Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2010

Universal Self - Collage

Universal Self in Times Square

Filmed by Iro Burgos 2011

Excerpts from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Peace. Please take a few moments to breath with me.... I would like to share a few excerpts from my performance of Universal Filipino at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Sept 23-25, 2011. Much more to come...... One breath at a time!

Universal Filipino from Justin Lee on Vimeo.

SERVICES

Are you interested in bringing two of the hottest Multi-Media Theater Productions to your community? Interested in cutting edge and thought provoking poetry? How about arts education workshops or organizational consultation for events or campaigns? A motivational speaker? Kilusan Productions is open for booking!




Kilusan Production provides high level services in:

1) Cultural Productions: theater, poetry, community fund raisers, cultural showcases etc.

UNiVERSALself is an original solo Theater Production. Written and performed by Kilusan Bautista. Special artistic direction & dance choreography by Lia Mcpherson and Kairi Bautista.

UNiVERSALself premiered in June of 2010 in the Bronx, NY. Kilusan has toured with UNiVERSALself on an international level, bringing together over 16,000 audiences through a thought provoking production. UNiVERSALself is a coming of age collection of personal narrative stories that takes place in the Bay Area, CA during the 80’s/90’s and explore racial identity in a global society.  The purpose of UNiVERSALself is to build cross cultural unity and empowerment through the performance arts.

&

TRANSCEND is a multimedia experience that takes audiences on a 3-week train ride through the fight against gentrification & homelessness in modern day New York City.  Premiered for 5-nights at the 2016 New York International Fringe Festival at Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Studio.  The purpose of TRANSCEND is to humanize the discussion around gentrification in order to positively influence public policy based on fair and non-discriminatory housing/renting practices.  

2) Education (Universal Self): Arts education workshops designed for personal, political and cultural empowerment/healing.


Theater, poetry and personal development workshops geared towards youth and young adults. Kilusan Bautista facilitates highly interactive and physical workshop to bring out the creative spirits in us all. After 14 years working as an educator from California to New York City, Kilusan offers a unique arts education opportunity to participants who seek to know more about themselves. Workshop contents are based out of the themes from Universal Filipino: Immigration; the effects of drug addiction in the community; gangs; spirituality; and political education. The goal for each participant is to walk away with an individual or group artistic representation based out of the workshops given theme. Workshops can range from 1-hour minimum to 2-hour maximum sessions.

Sample workshop structure includes: icebreakers; short performance by facilitator; discussion on the contents of the performance; theater or poetry activity; group presentations.


3) Movement: consulting services for students, artists, educators, non profit organizations, social networking conferences, motivational speeches & events planning.

For booking or inquiries please contact:

Kilusan Bautista

415.496.9413

Senor.Bautista@gmail.com

Reflections on the Nuyorican Poets Cafe

At this moment, early Monday morning, I feel good. Its that feeling of personal accomplishment that is present in my heart. I completed a 3-day performance run of my solo theater production, "Universal Filipino" at the world famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

It was an intense process considering how physical and emotional my play is. For all 3 nights I poured my heart on stage. I gave it my all because that's all I know how to do when I perform! Every drop of sweat, every moment where a past memory was relived on stage, every movement, every character....these are precious opportunities for an actor to GET FREE! I found myself lost in the wonder of my art this weekend. Nothing existed except for the world of my stories. Wow. I was living a dream that has been a long time coming. I have arrived!

4th of July, 2011

On "Independence day," I honor my Great Lolo Theodoro Bautista & Lolo Ricardo Tagle for their sacrifices during WWII as Philippine veterans. If it wasn't for them my whole family would not be in America. Lolo Doro was so smart he brought all his children to America and then decided to move back to the Philippines....

