She hits like a girl

For this edition of FoW, we enlist the writing skills of  our friend, Dianne Que.  Dianne works for the nation’s premiere presenter of contemporary and tribal Pilipino art, Kularts. Peep her own blog and cop some of her handmade accessories.

A few weeks ago, Manny Pacquiao solidified his standing as the world’s #1 P4P boxer after handing Ricky the Hitman Hatton a devastating 2nd round knockout, silencing the most raucous of British brass bands. He, along with Pinoy fighters like Nonito Donaire, has garnered the utmost respect in the boxing world and beyond.

While I too revel in the Pacmania, as a female fight fan, its always dope to find women fighters who dominate in their field. MMA’s Gina Carano & Cris Cyborg, Pinay Muay Thai Fighter Christine Toledo, Fight Girls’ favorite-turned-MMA up-and-comer Kerry Vera (married to UFC Pinoy Boy, Brandon Vera), among others have proven that the art of contact sports isn’t just for the boys.

Enter Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, world-class Pilipina American Boxer.

This 28-year-old Daly City native boasts a 4-1-1 record in her young professional boxing career and is the only female fighter coached by legendary boxing trainer, Freddie Roach, Jr.  She can be seen training at the Hollywood, CA Wild Card Boxing Club furiously hitting the speed bag or working the mitts with Coach Roach himself. In the ring, she applies constant pressure while remaining elusive, a style she employed during her solid amateur career. Though her last professional fight ended in a loss against the Dominican Republic’s heavy-hitter, Dominga Olivo, the Hurricane’s professional career remains promising with her formidable power and fierce determination, along with an unmatched training team in her corner.

Besides Pacquiao and Julaton’s shared heritage and trainer, I’m amazed by something else these fighters have in common - a deep humility, kindness, and all-together cheery disposition outside of the ring. While the Pacman can swiftly and decisively light up Ricky Hatton or toss Boxing’s Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya into retirement, he can also humbly, ecstatically, and goofily profess, “It’s nothing personal, I’m just doing my job!” Similarly, Ana Julaton’s good looks, bright smile and politeness don’t immediately convey her knock-out power. While these traits definitely make Paquiao and Julaton more “likeable” fighters, I can’t help but theorize that since the colonial days of the “happy native/little brown brother,” Pilipinos have possessed the exceptional ability to disorient their opponents with charm, modesty, and charisma, yet at the drop of a dime slice their throats open with a bolo. Fascinating.

There’s no news of her next bout, but Ana The Hurricane Julaton - a fly, don’t-take-no Pinay competing at a high level in a male-dominated sport - is definitely one to watch out for. So, to answer the double-edged question often asked by my male counterparts, “Is she good?,” the answer is 1) YES, she’s cute, and 2) YES, she will kick your ass.

More on The Hurricane:
1)    Comcast Sportsnet Interview
2)    Summary of Ana’s Boxing Career at 15rounds.com

-Dianne Que

B-Boys, B-Girls, B-People.  Those of us who came up on the West-Coast scene have known about one of the rawest Hip-Hop events: Freestyle Session.

The first FSS I attended was in 2003 for the 7th edition and it was wild seeing all these cats I was used to watching in videos wrecking cyphers.

Each year brings its own elements and freshness, but watching the Freestyle Session 5 VHS my senior year of high school bugged me the f*ck out.  Reveal and the rest of Rock Force/Rhythm Bugz were just nasty.

-Ninoy Brown

Mastaplann - Tumalon at Sumayaw

Mastaplann - Manila I’m Home

Inspired by the track from Mark’s last post.

Around the time I was in fifth or sixth grade, my older brother came home with a tape he borrowed from our friend, Brian.  A rap tape by a Filipino American crew from Long Beach: Mastaplann.  Consisting of two emcees: Type Slickk and Tracer One and three djs: Sonny Abad, DJ Mod, and DJ Lopi.

8 tracks of Pinoy rap on a self-titled ep. Not the greatest lyrical mastery ever conveyed, but I was around eleven at the time so it was dope to me. Listening back to some of these tracks, I notice the Naughty by Nature impression with some cuts [1], especially on an extremely cheese-filled positivity track called “Fix da World Up”.  At the time it wasn’t about all of this.  I just kinda thought it was cool to hear some Filipinos rapping.

“Tumalon at Sumayaw” is laced with a simple break and offers a typical party sound from the period.  It’s basically a “Jump Around” for Pinoys, unfortunately for Mastaplann it never became the Pinoy anthem that House of Pain were able to create for the Irish.  The second track posted, “Manila I’m Home”, is your balikbayan song, with reflections of the home land.  Jeepney honks and 70’s era Manila disco group, Hotdogs, give the listener more effect.

