Gemini Birthday Celebration

A Past Revisited, Connecting the Dots, part 10

May Gemini Birthday Celebration

Last night, we had the pleasure of celebrating the May Gemini Birthdays at Bayanihan Community Center in SoMa Pilipinas, San Francisco. The celebrants included me (May 22), Jonny Roberts (May 26), and Rachel Lucero (May 28). I have professional ties with both Jonny, who serves as the Bayanihan/FADF Community Coordinator, and Rachel, who is involved with the Taste of Filipino Christmas during the annual Parol Lantern Festival.

I am highlighting these birthday celebrations because, four years ago on May 23, 2021, I initiated a community celebration for Gemini Birthdays at Kapwa Gardens.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the term "Shelter-in-Place" (SIP) was implemented in many towns and cities to prevent the spread of the virus. SIP affected social life by confining people to their homes, resulting in reduced face-to-face interactions. This caused feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially for those living alone or away from family and friends. To cope with the lack of physical interaction, many utilized virtual communication methods like video calls, social media, and online communities to maintain relationships and socialize. Traditional celebrations and gatherings were either canceled or moved online.

Despite these challenges, the SoMa Pilipinas communities found ways to support each other. Neighborhoods organized mutual aid groups and provided assistance to those in need, fostering a sense of solidarity and resilience. Desi Danganan, Kultivate Lab, and numerous community volunteers transformed a small parking lot along Mission Street between 5th and 6th Street into gardens for community and family events, enabling safe outdoor gatherings. I contacted my Gemini friends in the community, and their response was positive. Their families and friends expressed enthusiasm for an outdoor birthday event.

The first Gemini Birthday community event was highly successful, but it did not continue in subsequent years due to various reasons. The May Gemini Birthday event held last night occurred for several important reasons. Rachel organized this event to celebrate her fifth anniversary of the Sago show and her birthday, as well as to gather her friends and supporters for her Tanggol-Migrante project. Additionally, I marked my platinum birthday, which is a significant milestone, and Jonny celebrated his first birthday at Bayanihan.

May 31,2025 FB