Bonnibel Rambatan talks to Teo S. Marasigan and Zelda Santos about the phenomenon of Overseas Filipino Workers and help desk for distressed OFWs run in secret by a handful of Filipinos from various professions.

Author Archives: Bonnibel Rambatan
Bonni is New Naratif's Editorial Manager. They are an independent scholar and writer of critical theory, psychoanalysis, and philosophy, with a professional career spanning various media industries from comics, publishing, and film.
On Media Freedom and Public Journalism
Bonnibel Rambatan talks to Evi Mariani, Project Multatuli’s co-founder, about what media freedom means and what the ideals of public journalism are, and how we can keep up a good fight despite the increasing threats to our freedom of expression in Southeast Asia.
Myths & Migration
Bonnibel Rambatan talks to Lengga Pradipta, New Naratif’s migration researcher, about her work on the intersection of migration and environmental issues in Kalimantan and the myths the government perpetuate.
Advocating for Trans Liberation in Southeast Asia
In commemoration of Transgender Day of Remembrance 2022, Bonnibel Rambatan talks about trans liberation in Southeast Asia with Erik Nadir and Nhuun Yodmuang from Asia Pacific Transgender Network.
Honouring Trans Lives in Southeast Asia: Artists Respond to Transgender Day of Remembrance 2022
New Naratif’s Editorial Manager Bonnibel Rambatan talks to five other trans artists who have made works of art to commemorate this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Don’t Let Them Kill My Mother: Confusion
Devy Christa receives a call from a friend on a Sunday morning who urges her to look at the television news. It turns out all the news is about her mother, Merry Utami, who is on her way to Nusa Kambangan—a highly secure prison in Indonesia.
Don’t Let Them Kill My Mother: Fragments
Devy Christa remembers fragments of her memory with her mother. Her mother went away for quite a long time to become a migrant worker to provide money for the operation of Devy’s brother, Yossi. And now, Devy sees her mother again on television.
Don’t Let Them Kill My Mother: Scapegoat
Devy Christa discovers the details about the case of her mother, Merry Utami, the same week the state plans to execute her. Her mother was manipulated by a foreign man named Jerry and underwent an unfair process of interrogation, trial, arrest, and detention for over a dozen years.
Don’t Let Them Kill My Mother: Wishes
President Jokowi may have cancelled Merry Utami’s execution that day, but he never gave the clemency. To this day, Merry can still be executed at any time. Devy Christa continues to hope, “Don’t let them kill my mother”.
Reimagine Southeast Asia: Eight Works of Flash Fiction to Inspire Hope for Our Home
Eight selected works of flash fiction from reader submissions that reimagine Southeast Asia as their ideal homeland.