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Migrant talent on show

Sekar Arum (meaning fragrant flowers in Bahasa Indonesia), a group comprising Indonesian domestic helpers, performing a traditional Javanese dance at the inaugural Migrant Cultural Show held yesterday evening at the Arya Samaj Building in Little India.ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

Bangladeshi worker Ahsan Habib Sohel, 27, belting out a song as a member of the Migrants’ Band, a group comprising mostly Bangladeshi workers, during a rehearsal for the Migrant Cultural Show. Yesterday evening, the band also collaborated with a group of Indonesian migrant workers in a music performance. One of the aims of the show is to provide opportunities for migrant workers to bond culturally and promote diversity and friendship.ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

Filipino domestic worker Belen Esposo Repollo, 42, receiving applause from her employers, Mr Wee Yik Keong 43, a civil servant, and his wife Rina Wee, 40, also a civil servant, and their daughters Rae Ann, 11, and Mae Ann, eight, after reciting her poem Where Is Y?, which is about love. Ms Repollo, a poetry lover, took part in the Singapore Writers Festival last year. According to Mrs Wee, Ms Repollo has even influenced Rae Ann and Mae Ann to develop an interest in writing poems.ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

Filipino domestic workers, led by 38-year-old Zakura Manangan (in white top), using the glass panels at the common area on the fourth storey of *Scape in Orchard Road to check their dance steps during a rehearsal. They said they liked to use the space for their rehearsals as it was similar to that in a dance studio.ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

Mr Fazley Elahi (standing) and other Bangladeshi workers at a drama rehearsal. The script was written by construction worker A.K. Zilani (fourth from right) and covers themes such as work safety and staying away from extremism.ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

Migrant workers of various nationalities in traditional costumes from Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. They appeared on stage at yesterday’s show as part of a special segment on traditional costumes.ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

(From left) Filipino domestic helpers Catherine Soberano, 34, Mila Bagawa, 41, Joy Pahilagao, 36, Zakura Manangan, 38, Arlene Magbanua, 33, Mesugie Empremiado, 33, and Gladysh Joy Lapinig, 34, performing the subli, a traditional folk dance which originated from Alitagtag in the province of Batangas. Ms Manangan said: “We want to show that we are not just helpers; we also have talent. We want to show people in the Philippines that we can work here and also enjoy our lives.”ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

Yesterday's first Migrant Cultural Show, which was organised by the migrant worker community, was a fun way for them to showcase their passions and talents, as well as break down cultural boundaries

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27 min ago

Yesterday's first Migrant Cultural Show, which was organised by the migrant worker community, was a fun way for them to showcase their passions and talents, as well as break down cultural boundaries

Yesterday's first Migrant Cultural Show, which was organised by the migrant worker community, was a fun way for them to showcase their passions and talents, as well as break down cultural boundaries

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