Finding Common Ground: How to Understand, Address and Improve Diversity and Inclusion Webinar of Akadasia

Narito ang mga sagot ko sa  webinar ng Akadasia na ni-live stream sa Akadasia Facebook page ngayong Marso 9, 2022. Ang pamagat ng webinar ay Finding Common Ground: How to Understand, Address and Improve Diversity and Inclusion. Kasama kong tagapagsalita sina Ms Zahara Chowdhury, founder ng School Should Be, at si Ms Saima Razzaq, head ng Diversity and Inclusion ng Birmingham Pride, parehong taga-United Kingdom. It was moderated by Dr. Kirsten Bartels, Chief Academics Officer ng Akadasia US.

Maraming salamat sa imbitasyon ng organizer na si Mr. Jake Aragon, head ng Akademiks ng Akadasia Philippines.

1. Why do you believe Diversity matters?

Because the real world is diverse, and diversity makes our life exciting. 

If there is just one color in this world, that would be so boring. 

If there is just one kind of clothes that everybody wears, we would all look the same.

2. What does inclusion mean to you? 

Inclusion means we consider others in all that we do. We listen to them, we talk to them, we read about them, we try their food, we try to experience what they experience, we try to pronounce their words, we try to experience what they experience. 

In short, inclusion means we go out of our comfort zone, we try something new, so that it will enrich our own perspective. We also introduce ourselves to others, so others will learn from our own experiences.

For example, if we love reading books, we must go out of our comfort zone, by checking out books that we have not yet encountered. It could be about the experiences of the opposite sex, a certain religion, a certain age group, someone from another place, or has a special kind of occupation. 

I will share to you a book that we have launched last year. Our team created this book and it included literary works from various languages in the Philippines, which we always do in every issue of Ani, the official literary journal of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. But what is special in this issue is we have a section that featured literary and artworks about travel, that were created by the persons with disability. 

ANI 41

Another example here is the book In Certain Seasons Mothers Write in the Time of Covid Crisis. We have conceptualized this book using the gap that we saw in the production of books during the height of our lockdown and crisis in 2020 and 2021. There were many literary books that were published by men. Most of them were old men. There were none by women, old women or women old enough to be mothers. That’s why we created this book.

In Certain Seasons

3. What makes a school inclusive? What are practical ways for a teacher to demonstrate inclusion in the classroom?

It is possible that the things that I will share with you are already being done in our schools and by our teachers. 

But during my time as a student, when I was in high school, our teacher in English subject,  required us to read books that were really out of this world. Mrs. Borja required us to read The Scarlet Letter. I tried so hard to find that book in the second hand bookstore. I could not afford a brand new copy. I already forgot if I was able to find one and if I was able to read it, but even if I did, I did not understand anything at all. It was about adultery in the 1850s that happened in the American society. That was inclusion, right? Something out of the comfort zone of the students?! Hahaha! 

Of course not.

Inclusion in our classroom could have started with Mrs. Borja  asking us, her students, for our recommendation to be included in the class reading list. This might mean additional reading materials and effort for Mrs. Borja, but this would have updated Mrs. Borja’s class reading list. She would not be stuck with 1850 American literature for her Filipino junior and senior high school students.

Mrs. Borja might be surprised to know that many of us her students loved reading and were book lovers, as well. During that time, I read novenas, Archie comics, Sweet Valley Twins, romance novels in Filipino, and complicated novels such as The Pelican Brief, a copy that was owned by my father. 

3. How does diversity and inclusive education promote successful learning?

To have diversity and inclusive education is like teaching our kids to think outside the box. All bases covered. It is like thinking what others will think about a project, or how  others will perceive about a project. 

In short, diversity and inclusive education help us to  imagine, from another point of view. They help us be more creative.  And being creative is a very essential skill in learning, because it promotes use of imagination, and it promotes not giving up. 

These two: diversity and inclusive education, will make our kids think: have I considered everything? Have I covered all bases? What else can be done? 

I also have to mention this:  being creative is important especially now that everything can be automated. Everything can be done by the artificial intelligence. The only things that the AI cannot do are to have feelings like a human being, and to be creative. 

Diversity and inclusive education promote learning through the use of imagination and by teaching us to always consider others, considering others is the heart of education. 

4. Diversity is such a broad topic — from race to gender identity to age to so many other things — what practical tips do you have for a teacher who wants to start engaging with issues of diversity and inclusion in their classroom?

