About 15 years ago, two of my sisters returned to visit the Ong village in China where they spent five of their childhood years back in the 30s; there they found things hadn’t changed all that much. The remarkable progress in China’s cities hadn’t made its way to the rural farmlands: our family home had electricity for TV and a single light by the 90s, but still no plumbing or bathrooms or other modern conveniences my sisters took so much for granted in Pasadena and Orange County!

          To Nellie and Lily, it was as though time had stood still in Woh On See. As they left their tour in Guangzhou (Canton), where Mandarin — the official language — was spoken, they began to hear different Cantonese dialects from village to village throughout the Toisan/Hoiping area. Their ears told them exactly when they finally arrived in our “home town,” because our relatives there still spoke Toisanese. Exactly as it had been spoken all those decades ago.

          Because our “peasant dialect” isn’t widely spoken (or taught) anymore, it doesn’t change or grow. And because the newest generations of Chinese have been educated in Mandarin (which sounds like an entirely different language), Toisanese is therefore considered a dying tongue.

          Tell that to those who still speak it! True, fewer of us do nowadays. Yes, colloquial Toisanese has long been deprived of new words and current slang, pretty much petrified, and it is definitely not used much anymore on American TV or in movies like “The Good Earth” and “Blood Alley” or the old Westerns and Charlie Chan flicks and WWII movies. In those ancient days, most of the Chinese American actors and extras spoke Toisanese, like most of the early Chinese Americans, period! Things began to change around the time of “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” when the more refined/educated Cantonese and Mandarin speakers began moving from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to Hollywood and the United States. Those moderns took over by sheer numbers, and in time, you hardly heard Toisanese in Chinatown restaurants and stores anymore. Nor did my family and I converse in it, except to be amusing.

          So imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when Doug Chin asked if I would speak at his home church in Monterey Park. Mainly, he said, because there were many Toisan-speaking congregants at Trinity Church of the Nazarene who might relate to my testimony. I am not kidding!

          In fact, this was as shocking to me (also in a good way) as the time in June when I was asked to assist in the dramatization of an actual interrogation of a young Chinese boy at Angel Island immigration station. I would translate (in English and Toisanese) for the immigration official and the kid. The script, based on actual transcripts (circa 1910, when America’s Chinese Exclusion Act was still law) was used by the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles as part of CAM’s “Remembering Angel Island” exhibit. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Angel Island, the exhibit opened to great reviews and is now up and running through May 2011. When CAM invited my participation, they were still seeking a young boy who could speak Toisanese in this day and age.

          To my utter amazement, they found not just one but two teenaged boys – both speaking the Toisan dialect as fluently as they speak English. They could’ve been me 60 years ago; how astonished was I that youngsters like Bobby Wu and Andrew Yu still walked the earth! We had a ball, bouncing back and forth between English and Toisanese, helping each other with the occasional word or expression that gave us difficulty (usually me). What a ”peasant” surprise!

          Then my “Pastor Jack” opportunity arrived on Sunday, Aug. 1, and Doug Chin was correct: there were indeed lots of Chinese Americans in the congregation who still spoke Toisanese. We bonded instantly! Lots of laughter, empathetic nods, frowns and the occasional tear as I joked, shared, sang and preached. The experience was sublime, one of my favorite times ever in the pulpit. Afterward, writer-producer-director Ming Lai introduced a special screening of “Journey of a Paper Son” – again, the congregation and guests were tuned in like an insiders’ clique whenever the Toisanese dialogue was heard.

          Later that week, I met up with Andrew and Bobby again when I had the pleasure of addressing them and about 40 other high school boys and girls at the Chinatown Service Center, where a Friday after-school youth outreach was facilitated by Jennifer Tang, CSC youth guidance counselor. Bobby is co-president of the LA Chinatown Youth Council.

(Photo by Thomas Liu)

          Although few of the young ladies and gentlemen had ever heard of Angel Island or paper sons, a number of them did speak Toisanese along with English, Mandarin and/or Cantonese. When Bobby’s fearless co-leader, the perky Mabel Chan, said she wanted to show me firsthand that her command of Toisanese was better than his and Andrew’s, I couldn’t resist encouraging a little spirited competition over ice cream — “So You Think You Can Speak Toisanese!”

