Tag Archives: philippines

TALAGA

During my last big theatre job a young film maker Mona Bakht asked me if I’d like to be part of her documentary about Filipino heritage and identity. Was so nice to think someone was interested in what I’m doing and my experience but… TALKING. ON. CAMERA scared the shit out of me! By theContinue reading “TALAGA”

Meeting Grandma

My English Grandma was from Portsmouth. She was petite with velvety soft pink skin, thick wavy silver hair that was always short and the brightest blue eyes. She liked to wear Navy with a white shirt underneath, usually with a broach or neck scarf. “Oh your Grandma said she thought I looked like a Princess!…ItContinue reading “Meeting Grandma”

Hand carry

This is the handbag Mum came over with “What would you have had in it for the flight?” “Sunglasses, purse, sweets, passport …I bought it for myself in a very popular market in Makati, Manila…Manila was a new place for me. I wanted to bring some native things with me not just an ordinary bag”Continue reading “Hand carry”

Pearl of the orient

I think a few SE Asian countries/ cities can claim this nickname but when I was growing up it was how I knew The Philippines Just found this old short film, most of Mum’s photos of her growing up were destroyed in a typhoon so it’s nice to see film of that time – evenContinue reading “Pearl of the orient”

NWLDN and OFWs

I haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been working on a play at Hampstead theatre which is in the area I grew up in. There were quite a few Filipinos around when I was growing up, but I didn’t really know any of them. Mum would sometimes stop in the street and chat to FilipinoContinue reading “NWLDN and OFWs”

Mother’s day

Well today is the best day to start telling Mum’s story. Sometimes I call her Mum and sometimes Mama – I’m half Filpina half English it’s the influence of two cultures I suppose. Leaving her family and the country she grew up in must have been a heady mix of excitement and WTF am IContinue reading “Mother’s day”