First is acceptance of our own limitations. We have to be ok with that. We cannot introduce everything to our students. We need our co-teachers help, the students help, their parents, and the internet’s help in presenting a diverse and inclusive classroom. Let us be honest with our students that our own perspective may not represent all the interesting things in the world, and it is ok that all together it is good to explore many, many points of view.

5. What can a teacher do to encourage friendships and social connections in an inclusive classroom?

More creations from various point of views- This will make the students do research.  

More listening activities- THIS IS A BIG CHALLENGE 

More reading activities- 

More trips- if possible, community trips, not the touristy one- BIG CHALLENGE ESPECIALLY if done now that we still have the covid crisis. 

Do not be pressured to do any of the activities that we have suggested in this webinar. One step at a time is still the best. I know that we are busy all throughout the academic year.

6. How can teachers collaborate with parents and other school stakeholders in promoting inclusive education?

This will take time, and most probably the parents will not participate. They have to take care of the household and their jobs, and their kids, and so on. 

I guess, the most efficient way to do this is through a survey, let the parents answer a survey where they can contribute ideas, activities, recommendations, etc. You may let the survey be anonymous so the parents can go wild and be adventurous in their suggestions. 

The Land of Stories book review

 Last year, I was invited by Mam Neni Sta. Romana Cruz to give a lecture about reviewing books for children. Ginamit ko ang lecture ko under ng Philippine Board on Books for Young People. Ang kay Mam Neni ay under ng Where the Write Things Are program at online namin ito isinagawa.

Ilan lang ang audience, wala pa yatang sampu. But they were responsive. Alisto sa pagsagot ng mga tanong ko, at higit sa lahat, nang bigyan sila ng assignment ay marami sa kanila ang nakapagsumite ng book review. 

Importante sa akin ito dahil ito ay measurement ng commitment sa pagsusulat ng members of my audience that day.

Binigyan ko ng comment ang lahat ng book review na natanggap ko, at isa ito sa mga bumalik sa akin after revision stage. 

Ito ang book review ng teenager na si Francheska Nicole. Ang galing!

The Land of Stories book review

Book review by: Francheska Nicole.

 

The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer is a #1 New York Times bestselling fantasy/adventure series. It follows the story of two young twins named Alex and Conner Bailey as they discover a land beyond their imagination. The first book was published on 2012 by Little Brown Books for young readers.

 

I know people always say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”, but one of the reasons why I bought this book (apart from the plot) is that it has a very nice cover. It’s like if you’re in a library full of books, this is the one that will catch your attention. The colors match very well making it eye catching. The cover is a picture of Alex and Conner falling to the Land of Stories, the emerald cover of the book has gold streaks at each side, and at the bottom corners shows some of the characters of the book such as the fairy tale princesses. The cover will really make you thrilled and curious to read it.

 

I enjoyed this book very much; I’d give it a 10/10. It made me believe in magic, because the author described it as if it’s reality. As if it’s a world that we can easily transport in. The story is nail-biting to the point that I can’t even put it down. The language is pretty easy to comprehend, and probably children 8-12 years old will enjoy this series very much. The bio note of the author is very nice, it includes his clear picture and the key info that the readers need to know such as his achievements and the other books that he wrote.

 

 I love every character in the books except for the masked man. The masked man is the Fairy Godmother’s son, and the uncle of the twins. He wants nothing more than to take over The Land of Stories and he’s willing to go any lengths to get it. When the fairy Godmother found out his biggest dream was to destroy The Land of Stories and kill her, she took him in to the forest and “killed his magic” hoping this will stop him, but sadly he’s out for revenge and he won’t stop till he gets his vengeance. I despise him at all cost, while I was reading that part of the story, I can feel my blood boiling with vexation. Now, if you like this book you’d probably like “A Tale of Magic” also by Chris Colfer. Enjoy reading bookworms!! 

Delivery Girl ng Cavite

 For the first time ay nag-delivery girl ako kahapon.

Ang unang client ko ay si JB Psalms na seller ng scallops. Taga-Dulong Bayan, Bacoor. Mga 1km mula sa house namin. 2 kilo ng scallops ang ipina-deliver sa akin para kay Fhey ng Camella Springville, Molino 3. Ang charge ko ay 50 pesos, pero binigyan ako ni JB ng 70 pesos (bente ay tip).

From 9 am to 11 am, 26 kms, papunta at pabalik.

