Kultivating Kapwa: Decolonizing Parenthood Episode 3.03
"Showing Up Stronger: The Raising of Partners in Parenthood"
In this episode, we are joined by Anna and AJ Calomay. We discuss their different roles as parents and how they make sure they see and support each other, making space for reflection, their journey to becoming parents, their vision of the future moving into the second year of their child's life, and more.
Annamarie (Anna) Villaluz Bautista Calomay (@halfthesun_annab) (she/her) and Arthur James (A.J.) Olmedo Calomay (@ajxy) (he/him) are coparenting on Tongva land (Los Angeles); Anna by way of Chesapeake Powhatan land (Virginia Beach) with ancestral lineage from Bicol and Cavite, Philippines; A.J. was born and raised in Los Angeles with ancestral lineage from Leyte and Iloilo, Philippines. After a 6 year healing journey with womb loss and infertility, their Scorpio rainbow child Raisa Mayari (she/they) was born November 2020.
Raisa Mayari’s name carries the lessons and energy of both the sun and moon. Raisa, as in sun rays, means that our little elder will “raise us up”. Mayari is the goddess of revolution, moon, and night in Philippine mythology, who lost one of her eyes in battle (monocular like Dada).
Anna and A.J. see their decolonization roles as Builder and Storyteller respectively. Builders are needed to practice creating the alternative, visionary, and abolitionist worlds that we deserve to meet our collective needs. Storytellers are needed to tell the many stories needed to shift to life-affirming worldviews.
Anna is a solar electrician and field trainer as the head of construction for GRID Alternatives, the nation’s largest solar nonprofit. Her political home is with Communities Organizing into Liberation (COiL), and her current projects center energy sovereignty (People Power Solar Cooperative), community safety (CAT911), and regenerative land tending.
A.J. is a film producer and IATSE union television editor. His independent projects include music videos for the Black Eyed Peas, Bambu, Native Guns, and Rocky Rivera. His latest action comedy film, "Lumpia with a Vengeance" is currently on the film fest circuit. A.J. found his passion for filmmaking and community at UCLA, while producing videos for Samahang Pilipino and serving as a peer counselor for Filipinx students. He continues similar work in supporting BIPOC folks navigating careers in film/tv.
*Episode Notes: This episode contains brief instances of profanity.*
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Hosted by Jana Lynne Umipig//
Produced by Olivia Sawi//
Co-Produced by Annie Aarons-Sawi//
Music by AstraLogik
