D. Lee Inosanto @ "The Sensei" Stockton Premiere, 17 October 2009

"The Sensei"
STOCKTON PREMIERE with DIANA LEE INOSANTO Director/Actress

Saturday - October 17, 2009

Two Screenings: 2 pm & 6:30 pm / Reception between screenings
Tillie Lewis Theater @ San Joaquin Delta College

5151 Pacific AvenueStockton, California 95207

$5 suggested donation
Sponsored by: Delta College Asian and Pacific Islander American Staff Association (APIASA) and Delta Cultural Awareness Program (CAPS)

For more info: Debra Louie 209.473.3821 or Joan.May.Cordova@post.harvard.edu

RSVP on Facebook: http://bit.ly/Sensei_Facebook

Meet Director/Actress Diana Lee Inosanto at the Stockton premiere of her movie, "The Sensei." http://blog.thesenseimovie.com/

With the Inosanto family's legendary history deeply rooted in Stockton, California, this premiere will be like a homecoming for Diana Lee Inosanto (aka D. Lee Inosanto). Her grandparents Mary Arca Inosanto and Sebastian Inosanto, as well as other founders of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Stockton's historic Little Manila neighborhood, all offered support to striking Filipino farmworkers in 1939. Within the extended Arca and Inosanto families are generations of community leaders and educators including Flora Arca Mata, the first Filipina teacher in Stockton's history. We welcome everyone to two screenings of this special Stockton premiere of "The Sensei."

http://www.myspace.com/thesenseimovie

http://www.dianaleeinosanto.com/

A DIFFERENT KIND OF MARTIAL ARTS FILM: A Different Kind of Martial Arts Film: D. Lee Inosanto's 'The Sensei' battles prejudice and homophobia in 1980s small town in Colorado

If there's one thing D. Lee Inosanto is no stranger to, it's martial arts. Her father is martial arts legend Dan Inosanto, her godfather was the late Bruce Lee (whom she refers to simply as "Uncle Bruce"), and Inosanto herself is a highly trained martial artist who has worked as a stunt person on projects from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Face/Off. So when Inosanto decided to write, direct and star in her first feature film, it made sense that it would take place in the world she knows so well. But what might catch people off guard is the story she chose to tell.

Inosanto's feature, The Sensei, is set in a small Colorado town in 1985, the early years of the AIDS epidemic. McClain (played by Mike O'Laskey) is a gay teenager who is constantly being ostracized. He tries to sign up for classes at the local martial arts dojo to learn to protect himself, but they won't accept him either. Enter Karen (D. Lee Inosanto), the black sheep of the family that runs the dojo who returns to the town after several years away. Karen privately trains McClain, and the two develop a friendship until a secret Karen harbors changes everything.
Tackling issues like AIDS and homophobia in a martial arts setting may seem odd, but it made perfect sense to Inosanto. The inspiration came from a family friend named Gilbert Johnson who was an editor/ publisher of martial arts subjects.

"He was the first person I knew to contract AIDS," Inosanto said. "He was a straight man, a very conservative man - the last person you would expect to get AIDS. But in his final months, he became an activist - marching alongside the gay community. He was one of my favorite people."
By the mid-'90s, AIDS had impacted major sports figures like Magic Johnson. Inosanto's own cousin came out around this time as a lesbian, and Matthew Shepherd was killed in a high-profile hate crime. All inspired Inosanto to write The Sensei. "Being a child of a mixed marriage instilled in me the idea that any type of prejudice is wrong," she said. "That was the drive behind the film."

Shot on a low budget, the project faced many hurdles on the way to the big screen. The school where the shooting was originally to take place pulled its support after realizing the lead character was a gay teen (making news nationwide when the Associated Press picked up the story), and one of the main funders pulled out after the controversy broke.

Another possible problem was the martial arts community's conservatism and its sometimes blatant homophobia.The Sensei's trailer was first screened in public at a large martial arts convention in Las Vegas where Chuck Norris' birthday was being celebrated. Inosanto worried how the trailer might be accepted, but was surprised by the reaction. "So many people came up to me afterward and said 'thank you,'" Inosanto said.

