Intercampus Visitor: Bryan Ambriz
Despite being a member of the bass section for Tinig Choral at UCLA, Bryan Erick Ambriz is technically still under the University of California, Santa Cruz. As a member of the Intercampus Visitor Program[1], Bryan may take courses not offered at UCSC for a single term. Currently, he's learning Filipino from Professor, or Tita, (Tagalog for “aunt”) Domingo[2] in preparation for his independent study at the University of the Philippines, Diliman (UPD) next quarter.
Beyond the basic introduction given at each rehearsal—he’s a fourth year, computer science major—Bryan does computer game design, his focus being the creation of video games. Some of his projects include the classic Snake game in JavaScript, a “tap racer” game, and the coding for a game called Core Corruption[3] in which you play a character in the midst of a sudden uprising. Avoid all cops and bullets! Bryan hinted that there may be a cheat code if you press “T” or “1.”
As for other interests, Bryan likes hiking, swimming, exploring, and a plethora of other activities that involve the outdoors. Indeed, he's the most eager to hangout within the TIAB kin[4], always being down to get food or visit random places.
“I hate feeling caged. It was risky for me to be outside when I was younger. My mom worked, which I really appreciate, but I had to stay inside alone.”
Sometime during the period of elementary school, between the ages of six and eleven, Bryan moved from Mexico to the United States, from Zacapu to Oxnard. “I went from living in my hometown in Mexico where I felt free, where I knew the neighbors and [could] just go in and eat dinner with them, to a single room in a bad part of town in the U.S. I wasn’t allowed to communicate with strangers and there was a constant fear of my mom being deported.” He had to learn a whole other language, learned about racial discrimination for the first time. Contrary to its reputation, the U.S. “felt more restricted,” less like the land of the free. Yet Bryan wholeheartedly believes in his mother’s saying: El dolor y sufrimiento no mas hace la fruta mas dulce. The pain and the suffering make the fruit that much sweeter.
Music, for Bryan, gives a certain ambiance to life: “It gives life flavor, you know? Especially [when it’s] in tune with the situation, the mood. It really enhances everything, like a spice.” In his city, there was a mariachi band to which he often listened. Many of his friends, influenced by the culture, had also played mariachi, played music since they were five years old. While they played by ear, Bryan could actually read notes; yet after listening to their talent, he became discouraged. At age twelve, Bryan picked up the guitar, but has rarely played since then.
As for personal preferences, Bryan enjoys Hispanic and rock music: “There's a lot of bands I listen to, but not a lot of people know them because they're from Mexico.” He listed Allison, Panda, which is also called Pxndx, and Moderatto, like the music term, as some of his favorite bands. As for English music, Bryan esteems Queen—even naming their Bohemian Rhapsody as a go-to karaoke song (and barring that band, then one by Michael Jackson, or Enrique Iglesias) for a duet.
Nevertheless, actually singing, without a music machine and the revelry of a party in the background, is rather discomfiting for Bryan.
So why did Bryan join Tinig Choral?
“I was really scared. It’s hard to reestablish yourself [in another school, in another place].” UC Berkeley had been his first choice for the Intercampus Visitor Program because he already had friends there from summer school. At UCLA, Bryan knew only a few people, like Koichi[5]—who he messaged, asking about any clubs the latter had joined. Pilipinos for Community Health (PCH), however, he felt would be more relevant to those with health-related majors, and many of Samahang Pilipino’s programs progress throughout the school year. As for Tinig, “[Koichi] mentioned no auditions, so I couldn’t lose.
“I was there and people were super friendly, encouraging, and I really enjoyed it. They gave constructive criticism, would tell me to go a bit higher, or a bit lower… I actually really enjoy coming. I make sure I have time to go to Tinig.”
From the songs we’ve learned so far at rehearsals, Bryan’s favorite is our theme song Mga Munting Tinig, which translates to Our Small Voices. He described how he “like[s] the music… especially the beginning sends shivers down my spine… sounds innocent and sweet, calming.” The song originates from a movie of the same name in which a teacher at a poor, provincial school in the Philippines attempts to inspire her students through music. We will be watching this movie at Tinig’s-Giving[6] this Thursday, if you would like to join us!
As aforementioned, Bryan will travel to the Philippines for his next school term, taking an official leave of absence from UCSC: “I just want to see the world... travel for the experience, not just for a better life.” Again, the Philippines was his second choice—Singapore supposedly being better for computer science. However, Bryan sees the cultural connections between his home country, Mexico, and the Philippines: the exchange of people, of language, and of food. Although they were both colonized by the same power, he’s fascinated by “how you [Filipinx] were able to keep more of your culture, your language. We only say Spanish... [though there are] some native speakers.
“Also, there’s so many beautiful islands!” Bryan exclaimed, trying to change the serious mood. “When a friend showed me some pictures, I was like I have to go there… There’s so much nature to explore... There’s a chance to really live.”
♫
Notes.
Learn more about the Intercampus Exchange Program here! Plus view the application form for UCLA, if you’re interested.
Filipino can fulfill your language requirement at UCLA. All courses, I believe, are taught by Professor Nenita Domingo. Although I’ve never taken any of them, you can look up reviews for her classes here.
You can play some of Bryan’s games here. They’re pretty fun, so please try them out!
TIAB means Tinig in a Bottle. Kins are smaller families within Tinig, which allow people from different singing sections to get to know each other. Currently, there’s a Kin Competition, run by our Assistant Director Claire Garcia, similar to competing for the Hogwarts House Cup in the Harry Potter series. You can view points here.
Koichi, our Public Relations chair, is extremely friendly. Extremely. When asked about how he became friends with Koichi in high school, Bryan immediately replied, “Uh, I felt like I had no choice.”
For more about Tinig’s-Giving, you can view the general event page here or see the specific event on Facebook!