Ang nakakatuwa rito ay binigyan ako ng gift ni Fhey: isang wallet-like na lalagyan ng ID.

Nag-advertise ako uli ng services sa FB groups ng Cavite sellers pagkauwi ko. I was pmed by Princess of Mambog 3. Dalawang set ng clothes ang pinapa-deliver sa akin. Ang una ay sa Wood Estate, Molino 3 (uli!!!) at ang isa ay sa Salitran 2, Dasma. Ang charge ko ay 50 at 80. Pero tumawad si Princess. 65 pesos na lang daw for Dasma. Nung malaman niya na girl ako, ginawa niyang 70, hahaha.

Umalis ako sa bahay,3:15pm. Habay 1 to Mambog 3 to Molino 3 (lahat Bacoor) to Salitran 2, Dasma to Habay 1, Bacoor. Nakauwi ako 7:15pm.

From Molino 3 to Salitran 2 ay hindi ko sinunod ang Waze. It was 10km lang sana according to Waze, pero babagtasin ko ang Imus at Aguinaldo Highway. Nakakita ako ng daan sa mapa na direkta

mulang Molino Bacoor to Dasma. Nagpm ako sa friend ko na taga-Salitran, biker din, at sabi niya, meron ngang daan. Puwede raw na iyon ang ruta ko.

Ang di niya sinabi ay napakaraming ahon. Juskolord. Akala ko ay bibigay tuhod ko kahapon, I swear.

Ang kinita ko buong araw ay 190 pesos, 6 na oras na tuloy-tuloy na bisikleta.

Napagtanto ko na ...masarap pala talagang mag-work from home na lang. Sori na current job and career, balik na ako sa piling nyo, hahaha!

Ang mga natutuhan ko:

1. Nakakakilig makatanggap ng tip at regalo kapag delivery rider ka.

2. Sumunod na lang sa Waze, beh.

3. Ang daming babaeng entrepreneur (babae ang sellers na nag-hire sa akin).

4. Ang daming magagandang village at subdivision sa Cavite.

5. Ang laki pala ng putanginang Bacoor na ito.

6. Ang sarap mag-bike pag Linggo sa Molino/Bacoor Blvd. Ang ganda ng quality ng kalsada, bihira ang sasakyan.

7. Kapag magtatanong ng direksiyon, itanong din kung may paahon din na kalsada o patag lang ito.

8. Nakaka- tempt bumili ng pagkain sa magagandang kainan na nadadaanan ko. Kaya lang nakakahinayang dahil malaki pa gastos kesa sa kita, kung magpapatukso ako sa mga ito. Tinandaan ko na lang, as date place in the future with hubby and family.

9. Huwag nang maligo bago mag-bike, babantot ka rin lang naman.

10. Wala akong masyadong life-threatening experience kahapon sa Cavite, dahil wala rin masyadong motor akong nakasalamuha. I therefore conclude iba talaga ang Las Pinas, maraming kamoteng driver ng motor!

Uulitin ko pa ba ang mag-delivery girl? Di ko alam, hahaha! Ang hirap pala, mga ineng!

Interbyu ni Abigail Jashael Bagabaldo

1. Can you state your name, who you are, and your nature of profession?

Ako si Beverly Wico Siy, isang nanay na manunulat, copyright advocate at full time government employee.

2. What are your ideas or stand about women's rights and health?

Palagay ko, dapat ang gumagawa ng mga batas at polisiya tungkol sa karapatan at kalusugan ng babae ay mga babae mula sa sari-saring kultura ng Pilipinas, edad at social status. 

Walang say dapat ang mga lalaki rito. Kahit sila ay doktor. Pagsalitain ang babaeng doktor kung kailangan ang opinyon ng doktor. 

Dapat din, libre ang check up ng mga babae, lalo na ang mga buntis at senior citizen.

Dapat din, hindi pulis ang nagha-handle ng mga reklamo patungkol sa abuse dahil marami sa mga pulis ay abusado sa power. This kind of police will never understand the POV of abuse survivors. They will always blame the women. And abuse is always about power. 

3. Do you consider women in Philippines having full equality with men? Why or why not?

No, not full equality hanggang ngayon. Hangga't may insidente ng gahasa at abuso sa kababaihan ang isang lipunan, walang equality sa lipunan na iyon. 

