Gina Acebo

Manong Al Has Left the Building…

Manong Al Robles passed away yesterday. Now he and Bill Sorro our gone, both whose work with the I-Hotel struggle are what I’d consider essential “people’s history.”

He was a tireless organizer on behalf of seniors, especially the first generation Pilipinos, my grandparents compadres and comadres. He was a poet, a musician and an artistic mentor to many at Kearney Street Workshop. Just recently, Curtis Choy made a film about Manong Robles, Manila Town is in the Heart, Time Travels with Al Robles that was recently shown at the Manilatown Heritage Foundation.

To get a flavor for his fine spirit, here’s a great snippets about his love for combining his love for manongs, poetry, and food.

Posted at 11:34 AM, May 04, 2009 in Permalink | View Comments