CONTACT INFO:

Booking & Inquiries -

Email:     Senor.Bautista@gmail.com

Office:    415.496.9413
_____________________________________________________________________

Online links:

1. Facebook

1. TWITTER

2. Youtube

3. Universal Self: Electronic Press Kit

4. Instagram

5. Linkedin

6. TRANSCEND: Electronic Press Kit

_____________________________________________________________________

May 28, 2011 - Poetry Performance in Brooklyn

Spring 2011 articles on UrbanCrazes.Com (Please click on the titles below) - Written by the #TRAINwriter

Every Night I Die - Headline - by the #TRAINwriter

Kilusan in San Quentin - Headline - by the #TRAINwriter

Support NYC Teachers - Featured - by the #TRAINwriter

Theater Review: Call Me Crazy by Helena D. Lewis - Entertainment & Lifestyle - by the #TRAINwriter

La Pena Cultural Center - Entertainment & Lifestyle- by the #TRAINwriter...........

Universal Filipino on Tour 2011 - Entertainment & Lifestyle- by the #TRAINwriter...........

The People's Republic of Brooklyn - Food & Restaurant Review- by the #TRAINwriter...........

2 years teaching in Brooklyn:

I moved to New York City in 2008. It was a blessing to land a job as a Literacy Instructor for young adults, ages 17-24, who read below the 6th grade reading standards. I found myself working for the Brooklyn Public Library in Bushwick, Brooklyn for the 1st year and then Sunset Park, Brooklyn for the 2nd year.

I met some amazing people in this experience. I am most grateful to have worked with and became instant friends with Maisha Rodriguez. We co-taught together in Bushwick but more importantly, Maisha was the first person in New York City that accepted my crazy ways. We developed a great friendship that I look forward to building upon in the future!

How lucky have I been to work with some great students from all over the planet. Maybe that's why we call this place the Planet of Brooklyn. I'm talking about Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, African Americans, students from Guyana, Barbados, Russia, China, Bangladesh, France, Mali, Tunisia, Ireland..... Yes, my class was like the United Nations!

I learnt so much from my students that I cherish in my heart forever. It felt like our own universe in that basement classroom in Sunset Park, Brooklyn (4th Ave and 51st St.). To watch human beings fight through their own issues and push through a world that labels them failures, all in all felt so sacred to me because I was being reminded of the spirit of resiliency and the enduring nature of growth.

For 2 years I worked day in and day out to improve literacy in Brooklyn. I am forever grateful for this opportunity. But all good things must come to an end. On Dec 17th, 2010, a blessing in disguise came as I was laid off from my teaching position. Public Education in America is nothing but politics! A battleground that I am in need of time away from and self healing.

Now I take this moment as an opportunity to pursue my own artistic endeavors. Specifically, I am most excited about touring my new solo Hip Hop Theater production entitled "Universal Filipino" in 2011. I am also eager to create new and raw artistic material that represents all that I have been through in this journey to survive as a caring spirit in New York City.

I have given much and I have received much. Now its time to believe in the spirit that dwells within this body. Nothing is going to stop me now! I am armed with the blessings of all of my students from NYC to California. I take this leap of faith and work relentlessly to live up to my purpose in life, to tell stories from the bottom of my heart

A Year in review: Movement and Friendship in 2010

 

January:

 

Cuba with Dr. Siri Brown.  I was honored to have experienced a trip to 3 different cities in Cuba: Havana, Trinidad and Santa Clara.  I traveled alongside 7 alongside seven African American women who embraced me as family, both politically and personally.  I was able to see visions that became the foundations for 2010. 

 

February:

 

Cuba Report Back.  I organized a very successful community gathering in my Queens, NY apartment.  Artist, activist, students and other individuals who were interested in listening to my experience in Cuba came out. 

 

March:

 

Excerpts of Universal Filipino performed at RDAC BX.  The first half of Universal Filipino was shared with a packed house.  Audience members were able to see theater in the form of an ancestral ritual to honor and bless the moment; speakers from the United Playaz; my student from Brooklyn shared his experience in gangs and prison; a special visual arts exhibition by Araya; and lastly, my collaborative performance with DJ soulcrates.

