TAHANAN KO ITO
Finding home through Filipina migrants’ visual and oral histories
Who Am I?
Kamusta po! Hi! I am Janine, the lead researcher of this project. I’m currently doing a Master of Science in Geography at Concordia University.
As a new transplant to Montréal belonging to the Filipino-Canadian diaspora, I’m interested in learning about how Filipina migrants create a sense of home and belonging through material culture (objects), memorymaking, visual/oral histories, and preserving cultural archives.
In my spare time, I like to explore the city and its brutalist architecture, try out new restaurants, cook any and all types of cuisines, check out museums and hang out with my cat (Gus) and my partner (Michaël).
Looking forward to meeting you and hearing your story!
About the Project
Thank you for your interest in participating! The project, “Tahanan ko ito”: Finding home through Filipina migrants’ visual and oral histories, explores how Filipina migrants in Montréal create a sense of home and belonging through curated objects within their home. The memories and everyday practices attached to these objects will be analysed using a collection of photographs and personal storytelling.
The purpose of this research is to understand how Filipina women make sense of their migration journey to Montréal. I am particularly interested in the types of objects that help you create a sense of home. My goal is to increase greater awareness of the Filipino experience in Montréal through research and showcasing your experiences in a public exhibit.
Eligibility
I am looking for participants who fit the following criteria:
- Self-identify as a Filipina and born outside of Canada
- You have recently moved to Montréal from the Philippines or consider yourself a newcomer
- 18 years old or older
- Currently reside in Montréal
Procedures
If you decide to participate and fit the above criteria, you will be asked to:
- Attend a workshop at the Immigrant Workers Centre (located at 4755 Av. Van Horne; date pending) that introduces the methods for gathering information (workshop will also be hosted online for flexibility)
- Take photo(s) of the objects in your home that you interpret as memories of the Philippines and how it makes a sense of belonging in Montréal
- Attend a one-on-one debrief session to share and discuss your photos (session can also be hosted online for flexibility)
- Further information will be described in the consent form
Sign Up & Fill Consent Form
FAQ
Yes – in appreciation for your time and upon submission of materials, you will be given $10 in gift cards to a coffee shop of your choice. More details in consent form.
The results will be shown in the final thesis and at a public exhibit in Montréal (location and date pending).
I ask for approximately 5 hours of your time on separate dates to include attendance to the introductory workshop, submitting materials, and a one-on-one debrief session of your findings.
It is encouraged not to show your face in submitted photos.
If you choose not to provide your name, you may choose a pseudonym (alternate name) or I will use an identifier such as Participant 1.
The public exhibit (location and date pending) will showcase photos selected by you so that your personal story and experiences alongside the images you take as a visual, can be told towards a large audience.