Models of Pride - USC

This year was The Malaya Project's first time hosting a workshop at Models of Pride in USC and we had a great time. It was inspiring to see the younger generation open their minds and learn not only what it means to be a part of the LGBTQ community but to also know that they have the power to shape the future of our community. Over 1000+ kids signed up and participated for Lifeworks 21st Annual Models of Pride Conference and we're grateful to having The Malaya Project along with one of  the series participants, Allison Santos.

Pilipino/a American History Month - UCLA

A big thanks to Samahang Pilipino and Kabalikat Kore for having us over during 

Pilipino/a American History Month. Images from The Malaya Project series will be at the Kerckhoff Art Gallery until October 25th. We also would like to thank our series participants Alex de Ocampo and Allison Santos for sharing their stories with students of UCLA. Hearing Alex recall his political journey with the support of his entire family and Allison sharing her family's coming out experience was a great way to cap off the night. These stories are what drives The Malaya Project to keep on going.  

The event turnout was more than we anticipated. A packed room during our presentation accompanied by great conversations and savory filipino food was definitely more than what we hand in mind. Again, thank you and we're looking forward to visiting the campus again.

UC Irvine

The tag line for Pilipin@ Visibility Week was "Let Us Be Seen" and Kababayan UCI couldn't have chosen better words to describe this event. Presenting to a room of students that have never seen The Malaya Project, reminds us why we are here; to let our stories be shared. We are so amazed and appreciative to all the students who took time to listen to the diverse stories of our participants. And a very big thank you to Kababayan UCI for inviting us!

Pomona College

A big thank you to the students of Pomona College, Queer and Asian/Pacific Islander (Q&A), The Arts Committee of the Asian Amercian Resource Center (AARC), Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies (IDAAS), Queer People of Color (QPOC), The Women's Union, Students of Color Alliance (SOCA); Queer, Questioning and Allied Mentor Program (QQAMP) and to everyone that attended the event.

UCLA - Kerckhoff Art Gallery

UCLA - Kerckhoff Art Gallery

November 13 - 16, 2012

We were honored to start this new venture with UCLA student organizations, Samahang Pilipino and Pan-Asian Queers. In November 2012, selected photos from the project were displayed in the Kerckhoff Art Gallery and LGTB Campus Resource Center. Closing the exhibit, we held a panel and workshop exploring the impact of sharing stories.

At the end of the workshop, we invited attendees to be a part of The Malaya Project and here is what they wanted to share...

Our wonderful collaborating partners:

Samahang Pilipino, Pan Asian Queers, API-SAN, LBT CRC, USAC Cultural Affairs Commission and Barangay Los Angeles.

Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture 2012

The weekend of September 8^th and 9^th, Barangay Los Angeles and the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) invited The Malaya Project to set up an art gallery right in the festival grounds. For the first time in the history of FPAC, there was an openly LGBTQ arts space.  Since the morning the festival opened, The Malaya Project gallery received numerous visitors, from families with their kids, friends, strangers to titos and titas.  Throughout the course of the weekend, festival goers shared positive, supportive and touching comments on how the stories of the participants impacted them.Some were close to tears upon reading the words on the photos.

In addition to having a safe space for our work, we also collaborated with Barangay Los Angeles to host a panel discussion about The Malaya Project. We were ecstatic to be joined by Maria Carmen Hinayon, Allison Santos, Nico De Castro and soon to be release designer Pedro Vidallon.  All of which shared their personal lives with the audience.  Other participants came by in support were Jonathan Ilano, newlyweds Genevieve Tan & Michelle Soliman, and Ongina.

There was an overwhelming amount of appreciation and encouragement for The Malaya Project. We want to thank everyone who came out to support the project and most importantly supported the stories of proud LGBTQ Filipino/as.  And special thank you to Barangay Los Angeles for their unyielding drive to create safe spaces and community for LGBTQ Filipinos/as.