People in Action: Stories and Responses to COVID-19

In support to the COVID-19 response in the Philippines, The Japan Foundation, Manila realigned our SUKI magazine to feature COVID-19 experiences and stories from artists and practitioners whom we have worked with throughout the years.

We asked artists, academics, cultural workers, and practitioners from all over the Philippines to share with our readers how their practice has possibly changed or transformed, since the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). You can also learn more about the various fundraisers, initiatives, and campaigns that our contributors have launched or participated in, to address the needs of frontliners, artists, and ordinary people in their communities.

The question of local, national, and international collaboration is also heavy in our minds. How can we find ways to collaborate beyond borders? How do we overcome difficulties especially regarding digital literacy and internet accessibility? These are questions that some of our contributors have also discussed in their stories. As we work towards a new norm in such a strenuous and unpredictable time, hopefully this online edition of SUKI could shed light to the experiences of people on the ground, inspire new ideas for fruitful collaboration, and also offer insight to how we can address challenges beyond the quarantine.

Click the links below to read featured stories from our contributors:

Online Migration and Ground Connection: Collective Survival for Artists in the Time of COVID-19
JK Anicoche | Founder/Performance maker, Komunidad X

COVID-19 in 2020. It could not get more surreal than this.
Charlie Co | Founder, Orange Project and Co-Founder, VIVA EXCON

Co-creating a COVID-19 Social Enterprise Response and Visioning Effort
Dr. Marie Lisa Dacanay | President, The Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA)

Life in the time of COVID-19
Dominique “Nikki” Garde-Torres | Culture and Arts Assistant, Cultural Center of the Philippines

Lessons on creativity and patience from mungbean sprouts
Gutierrez Mangansakan II | Festival Director, Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival

Japanese Studies Program: Coping with COVID-19
Dr. Karl Ian Uy Cheng Chua | Director, Japanese Studies Program, Ateneo de Manila University

From dream to dystopia: The cultural critic in the age of pandemic
Katrina Stuart Santiago | Independent cultural critic, Founder of PAGASA

Questioning the New Normal
Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino | Faculty, University of the Philippines Film Institute

Rhosam-Mia in the Time of COVID-19
Mia Cabalfin and Rhosam Prudenciado Jr.| Dancers/Choreographers

Taking Flight After Lockdown
Lisa Ito | Faculty, UP College of Fine Arts

Mutualities of Care
Carlos Quijon Jr. | Art historian, critic, and curator

SUKI Cover Design and Illustration by Janina Guerrero

SUKI Magazine: COVID-19 Stories and Responses

SUKI Magazine: COVID-19 Stories and Responses

Suki is a magazine published by the Japan Foundation, Manila. This special online edition features diverse stories and responses on COVID-19 in the Philippines.
SUKI Magazine: COVID-19 Stories and Responses

SUKI Magazine: COVID-19 Stories and Responses

Suki is a magazine published by the Japan Foundation, Manila. This special online edition features diverse stories and responses on COVID-19 in the Philippines.