          That’s not all! Okay, I realize this is probably more info than anyone genuinely requires, yet I beg your indulgence as I share one more little tale. At the same time all the above was happening, I was informed that the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) had just established an Honor Roll of Asian American Pioneers in Journalism…and that I was one of the first 104 (from 1925-1975) to be thus recognized. For the record, this distinction is not at all unearned, though I was tooling around in a Chevy and not a covered wagon when – at the age of 17 — I was hired on as a reporter-photographer at the Mesa (AZ) Daily Tribune. The editor of the Trib recruited me just before my high school graduation, and I worked my way through ASU, where I majored in journalism.

          I report this for its surprise value: at the AAJA conference Aug. 4-7, not only did I meet my fellow pioneers, but at a gala dinner, was introduced to a tableful of people from Mesa and Phoenix…with many mutual friends and village cousins back in my “old country”: Arizona. Again with the Toisanese, right there at the Hollywood Highland Renaissance Hotel!!

          Until these past few weeks, not since the 50s when “The World of Suzy Wong” hit the screens had I ever spoken so much in my Chinese mother tongue. Until suddenly, this Summer…

          Why, it’s as though I’ve found a lost tribe…mine, for goodness sake!

Photos by O.C. Lee/Chinese Historical Society of SoCal

So many of us will miss Irvin Lai, but his legacy and spirit are with us!

IRVIN LAI, April 26, 1927 – July 16, 2010

Like so many this day, upon learning of Irvin Lai’s passing, I am over the initial shock – come on, the guy was, after all, elderly, in a wheelchair at times, and had battled cancer for years. For me personally, I was surprised mainly because the last time I saw Irvin, he was robust and even youthful. Yes, the shock of Irvin’s passing is over, but not the shock of what our world has lost!

So many “worlds,” in fact: the Chinese world and the Chinese American, the communities of activism, human rights, Christianity, various realms of culture, politics, civic service and leadership…such a huge loss for so many people. Because Irvin’s indomitable spirit was huge – his generosity, intelligence, sense of justice and so much more.

This past Thursday, at the gala opening night of “Remembering Angel Island,” the excellent new exhibit at the Chinese American Museum in L.A., two friends and I mentioned how much we hoped Irvin would be with us. We all knew he WANTED to attend; not that he’d said so, but of course Irvin Lai would’ve – if he could’ve – been front and center, personally greeting the 200+ gathering, which included Dolly Gee, the first Chinese American woman federal judge.

At moments like this, this sunny afternoon, I feel so happy that Irvin and I were colleagues and friends, knowing that my dear departed friend, mentor and encourager was that very day in the hospital, where he had been admitted Sunday the 11th and where yesterday he passed away peacefully.

The last time I saw Irvin was at the “Journey of a Paper Son” screening/Q&A event sponsored by the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, held at Castelar School in Chinatown. That was Wednesday, June 2. Irvin was his exuberant, energetic, playful, talkative, stately and oh-so-Chinese-American self! He was, as usual, wonderful, addressing over 200 of us passionately, purposefully, intelligently, eloquently (and at some length) on the subject of the paper son era. I’m sure he must have tossed in some Angel Island references.

Before the program started, Irvin and I were sharing a private moment when someone came up and asked if he had a bio. “Not with me,” Irvin replied with his perfect timing, beaming that Irvin Lai smile. We all laughed. I suggested that the person just Google Irvin – there was more posted about him than he would need. As soon as the gentleman was out of earshot, Irvin, keeping an eye on the man to be sure he was, chuckled and whispered, “There’s more than I need!” Again with the perfect timing and ready smile. He loved to laugh, and that balanced all the serious sides of Irvin Lai.

It was such a joy to see Irvin when he met the gifted filmmaker Ming Lai, writer-producer-director of “Journey of a Paper Son”; just marvelous listening to the two Messrs. Lai figuring out how (not if) they were related and by whom! Young Ming was all ears, I recall.

