Episode 117: How do Filipino migrants engage in transnational, online communications to keep in touch with families back home?

The Arch and Anth Podcast

On this episode, Dr. Earvin Cabalquinto (Deakin University) talks about communications between Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Melbourne and their family members in the Philippines, and research themes that surround these communications such as the uses of digital networks and social media, the dynamics of familial and social connections, and lived experiences of mobility and migration.

What aspects of communication between geographically separated Filipino family members can be understood as being part of maintaining connection, and what other aspects can be understood as a form of surveillance? What are the different tactics deploted by dispersed family members to experience, share and comment upon their relatives' lives at a distance? How much of our lives online can be viewed as creative personalizations and curated narrative-building, and can we learn about this through studying the videos of Filipino YouTubers?

Both Earvin and Michael also share their own experiences of moving abroad for study and work, talking about the ways they keep in touch with their families, and also how they navigate the challenging aspect of academic life that requires juggling of many various projects and forms of work.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you want to get in touch with Earvin to share questions or thoughts, you can find him on Twitter or his personal website.

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