|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Mike Uhila stood in a dark control room lit up by a wall full of monitors at the Midpen Media Center, a nonprofit that provides public access television to East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Atherton and Menlo Park.
Uhila, son of prominent East Palo Alto figure Mama Dee – who died in August – quickly scanned between the screens watching camera angles, screen text and a large binder in his hands.
“Fade camera three, ready camera four,” he said into his headset, directing the cameras. “Nice shot, everyone’s doing great.”
Six people sat in the control room, handling text, audio and production, while three other people worked cameras in front of the set. It was the first time in a while that so many staff had gathered to create a television show at Midpen Media, and Uhila was to thank.
He directed “Befriending Death” – a program on how different East Palo Alto community members and cultures handle grief – as a tribute to Mama Dee’s legacy and the donors who contributed to her funeral services.
Appollonia Grey Uhilamoelangi, who was better known as Mama Dee, had spent decades helping those in need, especially East Palo Alto youth, through dance groups, reading and literacy programs and church mission trips. She also founded nonprofit Anamatangi Polynesian Voices in the ‘90s to advocate for local Pacific Islanders.
People knew her as a “founding mother,” of East Palo Alto.
Uhila, who directed a short film “Auditions for Master Chan” and plays in multiple bands, finds solace in the creative process.
“And now, this show is for the people who need it,” he said.
(Left to right) Father Lawrence Goode and Paul Afuha’amango prepare to film Mike Uhila’s television program at Midpen Media Center on Nov. 22, 2024. Photo by Lisa Moreno 
Ricardo Leon, Susanna Lin and Ina Kim, who preformed music in Mike Uhila’s television show, pose for a photo in the Midpen Media Center on Nov. 22, 2024. Photo by Lisa Moreno 
Mora Oommen and Mike Uhila prepare to direct Uhila’s television show at Midpen Media Center on Nov. 22, 2024. Photo by Lisa Moreno 
Mike Uhila directs his television show at Midpen Media Center on Nov. 22, 2024. Photo by Lisa Moreno
Amika Marie Guillaume, former principal of East Palo Alto Academy, hosted the show, speaking with guests Father Lawrence Goode, priest of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in East Palo Alto, and community members Virdiana Luna Sanchez and Paul Afuha’amango about funeral guests, food, the celebration’s duration and more.
“Just last Wednesday, we celebrated the passing of my sister for the 23rd year,” Guillaume said at the start of the show. “She was 15 when she passed away and still, to this day, on the 17 of November, people gather in my mom’s home to remember her.”
Guillaume’s mother loves to hear people say her sister’s name, she said, because there’s something about sharing memories that keeps a person’s “spirit alive.”
Luna Sanchez, who is known to make extravagant altars for community members, spoke about Dia De Los Muertos, a Mexican holiday to honor those who have died.
In her culture, she said, creating “ofrendas” – or tables with photos of dead loved ones along with their favorite foods and goods – can “soothe the soul.”
“For us, it is known that they come to us during that time to be with us,” she said. “Although we may not see them, although they’re not physically here, we still can feel them.”
In the Catholic religion, altars or ofrendas are a shared tradition, as well as nine days of consistent prayer, Goode said.
“It’s a comfort and it’s also a reminder,” he said. “We’re on our way to the same place, and hopefully someone will put my picture up.”
Afuha’amango spoke about Tongan funeral traditions, which are often extravagant and days-long. People, who were close family members, friends, distant relatives or even strangers are expected to come together, he said, to show respect.
“In that way, you don’t really experience the loss but you have family to celebrate the life of the dead,” he said.
In the remainder of the program, the guests spoke about music, cultural funeral colors and ongoing celebrations of life.
After one non-stop take and musical performances on the show, the television crew spilled onto the stage smiling and congratulating each other.
Mora Oommen, executive director at Youth Community Service who helped film the program and co-direct, called the whole creation process a joy.
“(Uhlia’s) vision for celebrating his mother’s life was truly a testament to how Mama Dee approached her beloved community work,” she said. “She always brought together cultures to find the strength and unity to build community.”
The program is available on YouTube and will be broadcasted on public television at a later date. The city of Palo Alto will be honoring Mama Dee in a city proclamation set for the Nov. 2 City Council meeting.