Since then, she has received similar reactions. Many of the strongest supporters are martial artists who are gay but in the closet, or others who cannot openly take a stance.
"This one guy in Alaska said his black belt would be stripped away if he took in a gay student," she said. "Even with all the progress, it's clear we still have a long way to go."

Article by Philip W. Chung, a writer and co-artistic director of Lodestone Theatre Ensemble. Lodestone's latest production of Trapezoid runs until May 25 in L.A.: lodestonetheatre.org.

Possibilities: Thank you Diane & Letty and others...

The following letter is from good friend Diane Rhonemus. We met in the pre-school class at First Presbyterian Church in Stockton long ago, even before Trinity had its own DVCS (daily vacation church school). I still have photos from that time and may post them ;-)

~~~~~~
Happy Spring

Sunday, March 29, 2009 8:47 PM
From:
"D Rhonemus"

To:
joan.may.cordova@post.harvard.edu

Hi, Joan May,

How busy are you at this moment? How many other things do you have going on right now? Me? I can only do one at a time. Did you just get through travelling again? My Spring Break is over and I am not ready to return. It feels like summer out...warm and relaxing. Bad weather to be stuck indoors working.

Time for Tree business. The inevitable has happened. The 3 majestic trees have fallen. Letty Perez took pictures. I told my mom that one picture shows one tree standing and another lying in the parking lot. It reminded me of a fallen soldier with his/her buddy looking on. But from the base of one, shoots arose. How sturdy they are and with such fortitude. Letty Perez was able to save 2 rounds or slices from one of the trunks. We may be able to get a few more slices before the stumps are unrooted.

Letty Perez and several others would like to use one slice to keep as a memorial. Their idea was to have a metal plaque secured to it once it has been planed and varnished and then have it placed in an appropriate place. She asked me to ask you for suggestions about what wording you might like on the plaque and also if you had any ideas where to place it (be careful with idea now, Joan May :-) . The wording could be as simple as "In memory of Braulio and Tranquilina Cordova" with dates or anything else you would prefer. Also, Letty P. thought the round could be placed near future trees. I personally don't see other trees happening in the next 5 years. It would be nice if small chairs could be made out of a round/slice or two for the children since you worked often with them. The slices aren't quite wide enough for a table, I dont think. They seem to be about 2 ft in diameter. Letty P. also spoke of maybe laying ceramic tiles on one for a small table. Someone could design a picture and DVBS children could glue the tiles on. All just ideas for the time being.

Think about these things, Joan May. I know it isn't much consolation. The trees were planted so the wood would be harvested from time to time. How would Rev. Litherland or your parents use the wood? What thoughtful, appropriate memorial could we make? We need to do justice with this fiasco in some way. We still pray for understanding.

Let me know your thoughts.

Happy Bunny time,

Diane

P.S. I cut off one of the shoots and will wave it in church next Sunday for my Palm!


YOU are God's gift to the world!

Trees are down :-(

-Photo of cousin Dr. Dawn B. Mabalon by Jesse P. Gonzalez


Since we've found out the news of "expanding the parking lot" there have been posts from family and friends in Chicago, Florida, Boston, Michigan, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere. And here are the last two definitive posts by Lina of Stockton on my Facebook wall:


Lina Reyes Sanchez sorry, joanie....just drive by about 4pm...trees are gone.
March 28 at 7:37pm ·

Lina Reyes Sanchez joanie - trees were still up as of 27th noon. I hope they changed their minds!! have a great weekend, Lina
March 28 at 5:14am ·


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prior to this other family members wrote:

Hi Auntie Joan May,

It's really sad how this has all come about. I asked Chuck [Gardella] how much it would be to move and replant the trees and he said it could be in the $75K range. He suggested maybe getting seedlings from these trees and replanting them or if the church can put up a grove of flowering trees as a memorial, perhaps. I know it's not the same, but at least it would be something.

Bern Cordova Gardella

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 16, 2009

Hi Auntie Joan May,

This is so sad to hear! It amazes me that the landscaper can not figure out a plan to work around those beautiful trees. Tony and I will pray that those making these decisions will find it in their hearts to salvage the trees. If not, is there anyway you can obtain parts of the tree and have a wood sculptor create a beautiful artpiece from it? We would be happy to give some monetary contribution for it.

