In Praise of Dr. Dawn Mabalon – Ruby Ibarra & Native Guns
article by Eddie Wong, videos by Jericho Saria. Posted Jan. 26, 2019.
Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon left us with a legacy that will inspire us today, tomorrow, and forever. She was known as a fierce advocate for preserving Stockton’s Little Manila, an emphatic educator whose works on Filipino American history influenced thousands of students, a spoken word artist, a filmmaker, a beloved baker of biko and ube cupcakes, and much, much more. Her award-winning book Little Manila is in the Heart: The Making of the Filipina/o American Community in Stockton, California (Duke University Press) is now in its 6th edition.
On December 8, 2018, her life and legacy were celebrated in San Francisco at Bindlestiff Studio at a benefit for Little Manila Rising, the community organization she co-founded with Dillon Delvo.
Dillon Delvo, Executive Director of Little Manila Rising, welcomes the crowd and talks about Dr. Dawn Mabalon’s legacy. Photo by Eddie Wong.
In the following video by SF filmmaker Jericho Saria, Ruby Ibarra and Native Guns describe Dr. Dawn Mabalon’s influence on their lives and artistic work. Jericho Saria’s second video focuses on how Ruby Ibarra and Native Guns have influenced each other. Finally, you will also be treated to two dynamic performances: Ruby Ibarra’s “Someday” and Native Guns “Champion” in our bonus videos. Enjoy!
I’m a newbie to the world of hip hop and Filipino American culture, but what I saw that night fuels my desire to learn more. The place was lit – artist and audience locked in tight, swaying in time buoyed by rhythm and rhymes, singing praise to a beloved sister. I hope you can catch that spark just by watching the Jericho Saria’s videos because it is those sparks that ignite a sense of common purpose and community. Those sparks nurture us as we continue to struggle for social justice.
I also want to thank Oliver Saria of Bindlestiff Studio for his gracious hospitality. Robynn Takayama, thank you for suggesting that East Wind Ezine cover this important event.
For more information about Dr. Dawn Mabalon, check out this memorial produced by TFC Balitang America.
You have redefine OG as not Original Gangsta, but Omnipresent Guy: Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop. Actually that is the title of a book by Jeff Chang whose subtitle is A History of the Hip Hop Generation. As a self proclaimed newbie to Filipino American hip hop, you might be interested in Oliver Wang’s book, Legions of Boom/Filipino American Mobile DJ Crews in the San Francisco Bay Area. East Wind blows again! Edward Wongs shoots again. Two Wongs make a write
Hey Eddie,
You have redefine OG as not Original Gangsta, but Omnipresent Guy: Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop. Actually that is the title of a book by Jeff Chang whose subtitle is A History of the Hip Hop Generation. As a self proclaimed newbie to Filipino American hip hop, you might be interested in Oliver Wang’s book, Legions of Boom/Filipino American Mobile DJ Crews in the San Francisco Bay Area. East Wind blows again! Edward Wongs shoots again. Two Wongs make a write