One day I woke up holding an Orange Green Cordao

A message popped in my inbox. Instead of reposting what I've said before, I thought about My Capoeira again... one year later from the last My Capoeira post. In one year I wondered what was different from the Beju writing the article then and the yellow green talking now.

"What attracted you most to capoeira? (the fight aspect? or the cultural aspect -- meaning, the music or the dance-like, non-violent interaction? the fantastic friends? something else?)


Do you feel you are able to personally relate to this Brazilian art form? How do you bridge the gap between being a Filipino and embracing this foreign culture thru the practice of capoeira?


For those who have been to Brazil and have seen capoeira in its native habitat, do you see any differences in the way capoeira is practiced or understood or taught here in the Philippines?


Capoeira mestres always say that capoeira is a “way of life”. What does this mean to you? And if you HAVE embraced it as a way of life, in what way?


Capoeira is said to be a form of expression: during pre-revolution Brazil, it expressed subversion; afterwards, it expressed nationalism. These days it is seen as a showcase of Brazilian culture. When you practice capoeira, do you consider yourself showcasing Brazilian culture? Or do you think there is something else being expressed in your game?"

I want to fly! :) Capoeira was first introduced to me by Maori. He knew from College that I had a background in TKD and through random meetings and conversations we would talk about Martial Arts and how Capoeira has changed his life. The one time that I was convinced to actually join a class was when I saw a demo in Fete de la Musique at Podium. The big guy did a cartwheel and I knew that if he could do it, I could too. I only really wanted to learn to do a cartwheel and kick people. It sounds so shallow now, but then it naturally snowballed after that, wanting to do more, try more, read more, learn more etc etc. Meeting fantastic friends of course was a great help since because of these people, my snowball kept rolling. I think to know one part of capoeira leads you to want to know more about another aspect of it.

Being that 'Brazilian martial art', of course hit the twangs of awesome and exotic. It didn't matter to me personally since it's half a mysterious world away and as long as the group wasn't asking for blood sacrifice, it's all good. The cultural references of Capoeira unfolded to me in the years that I've been training. One thing I notice about the Filipino culture (myself included: filipino-chinese raised), is the ability to absorb anything as make it its own. Once change has been accepted, it becomes the norm. So with our different roots in one land, we change and grow with Capoeira in our lives. We take what is given and make it ours. We play Capoeira the filipino way, and I don't mean the infusion of both traditions into one art... I mean the attitude that we bring, the axe that the filipinos have (fiesta!), the love and respect for our siblings-in-culture (kabayan!). We see the similarilities in both cultures and this is what we cultivate in our practice as capoeiristas. What we nurture as Familia, as axe and good vibes... the positive elements that bond the two cultures together.

Capoeira as a way of life: in my opinion is putting into practice what you experience. The subtle things that you discover from the capoeira-culture, (again, the positive notes) is the same attitude you want to discover in yourself. Capoeira is molding me as a person, as much as Art defines my life in what I do. It has taken root and builds me, like the values taught in school that you will never forget. (I'd like to think that this is what Maori meant when he says that Capoeira changed his life.) It is not a separate thing, that we train for 1.5 hours and leave and go on with the rest of our lives, as though nothing ever happened, just stretched a few muscles and broke sweat. After training, during the day, listening to music, seeing a nice open space somewhere... capoeira is there.

For me Capoeira has always been the art aspect of its Martial Art. We aren't just learning kicks and moves and how to fight, we're learning a lifestyle in Brazil, to feel how it is to be Brazilian. I'm going with Pixote's quote of Art as being an expression of oneself. From the outside perspective (I've been one before) Capoeira aptly looks like the exotic Brazilian martial art showcase that it epresents. However in the game, in the training, in the practice of this... we are taught to express, to think, to move. This keeps it all as unique as the next people to play in the game. We could always do a routine, but we don't. It's to my understanding that not doing a routine is how we want to show that this is the art of capoeira, not a dance. ♥

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That's what I said. What do you say?
And after that Batizado Blast... I think I have more and more things to share from the Mestres who have spoken about their Capoeira, and the Capoeira around us.

Angola

"That dance that old men do"

I like that! :)

LINK to photos in fb
Pastinha's Garden of Capoeira Angola FB

Idle Time

Following a comment from prof on our interesting talks haha... It left me to think about how I come in everyday to work and do the things I do.
Even in a lull between projects, the team is not idle in so far as just sitting around doing nothing. We are all actively stimulated in the form of internet browsing, chatting, playing yes (yes, facebook and the like). Always learning, always developing new concepts and different innovations in a small scale.

There is always something new out there, something to learn from. Don't waste your day with an idle mind... that's a sure fire recipe to burn yourself out. I'm a fan of routine with its guise of certainty and reliability. We all need that. is there such a thing as a varying routine? haha

Anyway... just to share the things I was surprised to learn today:

Trend--
I credit this link to Joem as it was shown to him by a friend of his. It's a good watch, if you don't mind too much romping scenes.

