About PAGBUO

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Pagbuo is an urgent response to the growing artistic momentum within Manitoba’s Filipino community. Filipinos are currently experiencing a fertile opportunity for collaboration and development, and the demand for culturally relevant mentorship has never been stronger. PAGBUO— "development" in Filipino—is the first exciting initiative of its kind in Manitoba, created to meet the consistent need for mentorship and skill-building that UNIT Productions has witnessed over the 5 years through its work within the community on a one-to-one basis. 

 

Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Hazel Venzon, has been mentoring many storytellers across all art forms (primarily in performance) since the strong calls for social justice and more equitable representation became “in demand”, in reaction to BLM. 

“The missing aspect of the artists’ growth is what could only be possible when growing together," says Venzon.

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Representation matters. And while Manitoba remains to have the highest percentage of Filipinos in North America (per capita), the art that reflects its culture, story and identity remains low. These workshops aim to bridge a gap that lacks confidence, resources and sheer will to prioritize and create room for new stories. PAGBUO empowers emerging voices, giving the community the tools to be creative - learn and or unlearn - in safe and inclusive spaces.