They Call Us Bruce 2013: They Call Us Here Lies Love

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome Arielle Jacobs and Jose Llana, the stars of the revolutionary new Broadway musical Here Lies Love, an immersive roof-raising disco musical that tells the story of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos. They discuss the unique thrill of performing in this groundbreaking, form-busting theatre experience, their immense pride in being a part of Broadway's first ever all-Filipino cast, and the complicated responsibility of narrativizing this very real history of the Philippines -- The Good, The Bad, and The WTF.

Tindog Tacloban II featuring AJ Rafael, Tim Atlas, Melvin

Friday, August 1 at Sol Collective in Sacramento



Sacramento! Two sisters in your 'hood have put together a benefit concert to help raise funds towards education equipment for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan: Tindog Tacloban II.

The next one is happening on Friday, August 1 at Sol Collective, and will feature AJ Rafael (who, we have been told, will go on an indefinite hiatus soon), Tim Atlas, Melvin Sings, and more.

Here are some more details about the benefit:

Fund This: The Cotabato Sessions

A film and music album featuring the legacy of the Kalanduyan family in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines



Coming a little late on this, but I want to make sure I drew some attention to this film project that deserves some of your crowdfunding dollars... The Cotabato Sessions is a full-length music album and 30-minute short music film that features the music legacy of one family, the Kalanduyans, in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines.

The Kalanduyans are several generations of musicians from the Maguindanaons, a minority Islamic tribe in the Philippines who perform a beautiful indigenous art form known as kulintang, gong ensemble music as well as lute string music, the kutyapi. The film captures a rare moment as the Kalanduyans get together as three generations of musicians in the family. Who will be the next generation to follow in their footsteps?

Watch this video to learn more:

Relief 2 Recovery: Temporary Protected Status for Filipinos

Sign the petition calling the U.S. to designate the Philippines with Temporary Protected Status

Typhoon Haiyan was one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, wreaking devastation and tragedy that continue to take its toll on the Philippines, with 1.9 million homeless and more than 600,000 displaced.

While the United States is directing much-needed food and relief to the region, another form of humanitarian aid would be to designate the Philippines with Temporary Protected Status, which would stop deportations and avoid the burden the absorbing thousands of its nationals currently abroad during this national emergency, while empowering Filipino immigrants here in the U.S. to more effectively send aid back to their home country.

Relief 2 Recovery; Temporary Protected Status for Filipinos

This MoveOn.org petition by Relief 2 Recovery urges the U.S. government to designate the Philippines for temporary protected status (TPS) under Section 244B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, with consideration to Typhoon Haiyan and ongoing disaster relief efforts.

LA Loves The Philippines, December 1

#LAlovesPH



For all you folks in Los Angeles, here's another typhoon fundraiser that could use your support. Some awesome musicians are getting together to put on a relief benefit show for victims of Typhoon Haiyan. LA Loves The Philippines features a lineup of some pretty awesome Asian American artists such as Bahwee, June Marieezy, Low Leaf, Spazzkid and more. It's happening Sunday, December 1 at The Downtown Independent. Here are some more details:

Buy a Dragon Boy t-shirt for Philippines typhoon relief

Martin Hsu will donate 200% of all proceeds to Doctors Without Borders



Our friend Martin Hsu, who makes wonderful, whimsical illustrations, recently launched his own campaign to raise funds for typhoon relief in the Philippines. Now until Thanksgiving, 200% of all proceeds from sales of his signature "Dragon Boy" t-shirts (available in both men's and women's styles) will be donated to Doctors Without Borders' emergency response fund for Philippines typhoon relief. Just like the flyer says.

Head over to Martin's website to do a little shopping for a good cause.

CAPE presents Typhoon Relief Fundraiser Buffet Dinner

100% of donations will go to the Red Cross towards Philippines Typhoon Relief



For those of you in Los Angeles, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) invites you to a buffet dinner to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan relief. CAPE is foregoing its annual Holiday Party and hosting his fundraiser instead. Make some plans, invite friends and eat for a good cause.

It's happening this Thursday, November 21 at Fu's Palace in Los Angeles. 100% of donations will go to the Red Cross for Philippines typhoon relief. Here are some more details about the event:

Doug Baldwin flies Philippines flag before Seahawks game

Seattle wide receiver has family in the Philippines



Thought I'd share this striking Instagram photo that came my way... That's Doug Baldwin, wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, flying the flag of the Philippines before Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, in an effort to honor victims of Typhoon Haiyan and draw attention to disaster relief efforts (yes, the flag is upside down -- to signify the country in a state of emergency).

The Seahawks partnered with the American Red Cross to collect cash donations from fans at Sunday's game. Fans are also invite to donate online through the American Red Cross' disaster relief fund here.

Baldwin has numerous relatives ("too many to count") living in the Philippines, including his mother's mother: Philippine crisis hits Seahawks WR Baldwin personally.

Beware of disaster fraud in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan

Justice Department warns of potential for fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts.



In the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the worst natural disasters the region has ever seen, the international community has stepped up efforts to offer help and send relief through various fundraising events and donation drives. There are a lot of great organizations you can make donations to, but my household is supporting the work of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns.

That said, the Department of Justice, the FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud remind the public that there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with Typhoon Haiyan should be reported to the 24-hour toll-free NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721.

Before making a donation of any kind, the NCDF suggests adhering to certain guidelines: