About The Walang Hiya Project
The term “walang hiya” is a Filipino phrase, meaning “shameless” or “without shame”. “Walang Hiya” is typically used in a derogatory way to berate and condemn those who break cultural norms by choosing to be themselves. Many Filipino/xs have set out to actively reclaim it.
This goal of this collective is to do just that — it can be an outlet for those who are expressing anger, sadness, pride, happiness, etc. This project strives to be a place for creative freedom, and freedom in relation to identity.
This collective was created for Filipino/xs of marginalized genders, LGBTQ+ folks, and those directly affected by misogyny in the Filipino/x community, to give them a safe space and center their narratives.
In this space, to be walang hiya is to live without shame.
This is a space where decolonization occurs. This is a space for learning, for growth, for connections. This can be a space for catharsis; for liberation from the systems suppressing you, cultural expectations, generational trauma, mental illness — anything.
More importantly, this can be a space for healing.
In this space, you can share your Walang Hiya story. What makes you Walang Hiya, or how are you practicing the act of being Walang Hiya in your life?
The amount of art this collective can hold knows no limits; no bounds. Send in your poetry, your writing, your thoughts; send in your paintings, drawings. Send in your photography, your music, etc. Send in anything you are proud of. Share your stories if you are comfortable, or share any piece(s) — no matter how small or short, they will still be important.
Remember that you are powerful. You will rise, and you will always rise.
We truly hope this collective can offer you some type of healing, or inner peace. We hope it reminds you of how resilient you are; how proud you should be of yourself and how far you’ve come and how far you will go. We hope you always live your life without shame.