 

April:

 

Sulu DC.  DJ Soulcrates and I traveled to Washington DC to perform excerpts of Universal Filipino.  We featured with several other Asian Pacific American performance artists.    

 

May:

 

Asian/ Pacific Forum WBAI 99.5 FM.  I was interviewed and performed excerpts of Universal Filipino.

 

June:

 

World Premier of Universal Filipino at RDAC BX.  Co-directed by Yuisa Davila; Choreographed by Lia Mcpherson; and Sound Engineering by Tyson Dai aka DJ Soulcrates

 

July:

 

Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Washington DC.  DJ Soulcrates and I participated in the first collaboration between Sulu DC and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.  The emphasis was to highlight Asian Pacific American performance artist.  We performed excerpts of Universal Filipino.

 

Fiesta del Fuego, Cuba.  I traveled back to Cuba for the second time this year.  This was an independently organized trip which focused primarily on music, arts and culture.

 

August:

 

Sulu NYC.  DJ Soulcrates and I performed a 30-minute excerpt of Universal Filipino at the Bowery Poetry Club.

 

Yale University.  I was one of the featured artist to share poetry with the Cultural Connections Freshman orientations.  I put back on my poetic hat and performed both old and new poems.

 

November:

 

Mr. Hyphen 2010.  I traveled back to California to compete for the crown of Mr. Hyphen 2010.  I participated in a talent portion and shared a scene from Universal Filipino; put on different fashion clothing designs from 2 established designers; answered questions relevant to the empowerment of Asian Pacific American communities.  As a result, I won 1^st runner up.

 

CUNY Law School, Latin American Law Students Association.  I was the featured artist during the Fall annual event “Café Con Leche”.  In an act of true solidarity, DJ Soulcrates and I performed our 30-minute excerpt of Universal Filipino.

 

December:

 

Spoke at Columbia University Teacher College.  On a random Wednesday night, I was asked to share my experience as a teacher by Tsi Labrev, a United Playa/ educator from the Bronx.  It was a very special night because I am transitioning from teaching full time to focusing on my professional performance arts pathway. 

 

**Successfully completed a full year of teaching a young adult Pre-GED class with the Brooklyn Public Library.  I am blessed to have taught and learned from resilient young adults representing different areas of Brooklyn: Bushwick, Bed-Stuy and Sunset Park. 

 

***I look forward to touring my 2^nd theater production “Universal Filipino” in 2011.  DJ Soulcrates and I will continue to rock crowds.  Lia Mcpherson and my brother, Kairi Bautista, will contribute with dance/ movement direction.  We will also incorporate lighting design to enhance “Universal Filipino’s” theatrical effects.  The purpose of the tour is to build cross cultural unity through the performance arts!

OPEN FOR BOOKINGS!

Kilusan Productions is now open for bookings!

1)  If you are interested in booking "Universal Filipino", a solo hip hop theater production, as part of your campus or performance venues programming, please send your information to: kilusan1898@yahoo.com.  

2)  If you are interested in booking "Universal Self", arts education workshops based on the themes of "Universal Filipino" (Immigration; Identity; drug addiction in the community; gangs and crime; political education; coalition building) as part of your campus or performance venues programming, please send your information to: kilusan1898@yahoo.com.  

3)  If you are interested in booking Kilusan Bautista as a motivational speaker, please send your information to: kilusan1898@yahoo.com.   

Sharing at Columbia University's Teacher College

Last night, Dec 9th, 2010, I shared my teaching experience at Columbia University's Teacher College.  The room was packed with 1st year graduate school students in the Masters of Education program.

I honestly was not expecting to end my night on such a high note.  I thought I was just going to support my brotha Tsi Labrev.  He was invited to share his teaching experience on a panel with 5 other teachers in New York City.  One of the speakers canceled and I was in the right place at the right time.  Tsi asked me if I wanted to share.  I was like "Hell yeah!"

