“Our Voices: A Portrait Series” draws closer

Toronto, ON – As the struggle for genuine settlement and integration intensifies, so do the voices of the Filipino Canadian community. “Our Voices: A Portrait Series Project” exhibit, to be held at Beit Zatoun House on May 31st to June 1st, features the shared experiences, stories, and narratives of the Filipino Canadian community.

From stories of migration to current ongoing struggles, the art exhibit gives the women, youth and workers in the community a voice to express its concerns. “We are continuing to unpack our Maleta

[Suitcase] by sharing our stories of migration, as well as challenges the community faces,” said Kyle Veyra, UKPC/FCYA-York member. The community faces issues such as systemic barriers to education and employment, economic marginalization and exploitative work under Canada’s Live-in-Caregiver Program and the Temporary Foreign Workers’ Program.

“Stories of deskilling, relegation to low-wage work, and non-accreditation of previous education are the common experiences of our community members. Through “Our Voices,” we are able to highlight these stories and bring out the culture of resistance of the Filipino Canadian community” adds Veyra. The exhibit presents the community’s experiences through different visual art, mixed media pieces such as a short documentary film and interactive photo-based installments. The event allows all participants to deepen their understanding and raise awareness of social, political, and economic issues within the community and the broader Canadian society.

“Our Voices: A portrait Series Project” is an art project spearheaded by Philippine Women Centre Ontario (PWC-ON) in collaboration with the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance/Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada (FCYA/UKPC-ON) and SIKLAB Ontario.

“Our Voices: A Portrait Series”
Art Exhibit at Beit Zatoun
612 Markham Street
Toronto, Ontario
May 31st – 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
June 1st – 12 PM – 5 PM
This event is free

For more information, please contact
Bryan Taguba or Charie Siddayao
(416) 519-2553
www.magkaisacentre.org
Email: ukpc-on@magkaisacentre.org
Facebook: Ugnayan Ontario
Twitter: @ugnayanontario