At that time, aside from some Andrew E stuff, this was the only other known example I had of Filipinos rapping.  I honestly never knew of Francis M until I heard of his passing.  I guess I should be more knowledgable about this scene, but you can blame it on a prejudice I had, thinking that Filipino rap wasn’t good.

[1] Ironic, considering the OPP/Tony D (RIP) situation.

*bonus track: Hotdogs - Manila

-Ninoy Brown-

Invasian Magazine is a print magazine that covers Asia graffiti and culture and just released their 3rd issue. They recently posted an amazing video up from a recent trip to The Philippines showcasing Manila graffiti art:

The song used is “Jabongga” by Filipino Rap group Legit Misfitz from 1994!

-Mark

(Re: The Graff Toy: Wii Spray)

Mobb Deep & Sigur Rós - Shook (Emancipator remix)

This track is apparently two years old, but I was just introduced to it the other day care of DJ Predakon [1]. Portland producer, Emancipator blended a smooth Sigur Rós track and layered it with Prodigy’s verses from “Shook Ones Pt. II”.  The grime from Mobb Deep’s original track isn’t as present, but instead, surrealism is woven with P’s realism offering a different experience with the lyrics.

“Only 19 but my mind is old, and when things get for real, my warm heart turns cold”

[1] If you’re into that indie electronic dance szchitt, peep the homie’s latest mix (tagged with artwork and tracklist): “Dat Neu Neu Mix”

-Ninoy Brown

“The left hand of doom”

Couldn’t crash tonight without posting something more than 140 characters.

My prediction was wrong.  I had it at the 9th round by stoppage due to a bloodied up Hatton.  A prediction that even Lampley had made. Instead Pacquiao ended it within the second round.  5 minutes and 59 seconds to be exact. A knock-out that had an astonished Jay-Z get up from his seat.

I was blown away by the performance. But the fight left no doubt the power that Pacquiao possesses. This was at Hatton’s prime, undefeated weight class, without ballooning to the notrious Ricky “Fatton” status pre-fight.

Now the quest is onto Mayweather, who is trying to reclaim his P4P status. I don’t question Mayweather’s ability to take out Marquez, but I question how quickly, cause it won’t be easy for him. If Pacquiao has his game plan on point, and Money May, who took 10 rounds to take down a Hatton who fought at an unatural weight class, struggles against Marquez, then we will further solidify Pacquiao’s historical P4P status. Not to mention that Hatton was defeated under the tutilage of the same trainers who will likely continue to train Mayweather.

Arum and many say we don’t know what Pacquiao’s true weight class is. In addition to Mayweather, talks have been made against Cotto.  This fight that would pit brothers of Spanish/American colonization. We pushing him too far? We will see.

Back to the fight: even with Hatton’s Manchester drums and brass instruments blasting away, Manny didn’t need the kulintang ensemble to help him out. Hatton’s crew was better off saving their energy to play “Taps”.

-Ninoy Brown

There is not a single Filipino I know not anticipating tonight’s oddly labeled “East meets West” fight when Pacman meets Manchester’s Ricky Hatton.  The energy in Vegas will be wild with the “loud Filipinos” and the soccer chanting English.  Today is Pacquiao’s day.

While eyes will all be on the Pacman, I wanted to pay special attention to another brother, Nonito Donaire.

Born in Bohol, raised in partly in Pacman’s hometown of General Santos and then in the East Bay city of San Leandro, the Filipino Flash has been making a name for himself within the boxing world.  He’s currently the number 1 ranked flyweight boxer, and he’s still improving.  There’s a lot of talent within this kid, being swift and powerful.

A smart and well-balanced fighter, he pulled off Ring Magazine’s 2007 knockout of the year with a 5th round knockout against the shit-talking Vic Darchinyan.  Most recently there was the domination over Raul Martinez when they faced off in Araneta Coliseum. Though, it was a questionable stoppage, Martinez didn’t even look like he wanted to fight Donaire.

Donaire is one to continue watching, as plans are set for him to move up in weight because of nobody else is left for him at flyweight.

Because I’m aware of the gender bias that exists in fight coverage, folks should also keep an eye out for another Bay Area local: Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton.

-Ninoy Brown

Wha gwaan inanets! Your boy Mighty MAD Himself is finally back on the blog scene after a long and FINAL Winter quarter at UC -Square- D. Of ourse coming out of college in this economic climate has afforded me with the opportune time to catch up on many hobbies, in particular sports.

That being said, on the eve of of his most challenging fight and also game 7 of the most exciting NBA series to watch, I will go ahead and predict a 9th round Pac-Man stoppage and very close single OT Boston victory. Yes I do believe Pac-Man will have a hard time with the old and improved mauling style of Hatton via Mayweather Sr the same way Boston has a hard time with Derek Rose, but nonetheless we gon’ make it! 

P.S. Peep this ill Pac-Man/propaganda clip. Props to the bredren Pa La Rock on the look.

-Mad Himself