We were completely Buffalo'ed, a thank you note from a fan

By Ben Menor
This is not a review but a Thank You Note. Yesterday, Sunday, April 29, 2012 was the last performance of the World Premier of The UNTOLD Story Of The Buffalo Soldiers OCCUPATION of the PHILIPPINES, BUFFALOED, a stage play, beautifully and well written by Jeannie Barroga in collaboration with Alleluia Panis. The play was directed by Anthony J. Haney at The Stage in San Jose. After 40 years of watching Pilipino Culture Nights (PCNs), the best shows about Filipino culture (Bayanihan, the Philippine National Folk Dance Company) and contemporary shows (Filipino jazz greats such as Bobby Enriquez, Primo Kim, and Charmaine Clamor) with modern movies (The Debut and Modern Day Slaves), I was completely wowed and breathless as I watched a time in history being depicted right in my time and in my backyard. Bravo to Jeannie and Bravo to Alleluia for their successful presentation of American and Philippine history through a tapestry of words, dance, visuals --- and neverending emotions of human dignity and MAKIBAKA (i.e., struggle and revolution)! Bravo to these two Filipino American artists in literature and movement, bringing to the stage a story of our history that is rarely talked about and --- how much more so --- on a venue for the public to see. Bravo to these two Filipino American artist-literally and movement, bringing to the stage, a play very few have dared to present to the general public either here or back home (in the Philippines) the story of the Philippine-American War (see related links from my research at http://jeanniebarroga.com/, http://thestage.org/season1112/buffaloed.php, and http://clogic.eserver.org/2009/SanJuan.pdf) . Thank you to Anthony for his great directorial skills on bringing the play to a level that, I believe deserves a Tony. From the beginning to the end, the actors carried the story to a high energy level of emotions that reflected the atrocities during the American occupation of the Philippines. Hurrah to Carmichael, Daniel, Adrian and Elizabeth as they portrayed the story of the Buffalo soldiers and the loved ones they left behind. These fantastically-gifted actors performed the role of African Americans struggling to make sense of the senseless killing of people (who have

common ties with Philippine early inhabitants, the Negritos) fighting for their sovereignty --through the Manifest Destiny Doctrine of America. The three Buffalo Soldiers challenged their humanity and the human rights of their history about battling slavery in America, how they continued to be treated as second class citizens in the military as depicted by the American Captain portrayed by David Arrow, and that they realized the immoral acts they were committing, and did the right thing by eventually joining the rebels against the American forces. I can only reflect how much we owe to the Black community for their sacrifices then and now, as they served us during the Civil Rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, II. With their courage and sacrifices, we, Filipino Americans, are bestowed with greater freedom, choices, rights, and human dignity. We salute them and their ancestors for being our Freedom Fighters of the world, as they have done so valiantly in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. We salute you. Bravo to our actors and dancers!!! They were all superb in showcasing their craft. Their acting and dancing just tore me up! The dances using our martial arts of the Philippines were, OMG, WOW! To see the great work of Alleluia Panis was being with her at another day at the office. But hold on, in a play using dance to transition each scene truly brought out the best from this renowned dance master, using her dance skills with martial arts.

Seeing the performers using Escrima, Arnis, and Kali in the story was a powerful symbol of courage, culture, and strength. Amielynn, (maybe we met before she graduated from our local university, Santa Clara University during my time as Advisor to the student organization, Barkada) was mesmerizing with her voice, facial expressions, and dance movements. She killed me with her riveting performance as she brought us to tears when she challenged her love interest, Rajiv Shah (Porfirio), about her patriotism. Throughout the whole play I welled with tears watching the grace, power, precision, and emotion of the dancing by Carmichael, Clarissa, Alexandra, Gregory, and Nila. The supporting cast of Jed and Tim were symbolic, showcasing how two different cultures and races can work together for a common interest and respect. When Tim (Sgt. Connor) was commanded by his Captain (Arrow) to kill his muchacho (male servant) Jed (Nalding) because he was older than 10 years old, he rebelled and disobeyed the order --- and joined the Insurrectos. As I tried wiping my tears away, feeling in my gut and heart the exuberance of pride and joy, joining the packed house of theater-goers standing quickly on their feet to give the cast a

standing ovation, I realized there was not a dry eye in the room as we stood for a moment realizing our tears were flowing for those soldiers and the thousand of Insurrectos who gave up their lives so we can clap today--- in their memory. Mabuhay ang Buffaloed and Mabuhay to Jeannie and Alleluia. We were completely Buffaloed. Peace!

PHOTOS TAKEN FROM http://jeanniebarroga.com/

Clinton Derricks-Carroll as Fagen (Photo by Dave Lepori)

Alexandria Diaz de Fato, Nila Le, Gregory Manalo, Clarissa Chun, and Carmichael CJ Blankenship (Photo by Dave Lepori)