Loghan Paylor, Nathalie De Los Santos and Kat Wadel, image taken by Sam Moore
Reclaiming Filipino Folklore
I offer a unique and enriching creative writing workshop focused on the art of reclaiming Filipino folklore. This two-hour session will take participants on a journey through traditional tales, myths, and legends, and empower them to reclaim and reimagine these stories in a contemporary context.
I’ve taught this class at: Online via Zoom, The Downtown Eastside Writers Festival, Paper Covers Rock Festival (Salt Spring Literary Festival), Cross & Crows with Loghan Paylor, and UBC. I’m currently a co-collaborator with Kat Wadel, with her class at Slice of Life, Making Mythos Modern.
The event I did with Loghan was a cross-cultural storytelling event with Filipino x Celtic folklore, and the Paper Covers Rock Festival was Reclaiming Myth Through Memory, which allowed all cultures to come together, while the main coursework was Filipino folklore.
Look here for offerings or book me for your festival or institution!
Class Format
We’ll kick off the workshop with a warm welcome and an engaging icebreaker activity. Participants will have the opportunity to share a brief folklore or myth they know or love.
I will read from Filipino folklore books and resources as inspiration. We’ll explore the common themes and values found in these stories and discuss their significance.
Together, we will discover the vital role of folklore in cultural identity and continuity. And we will unleash your creativity with a guided writing exercise. Using provided prompts, participants will create their own folktales or reimagine existing ones, infusing them with personal and cultural elements.
After, we will share our written pieces with the group (voluntary) and receive positive and constructive feedback. This session aims to foster a supportive environment where everyone’s voice is valued.
This workshop is perfect for writers of all levels and anyone interested in exploring and preserving our heritage of folklore through creative writing.
I don’t feel “Filipino” enough to attend or don’t know much history
That’s okay! No one is an expert in this class, and our discussions are more around how we found the stories and what they mean to us!
Do I need to be Filipino to attend? Or can I bring someone who isn’t with me?
All are welcome, but everyone must understand their position to our culture and prioritize Filipino voices in the room. Beyond that, I’ve taught variations for a general audience, because I love bringing all mythologies in a cross-cultural dialogue.