Karla is a peminista/pinay feminist - anak ng diaspora - with a passion for creating the projects that the world needs to become a better place.
She is a storyteller - whether in advocacy, academia or art. No matter the medium, Karla strives to tell the stories of her own experience as a second-generation Pilipinx-Canadian Settler, and to both create and hold space for others to do the same. Born and raised on Treaty 7 land (mohkínstsis) and splitting time in Tkaronto, she is an avid practitioner of Shine Theory and cares deeply for community/collective healing and growth.
When she is not busy smashing the patriarchy and disrupting colonialism, Karla can be found belting out musical theatre hits in her living room, crafting, or talking too much about her cat, Princess Lulu.
Have you ever felt like...you weren’t Filipino Enough? So have we. Let’s talk about it!
Do you have ancestors from the Philippines and have a relationship to Alberta? We want you to join us for a FREE creative co-lab session in our FILIPINO ENOUGH series! All are welcome - no experience required!
ARTICLE: Why these Calgarians are making an Alberta-based Filipino-Canadian TV show November 6, 2021 | Calgary, AB Karina Zapata covers Karla's work with co-creator Sheena Manabat in developing an original Filipinx-Canadian series and the upcoming creative co-lab sessions, Filipino Enough. Sign up for the waiting list for 2022 sessions at bit.ly/FilipinoEnough WORKSHOP: Pinoys on Parliament February 21-23, 2020 | Ottawa, ON "People Power on Parliament Hill and Beyond" - 1 Hour Workshop co-created with Mauriene Tolentino, MPH candidate Sunday, February 23 at the University of Ottawa
ARTICLE: Building Community Should Not Be A Luxury December 11, 2019 | Calgary, AB An article written for pop-up journalism website in Calgary, The Sprawl, in S10: The Budget Blues Edition providing commentary on the state of Calgary's community organizing scene.
SCREENING:Sinehan Sa Summer August 22, 2019 | New York City, NY Philippine Consulate General 556 5th Avenue, FREE ADMISSION Screening of "JEZEBEL," at 6:30PM for the Short Films Night II
SCREENING: Diwa Filipino Film Showcase June 1-2, 2019 | Seattle, WA Seattle Center Armory Loft 1, FREE ADMISSION Screening of "JEZEBEL," official selection at the Diwa Filipino Film Showcase, on Sunday, June 2 at 2:15-3:15PM during the Living Pinay program.
PANEL: Pinay Power II: Celebrating Peminisms in the Diaspora Conference April 17-20, 2019 | Montreal, QC The Institute for Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies, McGill University This conference serves as a critical, community-oriented intervention in Peminist theories and praxis, highlighting Filipina experiences in the diaspora. More information at www.pinaypower.ca. Screening of "JEZEBEL" on Friday, April 18 at 8:30-9:45AM during the Raising Peminist Plenary Panel with Dr. Melinda de Jesus and Dr. Valerie Francisco Menchavez, followed by panel discussion.