Considering the present predicament I am in, a week away from being laid off from teaching Pre-GED literacy instruction for 17-24 year olds for the past 2 years, I took this as an opportunity to share my experience so that this work does not end in vain.  Rather I was able to share ideas and experiences with future teachers!

Dope right!  It has been an amazing journey fully building with my students for over two years in Brooklyn.  But every good thing must come to an end.  And since I have never been a yes-man, those in power always want to do away with anyone who is really doing work and not just pushing papers with the community.  

After 8 years of steady grinding as an educator from California to New York City, I am at the door of a new chapter in my life.  Dec 17th, 2010 will be my last day as a teacher in Brooklyn but it will also be the beginning of my full time commitment as a professional performance artist.

I am excited to launch a national tour of my new solo hip hop theater production entitled, "Universal Filipino" which includes a performance aspect, motivational talks, arts education workshops and humble yet committed movement building.... Watch out for Kilusan Bautista in 2011.....Coming soon to a theater near you!

November 2010 - Update

November was a blessed month! Growth, travel and visions are the main themes for this month.

Mr. Hyphen, Brava Theater, San Francisco, CA-

On Nov 6th, 2010 I traveled back to California to participate in Mr. Hyphen 2010. I was chosen to be one of five finalists who would compete to win the crown of Mr. Hyphen 2010. This is an annual contest organized by Hyphen Magazine to highlight Asian Pacific American men who are devoted to community empowerment. The contest includes several exciting aspects: fashion, performance and Question/Answer. The winner would be crowned Mr. Hyphen 2010 but more importantly, a non-profit organization that serves the Asian Pacific American community would receive a $1,000 donation.

I had an amazing time building with the finalist and meeting the Hyphen Magazine community. The organization that I represented was the United Playaz, a violence prevention non profit organization based in San Francisco, CA. I was placed with 1st runner up. I gave it my all by performing an excerpt from my new solo theater production "Universal Filipino". I was dressed to impress by wearing a 3-piece suit and rocking custom made shoes designed by Jerry Macalino. Overall, it was great to see hundreds of folks come out to celebrate the positive contributions of Asian Pacific American men.

Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA)@ CUNY Law School, Queens, NY-

On Nov 18, 2010, I was the featured artist at the annual "Cafe Con Leche" event organized by LALSA at CUNY Law School in Queens, NY. This year's theme connected the importance of artist within movements for social justice. DJ Soulcrates and I shared a 30-minute excerpt of "Universal Filipino"Despite health issues this month, we were able to receive a standing ovation from the audience.

This event truely represented what it means to stand in solidarity with other communities. Here we have a Latin American student organization reaching out to a Filipino American artist. The principles of a universal struggle brought home the fact that we are in this movement for liberation together and we have so much to share/ learn from each other. In the end, we see the humanity and necessity to stand as a united force! Shout out to LALSA and everyone I met at this great event!

Fela! with the Brooklyn Public Library - Young Adult Pre-GED program, NYC-
On Nov 24, 2010, I was able to watch the hottest Broadway show in town, Fela! with my students from Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I feel very blessed because the theme of our class revolved around "Freedom Fighters" throughout the world and Fela! represented just that, an artist turned activist for Nigeria. My students were impressed by the dynamic presentation. Most of my students had never been to a Broadway production despite growing up in New York City. I am very grateful to be able to end the Fall season on this note. There is so much color, energy, creativity and dedication still alive in the movement to bring about true change, justice and freedom in this world.

It's funny because for the past 2.5 years I have watched several Broadway productions from "In The Heights", "Westside Story" and now "Fela!".....all of which I have never had to pay. God has allowed me to watch these amazing productions so that they inspire the fire within.....I am blessed! It is a dream of mine, that I am working on as we speak, to write, act and perform in the first Filipino American production on Broadway. With God and my ancestors blessings.....watch me!

