Kontra Gapi and Transform Asia

It was a bit uncomfortable crossing the line between groups and networks. When you gain trust and build bridges you don’t waste it or burn yourself out. I have been exposed to Kontemporaryong Gamelang Pilipino ever since undergrad years. I came to know some members and invited them before, I also attended a but of the Asian Socialism Congress at the UP College of Social Work and Community development last November, I am familiar already with Transform Asia and those who run the Activist School from way back at the Institute for Popular Democracy. I’ met Tak from Kontra Gapi and invited him, incidentally as a member of the Sulat Kamay Writing Collective. I met Reihana from the Asian Socialism Congress, I usually just read her blog posts and articles about women’s issues. During the morning, I gave to help out in transferring the Asian orchestra instruments, a good thing that Vargas folks were about to finish in de-installing Aze Ong’s light in ecosystem at the UP CAL new building. Afterwards, I need to do a similar set up with Musikaibuturan, with microphones, sound mixer, hand e down transmitted, internet connection and ustream. By the afternoon, a women’s round table discussion co-sponsored by Transform Asia about health care, factory workers, international women’s day march and Southeast Asian women’s movement. In the end, what was not very audible became more audible, what was not clear at the onset became a but more clearer.