In the effort to
further the cause of the Japanese-Filipino children,
DAWN ventured into theatre in 1997, mainly to
conduct theater workshops.
The workshops aimed to provide a venue for the
expression of thoughts and feelings for the children
as they deal with the separation from their Japanese
fathers, and discrimination from their friends
or neighbors due to their mixed parentage.
Conducted on weekends, the theater workshops
gave the children the chance to share and express
their thoughts, stories, even hurt feelings, and
articulate these through songs, dances and act-outs.
In effect, the workshops also became therapeutic
for the children. The workshops culminated in
their first musical play, Fujiwara Junko: JFC.
Because of the success of the workshops and the
ensuing play, DAWN included the women / mothers
of the children. With their collective and individual
efforts, another play took shape.
TEATRO AKEBONO was born.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Teatro Akebono is DAWN’s theater group of
women and Japanese-Filipino children and has been
one of the organization’s advocacy projects
since 1997. Through the group’s theatrical
presentation, women and children are able to express
themselves, regain their self-confidence, and
hone their acting and singing skills as part of
their reintegration process. Most importantly,
they are given the chance to share with the local
and international audiences the social issues
affecting them through which they are able to
also advocate the rights they rightfully deserve.
The DAWN theatre tour started in September 1998.
The play has been staged locally in schools and
communities such as the St. Scholastica's College,
St. Theresa's College, and at the Congregation
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM). In October
1998, Teatro Akebono toured Japan in various prefectures.
Teatro Akebono again visited various Japanese
prefectures to perform "Sana…",
this time with a different set of performers,
in October 1999.
"Sana" has undergone some revisions
to make the play more encompassing of the issues
of migrant women and Japanese-Filipino children.
Two new scenes were added to portray the malicious
neighborhood gossip that usually hound "Japayukis"
or women entertainers in Japan, and to bring home
the message of respect for one another. The school
scene was also enhanced with the addition of the
song, "Sampung mga Karapatan" or Ten
Rights of Children, with the purpose of informing
children and adults alike of their human rights.
An open forum / interaction with the audience
has become a standard to allow DAWN to deepen
the audience's awareness of the issues tackled
in the play. The Japanese media also covers the
presentations.
TOUR OBJECTIVES
- Reach a wider audience for DAWN's advocacy
about JFCs and migrant women.
- Enhance self-esteem and confidence of the
returning migrant women and children by showcasing
their talents and skills (through the play and
Sikhay products)
- Meet Japan legislators to inform them about
the situation and discuss possible legislative
changes.
- Provide JFCs the chance to meet their fathers
in Japan.
- Meet networks and support groups of DAWN
- Provide the necessary exposure to DAWN personnel
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