Shout out to Jerry Macalino aka Da Mac Shoe Maker

When I received 1st runner up for the 2010 Mr. Hyphen awards, I was wearing some amazing new kicks, custom made by Jerry Marcalino aka Da Mac Shoe Maker. I wore these shoes during the performance portion of Mr. Hyphen 2010 (a contest organized by Hyphen Magazine to honor Asian, Pacific American men involved in the community).

These shoes will be worn throughout the 2011 national tour of my new solo hip hop theater production entitled, "Universal Filipino." The theme of my shoes embodies the core message of my production: UNITY! On the outside, you see East Coast and West Coast....and on the inside, you see Universal and Filipino! I shared with Jerry my idea and he tapped into his creative genius to design the shoes that will bless all of my performances of "Universal Filipino" in 2011!!!

I look forward to more collaborations with Jerry Macalino aka Da Mac Shoe Maker. A special shout out goes to Catherine Mercedes Judge for linking two brothaz from anotha mutha!!!!

BIOGRAPHY

Kilusan Bautista is the writer & performer of UNiVERSALself, a solo multimedia production that explores his personal experiences as an Asian Pacific American youth in urban America. Kilusan's second solo multimedia production 'TRANSCEND' examines gentrification & homelessness in Brooklyn, NY.  Kilusan was nominated as the Artist of the Month by the Brooklyn Arts Council in November of 2013 and in 2012, Kilusan received the Outstanding Artist Award by the Filipino American National Historical Society of Metro NY at the Philippine Consulate general in New York City. In 2008, Kilusan was featured on Showtime as the opening act for Nonito Donaire, aka the Filipino Flash, at Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was awarded the Congressional Community Service Award -Kabataan Komemorative- in 2006 by California Senator Tom Lantos.  In 2005, Kilusan was published in the Philippine News after winning the Grand prize for a California Statewide writing contest sponsored by the California Council for the Humanities & New America Media. Kilusan Bautista performs throughout the world with the mission to build cross cultural unity & empowerment through the performance arts/education.

PERFORMANCE BACKGROUND:

UNiVERSALself is a solo Hip Hop Theater Production, written and performed by Kilusan Bautista. It premiered on June 18th & 20th, 2010 at the Rebel Diaz Arts Collective, Bronx, NY. This play offers a creative and cutting edge presentation of the contemporary struggles for working class, Filipino Americans in the diaspora and the interconnectedness of Hip Hop culture with indigenous, tribal Filipino cultural expressions.

UNiVERSALself has been produced internationally: Sahabhaga: festival of participatory performance (India); The Actors Fund Arts Center (Brooklyn) FANHS Conference (New Mexico); SF War Memorial (CA); Nuyorican Poets Cafe (NY); UniPro Summit; Human Rights Summit (SFSU); CSU Dominguez Hills; UC Santa Cruz; San Quentin State Prison; Watsonville Youth Empowerment Conference; Stonehill College (MA); CUNY Law School; Asian American Arts Alliance monthly town hall (NYC); Sulu Series NYC (Bowery Poetry Club); Sulu DC artist collective (Downtown Washington DC); Smithsonian Folklife Festival (Washington DC); Yale University (CT) and Sarah Lawrence College (NY). In May 2010, Kilusan was featured on the Asian Pacific Forum, WBAI 99.5 FM, where he was interviewed and performed excerpts of Universal Filipino.

In the Fall of 2011, Kilusan has created and/or performed original poetry with Jchen Dance company at the Dixon Place (NYC); Male Ego Project via Urbintel Inc. at Clark University (ATL); and Urban Healing Tour at Gallo Center for the Arts (CA). In Nov 2011, Kilusan delivered the opening speech and performed an excerpt of Universal Filipino for the closing cultural showcase for the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue at Cornell University, NY for over 800 delegates.