Totoong marami na tayong mga achievement at natutupad na pangarap dito sa ating bansa, ngunit hindi ibig sabihin niyon ay even na ang playing field. Kaya tayo may naa-achieve ay dahil doble ang kayod natin at pagpupunyagi. Ang ating lipunan ngayon ay mas friendly pa rin sa mga lalaki, mas open sa lalaki, sa mga trabaho, opportunity at matataas na posisyon. Dahil ang mga nagde-decide kung sino ang magha-hire sa kanila, ang magbibigay ng opportunity at magluluklok sa kanila sa matataas na posisyon ay dominated pa rin by men. 

Kaya malaking bagay na dumami ang babae na may executive powers at positions.

4. What issues relating to women's health and human rights do you  consider important? Are these evident in your country? Or is it lacking?

Some women can answer the number 4 questions better than I can. Kaya sasagutin ko na lamang ito nang batay sa aking kinabibilangan na sector: ang arts and culture community sa PIlipinas.

I think the people with power and authority in this community must consider the women's nature, life cycle and biological clock when they decide about policy making, grants, awards. Sa CCP, may parangal kami na para sa mga visual artist at may limit sa edad ang puwedeng parangalan. I find this unfair to women visual artists especially those who chose to become mothers. Opkors, mahihinto ang artmaking nila at magiging second priority ito kapag pinili nilang magbuntis at manganak at magpalaki ng bata. Posibleng mabalikan nila ang kanilang sining kapag malaki na ang kanilang mga anak. At malamang ay may edad na sila by that time, 40s, 50s, at lalagpasan na sila ng award ng CCP dahil hindi na sila qualified sa edad. 

Kaya sobrang kaunti ang babaeng napaparangalan ng gawad na ito. Kaunti na nga ang babaeng visual artist, lalo pang kakaunti ang magka-qualify para sa parangal. Napupunta sa lalaki ang  oportunidad na maparangalan. Kahit na napakaraming babae ang napakahusay sa visual arts.

Sa larangan naman ng panitikan, napansin ko na kapag ang babae ay nagsusulat tungkol sa kanyang pagkababae, sa dugo, sa regla, sa mga panganganak, ito ay hindi masyadong pinapansin at pinahahalagahan. Diary lamang iyan, journal lamang. 

Dahil ... ano nga ba naman ang bago, hindi ba? Every day occurence! Napakakaraniwan.

At isa pa, parang nakakadiri ang mga bagay na ito. 

Pero ang nakakapagtaka, kapag ang lalaki, nagsulat ng nobela tungkol sa patayan o kaya sa madugong digmaan, kaliwa't kanan na pagkitil ng buhay, ang taas ng tingin sa kanya, automatic na ito ay panitikan, at mataas na uri.

Bakit ganern?

5. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your gender?

Oo naman. 

A few years ago, tinawagan ako ng isang government agency to be an intellectual property advocate from the publishing industry. I immediately said yes and I was happy to be one. Excited na excited ako. I was asked to give a date for a photoshoot. I didn't reply right away because I was pregnant with Dagat and I had to check the dates that I had no doctor's appointment. Nang sabihin kong buntis ako, parang nagulat ang kausap ko. The person was really really nice and careful with words, pero naramdaman ko rin na that person was ready to give up on me and cancel the invitation. Siguro naisip niya, baka mapaano pa ako sa photoshoot. Totoo naman. At siguro naisip din niya na baka ma-hassle din sila. 

Sabi ko na lang, naipapamana ang copyright. I can be your poster girl for that. I will come up with taglines that you can use for the promotional materials. I think that convinced the person to continue the coordination with me. So, in 2015, I became one of the IP and book ambassadors of the country. I was the only female ambassador in our batch. Kasabay kong nahirang sina Kenneth Cobonpue, Bob Ong, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario and if I remember it right, si Noel Cabangon.

But as I said earlier, women have to work harder than men. 

This situation is a good example. I am sure the rest of the men did not have to offer the organizers copyright  and IP taglines for the promotional materials to be considered for the position. 

6. What advice would you have for young women growing up in the Philippines in this period of time?

Don't lose hope. 

Tayo ang pag-asa. 

As long as we are willing to fight for our rights, there will always be hope. Be ready also for a long ride. Malayong-malayo pa tayo sa tunay na maayos at disenteng lipunan para sa ating mga babaeng anak at apo, but we have allies, friends, families to travel to that destination. So, get up, put that lipstick on, let's enjoy the fucking ride.

