Gender-based concerns, issues highlighted via “ARTivism”

CEBU CITY – Zonta Club of Cebu II highlighted women’s issues and concerns via artistic production dubbed as “Women ARTivism” (Art+Activism) as its universal stance on various gender issues through different types of stage arts adopted by Abay sa Kahayag committee of Zonta Cebu II and staged at the lawn in Oakridge Garden Plaza, Mandaue City, at sunset, on November 26, 2023 as its major activity to commemorate the 18 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

Zonta Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, chair of Women ARTivism 2023 described the production as a celebration of the beauty and strength of empowered women through a mix of art and activism.   It uses the power of performing arts to convey messages about the advocacies with performances in songs, dance, poem or a monologue that can amplify the voices of women.

“The performing arts can call for transformational changes among the audience.  We’d like those attending (the Women o ARTivism) to pick out the different advocacies that we have. Women who want to share their advocacies need not go to the streets. They can use their art to send a message,” Henderson said.

Gender issues and concerns included in the ARTvism were climate change, women empowerment, gender-based violence, and life as an activist, among others.

There were three monologues – Ang Rebolusyon Nagpuyo sa Akong Lawas by Riza Binarao, Ami Lavadia and Richel Ann Basiga, Woman by Sheng Pestaňo Gemperoa, and Movie Stars by Charlene Virlouvet. Ms. Virlouvet explained that Movie Stars highlights the effects of climate change.

Chona Tremedal, Marilou Cañizares, Flor Miel, Mildred Simolde, Hazel Espina, and Betty Veloso performed “Say Her Name”, a Tribute to Female Performing Artists Who Fought for Women’s Rights. The 2TinCans Theatre Company did a dramatic reading of Trafficking.

Apple Abarquez performed the Fight Song while Mikee Amagsila, Richel Basiga, and Davelyn Cuenco delivered two songs, Stand Up for Love and the Strong Women Anthem – Power/Born This Way/Edge of Glory mashup.

The audience also witnessed a short play, "Mga Misteryo sa Kinabuhi ni Maria” while the University of the Philippines Sayaw Evolution performed Babayeng Mag-uuma, Pangunahing Pwersa, a contemporary dance revolution against land industrialization and militarization.

Henderson explained that the human trafficking piece is based on real-life stories from interviews of trafficking survivors in Cebu.

The goal is that through the different stage art forms, the message pierces the hearts, and that the emotions of the audience start flowing to create empathy and commitment to help Stop All Forms of Violence against women and children. (Photos: Zonta Club of Cebu 11/Robby Alugar)