The Kapwa Collective is a group of Filipino Canadian artists, critical thinkers, and healers who work across different academic and applied disciplines. We believe in the values of inclusivity and accessibility, and we work towards bridging narratives between the Indigenous and the Diasporic, and the Filipino and the Canadian. We facilitate links among academic, artistic, activist, and other communities in Toronto.
The Kapwa Collective functions as a mutual support group based on the core value of “kapwa”. Virgilio G. Enriquez, known as the founder of Filipino Psychology or Sikolohiyang Pilipino initially proposed a concept of personhood centered on the core value expressed in the word “kapwa”. In the words of the scholar Katrin de Guia:
Kapwa is a Tagalog term widely used when addressing another with the intention of establishing a connection. It reflects a viewpoint that beholds the essential humanity recognizable in everyone, therefore linking (including) people rather than separating (excluding) them from each other. Enriquez felt that this orientation was an expression of ‘humanness at its highest level’.
- Kapwa: The Self in the Other, Worldviews and Lifestyles of Filipino Culture-Bearers, 2005
Tey Bong S’lamat (Many Thanks) to the Kapwa Collective and Toronto / Canadian Community for your support in re-building the T’boli School of Living Traditions!
The T’boli Schools of Living Traditions aims to preserve the intangible heritage of indigenous peoples within the T’boli community to continue and transfer the skills and techniques of doing traditional arts & crafts from elders to youth. The mode of teaching is usually non-formal, oral and with practical demonstration.
At the request of the of the T’boli Schools of Living Traditions, the Punzaramba family was asked to share their knowledge on Western art techniques and materials. The SLT students and teachers used the materials freely to creatively explore.
“…it was refreshing to see such a large group of people create without fear or self judgement…” - Jen Maramba
Thanks to Canada Arts Council for assisting in our travels & cultural exchange. -Punzaramba Artist Family
Straight from the T’Boli community. A journey through Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Meeting with Maria ‘Oyog’ Todi from SLT (Schools of Living Traditions) and giving the Punzaramba clan a taste of T’Boli culture. Oyog teaches the Punzaramba Clan T’Boli K’lintang along with her youngest daughter Maria Andrea “Andi” T. Wanan. The Punzaramba clan meet Bundos Fara, a T’boli brass castor and learn the T’boli way of brass casting using the lost wax process.
Thank you to Canada Arts Council for the assistance in our travels & cultural exchange. - Punzaramba Artist Family
Straight from the T’Boli community. A journey through Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Meeting with Maria ‘Oyog’ Todi from SLT (Schools of Living Traditions) and giving the Punzaramba clan a taste of T’Boli culture. Oyog performs a T’Boli traditional dance with Ma Fil, a Hegelung (2-string lute) artist. We also learn from t’nalak (T’boli sacred cloth) weaver Barbara Ofung and her school of Dreamweavers. They teach the Punzaramba clan how to they make T’nalak and continue traditional plant dyeing for the abaca fibers.
Thank you to Canada Arts Council for the assistance in our travels & cultural exchange - Punzaramba Artist Family
…we know you just saw us for KAPWA On Screen, but we just can’t get enough of you! drop by and visit Pineapple Express Shop with Kapwa Collective friends and fam
the kapwa love don’t stop…well, maybe for pineapples
* Friday January 25 (Shop Open 1-8pm)
* Saturday January 26 (Shop Open 1-11pm) Sosyal (Social) 7-11pm for Evening Meryenda (snacks) & Panghimagas (dessert) / Drinks * Sunday January 27 (Shop Open 1-6pm) “Let’s talk and eat! Meryenda / Tea”
Pineapple Express is a 3 day shop/event promoting Philippines Indigenous culture & traditions. Fundraising efforts are collaboration with the Kapwa Collective to support re-building and maintaining the T’boli School of Indigenous Knowledge & Traditions (SIKAT).
Maraming salamat to all the filmmakers in this awesome line-up political, passionate, and powerful films for the community:
The Dreamweaver Directed by Jedd Rommel 4 min, experimental film Philippines, 2012 A young T’boli boy is visited in his dreams by Fudalu, the spirit of the abaca hemp, who appears only to the females of the tribe, and bestow upon them the exclusive talent and creativity in weaving the tribe’s sacred cloth, t’nalak.
Suman Ladies Directed by Althea Balmes 8 min, docudrama Canada, 2012 After contemplating returning to her homeland, a struggling woman executes a plan to solve her problems in the streets of Toronto by using suman, the delicious Filipino rice cake. Director in attendance.
As Told by the Butterflies Directed by Nawruz Paguidopon 25 min, animation Philippines, 2011 A story about LADLAD Party List, the political party of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the Philippines. In Filipino, magladlad means to unfurl the cape that is used to cover one’s body as a shield. It means to come out of the closet, to assert one’s human rights. LADLAD is running for party-list elections for Congress in the May 2013 elections. Thus, it is bound to make history.
Philippine Science (PISAY) Directed by Auraeus Solito 2 hrs, comedic drama Philippines, 2007 A heart-warming film about eight exceptionally gifted high school students set in the politically volatile ‘80s. Auraeus Solito comes from a lineage of Shaman-Kings from the Palawan tribe but is one of the first to be born outside of his tribal land. He was born in the city of Manila and graduated from Philippine Science high school. His film has been described as a love song for all youth and those who remain young at heart.
Strong Families engaged three cultural artists, Melanie Cervantes of Dignidad Rebelde, Favianna Rodriguez and Micah Bazant to help create this amazing art for their civic participation campaign. Check it out and share widely. Click this link for more: http://strongfamiliesmovement.org/vote-for-us
The great filmmaker, Alanis Obomsawin shares a story of Indigenous resistance.
