Stories of Migration Across East and Southeast Asia
At the end of October 2022, New Naratif in collaboration with BEBESEA invited members of migrant communities in or from Southeast and East Asia, individually or collectively, to pitch their ideas for original creative works telling stories of migration across these regions. From almost 50 applications across 15 different countries, these are the seven stories we’ve selected and developed.
Documenting the Undocumented: The Struggle for a Legal Identity
Illustrated by Alanis Mah, Aime Marisa’s piece brings you the personal stories of three stateless people in Sabah and the challenges they face.
Santa Ana: Stories by the Riverside
Levi Masuli hosts an audio documentary telling the story of former migrants turned riverside vegetable farmers in Santa Ana of the Rizal Province, Philippines.
The Journey of a Filipino Seafarer in Taiwan
Sherry Wang, Yuji de Torres, and Erin Abanador present a short comic telling the story of Kuya Ver, a Filipino seafarer in Taiwan suffering from abuse that led to a crewmate’s death and almost his own.
Fighting Forward
Ali Reza Yawari shows us the life of a refugee lost in the middle of a country that doesn’t acknowledge his status as he finds himself through Taekwondo.
The Shadows Floating Along the Mekong
Via words, photography, and illustrations, Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai tells the story of a Vietnamese Cambodian couple forced to abandon their home on Tonle Sap Lake and move to Vietnam, becoming stateless.
Quarantined Feelings
Bradley Jason Pantajo tells us a story of a mother separated from her family and dealing with physical, psychological, and emotional isolation that OFWs and their families face.
Where is Home?
In five short chapters, Glory tells the fictional story of a 12-year-old boy whose life completely fell apart during Myanmar’s military coup. Illustrated by Adriena Fong. Reader discretion is advised.