Cycle pala

 Inaatake na naman ako ng lungkot. 

Medyo ikinatuwa ko naman sa aking sarili na na-identify ko agad siya. At naisip ko, regular pala talaga itong darating. Parang may season o buwan o linggo na magpaparamdam ito sa akin.

Nauumay ako sa aking ginagawa. I don't give my best na sa current projects namin. Sa iba ko pang ginagawa at sa pamilya. Parang laging secondary energy lang ang ine-exert ko. Ang dami ko kasing ginagawa talaga. Ang tendency ko ngayon ay lalong mag-aksaya ng oras. Parang I refuse to get things done. Ang weird, ano?

Then I suddenly realized kung ano siya. 

Kalungkutan.

Same thing na umaatake sa akin from time to time. Yes, kalaban itey. Kalaban na predictable, so bentahe sa akin ang nature niya. Matutukoy ko ano ang mga puwede kong gawin. At mauutusan ko ang isip na ilihis ang tuon sa nananaig na damdamin.

I have to do something new. Iyan ang gamot ko sa sakit na ito. 

Lately, naglalaro ako sa cellphone ko. As of now, nasa stage 300 something na ako. Ang goal ng laro ay mapagsama-sama sa isang test tube ang magkakakulay na liquid. 

Nagbebenta rin ako ng mga gamit sa Facebook Marketplace. Mga gamit nina Dagat at Ayin, laruan,  costume, damit, libro, punda. Nakatatlong benta na ako. So far, so good. Maayos ka-deal ang mga utaw. Dalawang Imus, isang Caloocan. Mga mudrakels like me. Nakabenta rin ako ng ilang gamit kay Incha. Ibinenta niya sa Mindoro. Ang key pala sa FB Marketplace ay basta i-post mo lang kung ano ang ibinebenta mo. Huwag umasang mabebenta agad. O may sale ka agad. Ang importante, active ang post mo. Isang araw, may magpi-PM na lang sa iyo. Iyon na.

Nagde-declutter na kasi ako ng mga gamit dito. Sikip na sikip na ako sa bahay na ito. Nasusuka na ako sa dami ng gamit. Nasusuka na ako sa saradong mga pinto at bintana.

Sabik akong lumabas. Although purposeful ang lagi kong paglabas. Kung walang tiyak na pupuntahan ay sa bahay lang talaga ako, nag-iisip ng dahilan para lumabas, hahaha! 

Gusto ko uli mamasyal. Saan kaya magandang magpunta? Sayang at di ko mabitbit ang mga bata.

Bukas, maglalakad-lakad ako. Baka subukan kong magbisikleta sa Roxas Boulevard. May libreng bisikleta doon. Loaded nga lang ako. Biyaheng Panulat sa buong umaga, tanghalian sa opisina. Pero libre ako sa hapon. 

Nagkyutiks ako kahapon, kamay at paa. Naglinis ako ng cupboard kahapon. Nagpunas ako ng mga cabinet ni Papa P kanina. Saka kaunting hagdan. Nag-jumping rope ako. Ang hirap naman. Ang ikli ng jumping rope.

Gusto ko pala ang routine na kape ako sa umaga. 

Natatawa ako sa kabalintunaan ng aking sitwasyon. I married Poy for who he is. Consistent. Very stable ang damdamin. Priority ako at ang pamilya namin. Hindi nagbago.

E, iyon din ang reklamo ko. Ako, hindi rin naman nagbago. I always want something new. I am always spontaneous. Biglaan ang mga bagay-bagay. Buhay ako kapag ganyan. Feeling ko kasi, lagi akong pinapaboran ng langit. Kapag nagpaplano, mas lalong di nangyayari o may pangit na ending. 

So, paano kaya ito? Baka ikamatay ko ito, a? Hahaha! Putcha. Ang weird, ano?

Nagtitingin pa rin ako ng sasakyan: Jhun Dominguez, MRZ Trading, 888 Cars, Sir Bags, NGT Trading, PS Bank repo, Security Bank repo. Pero ang reality, hindi ako makakabili. Dahil takot ako sa utang at wala akong sapat na cash para makabili ng sasakyan, kahit man lang ng 2nd hand. Isa pa, na-realize ko, lahat ng sasakyan ngayon, garahe lang. Minimal na talaga ang biyahe-biyahe. So, bakit ako bibili ng sasakyan namin ngayon, di ba? 

