Filipino-American surfers travel to the Philippines for the first time and experienced first-hand how it i to be Filipino. Dan moreno and Jon Villar are the two surfers who never found value in their own heritage, until now. Their trip to the Philippines is a total immersion in an unfamiliar culture, which they have relied on hearsay and written articles. They will come face to face with the real Filipinos in their own native space. Dan and Jon will integrate with the communities, play Filipino music, eat native fruits and delicacies and surf the islands with the locals. At the end of their trip, both surfers will provide us with highlights of their physical, emotional and spiritual experiences. The Gift of Barong is not only a surfing odyssey, but also a nourney of culture reconnection, identity crisis and sersonal healing.

Directed by: Benito Butista + Produced by: Jocely Fomento & Dan Moreno

Mic3 sends in a tattoo of a montage artwork  by Samoan Mike from Sacred Center Tattoo which took 1 year in the making and still is in progress.

First and foremost, the portrait at the top is one of Jose Rizal inside the Sun of the Philippine flag that we know of now. Right below is a depiction of Lapu Lapu (Iliji  Rajiki), protector of the Philippine Islands against Ferdinand Magellan and other Conquistadors. Lapu Lapu is holding a Balisong or Kampilan and a shield or Pestle, more known now as the Kalinga Apayao shield. Mic3 had the markings of the Kalinga tattooed on Lapu Lapu himself although that wasn’t so in reality.

Future plans to add on to this masterpiece are rice pattys off to the right side of his body and Eskrima Fighters/Warriors within the area. Also 3 stones below the portrait will be added, representing the 3 main islands of the Philippines, and within them will be the Hail Mary Prayer in Alibata/Baybayin. Lastly the Philippine islands will be shaded in.

Bboy Mouse has represented the Philippines, flying the flag high in every move possible, all in his master plan to give back home, the recognition the Philippines deserves. Ereson ‘Mouse’ Catipon started bboying when he moved to England in 1996 from the Philippines, and has branded his name in UK bboying. In 2006, Mouse achieved his lifelong ambition and became the World Solo BBoy Champion!

Bonifacio’s birthday on November 30 is celebrated as Bonifacio Day (Filipino: Araw ni Bonifacio) and is a public holiday in the Philippines. This is the day to remember our hero, Andres Bonifacio, who led the Filipinos to fight for their freedom from the Spaniards in the late 1800s. Bonifacio Day is quite odd, because heroes — like saints — are often remembered more for their death rather than their birth. Rizal’s birthday, June 19, is a holiday in Laguna province, and the date of his execution, Dec. 30, is a national holiday known as Rizal Day. Anyone who knows Philippine history will understand why Bonifacio is remembered on his birthday, Nov. 30, rather than the date of his death, May 10, 1897. Unlike Rizal who was executed by the enemy, and other heroes who died in battle, Bonifacio was executed by fellow Filipinos.

FYI:

There are many monuments to Bonifacio across the nation, the most famous being two sculptures, one by Napoleon Abueva and the other by Guillermo Tolentino, both National Artists. Also, in current Philippine currency, he is depicted in the 10-peso bill (currently out of production) and 10-peso coin, along with fellow patriot Apolinario Mabini.

Edito “Peso” Alcala surfed his way to a victory during the recently concluded Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational held on September 27, 2008 at General Luna, Siargao Island. His win over defending champion Wade Goodall (Aus) is only the second time a Filipino has won the international event in Siargao, the first being back in the late 90s by Rodolfo “Osot” Alcala.  The international competition held at Cloud 9, is among the most prestigious in Asia and is watched closely by surfers around the world. It attracts high profile professional surfers from Australia, Israel, Japan, Hawaii and France among others.     

It was a dream come true according to Edito because he never expected that he would get a second wave perfectly in time after Goodall’s 17.77 point score. However, he did earn a total of 18.16 points thereby taking first place. He also added that through fervent prayers, an unbelievable divine intervention set in. As he was narrating the victorious story before the media, Edito said that he was ardently praying that he would hit a perfect trick and would excellently get out of the barrel with a tight two-minutes left. To his amazement, as well as to the crowd watching before him, Alcala made it with a standing-ovation performance. He knew he made a good turn when it barreled all the way down the reef and people couldn’t help themselves but to shout joyfully after he flicked off the wave. Alcala, merrily went home with pride and surfed away with $7,500 (USD).