Toronto, ON – The Philippine Women Centre of Ontario (PWC-ON) and the Women and Gender Studies Institute of the University of Toronto will launch a documentary film series on “Filipina Transnational Domesticity and Feminist Activism.” The series will explore the experiences of Filipino women on the areas of migration and domestic work; U.S. militarization and sex trafficking in the Philippines; impacts of globalization on Filipino women; and Filipino women’s organizing in Canada and the Philippines.
Discussants from community organizations and the academia will follow to highlight the various organizing work and research being done on these topics. All events run from 7-9 pm, Wilson Hall Boardroom, Wilson Hall (40 Willcocks Street), New College, University of Toronto.
This film series is also co-sponsored by: the Southeast Asia Studies Group at the Asia Institute, the Chu Community Network at the Asia Institute, The Department for Sociology and Equity Studies in Education at OISE, and the Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies.
——————-
Feb. 7. Domestic Work and the Filipino People’s Experience
Paper Dolls (Documentary film by Tomar Heymann). Israel, 2006. In Hebrew, English and Tagalog with English subtitles. 2006. Strand Releasing. 80 minutes.
On Filipino/as working as caregivers in Israel, and as a drag queen ensemble. Explores the role of immigrant workers in Western culture. A multiple-prize winner at the most recent Berlin Film Festival.
When Strangers Reunite ( by Marie Boti and Florchita Bautista). Canada, Multi-Monde/NFB.
An exploration of how Filipino families, separated by the international labour market and by the Canadian Live-in Caregiver program, struggle to rebuild their lives together.
Discussants: Conely de Leon (Sociology and Equity Studies, Collaborative Program in Women and Gender studies, and Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA)) and Ian Nillas (Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA)); Bonnie McElhinny (Anthropology/Women & Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto)
Feb. 28: U.S. Militarization and Sex Trafficking in the Philippines
Sin City Diary (1992)(Rachel Rivera, United States, subtitled, 29 min.)
Explores the lives of women who worked as prostitutes around the US Navy base at Subic Bay in the Philippines.
Pussycat III. (1990) (28 min)
Exploitation of young Filipina women who are attracted to Olongapo, Philippines to work as “hospitality women” who cater to American servicemen at the US Subic Naval base.
Discussants: Jerrylyn Guevarra and Danielle Bisnar (Philippine Women Centre of Ontario)
March 20: Poverty and Land Reform in the Philippine/Women and Globalization
Holding Our Ground (1989)(International Film Bureau, 51 mins.)
On Filipino women who have organized to pressure the government for land reform, shelters for street children, and their own money lending system.
Women and Globalization (Centre for Women’s Resources).
Discussants: Kelly Botengan and Yolyn Valenzuela (members of SIKLAB Ontario, a Filipino migrant workers’ organization that advances the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos); Ethel Tungohan (Ph.D. candidate in Political Science and Collaborative Program in Women and Gender studies); Teodosia Villarino (Ph.D. Candidate in Anthropology)
April 10: Filipino Women’s Organizing in Canada and the Philippines
Gabriela: A Film (1988)(Trix Betlam, Holland/Philippines, subtitled, 67 min.)
On Gabriela, a mass organization of diverse women’s groups in the Philippines. On the contemporary role and history of women in the Philippines as well as strategies for global feminism.
Kababaihan : Filipina Portraits, 1989 (Marie Boti, Malcom Guy, 40 min.) Distribution : Diffusion Multi-Monde, The Cinema Guild
Profiles of women activists in the Philippines, from grassroots community organizers to the heads of the national women’s association, Gabriela.
Discussants: Cecilia Diocson (National Association of Philippine Women’s Centres) and Camille Cendana (Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA)
For more information, contact Philippine Women Centre of Ontario at 416-878-8772 or email pwcontario@yahoo.ca