Toronto, ON – March 17, 2010 – Going beyond tokenizing traditional cultural performances and culinary treats, the Maleta (suitcase) Project aims to sew the experiences of the Filipino community together to weave a history of Filipino migration to Canada. Titled “End the Exploitation, March for Liberation: The Maleta Launch,” the opening show will focus on the theme of enhancing Filipino women’s equality, human rights and genuine development. Works will explore the issues, the struggles and the resistance Filipino women have exemplified in Canada. “From over 20 years of Filipino women’s organizing in Canada and 10 years here in Ontario, we can’t keep silent about the experiences of Filipino women” states Alleben Purugganan, Maleta’s Project Coordinator. “We have to acknowledge that as a community, the exploitation that is happening and we need to strive for our just and genuine settlement and integration in Canada,” she continues.

The Maleta project was originally held in Vancouver, but has now come to Toronto through the work of the Magkasia Centre. Rather than just being an exposé of different experiences, however, it is highly informed by the analysis produced by the organizing, community building, and advocacy work of the Philippine Women Centres across Canada. PWC is also the first and only Filipino women’s organization established outside the Philippines here in Canada. March 20^th will be the launching of this project, but it is planned to be a long-term effort.

On March 20^th, 2010, the exhibit will run from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the International Student Centre, University of Toronto. The show will begin with a cultural performance by the newly-formed Sinag Bayan Ontario and will continue with speakers from the PWC-ON. Joy C. Sioson, the chairperson of PWC-ON, will share some of the milestones of Filipino women’s organizing in commemoration of the 10^th year anniversary of PWC-ON. Sioson will be followed by a keynote address by Cecilia Diocson, the Executive Director of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC), and speeches from artists and members of PWC-ON, Alleben Purugganan and Marissa Largo. Messages of solidarity will also be heard from members of the Kalayaan Centre in Vancouver, B.C. and the Kapit Bisig Centre in Montreal, QC. To guide the celebration, Aila Comilang and Danielle Bisnar, members of PWC-ON, will be hosting the fun-filled, informative night of mingling and art.

All are welcomed.

Please contact us about volunteering.

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“End the Exploitation: March for Liberation: The Maleta Launch”
Saturday, March 20, 2010
International Student Centre
University of Toronto St. George Campus
33 St. George Street
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Doors open at 5:00 PM, show starts at 5:30 PM

To confirm your attendance, please register:

Magkaisa Centre organizations:
Philippine Women Centre of Ontario
SIKLAB Ontario (Advance and Uphold the Struggles of Filipino Workers)
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance—Ontario (UKPC/FCYA—ON)