"We All Want to Be Young"
Quoting the site: "The movie "We All Want to Be Young" is the outcome of several studies developed by BOX1824 in the past 5 years. BOX1824 is a Brazilian research company specialized in behavioral sciences and consumer trends.
This movie has an open license by Creative Commons.
Written and directed by Lena Maciel, Lucas Liedke and Rony Rodrigues.
Zeppelin Films
box1824.com.br

I like that it targets the future trends in the way that the older 40 and up people have been just trying to grasp the idea of information sharing. Something as facebook and twitter now would never have been a jargon that I would describe to my yaya. Nevertheless, I do talk to her about people I haven't seen for a long time and just reconnected through facebook. I get my sister to show her pictures, video and such about my dog Yoji. It's interesting to see that all this information is just accepted without having to know how, why this kind of info is suddenly available through computers. Another item of appliance that can't be described, really, and going back further, the TV and so on.
From the video you can see where things are headed for the kid demography of today. Now to develop that idea to toys and concepts that go beyond yoyo's.

Angola Essay by Contra Mestre Pererê

A Primer for beginner students

I found this one from the Capoeira forum. Actually the intro in the forum just wanted some traffic to their site... check it out and learn a little bit more of Angola. To be honest with you it's a long read with that font and background color. Just sayin'. I haven't finished reading it myself. This is partly why I decided to post this here, as I've since decided to stuff things like this in one place.

Inspiration:

A few weeks ago someone tagged this lady's art: Cristina María Gandaia Fazzito, I just had to add her just to hit the LIKE button. Here's her work with Capoeira Art.
Amazing. Stuff I only wish I had the time and materials to do. Pure capture, I really love the details she put with minute details as gestures, and the expression on the body. As such, with great respect to her drawings as well :) I will always find it a happier art world with more girls who draw rather than the surprising stereotype that only guys can draw and make it to the professional art world. I've seen girls draw, and it's a privilege to draw really well.

An ongoing facebook experiment is going long with having your childhood's favorite cartoon character as your profile picture. This led to someone showing a picture of the cartoon "Fire and Ice". I know I've seen this... but for the life of me I can't remember what the story was, what happened, who the characters are and whatnot. Oh yes, will do download of course haha. It's just fun to know that one of the artists involved in the production is a favorite: Frank Frazetta. :)

Another thing I learned today, random: my 100 peso Divisoria ruffle scarfie looks good on the trenchcoat hahaha. I'm using it like a necktie :P

I keep on forgetting to rewrite what Mestre Roxinho said as per translated by Andorinha. :)
Here:

Look for you to describe Capoeira Angola, not necessarily to say it is slow because in truth, the movements of Capoeira Angola are used in accordance of need in the game and is also necessary to keep pace with the bateria. So at some point the game can be slow and not another. Otherwise it is easy to describe Capoeira Angola and only say that it is the tradition of Capoeira as ancient/old. Game he can be the whole time low as may also be on top. (I hope I answered your questions and feel free to question what you have doubts.)

Emo-no.

Good vibes is in.
Keep your heart open and your mind free.

I too believe that there is only ONE capoeira. The roda is where capoeira is, and in the roda you are one family, seeking one goal: a beautiful game.

"Rhythm, Ritual, Respect" - Mestre Ousado

"Olha para voce discrever a Capoeira Angola, nao e necessario de dizer que e lenta pois na verdade os movimentos da Capoeira Angola sao usados de acordo com a necessidade dentro do jogo e tambem e necessario acompanhar o ritmo da Bateria. Entao em algum momento o jogo pode ser lento e outro nao. De outra de facil de descrever a Capoeira Angola e so dizer que trata-se da Capoeira de tradicao a mais ANTIGA. Jogo ele pode ser o tempo todo em baixo como tambem pode ser em cima. Espero ter respondido suas perguntas e fique a vontade em pergunta o que voce tiver duvida.

Um abraco
Mestre Roxinho"

from google translator:

Look at you discrever Capoeira Angola, not necessary to say that because in fact, slow movements of Capoeira Angola are used according to need in the game and is also necessary to keep pace with the battery. So at some point the game can be slow and not another. Otherwise easy to describe Capoeira Angola and only say that it is the tradition of Capoeira to the oldest. Game he can be the whole time low as may also be on top. I hope I answered your questions and feel free to question what you have doubts.

