Filipina Writers Diversify the Narrative of Overseas Filipinos

The moderator and panellists had a very lively discussion during the webinar on Filipino diasporic literature as it intersects with other issues, such as migration, anti-immigrant sentiment, culture and even the pandemic. From left to right, clockwise: First Secretary and Consul Gonaranao B. Musor (moderator); Ms. Migs Bravo Dutt, author of “The Rosales House”; Ms. Donna Avellana Kunzler, author of “The Overseas Fabulous Pinay: A Modern Filipina’s Handbook on How to Thrive Abroad”; and Ms. I.S.A. Crisostomo-Lopez, author of “58 Minutes in Driftland.” (Augustus Palagud photo)

SINGAPORE 23 November 2020 – Sentro Rizal Singapore, in partnership with online news platform, Rated J, successfully organized the webinar “Writing About the Filipino Diaspora: Impact on Migration Discourse and Philippine Culture,” which was livestreamed through the Facebook pages of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and Rated J on 16 November 2020.

The event showcased three young Filipina writers - panelists who recently released their publications: Ms. Migs Bravo Dutt, author of the dramatic novel “The Rosales House”, which focuses on the perspective of Filipino professionals, who are the majority in their country of destination, such as Singapore; Ms. Donna Avellana Kunzler, author of the non-fiction “The Overseas Fabulous Pinay: A Modern Filipina’s Handbook on How to Thrive Abroad”, which aims to uplift the image of overseas Filipinas away from the stereotype of being “miserable and lonely”; and Ms. I.S.A. Crisostomo-Lopez, author of the science-fiction “58 Minutes in Driftland”, which  gives life to the story of a young immigrant to the US.

“From a cultural perspective, Filipino diasporic literature is still a developing frontier when it comes to showcasing Filipino literary talent, as well as Philippine culture and psyche in general, especially in the context of the culture and psyche of living in a different country and among different cultures,” Ambassador Joseph del Mar Yap said in his opening remarks.

All three panellists also see Filipino diasporic literature as an evolving and expanding trend and genre, which can serve as a cultural diplomacy tool for PH and an instrument to counter anti-immigrant sentiment.

As the publishing industry slowly becomes more liberalized, benefiting more aspiring Filipino writers, Filipino diasporic literature will definitely grow and expand in the years to come.  END

For more information, visit https://www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.