If it is any comfort, Uncle Baoy and Auntie Nina's legacy will always continue through our hearts and minds. The mention of their names always tug at our hearts. They touched so many people and will never be forgotten. Wish our kids could have known them.

With love and hope,
Annchella & Tony Cordova Dalida


There are others.

Apologies but no dialogue

From: Rev. Byron Nelson, Interim Pastor
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Stockton, CA


Dear Dr. Cordova,
Thank you for writing again.Your arguments and concerns about our larger issues are important for Trinity to hear. But though the trees were still standing yesterday, there is no decision to change the plan. I am at fault in two things at least. One for not offering a clear apology to you in my first letter, for not contacting you in advance.

Although I have not been aware of a stated policy to let memorial donors have final say in any changes to memorials, you should have been contacted, and asked your feelings.

And second, I know better than not to make sure the committee researched any memorials before any final plans. I offer you my own apology for that failure and lack of respect for your concerns.

I have heard of one occasion when someone may have spoken falsely about your giving permission for this plan. If true, I cannot fathom why that was said, and am sorry for the additional injury upon injury of such a statement.

The prospect of "saving" the trees in any other way than keeping them where they are, is not something anyone seems to have the will to consider.

As to the parking spaces, this has been a decision not because of Trinity's immediate need, but a long-range consideration for additional parking that would be required if Trinity were to build an additional multi-purpose facility within the next 5 years. For this reason, doing all the grading and clearing now became a priority in the plan, just as the removal of all trees is

I cannot read your letters without feeling both your passion for such important issues, and for your family heritage and history at Trinity. And as a newcomer, I feel helpless to know what more to say to you. I do know that for many members still, the legacy of your family's contributions here, as well as your own, continue as part of Trinity's oral history and tradition, even if they have forgotten about the memorial in the eucalyptus trees.

I only plead for your prayers that our elders and members who are trying to make some changes, will be able to balance both respect for the past, and vision for the future. Apart from the issue of trees and parking spaces, for us to do ministry in the future as a "house of prayer for all nations", we have great challenges for change and transformation.

I am grateful for your conversation and will appreciate your continued prayers for all of us.

Sincerely,
Byron Nelson


--- On Sat, 3/14/09, Dr JoanMay T Cordova joan.may.cordova@post.harvard.edu


March 14, 2009



Dear Rev. Nelson:

Thank you for your letter on behalf of the Session. Indeed, it was the first and only correspondence from Trinity that I've ever received in regard to the proposed landscaping plan that's so unnecessarily destructive. I strongly believe that there is no value in destroying all existing trees for the sake of "landscaping" or "beautification." What message is Trinity conveying to youth about the value of destroying life?

Our planet is fragile, perhaps more vulnerable than at any other time in history. Current environmental crises remind us daily that the world doesn't need more parking lots, more cars and pollution, or any other forces that destroy life.

Trinity is a historic church with roots in the "Little Manila" neighborhood of Stockton: http://www.littlemanila.net/ For more info on Trinity church's history, please also see Voices: A Filipino American Oral History (Filipino Oral History Project, Inc,. 1984, & 2000) Voices cites excerpts from "The History of Trinity Presbyterian Church" by the late Sebastian Inosanto who describes the church's role in a historic asparagus strike in Stockton. And there's so much more history. What message is Trinity sending -- by destroying a living memorial -- about honoring memories, histories, and legacies?

As national president of FANHS, the Filipino American National Historical Society http://fanhsis25.blogspot.com I had hoped that the FANHS national trustees and many others throughout the country would visit our historic Trinity Presbyterian Church. There are future FANHS national events planned for Stockton. The first will happen in July, 2009, when FANHS national trustees will meet in Stockton.

I think that members of my extended family might like to visit as well.

Will they see holes in the ground where Cordova memorial trees once stood?

