hello!
anata laylay is a trans nonbinary Filipinx ancestral medicine worker, curator, and artist from the rivers and hills. They are from Hagonoy, Bulacan and Catanauan, Quezon. Currently, they are living on stolen and unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səlilwətaɬ land.
With a passion for ancestral practices, community, and curation, anata laylay bases their curatorial practice on ancestral healing, community, and history. They have programmed for The Luna Collective Film Festival, Vancouver Queer Film Festival, and DOXA Documentary Film Festival and magazines such as Sunstroke Magazine and Collective 4891. In June 2023, they curated their first exhibition "bahay na babalik-balikan (a home to always return to)" at The James Black Gallery, showcasing works discussing shared histories, ancestral practices, and revolution. In May of the following year they curated the second iteration titled "lagi akong uuwi (i will always come home)," at The Cultch and The Evergreen Cultural Centre, showcasing works discussing forced migration, lineage, and connection to home. Currently, anata laylay is an Assistant Curator and Events Coordinator at The James Black Gallery.
Outside of curation, anata laylay also partakes in community research, colour-grading for film, and graphic design. They have worked on films such as "Sinvergüenzilla in First Kiss" and "Don’t Text Your Ex," and contribute as a graphic designer for Luna Collective Magazine, Collective 4891, So Mayer's 2023 TLC Podcast, and as a previous Digital Content Creator for It Gets Better Canada. Currently, anata laylay is also working alongside the TransCare+ team as a Community Outreach Research Facilitator.
anata laylay is deeply focused on community organizing, activism, and continuing to learn and share knowledge as a Filipinx healer and ritual worker. Through continued learning with mentors such as Kai Delgado-Pfeifer, Angela B. Angel, and Apu Adman Aghama, anata laylay is deepening their ancestral medicine knowledge and continuing to share food knowledge, Hilot, and ancestral altar spaces with their communities. They are committed to honouring their ancestors, community care, decolonization and fighting for national democracy and genuine liberation!
anata.laylay@gmail.com
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@anata.laylay