Eye of the Needle

Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old – Jonathan Swift

Age takes its toll, and we each face moments when it can no longer be denied. Our choices in those moments determine how we move through life, and the decisions we make define our options. Attitude matters.

Educator, activist, and organizer Emilio J. Virata, Jr. spent over 30 years pushing back against the restrictive structures of higher education administration. He served as Director of Asian Pacific Student Programs at Loyola Marymount University and UC Riverside, and completed his sojourn through higher education as Assistant Dean of Students. An American born Pinoy, he has wrestled with finding identity while straddling two cultures. In his retirement years he seeks ways to nurture creativity in his life. He writes. He plays music. He makes films. He lets his imagination run wild. He happily plays with his grandchildren, watching them run and laugh, and have a great ol’ time.

He shares his stories, that they might inspire some joy, or challenge some thinking, or that they might simply provide a momentary distraction from life’s daily routines.

Plays in

Shorts Program VI: Scenes from Home

A Q&A panel with the filmmakers will take place after the screening. Scenes from Home takes us to…