Amazing man, that Irvin Lai. Remember the old days when Grandview Gardens had dancing on weekends? I’d just moved to L.A. in mid-1962, and that’s one of the first places recommended to me. I danced at Grandview Gardens before I’d even heard of Irvin, who owned the popular restaurant. But it didn’t take long for me to hear about him and meet him, and now I can’t even remember when I didn’t know, enjoy and respect Irvin Lai!

“He always stood up and fought for the right things,” said activist Sumi Haru, another longtime Irvin friend. Yep. And the first impression of writer Grace McKeaney, who met Irvin just once — at the “Paper Son” event: “Hard to believe he is gone…seeing and hearing him speak…such energy and verve. What a wonderful evening it was for him — he was clearly uplifted by the importance of the topic and energized and genuinely thrilled to be sharing stories with all those he loved.”

And that evening, as we shook hands saying goodnight, Irvin said, “Bless you, Jack. You’re my hero.” Always upbeat, no matter the odds, and ever the encourager. Me? Irvin Lai’s hero? All I can say to that is what I said to him: “You’ve gotta be kidding, Irv – but thanks. You’re my hero, too.”

When I got home from CAM night before last, I spent time reflecting on the evening, and again missed Irvin when I thought about the friends I saw, and didn’t, during that most significant “Remembering Angel Island” grand opening. And now, knowing he’s gone from us, I already miss him so much more.

Sat., July 17, 2010

Visitation:
July 28 7PM-9PM at the Church of the Recessional at Glendale Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1712 S. Glendale Av., Glendale, CA 91205; Tel: 800-204-3131

Memorial Service
Thursday, July 29, 11 a.m. at Alhambra True Light Presbyterian Church,  20 W. Commonwealth Av., Alhambra, CA 91801; Tel: 626-289-4106

Photo by O.C. Lee/Chinese Historical Society of Southern California

     There were many poignant moments the other night (June 2, 2010) at the “Journey of a Paper Son” screening/q&a presented by the Chinese Historical Society of SoCal in LA Chinatown. The most memorable for me (lucky emcee of the program!) occurred when introducing Ming Lai’s critically acclaimed 20-min drama. I asked for a show of hands by those present who had paper sons or paper daughters in their family history. Without hesitation, nearly half the men and women in the room raised their hands! I was stunned into emotional silence – close to tears, moved, awed by the presence of history in our midst. A truly great, spiritual experience for me, one I realized that was borne of experiences long ago and far away, fraught with sorrow, fear, risk, degradation, sacrifice and loss by countless Chinese who came to America on false papers during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Reaction to the film by Wednesday night’s assembly in the Castelar School multipurpose room had super rewards too. The Chinese in our audience laughed at all the right places, understanding totally the most subtle cultural nuances in Ming’s script, which focuses on a Toisan Chinese paper father and his American offspring. The laughter and murmurs of consent were music to my ears (and I’m sure Ming’s, too). It felt as though this particular movie was meant to resonate with this particular crowd. After the movie, we called up the hand raisers for a group photo. Perfect for the Historical Society. Then it was time to “talk story”. One after another, a number of men and women shared their memories about the paper sons/daughters in their past; a few were even paper children themselves. Every reminiscence had great similarities, reminding us that human suffering, family, love, hope and hopelessness are universal. In that regard, the themes portrayed in Ming Lai’s “Journey of a Paper Son” are as historic as they are human.

