mei-mei-yu

[mei-mei-yu]

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[mei-mei-yu]

More good points! I want to highlight the point you made about how sharing our culture means expecting the Filipino diaspora to acknowledge imperialism ^^^ Let us all keep in mind that this discussion isn't trying to drive a bigger wedge between natives and Fil-Ams, but one of acknowledging a shared heritage. In my opinion, you're right about how avoiding gatekeeping means sharing even the more uncomfortable parts of our history. What they do with that knowledge is up to them.

NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA Ari Agbayani : Filipino-American (but not Filipino) Representation

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way speaking for every Filipino. I'll just be sharing some thoughts and sentiments that me and my friends have about the new marvel superhero Ari (lol) Agbayani. It also isn't my intention to use this as a way to invalidate the experiences of the Filipino diaspora and imply that Filipino-Americans aren't Filipino enough.

So a new marvel superhero Ari Agbayani was recently unveiled as a Captain America (? sorry if I got the terminology or something wrong, I'm not that familiar with the new concept). Congratulations to the Fil-Ams who feel validated by this representation, especially because there's this whole history of fil-ams being othered and treated as foreigners depsite having lived in America their whole lives. Now there's a character whose whole existence is an acknowledgement of the Filipino-American identity.

That said, I hope you all remain respectful as well when you notice how some Filipinos find her to be a joke/alienating at best, and an offensive imperialist reminder at worst. Going into the Ari tag, especially on twitter, will NOT be your regular fun fandom experience. Here are some of the possible reasons:

Her name selection makes it seem like native Filipino speakers weren't consulted during the creation process. I can tell they did research (Agbayani isn't a super common last name and it has the word meaning 'hero' in it), but the whole "Ari" meaning 'genitalia' issue is just turning her character into a bit of a joke. On the bright side, characters like Dick Grayson survived for 80+ years so this isn't too bad.

Her skin tone - Some people definitely don't think she looks Filipino enough (whatever that means). I personally look like her, so I can't say that this is a point against her as Filipino rep per se. HOWEVER having her be dark skinned would be good representation in fighting against colorism.

Her costume - here's where it gets messy. Having her don the stars and stripes really makes her seem like she belongs in American military propaganda art, which is great for Captain America, but not so great at communicating a Filipino-American hero. There are no design elements to suggest a Filipino identity. Not only is it overwhelmingly American, it also feels tone deaf when thinking about the history of American Imperialism in the Philippines. Americans have slaughtered our people, raped our women, put our children in zoos, and much more under the guise of benevolence. Even today, with our current geopolitics, the consequences of American imperialism continue to haunt us (#imperyalismoibagsak). To many Filipinos, her taking of the most 'American' mantle represents this imperialism and violence.

Despite all the things I've talked about here, I do have faith that this will work out somehow. It's possible for the writers to explore her story in a way that mirrors Sam Wilson's reckoning with American racism before he became Captain America. I just hope that the implications of a Filipino-American as Captain America don't get swept under the rug.

[mei-mei-yu]

All important points! Ty for these additions

Yeah we should definitely discuss the uncomfortable parallels between what to us seems like colonial mentality and to Fil-Ams is acceptance and validation.

We have an uncomfortable history with benevolent assimilation and being treated like America's "Brown Little Brothers" who would be conditionally "accepted" as long as we did exactly what the imperialists would direct us to do.

I get that it doesn't come across that way to Fil-Ams, because it seems more like affirmation of the American side of your identity, which we as Natives will never require. However, it's still worth discussing the extreme differences in reactions between the "Filipino" and the "Filipino-American", which brings me to my next question:

To what degree can we separate the "Filipino" from the "Filipino-American"? Is it fair for us, as Natives, to expect Fil-Ams to find the same anger in imperialist symbols which represent their home? Is it fair for Fil-Ams to expect Native Filipinos to treat Ari as exclusively Fil-Am and completely separate from the context we grapple with in the mainland?

These are all genuine questions and comments btw please don't crucify me I just find all of this interesting

NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA Ari Agbayani : Filipino-American (but not Filipino) Representation

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way speaking for every Filipino. I'll just be sharing some thoughts and sentiments that me and my friends have about the new marvel superhero Ari (lol) Agbayani. It also isn't my intention to use this as a way to invalidate the experiences of the Filipino diaspora and imply that Filipino-Americans aren't Filipino enough.

So a new marvel superhero Ari Agbayani was recently unveiled as a Captain America (? sorry if I got the terminology or something wrong, I'm not that familiar with the new concept). Congratulations to the Fil-Ams who feel validated by this representation, especially because there's this whole history of fil-ams being othered and treated as foreigners depsite having lived in America their whole lives. Now there's a character whose whole existence is an acknowledgement of the Filipino-American identity.

That said, I hope you all remain respectful as well when you notice how some Filipinos find her to be a joke/alienating at best, and an offensive imperialist reminder at worst. Going into the Ari tag, especially on twitter, will NOT be your regular fun fandom experience. Here are some of the possible reasons:

Her name selection makes it seem like native Filipino speakers weren't consulted during the creation process. I can tell they did research (Agbayani isn't a super common last name and it has the word meaning 'hero' in it), but the whole "Ari" meaning 'genitalia' issue is just turning her character into a bit of a joke. On the bright side, characters like Dick Grayson survived for 80+ years so this isn't too bad.

Her skin tone - Some people definitely don't think she looks Filipino enough (whatever that means). I personally look like her, so I can't say that this is a point against her as Filipino rep per se. HOWEVER having her be dark skinned would be good representation in fighting against colorism.

