By Cirilo Domine
From InformAsian, GAPSN Monthly Newsletter, August, 2000

The sticky rice films screened in an overly heated room, damaged yet inspired Asians were exhibited in the Advocate Gallery; First love, a film about the story of a budding reine de neige (aka snow queen), and beautiful short films with Visual Communications; receptions, receptions, and more receptions; salsa at the Congo Room benefiting Altamed; emotional, enlightening, satirical, tawdry hybridized Asian performances at Highways; and a who's who schmooze-fest for the reception for Shamina Singh at Buffy Chandler's Pavillion.

GAPSN has been tremendously busy in planning, co-sponsoring and programming political and cultural programming. By the sheer turnout of people to these events, there is now secure audience that is looking for conscientious, interesting, challenging political and artistic endeavors that only GAPSN can support for the API communities.

Most recently, in July GAPSN sponsored several films for Outfest, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The highly emotional "Intimates" had a tremendous turnout at the DGA. Afterwards, the Kamaya family was feted in a a reception after the film for their role and dedication to API PFLAG. A medley Asian sweets were served to a sometimes puzzled group of haoles who were fascinated but did not know what they were eating. Eric Reyes, our scholar-volunteer for the evening explained to those with virgin palates the ingredients and how these goodies are made - Filipino sweets bibingka, sapin sapin, Galubjamun, and other Indian sweets, and beautifully crafted mochi from Little Tokyo. The Kamayas were the highlight of the evening as they spoke about the need for Asian families to come out and be counted and their voiced challenges as organizers for the API chapter of PFLAG.

At the Congo Room GAPSN members and the board including Patrick Mangto, G Hara and his new beau, our very own Henry Lo and Cirilo Domine did the merengue, salsa and cumbia to Latino-licious crowd. Al Ballesteros, the executive director welcomed the GAPSN's multi-Asia nation contingent with welcoming arms.

It has been an incredible year of activities. Stay cool in August. Fall is just around the corner.