Isip ko ay inegosyo. But I already know what will happen to me. This will take me away from my kids. Tiyak na lagi akong wala sa bahay! Hahaha! Baka naghahatid ng goods, nagbebenta, etc.

Pero kailangan talaga akong magkaroon ng bagong danas.

Either sasakyan or property! O kaya magbenta ako ng mga ganyan. Maiba lang ba.

Sa sobrang buryong ko, piniem ko na si Vins. Kako ay ituloy na namin ang stock market 101 talk ko. Nag iisip pa ako ng pamagat ngayon.

I will be really busy na pala. Setyembre na. Kailangan na naming maghanda for Performatura!

Ano ba iyan? Iniisip ko pa lang ay napapagod na ako.

Paalam!

Jamir Garcia obituary

 Jamir Garcia 

(September 5, 1978-November 26, 2020)

OPM singer, Vocalist, and Metal Rock Musician

Known for his raspy voice that complemented the rap metal music of their band Slapshock,  frontman  Vladimir “Jamir” Salenga Garcia was born in Pampanga on September 5, 1978.  His father initially disapproved of Jamir's pursuit of a career in the music industry. Jamir even had to take and finish an auto mechanic degree at Samson Tech to please his father. 

Jamir cited Korn, Limp Bizkit and Deftones as some of his strongest musical influences.

Consistently kind and soft-spoken, Jamir Garcia was also known for his tattoos and piercings.  He had more tattoos all over his body than any other rocker, with his right ear pierced as big as one-peso coin. He had tattoos on his neck, arms, tummy, back. The address where Jamir stayed during his younger years was honored on his body: #66-B, Gumamela St., Roxas District, Quezon City.

Jamir credited his big brother Chris Garcia (a renowned tattoo artist who used to work as a researcher at NASA and now runs his tattooing business in Virginia Beach, USA) for the artwork inspired by the style of Botong Francisco. Because no tattoo artist would do it on him, Chris himself did the tattooing of his legs. Their New York-based brother Sonboy is just as heavily-tattooed.

Jamir joined the Slapshock as lead vocalist in 1998. With his stage presence and showmanship, he led the band to its niche in the local rock music landscape, with their kind of sound that meshed hip-hop and metal. Their live shows were always jampacked.

Slapshock released songs that became a hit, like “Agent Orange," “Cariño Brutal,” “Langit,"  “Salamin,” “Luha,” "Sigaw," and “Anino Mo” among others.  The band's songs express Filipino sentiments. Jamir once described their process of creation and work: “Being from a Third World country, I’m in touch with the people’s angst and anger. We’ll go on writing about things that affect our daily lives— love, hate, struggle.”

The band had won NU Rock Awards for Artist of the Year in 2001 and 2002. Their album "Project 11-41" was also nominated for the Awit Awards’ Album of the Year.  It was a slick and melodic nu metal album-- and arguably their best effort... It had tracks that proved to be classics such as “Get Down,” “Queen Paranoia,” and “Numb,”  according to ABS-CBN writer Rick Olivares. 

Jamir performed the official theme with international Filipino musician apl de ap for the historical biopic “El Presidente” in 2005. 

Hardworking and professional, Slapshock was the ambassador of the clothing brand Dickies. It was also among the main and regular bands of the Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban.  Slapshock was the first Filipino band to perform at the Dubai Desert Rock Fest in 2008.

In the band's 20th anniversary, they  experimented with an album published in a different media. It was called Atake, and they  marketed it as a “USB-only release” accompanied by a free bandana (Jamir’s trademark head gear, a popular item among their fans). The band performed around the world (Malaysia, Sarawak in Borneo, Dubai and several East Coast USA cities) as part of its 20th-anniversary tour.

Slapshock’s manager Kevin Arnedo shared Garcia’s propensity for working under pressure. “During the 'Carino Brutal' EP recording, Jamir spent a whole day writing the lyrics. Then in the evening, he was laying down his vocal tracks.”

Inspired by the sacrifices of medical workers, policemen, and volunteers during the COVID crisis, Jamir wrote a new song called “Sana Pag Gising.” He said in the Inquirer,  “The song started nung mga nakikita ko yung frontliners na hindi man lang nila mayakap ang mga anak nila so, yung song ay nasa perspective ng isang frontliner at tungkol sa hirap at dasal nila– na sana pag gising tapos na ‘to lahat.” He passed the song to his bandmates while they are all in their respective quarantines. Jamir together with Lee Nadela (bass guitar), Lean Ansing (guitar), Jerry Basco (guitar) and Chi Evora (drums) took advantage of digital technology and collaborated separately in their respective studios/homes– sending audio and video files back and forth until “Sana Pag Gising” came into reality.