Her costume - here's where it gets messy. Having her don the stars and stripes really makes her seem like she belongs in American military propaganda art, which is great for Captain America, but not so great at communicating a Filipino-American hero. There are no design elements to suggest a Filipino identity. Not only is it overwhelmingly American, it also feels tone deaf when thinking about the history of American Imperialism in the Philippines. Americans have slaughtered our people, raped our women, put our children in zoos, and much more under the guise of benevolence. Even today, with our current geopolitics, the consequences of American imperialism continue to haunt us (#imperyalismoibagsak). To many Filipinos, her taking of the most 'American' mantle represents this imperialism and violence.

Despite all the things I've talked about here, I do have faith that this will work out somehow. It's possible for the writers to explore her story in a way that mirrors Sam Wilson's reckoning with American racism before he became Captain America. I just hope that the implications of a Filipino-American as Captain America don't get swept under the rug.

[mei-mei-yu]

NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA Ari Agbayani : Filipino-American (but not Filipino) Representation

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way speaking for every Filipino. I'll just be sharing some thoughts and sentiments that me and my friends have about the new marvel superhero Ari (lol) Agbayani. It also isn't my intention to use this as a way to invalidate the experiences of the Filipino diaspora and imply that Filipino-Americans aren't Filipino enough.

So a new marvel superhero Ari Agbayani was recently unveiled as a Captain America (? sorry if I got the terminology or something wrong, I'm not that familiar with the new concept). Congratulations to the Fil-Ams who feel validated by this representation, especially because there's this whole history of fil-ams being othered and treated as foreigners depsite having lived in America their whole lives. Now there's a character whose whole existence is an acknowledgement of the Filipino-American identity.

That said, I hope you all remain respectful as well when you notice how some Filipinos find her to be a joke/alienating at best, and an offensive imperialist reminder at worst. Going into the Ari tag, especially on twitter, will NOT be your regular fun fandom experience. Here are some of the possible reasons:

Her name selection makes it seem like native Filipino speakers weren't consulted during the creation process. I can tell they did research (Agbayani isn't a super common last name and it has the word meaning 'hero' in it), but the whole "Ari" meaning 'genitalia' issue is just turning her character into a bit of a joke. On the bright side, characters like Dick Grayson survived for 80+ years so this isn't too bad.

Her skin tone - Some people definitely don't think she looks Filipino enough (whatever that means). I personally look like her, so I can't say that this is a point against her as Filipino rep per se. HOWEVER having her be dark skinned would be good representation in fighting against colorism.

Her costume - here's where it gets messy. Having her don the stars and stripes really makes her seem like she belongs in American military propaganda art, which is great for Captain America, but not so great at communicating a Filipino-American hero. There are no design elements to suggest a Filipino identity. Not only is it overwhelmingly American, it also feels tone deaf when thinking about the history of American Imperialism in the Philippines. Americans have slaughtered our people, raped our women, put our children in zoos, and much more under the guise of benevolence. Even today, with our current geopolitics, the consequences of American imperialism continue to haunt us (#imperyalismoibagsak). To many Filipinos, her taking of the most 'American' mantle represents this imperialism and violence.

Despite all the things I've talked about here, I do have faith that this will work out somehow. It's possible for the writers to explore her story in a way that mirrors Sam Wilson's reckoning with American racism before he became Captain America. I just hope that the implications of a Filipino-American as Captain America don't get swept under the rug.

[mei-mei-yu]

I don’t want to be wasting time without you Don’t wanna throw away my life I need you Something tells me we’ll be alright But something tells me we’ll be alright

Available on INPRNT

[mei-mei-yu]

this sign left no survivors

[mei-mei-yu]

heccin cute

[mei-mei-yu]

Thank you to everyone for your kind response and reception of my first cover of Stammi Vicino. After just releasing my cover of this aria, the new duet had it’s early previewing… and its poignant and gentle way of making you want to cry just made me want to sing this rendition all over again.  I was very fortunate my lovely friend Rui - the beautiful pianist who has covered many pieces already from YOI -  had already recorded her piano cover of this duet, and allowed me to record with it. And thus our first “duet” collaboration was born.   I wanted to capture the same peaceful tone of the duet rendition, with my own personal touch.   I’m grateful to this anime and its music for really inspiring me to want to explore singing various pieces and recording again. This is my way of showing my love…  I hope you enjoy yet another dose and rendition of this romantic aria, as we enter the final chapter of our beautiful skaters’ story.   “Let’s go together. I’m ready.”  Many thanks to @ammeja for granting me permission to use her beautiful art for the track visual. 

[mei-mei-yu]

I mean - cute. And Annemieke’s butt. And her face.

[mei-mei-yu]

E L I S A B E T H   M E M E | Favourite moments

“Die ungewöhnliche Freundschaft”

[mei-mei-yu]

*snaps fingers*

let’s go boys

[mei-mei-yu]

[mei-mei-yu]

so I don’t know if I’ve ever talked about how much I like those multilanguage performances that the Elisabeth casts like to do (ex. SzPSz and Annemieke singing “Wenn Ich Tanzen Will”/”Hogyha Kell Egy Tánc”), but here’s “Die Schatten Werden Laenger” with Zunko as Tod and Mate Kamaras as Rudolf

[mei-mei-yu]

Elisabeth - Gesamtaufnahme Live (2006)

[mei-mei-yu]

Tod Faces.

[mei-mei-yu]

Who Wants to Live Forever: Willemijn Verkaik and Serkan Kaya

[mei-mei-yu]

Here is Quirky Handsome sexyugly Austrian Musical Theater Actor (given name Serkan Kaya) singing “Hello Little Girl”, or rather “Hallo kleine frau”.  He is joined by a second (completely unnecessary, though very talented) wolf.  

Oh, it’s in German.