Hi Joanne! Please tell our readers about yourself!
Happy International Working Women’s Month to everyone! I am Joanne Cesario, a filmmaker, zinemaker, and labor and women’s rights activist.
Can you tell us about “Transferred Damages,” your zine?
Transferred Damages began informally in 2012. By 2018, I had amassed many undeveloped film rolls, which I entrusted to someone who had committed to hand-processing them but ultimately damaged the rolls. This incident coincided with an exhausting and turbulent period in my life, when many traumatic experiences resurfaced.
I first thought of the phrase “transferred damages” while struggling to breathe on an airplane after a panic attack. In the years that followed, I continued documenting what became a period of recovery and liberation, after the devastating realization that, like many other women, I had survived violence and abuse.
It wasn’t until 2023 that I decided to create something out of these images.
How (or when) did you learn about artbooks.ph?
Through artist friends! It must have been a decade ago when I first learned about artbooks.ph.
Off the top of your head, what book would you recommend to the artbooks.ph Community?
Two that are still in the current catalogue — MARG1N ISSUE 1 and Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage.
Can you describe the Philippines in one…
Song? Hawak Mo Ang Beat (charot!). Haligi ng Maynila ng The Jerks!
Phrase? Barya lang po sa umaga. Sakto ngayong sobrang mahal ng presyo ng langis at nakawelga ang mga tsuper.
Meal? Sinigang! (personal favorite)
Recipe? Adobo
Smell? Usok sa siyudad, alat sa tabing-dagat, damo at lupa sa bahay kung saan ako lumaki
Time? Tanghaling tapat kung kailan pinakatirik ang araw
Emotion? Pagkagising mula sa napahabang siesta — groggy at nagulat na malapit nang dumilim at walang tao sa buong bahay
Book? Philippine Society and Revolution ni Amado Guerrero
Sentence? Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.
Sound? Tambutso, busina, jackhammer na bumubutas sa kalsada
Where were you born, and where do you live now?
Born in Manila, raised in Tanauan City, Batangas, and now residing in Quezon City.
Do you cook Adobo? Sinigang? Anything Filipino? Is there a recipe you want to share?
As much as I want to look like someone who cooks, I want to stay honest throughout this interview 😅
Can you recommend one Filipino author?
Everyone that’s part of Barangay Malaya Reading Club! Totally unbiased answer.
Film? Tumatawa, Umiiyak (dir. Che Tagyamon), Lukas Niño (dir. John Torres), War Is a Tender Thing (dir. Adjani Arumpac)
Place? Diliman!
What is your favorite time of day in Manila? Why?
Early morning is best when everything is quiet and I’ve had enough sleep.