Project Okibu hit our first milestone with our very first ‘Launch’ event, inviting a panel of amazing Filipino guest speakers who are making big movements in their industries and communities.
Alongside our guest audience, the whole team was enthralled to have had the opportunity to be amid their passion and wisdom. We are very excited to share some of this with you.
A kind regards also to Gelaine Tan Santiago (CEO of Cambio & Co.) and Albert Villa-Real (President and CEO of PLDT Global) for taking the time to share their kind words and wisdom with us through personally made videos, which we will be sharing on our platforms to view.
Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Climate Change Activist:
“When I decided to be an activist because growing up I saw the impacts of the crises on my community. [...] We only have one planet, and that planet is at stake.”
Miss Mitzi gave a great presentation on her work as a climate change activist and the difference she is making to help bring awareness about the effects of global warming. But also the fight to protect and conserve communities across the Philipinnes, affected by disasters caused by climate change. As well as creating awareness about the “victimised” portrayal of the Philippines in the media, by correcting a colonised view painting of our home.
Leizel Longboan, Journalist, Tinig UK:
“Journalism was my way of finding my voice and asserting my being.”
Learning about Mrs Leizel’s experience being a third-culture-Pinoy, not only as someone who migrated to the U.K. but also as an Igorot moving to Manila in her childhood days. Passion was weaved in her voice as she told us about her own story in journalism and later founding Tinig UK, amidst the global covid-19 pandemic. Which was a formative time in coming to understand how dispersed the Pinoy diaspora is within Britain, by creating solutions to connect individuals and communities. By sharing our stories, making a platform for Pinoy to be seen and having the courage to letting our voices finally be heard above the noise.
Lionelle Christian Lanzuno, Fashion Designer:
“Filipinos have a different level of ingenuity, creativity and passion. Everything we do, we do the extra mile.”
It is always inspiring to see people making their marks in the creative industries, and so, it was even more exciting to hear it from Mr Christian Lanzuno who launched his own fashion company in Italy, inspired by Filipino culture. It makes us proud to be part of a culture that has so much history engrained in the fabrics, natural materials, types of weaves and silhouettes seen in Mr Lanzuno’s designs. Learning about the strengths and talents of other Pinoy creatives in an industry that can often be limited in diversity and inclusion, is an honour and only inspires us all to “put our best foot forward other out” because lifting each other up would be a huge force.
This event will be the first of many, and we cannot express our gratitude towards our guest speakers for taking the time to talk to us. We hope to share this experience with many more of you very soon.
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