choreographed and performed by Desiree Cuizon // spoken word by Desiree Cuizon and Stephen Delizo //videography by Zaquia Mahler Salinas
Ilaw Suga Light (translation: “ilaw”- light in Tagalog, “Suga” light in Bisaya)
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” – Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
Ilaw Suga Light is inspired by the recent disappearances, blatant killings, and terrorist accusations against people in the Philippines for speaking their mind against the current dictator Rodrigo Duterte. Oppression in the form of fear tactics, censorship, and harassment in the Philippines are hauntingly similar to methods used here in the United States as a way to control people, not help people. What is freedom of press and/or freedom of speech if we get punished or criticized for saying facts and truth?
Standing in solidarity for justice is an international love language. Let your voice shine through the light inside you.
Be Light. Be heard. Vote.
Besides the presidential election, there are a ton of other important items on your ballot to be informed about like congress/senate/house/special elections, state election items like ballot measures, state executives, state legislatures, supreme court, special elections, and intermediate appellate courts, and local items like municipal government, mayor, school boards, trial courts, and political recalls. Do your homework and VOTE 2020!
Check out the official California Voter Information Guide to get started.
ABOUT FREEDOM OF THE PRESS & FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Freedom of Speech and the Press
Freedom of the Press: Challenges to this Pillar of Democracy
Free Speech and the New Philippines Anti-Terrorism Law
RESISTANCE & ACTIVISM
Novel: Patron Saints of Nothing
NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines
FOLLOW
Desiree Cuizon achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, from San Diego State University in 2008. She had the privilege to perform and travel internationally in Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, and Indonesia. She has danced with Joe Alter Dance Group (2009-2010), The PGK Dance Project (2012-2016) and San Diego Dance Theater (2015 – 2018). Desiree has also worked with various independent artists including: Somebodies Dance Theater, Anne Gehman, Blythe Barton Dance, Boroka Nagy, Khamla Somphanh, IsadoraNow, [the] movement initiative and more. In 2016, Brittany Taylor and Desiree premiered their first co-choreographed work, Avenue Lexicon, and continue to collaborate via B.A.D. Dance Collective. Most recently she is grateful for the performance and creative opportunities Zaquia Mahler Salinas has created through DISCO RIOT. In addition to dancing professionally, Desiree is a certified Massage Therapist and Pilates Instructor. She is currently back in school to achieve her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in order to work with dancers and other athletes on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and refined performance skills.