In regard to this landscaping plan, is anyone at Trinity open to negotiation? To compromise? To more dialogue?

Has anyone considered the option of moving and replanting the eucalyptus trees?

Or is the decision to begin destroying trees a "done deal" at this point? Are they being destroyed even as I type?

It's my understanding that when decisions are made about memorial gifts, families are contacted as an expression of respect. Trinity families have decided, for example, what should happen when the memorial organ needed to be replaced. It's not clear why no one contacted me about Trinity's landscaping plan. Every single year I have been contacted for fundraising/pledge requests and have been most generous to Trinity even during the decades when I've been geographically absent. Had I been invited to the congregational meetings to discuss decisions about landscaping, I would have attempted to fly out for the meeting. At the very least, I would have sent family and friends to speak on my behalf. Many would have gladly done so.

I pray for everyone involved in this lamentable decision, especially for those who haven't been honest about this process. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

With hope,
~Dr. Joan May T. Cordova
http://forourcommunities.blogspot.com/

Trees still stand tall!

My niece Tina, her hubby Dario, plus Athena, & Darius drove from the SF Bay Area to Stockton today. Thank-you, Diane, for cupcakes :-) Some of you remember Athena as the youngest traveler to Harvard graduation festivities.

Many thanks to everyone for messages, calls, texts, and activities above and beyond (you know who you are who xeroxed and delivered letters, took photos, and more). Sending much appreciation ... with hope (as ToniAnne noted).

It makes no sense to destroy beautiful trees...

These beautiful eucalyptus trees, planted 25 years ago as a memorial to my late parents Baoy and Nina Cordova, together with all other trees on the grounds of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Stockton, California are scheduled to be destroyed to expand a parking lot in a new landscaping plan that I will never accept.

Our planet is fragile, perhaps more vulnerable than at any other time in history. Current environmental crises remind us daily that the world doesn't need more parking lots, more cars and pollution, or any other forces that destroy life.

Trinity is a historic church with roots in the "Little Manila" neighborhood of Stockton: http://www.littlemanila.net/ For more info on Trinity church's history, please also see Voices: A Filipino American Oral History (Filipino Oral History Project, Inc,. 1984, & 2000) Voices cites excerpts from "The History of Trinity Presbyterian Church" by the late Sebastian Inosanto who describes the church's role in a historic asparagus strike in Stockton. And there's so much more history. What follows here now are letters -- one that I wrote to the church Session (like a board of directors) and the Interim Pastor's response to me.

So, family and friends: If you want to see or take photographs of the trees, I urge you to do so ASAP.

Trinity Presbyterian Church

1002 West Eighth Street

Stockton, CA 95206

*****Here's my letter to leaders of the church who made these decisions:

FROM:
Dr. Joan May T. Cordova

TO:
Members of the Session
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Stockton, California 95206

DATE: 10 March 2009

RE: Proposed plans for landscaping & parking lot expansion


With much respect to the committee who worked so hard on plans for landscaping Trinity, I now ask the Session to prayerfully consider another perspective on this issue. I write as a Trinity Presbyterian Church member whose perspective has not yet been included in previous discussions. For I heard about these plans for the first time on Sunday, March 8 (2009), and was greatly distressed to hear that the proposed plans to expand Trinity’s parking lot would destroy the eucalyptus and other trees pictured here.

As a former member of the Session and Youth Group Adviser who grew up at Trinity, I have always been inspired by Trinity’s strong history of compassionate work for social justice – whether advocating for neighborhood improvements, fighting plant closures, struggling for equity in education, and standing in solidarity with farm workers during a historic asparagus strike. I do not understand why, during this deep economic recession when Stockton has the highest percentage of home foreclosures in the USA, Trinity would now make landscaping and parking lot expansion a priority. In light of the global financial crisis, how is the act of incurring more debt to do landscaping and expand the parking lot justified as wise stewardship? Are there no other community needs that Trinity might address? In the spirit of preserving the environment, might Trinity consider alternatives to parking lot expansion such as walking paths or bike trails?

