In an effort to raise awareness and amplify voices of women and children who were victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the Austrian Embassy in Manila, in partnership with Voice of the Free Foundation and Intramuros Administration, has launched a photovoice exhibition compiling their creative works.
By Ma. Angelica Demegillo
“There is hope for a better future.” That is the resounding message that echoed through the centuries-old brick and adobe walls of the Almacena Reales in Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, where the “We Stand as One: Glimpses of the Future” photovoice exhibition was launched last July 29.
The exhibit, featuring the creative outputs of the victims and survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, is a collective expression of a group’s hopes and dreams of a better future in the form of visual arts.
Spearheaded by the Austrian Embassy in Manila, together with the Voice of the Free Foundation and the Intramuros Administration, the “We Stand As One: Glimpses of the Future” is a culmination of a year-long campaign that started in July 2021. Dubbed as “We Stand As One,” the campaign is guided by “Victims’ Voices Lead the Way,” the United Nations’ 2021 theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Hung on the ceiling with metal chains are three transparent boards containing the polaroid photos taken with Austrian lomography cameras, and haikus that the victims and survivors took and composed themselves, with the help of the Austrian artist Alexandra Fruhstorfer.
In the form of paintings, we also get a glimpse of the various points-of-view of the survivors, including their road to healing and ways they face up to their fears.
What makes this exhibition even more relevant is that it is not just a collection of the works of any artist. Neither are they mere works inspired by existing events. Instead, they have been crafted from the hearts and minds of individuals who have undergone uniminaginable difficulties and trauma.
Intramuros Administration officer-in-charge Edgardo Baysic said in his opening speech that the exhibit will be a meaningful addition to the attractions at Fort Santiago, which is visited by thousands of guests every day since pandemic restrictions have been lifted.
Voice of the Free Foundation founder Cecilia Flores-Oebanda shared in her welcoming speech how they worked together with the Austrian Embassy in order to strengthen their fight against trafficking and address the increasing problem of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children, as well the physical and online sex tourism in the Philippines.
Although these problems have confronted Philippine society for years, she noted that they became more rampant during the pandemic, fueled in part by the economic dislocation it has wrought on countless families.
As for Austrian ambassador to Manila Bita Rasoulian, she shared that she has found an advocacy and passion for women and children in the Philippines when she came to the country five years ago. She added that she also realized that it is her duty to connect with people and know their needs.
“Our task was really to raise awareness, to give the girls, women who have had hardships in their lives to find the voice, to raise their voice and to make it heard, and to make them feel as very valuable components of their communities. This is truly a mission of the heart, of the Austrian Embassy,” Rasoulian said.
Artist, cultural worker and advocate Ralph Eya, who helped facilitate the art workshops for the victims and survivors, said that this exhibition was all about the truth that needs to be exposed and realized.
He added that the making of the art was definitely part of the victims’ healing process, a venue for them to better express the feelings they can’t convey through words.
“It is important to see through things, beyond what is presented,” Eya said,explaining the meaning behind the exhibition’s structure. “It’s important for us as viewers to view [the situation] not just two-dimensionally,” he added.
Senior press and culture officer of the Austrian Embassy Madeleine Diolanda also revealed that they particularly chose to hold the exhibition in Intramuros as it has been one of their valuable venue partners for some of their past events and exhibitions.
“We thought it would be a great venue to reach a wider audience and raise awareness,” she said, mentioning that Intramuros generates an average of 40,000 visitors a day.
“Some of the survivors were also victims of sexual exploitation in travel and tourism and we also wanted to shed light on that,” Diolanda added.
Staged at the Almacena Reales, Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, “We Stand As One: Glimpses of the Future” photovoice exhibition is open for public viewing until August 31.