Allow me to tell you something very scary that happened in the middle of the night at 3 a.m. It began when — in bed fast asleep — I heard the familiar musical jingle signaling the turning on of my DELL laptop. I had turned it off for the night, so anyone who’s read too many murder mysteries can well imagine the stark horror I experienced hearing the Windows Love Theme!!!! I about died! Well, not really — my bed was too wet for that. Well, not really…I just felt super scared, and tried to think what was going on (being aroused or at least awakened so unexpectedly and in such a frightening, mind-numbing manner). I knew I’d left the laptop open, but it was shut down and would require the pressure of a finger on its TURN ON button to turn it on. I knew I’d locked the door. It never even dawned on me that anyone could get in through the balcony window. It was really rather scary. I don’t have a gun or a baseball bat. I don’t keep a kitchen knife by my bed. All I had to defend myself was the Roomba robot, now that it’s temporarily in my room. What could I do…vacuum the intruder to death??? I managed to relax somehow, but I was still all shook up as I got up to check things out. Unarmed, I crept gingerly and rather bravelyout of my room, under cover of that present darkness, thinking if there were a serial killer checking his email in my office that I might scare the hell out of him/her by screaming like a girl as I raced out the front door, stark naked. That would stun him/her long enough for me to escape, kinda like Doris Day in “Midnight Lace”, only without the wardrobe by Irene. So that was my plan, even as I could see the soft glow of my DELL screen in the dead of night. Not a sound. No one awaited me in the corners of the dark living room. I approached the office area with courageous stealth. Nothing. I switched on the lights, thinking I’d momentarily blind my invader(s). Nobody. Unless he/she/theylurked in the front closet, I was safe. A quick check of the closet. Safe. I was still kinda shaky as I went out on the balcony, but was revived with a deep breath of cool ocean air. Unless my criminal was hiding in the den, I would live to see another day. No one was in the den, but anyone could’ve hidden behind any number of stacks and junk in that room. I left the computer on, wondering how it turned itself on. I went back to bed and instantly dreamt that I caught Val (the Polish guy who was in charge of repairing my place) breaking and entering, and solved the mystery. This computer is really getting on my nerves, but there’s nothing like a good scare to get one’s heart rate going, I suppose. Have you had any similar experience with your computers??? This is a genuine dilemma - I think I have a Dellemon. 

Re Jack’s comments on THE SOLOIST: “We need to keep harping on the bad habit of Hollywood using white actors for what are clearly minority roles.  Not that we have a claim to those roles, but if we are constantly ignored, we’ll never make progress.  Most people don’t even consider it’s in bad taste to cast a Robert Downey Jr.  in the Spanish-American role, or Jennifer Connelly in A Brilliant Mind (her true-life character was also Hispanic).  I, of all people, encourage the casting of the best actor in any role, but, as we’ve found out, Hollywood still thinks the best actor is the white actor.  When the time comes that an Asian (Latino, Middle-eastern, black) gets to play Moses or Cleopatra, then, I rest my case.  But, good point, Jack. ”

     Henry Ong (no relation to blogger) is an award-winning playwright whose plays include MADAME MAO’S MEMORIES, FABRIC, VOICES OF HIROSHIMA, SWEET KARMA and many more.

Just saw THE SOLOIST. I was particularly eager to see it, because I admire Steve Lopez’ column and his writing. My first hint shoulda been realizing that Robert Downey Jr. was portraying the popular, award-winning Spanish-American newspaper columnist!!! I just couldn’t get past that. (In real life, the columnist spotted and befriended Nathaniel Ayers, a talented, homeless musician who turned out to be paranoid schizophrenic.) Downey phoned in his performance, which is filled with more affectations/mannerisms than even Kevin Spacey utilizes! Jamie Foxx was better as Nathaniel Ayers. The cliche-ridden screenplay was a huge problem — a condescending insult to the homeless situation in LA, to the homeless in general, and to the mentally ill. Also, of course, an insult to the fine bank of Latino-American actors available!!! A big disappointment. I can only imagine how Steve Lopez feels, but he must’ve known to “give up” any say when he sold the movie rights to Hollywood! Oy vey!

     I’ve never recommended a massage therapist, but Massage by Jim has proven to be exceedingly therapeutic, with long-lasting results (including renewed energy and freedom from tendonitis pain) many days after Jim’s massage! What’s not to recommend?! In fact, when I told Jim that I wanted to write a recommendation, he calmly suggested that I wait a day or two to see if his massage on my exhausted ole body had lasting results; it’s been several days at this writing.

