Watch the Filipino American Lives series, hosted by Tony Award winning actor and singer Lea Salonga, on PBS May 2015. The clip includes an introduction to Harana, one of the featured films, about the art of the Filipino serenade. FILIPINO AMERICAN LIVES: Delano Manongs by Marissa Aroy (30 minutes) Director Marissa Aroy puts the spotlight on trailblazing labor organizer Larry Itliong in Delano Manongs. Itliong and the Filipino farm workers instigated a defining moment in the American farm labor movements. Often overlooked in history, Itliong help lead Filipino, Chicanos and other ethnic farm workers in the Delano California Grape Strike of 1965 which, then brought about the creation of the United Farm Workers Union. The documentary uses interviews as well as archival and present-day footage to illustrate a story that highlights the many struggles and achievements of the movement. Jeepney by Esy Casey and Sarah Friedland (30 minutes) The artistic and vibrant modes of public transportation known as the jeepney represent a totem of tradition in the Philippines. Director Esy Casey goes beyond the exterior of the decorated ex-WWII military vehicles and follows the lives of three people who share a connection to the jeepney: Gerry, a witty driver who has deep affection for tradition; Lhudz, whose remarkable artwork appears on the vehicles; and Manny, who grew up near a US military base and watched the evolution of the jeepney. With the vivid and historically rich jeepney, the documentary uncovers deeply personal stories and the effects of globalization. Harana by Benito Bautista (60 minutes) After his father’s death, classically trained musician Florante Aguilar returns to the Philippines after 12 years. While there, he is re-introduced to the music of harana, a tradition where Filipino men would sing under the window to declare their love for a particular woman – a serenade. Florante travels to provinces and meets some of the surviving harana musicians. From there, they help a young man serenade his object of affection which grows into a resurgence of the long lost art. The men start performing in prestigious concert halls and record the first authentic harana album in 50 years. Harana captures a tender side of the Philippines that is rarely seen.

• published: 29 Apr 2015
• views: 7310