First showing August 9, 2008 7PM at the International Hotel Manilatown Center, 868 Kearny Street (at Jackson), San Francisco.
This will be a one-time screening of the Manilatown Special Extended Edition, running 58 minutes, of ""Al is a legendary San Francisco poet, and the movie about him has taken 30 years to complete. The showing is hosted by the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, in conjunction with the exhibit "Manongs of Manilatown: The Inspiration of Al Robles". Donation of $15 is suggested. A limited number of DVDs will be offered with a huge discount.
A one-man social service agency and poet, Al Robles is truly one of Asian America's hidden gems.
For three decades, he has been roaming Chinatown/Manilatown's single-room occupancy hotels, taking elderly veterans to their appointments and delivering lunch to shut-ins.
Al is the link to the disappearing manong generation, the bachelor society that came from the Philippines in the 1920s and '30s as workers. He records, interprets, and channels their stories. Al's musical talent graces much of the action. but it is his performance at poetry readings - his ability to whisk the audience into altered states - that shines through brilliantly.
International Hotel Manilatown Center, 868 Kearny Street, San Francisco
More info about the screening: www.manilatown.org/events.htm
More info about the movie, and other associated Manilatown titles: www.chonkmoonhunter.com