FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Aimee Suzara, (510) 601-7422, aimee@facessolutions.org

Oakland exhibit highlights negative effects of U.S. military presence in the Philippines through a child's eyes

CRIZEL'S WORLD:
BUTTERFLIES AND BENZENE

July 17 - September 13
Asian Resource Gallery
310 Eighth Street @Harrison (enter at Ninth Street to start exhibit)
Oakland Chinatown
Open 9-6 M-F
For more info on the gallery, call (510) 287-5353
Opening reception and discussion: July 28, 5-8 pm

This week, the Asian Resource Gallery, a program of the East Bay Local Development Corporation, opens a timely exhibit curated by the Filipino/American Coalition for Environmental Solutions (FACES). The exhibit tells the story, through original drawings, photographs, and informational panels, of 6-year-old Crizel Jane Valencia (1994-2000), whose terminal leukemia was linked to toxic waste left by the United States Air Force.

Clark Air Base, along with 21 other installations throughout the Philippines, was occupied by the United States military for nearly a century. Their presence resulted in a "toxic legacy" of hazardous waste, including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), mercury, oil and grease, benzene, pesticides and unexploded ordnance. After the U.S. military abandoned the bases, thousands of families, including Crizel's, inhabited the former base at Clark, unknowingly ingesting toxic waste in their drinking water. Many children, like Crizel, became ill with life-threatening diseases; some were born with deformities or congenital diseases.

During the last few months of her life, Crizel found inspiration and solace in drawing, blossoming into a prolific artist, creating dozens of drawings at home, in hospital beds, and in waiting rooms. Crizel's World is a result of those inspired months.

Through the compelling exhibit, FACES (Filipino/American Coalition for Environmental Solutions) hopes to allow visitors an experience of Crizel's World: her life, her family, their community, their struggle.

It was launched in April at Pusod, Center for Culture, Ecology and Bayan, a Filipino center based in Berkeley, and recently featured at Sacramento City College's Learning Resource Center.

At its Opening Reception on July 28, FACES will bring together representatives of local environmental justice and community organizations, along with the general public, for a discussion on environmental justice and its relevance to communities today.

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