One occasion when Trinity’s parking lot more than exceeded its capacity was in November of 1981, during the joint funeral of my parents Nina Cordova and Baoy Cordova. Both had served as members of the Session at various times and were highly active in the local community. In the difficult months following this tragedy, I consulted with the late Rev. Richard Litherland, Elders Mary and Sebastian Inosanto and Angel Bantillo Magdael – close family friends who were also among my mentors at Trinity – to discuss an appropriate memorial in honor of my parents. I decided that memorial funds received from many family members and friends would eventually be donated to 1) support the work of publishing Filipino American oral histories (that eventually became Filipino Oral History Project, Inc., publishers of Voices: A Filipino American Oral History, now in its second printing) and 2) the planting of eucalyptus trees on Trinity Church grounds as a living memorial to the Cordovas.

I have always valued trees and strived towards a “green” lifestyle even before the term was used. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz in the 1970’s (where I rode my bicycle throughout college), I valued the way architects designed classroom buildings in ways that did not destroy the natural environment, keeping the woods intact. I hope that Trinity will do the same. As a former advisor to Trinity’s Youth Group, I recall how many camping trips to Pinecrest Lake, to Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe created worship and educational experiences in settings where we learned to value and preserve all of nature.

More significantly, I hope that Trinity will honor its history of compassionate work for social justice while building communities and “…seeking the welfare of the City.”

With hope for your prayerful consideration,
Joan May T. Cordova

*****And here's the Interim Pastor's response

Trinity Presbyterian Church 1002 W. 8th Street Stockton, CA 95206

March 11, 2009

Dear Dr. Cordova,

The Session received and discussed your letter of March 10, at it's meeting last night. Thank you for writing. It arrived, due to no fault of your own, at the moment of beginning the first phase of landscaping. The Session felt it had proceeded beyond the point of making the change you hope for, due both to two consecutive congregational meetings in favor, and to the risk of incurring additional expense in changes to the contract. The tree removal all over the property, in preparation for grading likely begins this very week.

You have sympathizers here on at least two counts. Trees are important, and the loss of the eucalyptus trees will be mourned, as well as the other trees. I happen, as do other folks here, to like the look of the trees. The mourning here will not be as deep as yours in their removal as a memorial. But people here will inevitably mourn the loss of the familiar landscape, and the presence of stately trees.

And members will want to show respect for the memorial, even though the trees are gone. I can imagine that this may not be any consolation for you. But the Session wants you to know they intend to find a way to keep this memorial and others, in a public way. It may be in markers placed with new trees planted, or in a separate physical monument for memorials, or both.

You make an eloquent case for both the priorities of our work, as well as the value of the greenery. While we may seem to be ignoring that, the Session wants me to tell you of their continuing commitment to social justice and the community, and the ecology of "going green". So the funds used for the landscaping do not increase our debt, but come from a previous Synod loan for this purpose, and from property funds on hand. And new trees and shrubs will be planted. The Session and members have been working on future visioning for Trinity for about a year, and we are hoping to take a further step this year toward "transformation" in our ministry plan that will include our commitment to both justice and community needs. And in this project, the Session hopes for more useful space, and more inviting and hospitable space for members and newcomers.

Though we would never intend disrespect in the removal of any memorial symbols, the Session is wrestling with what changes in both facilities, property, and ministry can serve us and the community in the future. I expect you do understand that to commit to never changing any physical feature, even cherished memorials, could seriously restrict options in the future. I hope this letter serves at least to convey our commitment to the future while honoring the past.

I will be glad to hear from you at any time, and thank you again for your thoughtful letter. It has helped me realize additional concerns to include in our letter to the congregation.

Sincerely Yours,

Rev. Byron L. Nelson
Interim Pastor