In Nov 2010, Kilusan was a finalist and 1st runner up for Hyphen Magazine’s annual leadership, arts and fashion contest for Asian, Pacific American men known as Mr. Hyphen.

Kilusan was a core member of the Bay Area based Filipino American spoken word collective known as 8th Wonder, which toured nationally and was fiscally sponsored by Youth Speaks.

He has worked with a Hip Hop Jazz band known as Soul Searchers Entertainment, as the Poetic Vocalist/ Emcee, where they performed throughout the Bay Area from 2004-2005. Kilusan also toured Northern California with a Hip Hop Theater organization known as Colored Ink, a group of multi-cultural artists dedicated to social justice in 2007.

He has also worn the directorial hat when he became artistic director of a Hip Hop Theater production known as ‘Dream Cypher’ which was sponsored by the Contemporary American Theater Scene and Movimento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana in San Jose, Ca, April 2004. ‘Dream Cypher’ was featured at the 2005 Bay Area Hip Hop Theater festival at the Center for the Arts, Yerba Buena Gardens, SF, CA and at UC Santa Cruz.

After two years of travel and research, Kilusan wrote and directed his first theatrical playwright production entitled, “A Tuyo in the Sun” at the University of California, Santa Cruz in March of 2002. This play reveals the story of three generations of his family’s history of immigration from the Philippines and settling in America.

He has performed on acclaimed stages such as: Power to the Peaceful Festival in San Francisco, 2007 & 2006; Kimball’s East in Oakland, 2005; University of California at Santa Cruz- Rainbow Theater 1999-2002; NuYorican Poets Café in New York, 2000. In 1999, he was blessed to perform in Palawan, Philippines for the graduation ceremony of a study abroad program known as “Tagalog On Site.” In November of 2008, Kilusan opened up for Top Rank boxer Nonito Donaire aka the ‘Filipino Flash’ at Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PRINT AND MEDIA HISTORY:

Kilusan’s written works have been published in Newspapers such as the Philippine News- Art and Culture Section, Listen and Be Heard in Vallejo, Ca. He was a California-Wide grand prize winner for an essay he wrote to the New America Media and California Council for the Humanities in 2005.

He has recorded on CD compilations such as the “Intelligent Movement,” produced by Romedigs of Open Line Media, which brought together Filipino American Hip Hop Emcee’s from across the U.S. and; “The Package,” produced by Chuck Mayes of Namau Records, which comprises an international group of Emcees from Puerto Rico, London and the Bay Area; and a spoken word CD through 8th Wonder. His artistic work and activist commentary has been aired on 94.1 FM (KPFA) and 106.1 FM (KMEL).

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT WORK:

Kilusan is constantly using his talents to service the needs of the larger community. He does this by hosting community events as the master of ceremonies: Destiny Arts Center’s Winter Celebration in Oakland 2007; Bayanihan Community Center Hip Hop Showcase in 2008; All Oakland Talent Show sponsored by Oakland Leaf in 2007; Fiesta Filipina in SF, 2005; Asian Heritage Street Festival in SF, 2005 & 2006; Pistahan Festival in SF, 2006.

Kilusan has used his artistic and activist background to empower youth throughout San Francisco public schools through the United Playaz, a gang prevention and violence prevention community organization. He has organized ‘Silence the Violence’ cultural productions, speak outs, mediations and fundraisers throughout the Bay Area. For over two years, Kilusan has taught Hip Hop theater classes for youth at Destiny Arts Center in Oakland and the Walden House for young women (a foster care facility).

As a Pre-GED Literacy Instructor with the Brooklyn Public Library from 2008 – 2010 (under a generous grant from the Center for Economic Opportunity, NYC Mayor’s office), Kilusan worked with resilient 17-24 year olds in the areas of new and innovative literacy development, poetry, theater and community empowerment.

Kilusan Bautista is a teaching artist within the New York City Department of Education, using his solo theater production Universal Self to support GED students achieve educational and personal success.