Stephen Dypiangco has a story he wants to share, and it's one many of us know very well.
With roots halfway around the world, he developed an urge to strengthen a seemingly elusive cultural identity; through his parents and his camera lens.
The Georgetown & New York University graduate from Los Angeles was raised in America, but his parents are immigrants from the Philippines. Like so many Pilipino Americans, Dypiangco had little connection to his heritage while growing up. But in 2006 at NYU, he decided to document his journey to the Philippines.
"I just went there to shoot, to reconnect," said Dypiangco. "I wanted to be an observer first, then look at footage later when I got back to the States."
Home Unknown - Director's Message from Stephen Dypiangco on Vimeo.
What he found was a family he enjoyed getting to know again, and an enthusiastic extended family that was willing to help through the sharing of stories and of course, their love.
But his journey took a two and a half year hiatus. After the trip, he returned to NYU to graduate, get married, and move back to Los Angeles where he produced such films as Pickin' & Grinnin' and, like many indie filmmakers, paid his dues on numerous productions and projects.
And finally, he revisited his footage, more inspired than ever to finish his story.
"It's been a struggle to balance my career and my family, especially having recently become a new parent," said Dypiangco. "And what I love most about this project is that it unites my passions of family and my career."
Earlier this year, he began reaching out to community organizations - looking to further connect with fellow Pilipino Americans and gain a deeper perspective.
He became involved with the FAN Entertainment group, where he continues to work with filmmakers and other community organizations while also completing his documentary.
"I was also looking for an ending to my film," said Dypiangco. "And now I have it. After being a son, now I have my own child, something I can pass on."
And to bring a spiritual closure to his journey, he proudly said that with this project and his active involvement within the community he "feels like a Pilipino."
For more information on the upcoming documentary Home Unknown and its director Stephen Dypiangco visit http://www.homeunknown.com and http://www.facebook.com/homeunknown.
*pictures courtesy of Stephen Dypiangco
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By gephine on December 16, 2010 - 12:00am
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By dypiangco on December 9, 2010 - 1:49pm
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Comments
This is definitely my own story! ... except I haven't made it back to the Philippines yet. I thought I was gonna go with my dad this coming January for a medical mission and I would've LOVED to, to also help document their mission trip with video and photography... but turns out no. So I'm hoping to go next summer. But I really want to go back and visit, especially since compared to the last time I was there -- six months old! -- I can understand and take in things more, and I just want to experience the overall blessing of going back. There's so much I'd wanna do, places to visit (places I don't even know I wanna visit but after seeing it, would think, "Man, this should've been on my list of places to visit!"), relatives I wanna see and meet, stories I wanna hear... I always thought of doing my own sorta similar project, making a family history kind of book, with stories from everyone from my family (but that's a pretty large task, isn't it?). But a story like that wouldn't be possible without going back home to begin with. But man... this is definitely my own story. I totally wanna watch it! ... and experience it myself :)
Thanks for sharing my story, Bakitwhy! Many people have explored issues of roots and identity in the past. My hope is to bring something fresh and unique with my story that sets it apart and gets people excited. This film is very much a work in progress, but continued support from the Filipino community makes achieving success totally possible. If anyone has any interest in helping out with filmmaking, blogging, doing graphic design, editing, whatever, please get in touch with me! I'd love to hear from you!
Stephen Dypiangco (dypiangs@yahoo.com)