to teach young people, going around the country and giving workshops in songwriting.

Chapter 4 is devoted to the culinary arts and Chef Romy Dorotan is one of the culinary artists featured. Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa used to own Cendrillon located in SoHo in New York.

Eventually, the owners closed the restaurant and opened Purple Yam in Brooklyn, which was named one of Michelin’s Best 133 New York circle, as I was born at that hospital and grew up in the community.

“I joined the faculty of JABSOM in 1997 because I felt I could significantly impact the community’s health by training the next generation of physicians and family medicine physicians.”

When asked about being the first dean of JABSOM having Filipino ancestry, what does this trailblazing role mean to her? Dr. Buenconsejo-Lum said, “My family has always valued education, working hard, and improving situations for the next generation. That is why my paternal grandparents decided to come to the United States in 1928. I am so fortunate to have been encouraged and guided by family and many teachers and

The land area around the museum is planted with vegetables that are served in Sabel Cafe located within the museum. He also grows his own coffee, raises ducks and chickens and has created a haven that integrates art and nature.

The author, who was his student during his days in the US describes him as “an 83-year-old literary icon who has written 14 books and has significantly influenced the lives of Fil-Am youth in their search of identity.” mentors, starting at Wahiawā Elementary, Wheeler Intermediate, and Leilehua High School.”

A distinguished scholar, NVM Gonzalez is one of the central figures of Philippine literature. His works have been translated into several languages and are recognized internationally.

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, also known as BenCab, is one of the featured artists in Chapter 6—Art & Design.

He has built a museum in Baguio to house his eclectic collection of indigenous art. He also advocates for the preservation of the Cordilleras and the environment.

Advice to youth considering a career as a medical doctor

Buenconsejo-Lum said those with interest in science, teaching, and helping others, medicine is a great career to explore. Unfortunately, many students feel the cost of higher education and the time it takes to become a doctor is unaffordable.

“I would say that college and higher education are increasingly more affordable to those families with financial need. Many scholarships are available to those who work hard, have a passion for what they are doing, and are clear

The author, Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, writes feature stories and a weekly column for Asian Journal and is also a contributor for Balikbayan Magazine. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of the Philippines and a law degree from Whittier College of Law in California.

An interesting collection of interviews, the anthology provides a window to the minds and hearts of artists of Filipino ancestry.

It is a timely book about artists and the processes they adapt in creating their art. It is also a testimonial to the creative spirit of the Filipino. on why they want to pursue a career in medicine.”

ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established Kalamansi Books & Things three decades ago. It has evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an on-line advocacy with the intent of helping global Pinoys discover their heritage by promoting books of value from the Philippines and those written by Filipinos in the Diaspora. We can be reached at kalamansibooks@gmail.com.

She said you will need to do well in high school and college - especially in math, English, and science and ensure you develop great study habits and time management skills.

“It is also important to be well-rounded and participate in activities that make you a better human being and allow you to learn how to deal well with stress. We need intelligent and skilled physicians who live a life of compassion and service and advocate for optimal health as a human right so that everyone can achieve their dreams and maximum potential regardless of their life circumstances,” Buenconsejo-Lum said.