Chalk another one up!

Another successful interview captured on film this past weekend. The victim: Mr. Stephen Munoz. Thanks for hanging out with us Steve and playing a couple of songs for the Wayne and me! We had a great interview session and Steve was very accomodating in playing a couple of songs on his acoustic. Hit up his myspace website to listen to some of his songs. He's a very versatile musician and never took any formal training, which is a amazing if you were to see him live. Something that we touched upon during our interview involved the upbringing of Asian American children. Stephen's parents are both teachers and he talked about how they taught he and his siblings what it is to be Filipinos and how to embrace their difference. I had mentioned how great that was because a handful of my own peers didn't have that experience due to their parents just trying to provide them with what was best. To some - being in America means trying to be the best American, and with that, losing a sense of Asian heritage.

We also touched upon environment of upbringing. Stephen grew up in a more suburban area and was not surrounded by many Asian Americans while growing up. This influenced him as a person and he even wished he were able to understand what it was like to grow up in a high school where Asian American cliques formed. I had to share my own experiences. Steve continued on to say that his current audience have been more open to his music and haven't severly neglected him due to his "asianess." He related it back to the environment he's in and how they have been more welcoming on his merit of talent. Let him play you some Irish folk songs - "Have you ever heard of an Asian American playing Irish folk songs??"

Thanks Steve - it was a great interview and your insight was very down to earth and genuine.

Next in line, coincidentally, is Stephen's father - Dr. Romeo Munoz. He wrote the book Filipinos: Invisibility to Empowerment. He has mentioned that he's working on a new book that is very close to my documentary. It deals with 2nd generation Asian American artists. I'm hoping we can talk about that, as well as other subject matters. This includes the pros and cons of the model minority label, a stronger sense of identity - especially in terms of younger generations, education, and some methods on how to become empowered. I'm looking forward to meeting Dr. Munoz, especially after talking with Stephen. His feedback should be nothing less than interesting.

ALSO, Cynthia Lin is generously giving a private concert for a few of my friends and family just for "That Asian Thing." We'll be setting up the living room alla VH1's Storytellers - adding a comfortable, relaxing feel to the atmosphere. With finger foods, live music, and close friends - how can you not have a great time?! I'm excited for this event and I urge you guys to check out Cynthia's music and website.

Through Cynthia - I have been fortunate to get in touch with an aspiring Asian American opera singer named Czerina Salud. She has opened up a whole other realm by questioning her art and the impact Asian Americans have made on that. The opera is one of the oldest institutions of entertainment and sadly enough, has been pushed away by the younger audience. Yes - I am guilty of not going to the opera recently, HOWEVER I am not guilty of never going. I have been to multiple performances in my lifetime and found them to be an experience different from other theater productions. As far as how it relates to my film and where it can contribute - think about it - an Asian American opera singer? It's like Steve and Irish folk songs. They're proving how talented Asian Americans are prior to judgement on eye shape, color, or heritage. We're different, yet we're all the same AND IN ANOTHER LIGHT, we're all the same, yet we're SO different.

It'll all make sense when you watch the finish product...