K A P W A

M E D I A G A L L E R Y

when words alone could not suffice

a c t i v f i n a l scene/up above in this Geary apartment

by Jaiden McCrann

I always like to believe that my life is like this coming of age movie. Although the photo is a film still that is formatted alongside it's screenplay, it's a very real moment -- a moment that does not necessarily need to be directed; a moment that captures the essence of shared heartbeats. It is a little moment that I personally will cherish forever as my friends and I's pending graduation comes closer, marking the end of "act four" of our lives. However, as this act comes to an end, I can always replay these moments like a film.

kiss me through the phone

by Sam Bernardo

I wanted to discuss intimacy despite distance, especially with the pandemic it's hard to actually see anyone, but I still managed to meet one of my best friends and someone who understands me like no one else because of it, and I wanted to illustrate that. To meet someone who reflects and understands you, even across time zones & thousands of miles.

Sam Bernardo is a 2nd gen Filipino-American artist struggling through law classes & an illustration side hustle.

socially distanced intimacy - Julia Sam.png

Curtain Call by Steffany Maybel

Junior FA Major at CSULB, Steffany Maybel Reyes has been an avid reader, writer, and artist for as long as they can remember, specializing in 2-D media. They aim to incorporate their culture and identity in all of their pieces, often inspired by traditional Filipino mythology.

The photograph was taken during the curtain call of my high school's annual Philippine Culture Night. The image is of a Sarimanok(?) crown–the Singkil princess would wear every year–watching over a crowd of faceless people. It's quite literally a moment of euphoria associated with sharing the Filipino culture to the people watching in the sea of darkness. The gouache rendition of the photograph is to represent my wishes to relive that same moment again and again. It was purposefully made to be Van Gogh-esque to emphasize the movement and lights that I associate with the feeling of being on stage.

RESILIENCE

by Valerie Cana

I created this piece to show how Filipinx people can come together in solidarity in the face of adversity. With our shared roots, we have pride in our culture.

Graphic designer & illustrator by day, award-winning indie game designer and spoken word poet by night—Valerie Caña is an ambitious Las Vegan who enjoys traveling around the world and helping others achieve their dreams. She aspires to create art that connects and heals, reflecting the human experience from political to spiritual.

trigger warning: references to intergenerational trauma, colonialism, and imperialism

BY Czaerra Galicinao Ucol

This piece is about challenging the common associations with the Sampaguita, and furthermore the Filipina herself; that one can only be demure, delicate, and pure. I wanted to showcase several generations of Filipina power, especially in relation to revolution through both armed resistance and political education. This piece also centers the relationship between people and nature, in that we share similarities to the land/flora and should treat it as an extension as ourselves. This poem pulls from my experiences in majoring in ethnic studies as well as being raised by my father who loves gardening, both have been very healing to me through connection to a community. By naming Gabriela Silang, Dawn Mabalon, and the Sampaguita herself, I hope to bring their collective power into the space of the reader.

Czaerra Galicinao Ucol is a queer Filipinx artist from Chicago and the Program and Communications Director of Luya, a local poetry organization centering POC. In 2019, they received a B.A. in Asian/Pacific/American Studies from New York University. In her free time, she likes listening to waves crashing.

P i e c e s

b y A n g e l i c a M o s q u e d a

When I think about diminishing the space between "I" and "we", my mind points back to my loved ones, and those I have loved before. Having nearly a year to myself to think about my relationships to others and who I have given my heart to, I have realized that giving my heart over to others is not this horrific, nerve-racking space. Whether those I have loved before have chosen to walk away from me, or they have chosen to stay, it was/is an honor to share a heartbeat with another. Shared souls and everything in between makes us human, and I choose everyday to not be afraid to love and be loved in return.

Angelica Mosqueda (she/her) is a first year student at UC Berkeley. She holds passion for film and writing, and aims to write for those who cannot find the words themselves.