Article published in Focal Magazine, Issue No: 260, June 05, 2012
It's Sunday again, and Takana Merkazit is busied with many migrant workers, many of whom are Filipinos, who work as caregivers for the elderly in Israel. It must have been just a typical day for a regular Filipino immigrant, but in the eyes of Koken Ergun, its social and cultural imprint manifested a deeper sense, a soul of a nation.
It all started when Koken, a young Turkish artist, writer and director, now a resident of Berlin, Germany got dazzled by a poster of Filipino beauty contests in Takana Merkazit, Tel-Aviv. There had been contests of the same designation but this one is categorized ethnologically special in a way that it represented the social life diversity of the Filipino community. Through this young man's in-depth inquiry, dynamic interaction with Filipino beauty contestants and organizers, keen emotional immersion, a light yet sensitive, dynamic yet realistic film documentation was produced.
Koken Ergun laboured 6 months to finish a documentation of the lives specifically of the young contestants of the Binibining Pilipinas Israel in the year 2009-2010. As part of the detailed chronicle, film interviews and photos were gathered to expose the staging that occurs on and offstage of the pageant.
I. Interview with Mary Lou Sulit Muga, Filipina caregiver in Israel
II. Interview with Doda Lina, previous “treasurer” of FFCI (Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel) in 2010
III. Interview with Charlene James Dandan, organizer of Binibining Pilipinas Israel, March 2010
The first exhibition was held in Poland during the Alternativa International - Contemporary Visual Arts Festival, where the film of the pageant was shown together with the interviews of Mary Lou Sulit Muga, Doda Lina (FFCI officer) and Charlene James Dandan (organizer of Binibining Pilipinas Israel). An additional exposition of Filipino local magazines in Israel (Focal, Manila Tel-Aviv, Kapamilya) were featured, as well. This was followed by the same spectacle in Kunsthalle Winterthur Exhibition held in Zurich, Switzerland.
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An ongoing exhibition is held at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris. This was attended by Europeans, Filipino workers, patriots, dignitaries and consuls of the Philippines Embassy in France. The exhibit will be shown until the 26th of August (2012). Palais de Tokyo, by the way, is considered as Europe's largest contemporary arts center. It was reopened to the public last April 20, 2012, after a ten-month renovation, marking its 10th anniversary with a 28-hour nonstop event that included performances, live music, videos, lectures, and art installations.
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| Palais deTtokyo from the river side |
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| the line outside Palais de Tokyo during opening day |
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| the names of the filipinos (from left to right) : Jo Castillo,Vilma Lerit, Mary Grace Sicam, Angie Lucas, Lito Gomez, Rina Gomez, Devine Luana |
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| names from left to right : Vilma Lerit, Jo Castillo, Koken Ergun, Rina Gomez, Devine Luana, Angie Lucas |
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| French actress Clementine Beart |
In addition to Koken Ergun's involvement with the Filipino community, we may find valuable collections of projects on different ethnic culture and social groups like the Caferi Tribes. They could be found in Istanbul, in the eastern border town of Igdir. Their preparation for the Ashura Day in 2010 (commemoration of the martyrdom Shiite Muslim prophet, Husayn ibn Ali), which comes into a reenactment film, was documented by Koken as well and exhibited in Switzerland.
He also made a research and film documentation on wedding ceremonies of Turkish and Kurdish immigrants in Berlin. His emotional involvement in this project led him to turn this research into a PhD thesis, entitled: "Rituals of Isolation: Emotional Bonding in Wedding Ceremonies of the Turkish-German Society in Berlin".
An intense and sensitive involvement with the exposition of Palestinian life in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is worth mentioning. The video archives exhibited in his projects are not his own production but a collection of the footage taken by the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem in Hebron.
I must agree hundred percent when Koken told me he regarded himself as a messenger. My assumption is more than that, as I see him as a bridge and mediator of diverse political and cultural ethnicity. He is the light that gives illumination and distinction of the different cultural backgrounds without being bias and whose focus is on the essence of each society. In Koken Ergun's eyes we have found a special, subtle yet profound annotation of the Filipino caregivers in Israel, that is something to be proud of. I salute to you!
Related Articles:
Ashura Rituals
I, Soldiers & the Flag
Koken Ergun's Writings
My personal selection from the B'tselem Video Archive
Tank Love
Article published in Focal Magazine, Issue No: 259, May 22, 2012
The recent Swim Fashion Week in Miami, Florida rocked the crowd with the newest and latest sexy swim-inspired bikinis. The trend is somewhat a bridge between the fashion we found in 2011 and 2012, but this year we become bolder in the designs. In reference to the revival of the 50's and 60's style, the year is about CURVES.
The teeny bikinis waved the most whistle and applause from the crowd. These bikinis are suitable to adventurous, sexy and daring individuals whose goal is to bare more SKIN. You could literally say, " the tinier, the better". And although the trend is not about string bikinis, a statement strapping is more likely acceptable. Elements found in these bikinis are: wide statement strapping on vintage cut bikini briefs, a black bikini with strapping on both its shoulders and its briefs (monokinis).
