LA Pride 2012 - Barangay LA Sagala

Last weekend was LA Pride. Amado and I marched with Barangay LA 

and this year's Sagala theme was way bigger than I anticipated.

It's was still overwhelming to have the LGBTQ community welcome Barangay LA.

But I think having the Filipino community embrace and support us was even bigger.

Ongina with Barangay LA's "Media Man" Jeremiah.

I'm going to quote Pedro on this one. 

"I wonder what these Queens are KiKi-ing about... Oh the SHADE of it all... lol"

Amado was one of Ongina's arch bearers. Pretty much very happy with his task.

Love this girl's reaction as we passed by.

Last year Barangay LA has there queens march with theme.

I think they took a huge leap this year.

Goofing off with Gee Gaga and Ongina while we were waiting to get in the festival.

And what seems to be becoming the signature pose for board members photo. 

Either this or the legs pose. I think I'll go for this one.

Very proud of Barangay LA. You pulled off another memorable event.

Can't wait for the next one!

Malaya Project - Sneak Peek

Very excited about this one, check out Malaya Project for more info.

LA Pride 2012

Amado and I marched with Barangay LA this past weekend.

Well, we did more than that but I'll save the details for another post when its ready.

While waiting for the parade to start, I snapped a photo of this couple carrying their kids and a dog.

After that "aaaawwww" feeling slowly faded away, I was struck by jealousy.

As much as I post about the work I do for the LGBTQ community, I've never really

addressed it directly on my blog. I hope others see what I saw when I took this photo.

A family thats no different from others.

SoCal vs. Outlaws

"First times" are always interesting.
First time taking the subway in New York. First time meeting Amado's parents.
First time going to OZ (this is old school) and then seeing your cousins there.
And now I can add first time going to a roller derby match.

Our friend Ben invited us to watch the team he coaches, SoCal Renegades play
against Outlaws Renegade last night. Everything I know about roller derby,
I learned from watching the movie Whip It (side note: I love Ellen Page!).
I knew there'd be some fighting, pulling and more fighting. But the minute they asked us to sign
a waiver because there was a good chance the players would come crashing towards the audience,
I knew we were going to have a good time.

Fun fact: What do Roller Girls and Drag Queens have in common?
Awesome names! My fave, Leprechunt.

No joke, these ladies mean business. Amado and I were oooh'ing and aaaaah'ing the whole time 

watching them play. Pushing and shoving were the mildest thing they did to each other. 

I was hoping people would sit in front of us as buffer just in case the players came flying towards us. Luckily none of that happened. Well, it happened to the other people watching the match 

but not to us.

Leprechunt and Durty Harriet

If you haven't seen a roller derby match in person, I definitely suggest going.
Thanks again Ben! We had a great time.

The Huntington Library

I've been bugging Amado for a "museum day" for weeks now.

We finally had a weekend with no plans and went to San Marino and to check out
The Huntington Library.

It was hotter than we expected, but it was still a fun trip.

The Desert Garden made it feel hotter than it really was. You'd think I'd be used to it since I used to live 

in Vegas but Southern California weather has a way of spoiling you, specially in the beach cities.

Kinda fell in love with this field and the gazebo at the very end of it.

I have this thing about wide open spaces. Oh and negative space.

Sorry folks for the mugshot but I'm trying to get more comfortable being photographed.

The only way to learn how to pose others is if I go through it myself.

Credit for this one goes to Amado.

He's the only one who gets to use my camera without me freaking out (in the outside at least).

After what felt like miles of walking around the gardens under the blazing sun, we hurried in

to check out the galleries and exhibits. 

The only impressionist I spotted in the room. The artist painted the same subject, 

women out in the garden so he can concentrate on the colors and light.

I feel the same way about photography.

My favorite gallery in the grounds. A room with nothing but huge portraits.

Tragic Muse

Of course Amado was drawn to this portrait. The subject was wearing a flowy dress resembling
 a kimono.

My favorite section of the museum. Yes, its a hallway but I love that its all white. And the light!