The Tagalog term “Hiraya” translates to dream. Dreams hold great significance for many individuals, often being a potent source of motivation and a driving force for achieving their goals. For many Filipino-Canadian immigrants, their dream was to pursue a better life in Canada. As such, the captivating five-episode docuseries titled “Hiraya” was produced, written, and co-directed by Paolo Oliveros and filmed, edited, and co-directed by Jomarie Anza in partnership with Telus Storyhive as a means to put a spotlight on Filipino-Canadian stories. “Hiraya” officially premiered on June 4th at the Globe Cinema in downtown Calgary. During this premiere, audiences mingled with the stars of the docuseries as they delved into the lives and narratives of the five talented Filipino-Canadian artists based in Calgary through each episode. This series beautifully showcases their journey of self-discovery as immigrants in Canada, while highlighting their dedication to refining their unique artistic talents.
The first of the episodes highlights Lionel Migrino, a photographer and accessibility and disability rights activist. Lionel’s inspirational story stems from the fact that he also has cerebral palsy. In this episode, Lionel and his family speak about his experiences with bullying due to his disability and how he must work twice as hard to be recognized as equal to his able-bodied peers and relatives. Based on these experiences, Lionel has also been a strong voice in advocating for accessibility and disability rights. Despite his disability, Lionel maintains his bright personality and lives as any other 29-year-old would.
The second episode centers around Maliyah Abenir, a transgender fashion designer. In this episode, Maliyah opens up about her struggles with her gender and sexual identity as well as her cultural identity. In a story that reflects the same sentiments of many new young immigrants, Maliyah recounts feeling ashamed of her heritage as a Filipino. Furthermore, Maliyah reflects on the feelings of fear she had when coming out to her family, particularly her parents – an experience that many young queer individuals can relate to. Maliyah also notes that the conflict in her life often manifests in her fashion designs. As such, many of her designs were dark during a tumultuous time when she struggled with her mental health. With fashion as an outlet for her feelings, Maliyah was able to turn her therapeutic hobby into a thriving business.
The third episode stars Harvey Nichol, a multidisciplinary artist and activist. Harvey’s story begins in Tondo, Manila, where he lived for the majority of his life before he moved to Calgary. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Harvey found himself homeless as a teenager while still attending high school. It wasn’t until Harvey attended an after-school program hosted by visual artists that he is presented with a career path that he hadn’t considered before – art. Through his art, Harvey also presents themes of activism, particularly when it comes to social justice initiatives in the Philippines. In what can be described as an inspiring success story, Harvey is now a student at the Alberta University of the Arts and has been commissioned for many different art pieces throughout the city.
The penultimate episode features Niña Arny, a singer, musician, and theatre performer. The episode follows Niña and her self-expression through music. Niña recounts her life back in the Philippines, where she discovered her passion for singing and performing. Eventually, her talent and passion had her signed to Viva Records – one of the most iconic record labels in the Philippines. Niña’s life and routine in the Philippines were then uprooted when she and her family immigrated to Canada. Now, Niña balances a routine of studying for her master’s degree, performing gigs, and working at the local theatre. Niña is also very active with Fiesta Filipino, having written and sung the official theme song of the event. As such, the episode highlights Niña’s dedication to both her family and the Filipino community. Despite the stressors that may come with her busy schedule, Niña has not lost her passion for singing and performing, noting that she often takes her negative feelings and turns them into a song.
The last episode focuses on Gladzy, a visual artist, performer, and cosplayer. This episode highlights the relational effects of art. Through her art, Gladzy has amassed a large following and, by extension, has created her own community. There is also an element of activism reflected in her art, often showcasing themes of women’s empowerment and strength. Gladzy is also a champion for the Filipino community, as her work seeks to represent both Filipino and Canadian identities and cultures, which are seemingly polar opposites. She also founded The FilipinX Kasaganaan Artist Collective in 2019, which seeks to share the Filipino-Canadian experience through art. Gladzy’s story and art present diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism at its finest.
All in all, Hiraya is a worthwhile watch. Not only does it present the brilliant minds, art, and dreams of young Filipino-Canadians, but it also pays homage to the dreams of those that came before them. Without the initial dream of immigrating and the hard work associated, the five stories highlighted in this docuseries may be drastically different. While Hiraya is a story of dreams, it is also a testament to the spirit of the Filipino people – perseverance and strength. If you want to experience these inspiring stories personally, Hiraya will be available for free in August 2023 on Telus Optik TV.