            With many years of training and (please excuse me here) hands-on experience throughout L.A., America and, indeed, around the world, Jim offers a massage that is so much more than what I’ve ever gotten at expensive spas, and I’m not kidding. Let me count a few of the ways: 1. Jim comes to you and your family with a comfortable, heated massage table, quality oils and lotions, aromas and relaxing music, all quickly set up. 2. He offers a 2-hour massage – Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology and more – at a price which upscale spas charge for half the treatment and a fraction of the personality. 3. Jim really knows and diligently practices the fine art of massage, and his is a 2-hour session that will leave you relaxed yet re-energized, ready to make your next appointment…all in the comfort of your home! No more getting a massage, then having to get back in your car right away. And wait until the day after…when you realize the absence of previous soreness and whatever else ailed your weary bones!

            Enough said. Need to be kneaded? Go to www.MassageByJim.net or call Jim at 562-889-8893. Please give him my thanks and best regards!

This update from the Norbonne High Speech & Debate Team, via coach Sharon James:

Our team took 1st place in Interpretive Sweepstakes in the WBFL Open Individual Events Tournament held on Feb. 28. We had one team take 1st place for Duo Interp, Rina Cortez took 3rd place for Humorous Interp, Omar Miranda took 1st for Dramatic Interp and Maria Quiroz took 3rd for Dramatic Interp, and Nelly Altamirano took 2nd in Impromptu. We also had 11 Certificates of Superiority and 15 Certificates of Excellence (the many certificates are what helped us take the Sweepstakes win).

Then on March 7, we attended the State Qualifier Tournament. Benjamin Porter took first place in Oratorical Interp, Rina Cortez took 2nd in Humorous Interp, and Michael Meeks and Alyssa Munson took 3rd place in Duo Interp. These three teams will represent us at the State Tournament in April.

News Flash from Narbonne High!

(Folo-Up to 1-07-09 Blog)

   THIS EXCITING NEWS JUST IN from Sharon James, coach of the Narbonne High Speech & Debate Team: “Jack — I wanted to share good news with you. Ben (‘Ronald Reagan’) took first place in Oratorical Interpretation! Stacy and Alden (‘Hypneurosis’) took first place in Duo. Julie and Su Ji (‘Big House’) took second place in Duo. Also, we took first place in Sweepstakes for Interpretive Events among all the teams competing. Thank you so much for doing that one day workshop…as you can see, it really paid off with huge dividends!”

   Well, congratulations to the winners and ALL their fellow competitors who participated yesterday in the Western Bay Forensics League Winter Novice Individual Events Tournament at South Gate High.

   You and “Coach James” have every reason to be proud. Good luck on your next competition!

          Along with so many millions around the globe this morning, I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama on TV.

          Like so many other Americans – particularly people of color –  this historic event resonated in a singularly amazing way, inspiring a new optimism with its glorious burst of hope.

          In a way, dramatic as it may seem, my life passed before me as I watched the inauguration pageantry unfold on CNN…

          I remembered that the Chinese Exclusion Act was still in effect when I was growing up in Mesa, AZ, a time when Chinese Americans were not allowed to marry Caucasians.

          I recalled being surrounded by schoolmates as they taunted me with that still-vivid little ditty which infuriates me to my core: “Ching-chong chinaman sitting on a fence, trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents!” Even though I was always proud to be American, that made me feel like a second class citizen because I was Chinese.

          I recalled the teachers and friends who encouraged me to rise above, and the neighbor who invited me to church, the newspaper editor who offered me a job after high school, the professors, drama coach and mentors at ASU who directed me toward the world outside.

          I recalled the pride I felt when I saw Nancy Kwan on the big movie screen in Phoenix in “The World of Suzie Wong,” and the possibility that – at long last – Asians would be portrayed in movies by our own actors and not by Caucasian actors with their eyes taped back.

          A burst of hope!

          I thought about the daughter of friends in Colorado who was marching in DC this morning with her high school band in the inaugural parade, and the elation she must feel. It gave me such a lift knowing that Lauren and her generation are growing up not necessarily in easier times – not at all! – but in a time of huge potential in this great nation of ours…a virtual springtime when new life, brighter tomorrows and a renewed spirit of compassion and tolerance blossom in a fresh burst of hope!

          God bless President Obama and his team of leaders! God bless America!