The sporty bikinis are vintage inpired by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly. Elements to look out for are: a modern style in a vintage cut, with a waist height of just below the nave, high waisted bottoms in a vintage-inspired colour palette, strapless bikini top and vintage high waist make-over in digital prints.
Cut outs (monokinis) and assymetrical designs for swimsuits are the choice of the crowd who wants to feel unique and different. One-shoulder bikinis had been popular during the year 2009 until it's popularity faded, but seemingly, reviving it's glory for a more unique design.
Back in 2009, these swimsuits come in thick, single shouldered strap bikinis and the colour of the strap was the same as the bikini. This year, they come with thick, single shouldered straps and a colour contrast between the strap and the rest of the bikini.
It seems that there are more choices than we could imagine....have FUN in the beach.
Article published in Focal Magazine, Issue No: 258, May 8, 2012
It's time to shed those winter layers for a lighter and more revealing outfits, summer is truly the best time to show some SKIN. But before you do that you have to make sure your skin is prepared for such seasonal wardobe shift.
With skin cancer affecting many people all over the world, the option to sun tanning may not be recommended. So we come up with the question, how do we maintain a beautiful and healthy summer skin?
The following advices will help your skin get refreshed and ready for sunshine in no time.
a. Exfoliate
Exfoliating properly is a must to avoid dull and flaky skin. Getting rid of the dead skin that sits on the surface is very important. Make sure to scrub the joint areas, tending to your face, hands, heels, knees, elbows, and wrists in particular. There are plenty of ways to do it, from bath puffs to scrubs, pumice stones and exfoliate creams. This helps even more when using self-tanning lotion, so the skin soak up the product more evenly.
b. Hydration
After battling the elements all winter long, it's not surprising your skin is not as hydrated as you would like it to be. Fixing the problem is as simple as applying your favorite lotion after exfoliating and then after every shower (preferably while skin is still damp so it can trap that moisture as well).
Higher temperatures and more time outdoors could lead to internal dehydration, which can result in headaches and dizziness. Drink plenty of water to help maintain critical moisture balance of the body and skin, and assist in detoxification. Stay away from caffeinated drinks and alcohol. They may soothe your thirst and drive but does easily dehydrates the skin.
c. Sun protection
The most important factor on maintaining a healthy skin is the use of sunscreens. Use
Higher temperatures and more time outdoors could lead to internal dehydration, which can result in headaches and dizziness. Drink plenty of water to help maintain critical moisture balance of the body and skin, and assist in detoxification. Stay away from caffeinated drinks and alcohol. They may soothe your thirst and drive but does easily dehydrates the skin.
c. Sun protection
The most important factor on maintaining a healthy skin is the use of sunscreens. Use
a sunscreen with an SPF between 30 and 50. A bottle marked SPF 100 may seemingly impressive but numbers don't necessarily mean more protection.
Remember to reapply every two hours -- once is just not enough. And when you think it's not enough, REAPPLY. It’s not enough to just apply sunscreen: you must apply enough, and apply frequently. Today’s sophisticated formulas and technology let you select sun protection that works with your skin condition. That means you can choose oil-free, mattifying formulas, extra emollient formulas for dry skin, or chemical free formulas for sensitized, reactive skin.
It is wrong to solely rely on your makeup with SPF to get you through a day, especially at the beach. When you know you'll be outdoors, you would need to apply a heavy layer (and often) to stay protected.
Apply your first round of sunscreen before getting dressed. Don't forget places like the ears, and the back of your neck. And assuming you are dipping in the water or will sweat profusely after a vigorous activity, use a water-resistant sunscreen.
d. After sun care
Remember to reapply every two hours -- once is just not enough. And when you think it's not enough, REAPPLY. It’s not enough to just apply sunscreen: you must apply enough, and apply frequently. Today’s sophisticated formulas and technology let you select sun protection that works with your skin condition. That means you can choose oil-free, mattifying formulas, extra emollient formulas for dry skin, or chemical free formulas for sensitized, reactive skin.
It is wrong to solely rely on your makeup with SPF to get you through a day, especially at the beach. When you know you'll be outdoors, you would need to apply a heavy layer (and often) to stay protected.
Apply your first round of sunscreen before getting dressed. Don't forget places like the ears, and the back of your neck. And assuming you are dipping in the water or will sweat profusely after a vigorous activity, use a water-resistant sunscreen.
d. After sun care
Let's say you forgot the sunscreen, didn’t apply enough, or got caught in a sunny spell, you don’t have to suffer in pain. Super-soothing botanicals and cooling gels can help prevent peeling and reduce redness and inflammation.
Even though skin tanning may be the coolest and most populat summer look, it still indicates skin damage. It's not too late to bombard your skin with age-fighting ingredients to help undo any damage that may occur, and to further protect it from the aging effects of UV.
