The Scalabrini Migration Center recently launched a new publication titled, Moving Portraits: Life Stories of Children of Migrant and Multicultural Families, edited by Maruja M.B. Asis and Karen Anne S. Liao. The book is one of the knowledge products of The Enable Kids Project* which received support from the Toyota Foundation. Featured in the book are 27 life stories of children of migrant and multicultural families in the Philippines, Japan and South Korea. The life stories were written by the children and an international team of authors and contributors.

A book launch-forum was held on May 11, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The program began with welcome remarks by SMC Director Fr. Graziano Battistella, an official introduction to “Moving Portraits” by Maruja Asis and an overview of the Enable Kids Project by Karen Liao. A forum that gave space to the voices of different actors followed. Regina Galias of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Albert Valenciano of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Sr. Noemi Mendoza of Canossa Academy Lipa delivered presentations on programs and services for children of migrants in the Philippines. Min-Seok Kim and Hanna Norimatsu, who authored two stories in the book, shared their reflections on being children of migrant and multicultural backgrounds through video messages shown during the forum. Teatro Akebono, a theater group composed of staff from the Development Action for Women Network and Japanese-Filipino children, gave a special performance during the intermission. Guests and participants shared their experiences and perspectives during the open forum. Copies of the book were later distributed to institutional partners and event participants.

SMC would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to all the authors and contributors behind the book project, to those who attended the launch-forum and to those who sent messages of support.

*For more information about the Enable Kids Project, see enablekidsproject.wordpress.com.