A hug
Master Roxinho

~~~

Keep Your Head On

Mestre Roxinho hugged me and grabbed my head with gritty hands hahaha

This means so many things for my angola.

The heart beats; the weapon unsheathed.

Sometimes it's heavy... a tool, a weapon. It's unfamiliar. It's not yours. To play it you must claim it, own the instrument, to use it.
Yet sometimes it's so easy to get along with. The rhythm, the beat is natural... this is your song, this is your music.

Focus.

M.-Andorinha shares.

Brainju digests.

A team is only as strong as it's weakest link. Even [the village idiot] will take one for the team, so you won't turn that person away because he'll take it and will keep coming back for more.

On the other hand, do you really need the team if the axe in the roda makes us one group... sharing one game. If the axe is good, you wouldn't care if one is Angola, Regional, Senzala, Contemporanea because we're all playing one game and the axe unites us.

"I am here, I will stay. I may not be the best of them, but I am still here. And that's the important thing."

The day will come when we all have to decide our paths... to be a player, an acrobat, a teacher. That day I think is still far along, but each day we take another step ... it becomes closer.

Berimbau

a readable, shareable.

read and share

Angola

Obviously it was much clearer this morning, if that can be said of dreams... since dreams are so wispy.
Problem is I can't understand my scribbles at the moment.

Let me try to remember ... we were in my room looking out that window again.
It was a factory of eva hats.
The girl with white hair (Christie from DOA) looked up and saw us so we have to run.
We reached the small broomcloset above the stairs and Joyce pulled down the old ceiling hatch with relief. A small plastic hello kitty dangler marked how long ago we've played there. I stuck my arm in... no way we could all fit... it wasn't even deep enough. We can't hide there.
"I used to fit in there" Joyce kythed.
We split up.
The Legion were after us. The Legion of kids or something. Five of them. They were all in the violet Wonder Twins costume (with cape). I was on the other side of the poolside and I could see them through the holes on the wall *location: ica poolside*
They can't cross the pool of course. They can however run to the far side together to where we were.

Cameron was in a grey suit. (Alan Ruck, google, Ferris Bueler)he heaved off a wooden door and slammed it over another. He opened the door. We walked through.
We passed by Daphne. She was very pregnant with very stick-thin legs. Velma was useless. She was helping her into the yellow VW. Fred should have been there waving goodbye.

We were in a narrow dark alleyway with doors one after another at the right side of the building. Cameron unhinged one easily. It had a decorative glass window, very pretty. It must be his power to use doors as portals. He put this one over a boring gate looking door and I'm glad the glass didn't shatter. He ran away without using the door. Perhaps to make our pursuers think that he used that door. I went the other way.

Passed an old car in the dark driveway. I wondered what would happen if he put a door over the car door. Would it work?

There are a few people by the walls. It is dark and so are they. There is a man on the street by the pavement with a boombox.

I heard the berimbau. This was Mestre. He was playing alone. The dark man with a knitted muslim white cap was playing the berimbau by the wall. I asked to play with the Mestre. My legs were stiff from running and my ankle hurt but I did not feel nervous, excited or anything. I just wished to play with him.

I hate my game, I kythed. He merely smiled, he was old, wrinkled, crooked and very brown. He turned me to negativa and to role. Helped my stiff legs turn. Au cabeca role, high then low. He was just grinning like a fool. Ponte. I want to show him my better game.

Thank you for the game we kythed each other, I woke up.

I played with the Mestre. He went along with my thread of thought even if it was me who asked to join in his solo game.

Link Share

Inquirer takes a look at Capoeira in the Philippines.
Clickity
IE! Lealdade E Fidelidade!

Elitism

When I was in High School, I was the artist girl drawing anime and "japanese cartoon" drawings. While everyone else was into dot-eyed Calvin and Hobbes, Archie-esque, Heathcliff illustrations, I was already drawing big, starry-eyed faces. Of course, the school paper didn't have space for the unconventional so it took a few more years for the manga look to catch on.
Now it's everywhere. The Animanga culture has reached a point that Cosplay is buried into the minds of fanatics as something Japanesey and cool and a must-do whenever there is any geek-o convention of that niche.

How is that? A DC-Comic convention receives cosplay of game characters, anime-and-other, forgetting-- Hullo, it's a DC comic convention, can't tell the difference? I expected to see a cornucopia of poseurs topping each other off with the better costume (hero or villain) to be in. Call me a "big bang theory" fan but we need real geeks, not the wannabe's who recycled last year's hard work to represent a community that didn't belong there. One might even accept a Marvel character in the scene borrowing the vibe of a 'cross-over'. Wouldn't you sooner beat up an anime Cosplayer than your favorite DC nemesis in a DC comic convention? It's fun to see however that Amerimanga is at least a little more tolerable to look at now than 10 years ago.
I respect the illustration style that Warner brought on when they showed Batman Squarejaw. It's too bad that eventually they caved and allowed Teen Titans to have the Samurai-X superderformed cutesy humor. I loved it, but 'tsk-d' at their having to follow a trend. No excuses, the character development team were influenced by anime and manga from the start.

Saturation my friends. Too much of too much.
Me and my inner Gemini were having this train of thought that which Capoeira is starting to receive certain hype and attention as the 'sport to do to look cool'. Soon this might be a familiar scene:







Yea I know, super fast forward much. We hardly have any Martial Arts Conventions going around. I suppose all the testosterone in one Conference Room would be too much to contain... what with um sponsors of like mind... possibly free-flowing fountains of Gatorade, Pocari and powerbars galore.
Gee wouldn't it be fun to step in there in your favorite superman outfit?

scraps from devart

Yes i want more capoeira in mangas and anime's. what up.