My response (excerpts):
May 9, 2003
MFA Committee
Department of Radio-TV-Film
University of Texas at Austin
Dear Members of the MFA Committee:
During the Fall of 2002 and Spring of 2003 semesters, the RTF department administration blocked my access to equipment for the production of my film project. By paying for my tuition, class fees, and equipment insurance, I have expected access to equipment in exchange...
The department's decision not to sponsor my project has caused direct repercussions, which made it much more difficult for me to produce my work. Thankfully, members of the local community aided my project with in kind donations in response to the lack of support from the RTF administration. I have also received moral support from colleagues as well as individual members of the faculty...
Now, more than ever, it's important to understand countries being vilified by the US government, including the Philippines, in their travel advisories or otherwise. Where it is reasonable, our artists should be at the forefront filming aspects of the culture of these countries other than the sensationalist mainstream news which reduce an entire country and its culture to one based on terrorism and fear. The Philippines has been depicted this way over the past year in our mainstream media, as well as in the State Department travel advisories. These advisories, which do much to inspire fear, have been brought up in each letter from the Equipment department.
Siquijor island, where my Shamans of Siquijor project was filmed, is a peaceful and quiet place with no record of terrorist activity. Nor was it on the list of places to avoid within the Philippines in the State Department travel advisories issued since November 3, 2002. Because of its natural beauty, peacefulness, and hospitable people, Europeans, Americans and other foreigners take their holidays there or live on the island. The fact is recorded in my video footage which includes interviews with foreign visitors and an American resident of Siquijor...
Thank you for your time and your concern for my safety.
Sincerely,
R. Brillantes
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3 comments:
I for one wish these healers can provide hot and cold running water with consistent water pressure and toilets that flush...I am not asking for a whole lot here! Let's see that miracle come from the Healers! The island has lots of people who have ancestors from there that live abroad. These people are pretty much on the Frequent Flyer Program visiting Siquijor and of course they send money to whoever family is left on the island. So get that water system going!
Maybe this "shower-deprived" blogger has been to Siquijor decades ago...!!
I had frequently visited Siquijor island. It is one of my favorite snorkeling destination and relaxation haven.. and surprisingly enough, I had observed many progressive developments around the island in the last few years. The water system and public infrastructure is well underway... thanks to the deligence of the educated locals who worked hard to get these projects funded. Although, the water system progress is quite slow but at least its developing. The small towns along the west side like Tambisan and Paliton are now equipped with level 3 water system...and so will the rest of the island someday. Tuileries Gardener from Washington DC
Tuileries Gardener, this was February 2006 that I was in Siquijor! Since you say you are a snorkeler, you probably stayed at any of the beachside resorts that are specifically geared to those who are not training to audition for the CBS-TV show Survivor. Do you mingle with the locals much when you are there or are you mostly there for the snorkeling or diving aspect?
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