Illustration by Katya Roxas
kabayan
……..thirty-four years struggle for suitcase space
……..from the suffocating smog of a capital city
……..to the sandy slopes of an arabian kingdom
class of 1999
……..photo ripped edges blurred faces folded
……..diploma clutched with ringed fingers (valedictorian)
……..engaged to a man twice her age (prehistorian)
four-hundred-year-old church
……..decayed frame, a shattered gray glass picture
……..she steps right up to the marriage block —
……..going once, going twice, she’s sold! time’s up!
final destination: riyadh
……..one cramped economy seat
……..travel time: ten hours of exhaust fumes
……..a single ticket for a weary teary adult
passport, tattered and battered
……..trapped inside her employer’s closet
……..tears and scrapes become marks of time
……..as she saves enough riyals to send overseas
nokia phone, once viable, identifiable
……..for weekly choppy voice exchanges
……..a fellow filipino once smiled at her, asking
……..how are you, kabayan? can i call my child also?
Katya Roxas is a Communications Officer at UBC Library who has experience with branding, content creation and social media. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia Arts, specializing in graphic design and illustration, and a Diploma in Digital Marketing and Communications. Born and raised in the Philippines, Katya is well-versed with the sacrifices and opportunities that come with being an immigrant. Through her experiences, she strives to break the barriers of cultural misrepresentation by creating honest and inclusive visual expressions.