The Biyuti Project: Roundtable Discussion & Guided Tour

Join us for a guided tour of The Biyuti Project’s exhibit and roundtable discussion in which research findings and policy recommendations will be shared. Panelists include Aileen Santiago (The Biyuti Project Research Coordinator), Eirene Cloma (OISE/UofT), Dr. Fritz Pino (TMU), Janica Olpindo (PhD Candidate, York U), Ray Guzman (artist), Moderated by Dr. Marissa Largo (York U).

This event presents the finding and policy recommendations that emerged from an innovative arts-based workshop rooted in kuwentohan—the Filipino practice of storytelling and communal exchange. Through shared kuwento (stories), the artists reflected on lived experiences of Catholic schooling, generating insights that have informed The Biyuti Project’s policy recommendations. The research team will share these recommendations, highlighting how narrative and creative expression can shape inclusive, community-centered policy. The session emphasizes the power of storytelling as both method and message, bridging art and advocacy. Speakers are members of the research team who facilitated the workshop and synthesized the findings and one of the artists.

The Biyuti Project is an arts-based research project exploring queer and trans Filipinx youth experiences as former Ontario Catholic school students through art production and storytelling workshops.