The group disbanded in October 2020. Over the course of its 23-year career, Slapshock released seven full-length albums through PolyEast Records (formerly EMI): 4th Degree Burn (1999), Headtrip (2001), Project 11-41 (2002), Novena (2004), Silence (2006), Kinse Kalibre (2011), and Atake (2017).

A father of five, Jamir passed away in their home in Quezon City in November 26, 2020.  He was 42 years old.

Callalily lead vocalist Kean Cipriano thanks his friend,  “I have the utmost respect for this person. He wasn’t just a skillful musician. He accorded me respect, which I didn’t readily get from other artists, especially when I was starting out... I remember, one time while we were eating together at an airport, he told me, ‘Don’t be afraid to turn down offers that aren’t worth your value, because bigger and better things would surely come later. Don’t ever compromise your value.’ “I knew that it wasn’t just a business advice, but a life advice. And it’s something I carry with me until now.”

Richard Manabat obituary

 Richard Manabat 

Agosto 12, 1971- Setyembre 2, 2021

VLF Actor at Performer sa Teatro, Pelikula at Telebisyon

Propesyonal. Walang attitude. Life of the party. Ito ang mga salitang ipinanlalarawan ng mga kaibigan at katrabaho ni Richard Manabat sa kaniya.

Ang Kapampangan na si Richard Manabat ay isang versatile na aktor sa teatro, pelikula at telebisyon. Siya rin ay isang fight director. Nakatulong nang malaki sa kanyang ginagawa ang pagiging chief instructor sa Aikido Brotherhood Club at pagiging guro ng arnis at judo.

Ayon sa anak ni Richard na si Vermont, teatro ang naging dahilan kung bakit minahal nito ang sining ng pag-arte. Si Richard ay bahagi ng dulang Noli at Fili Dekada Dos Mil ni Nicanor Tiongson, sa direksiyon ni Soxie Topacio (2015). Di matatawaran ang pagganap ni Richard sa Mga Eksena sa Buhay ng Kontrabida, isang dula ni Dustin Celestino sa Virgin Lab Fest ng Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas. 

Regular din siyang aktor ng Sandbox Productions, Inc., Regal Films, at PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association).

Ayon pa rin kay Vermont, panonood ng pelikula at serye ang bonding nilang mag-ama, "at kung minsan ay mayroon kaming notes sa harapan namin. Sa kadahilanan na ikikritiko namin ang pinanonood, kung ano man ang nakita naming maganda at mali sa perspektibo namin, isusulat namin ito, hahanapin at magdidiskusyon kami kung ano ang ugma na shot, acting, lighting at iba pa."

Ganito kaseryoso sa kanyang sining si Richard. Marami na siyang naging pelikula, at ang ilan sa pinakahuli na kanyang pinagganapan ay Filemon Mamon (2015), isang musical comedy na pelikulang hango sa librong pambata, Fallback (2017), isa sa mga pelikula ni Jason Paul Laxamana, Mina-Anud (2019), Utopia (2019), sa panulat at direksiyon ni Celestino, at bilang Commanding Officer ng  Mindanao (2019) sa direksiyon ni Brillante Mendoza.

Si Richard ay isa sa mga aktor ng The Travel Teleserye ng GCTV Cignal, at A Love to Last ng ABS-CBN. suki rin siyang performer sa mga programa at show ng GMA-7.

"Kayo ang kayamanan ko," ito ang turing ng ulirang ama na si Richard sa kanyang maybahay at tatlong anak.

Pumanaw siya noong Setyembre 2, 2021 sa edad na 50 dahil sa COVID.

Nagpupugay ang mandudulang si Celestino sa husay at kabutihan ni Richard Manabat, "Huling tagay para sa iyo, kaibigan. Para sa iyong mga di malilimutang karakter, para sa matatalas na bato ng linya, para sa lahat ng tinakot mo bilang kontrabida, para sa lahat ng pinatawa mo't pinaluha sa entablado at pelikula, para sa buhay na nagmula sa gulo, pero nauwi sa kabutihan at kabuluhan."