Jeremi B Panganiban
M.A. student, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University
Biography
I am pursuing my master’s in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University and working on my research project on the gendered impacts on fishing communities of the ongoing disputes in South China Sea. Prior to this, my professional work focused on legal and human rights organizing on gender-based violence against women and LGBTIQ persons in Southeast Asia. My politics and pursuits are largely shaped by my engagements with grassroots people’s organizations and feminist research work on themes of migration, plural legal systems, women’s rights and the environment. I was a fellow at the East West Center, Hawai’i from 2016 to 2017 and an associate facilitator for the environmental institute of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Spring 2019. I am born and raised in the Philippines and currently based in Columbus, Ohio.
Q & A
What makes more livable futures for you?
I am drawn to a future where relationships are built on values of compassion and justice, where there is attentiveness to beauty and the life-giving potential of communing with each other. A future where there is enough healthy food for all, where anyone can pursue dignified work, where there is respect for playfulness and rest.
What are you reading, viewing, listening to right now?
I just finished reading about the inspiring work of Chilean street artists in Democracy on the Wall by a member of Livable Futures community and OSU Professor Guisela Latorre. I am on my way to the inner chapters of On Infertile Ground by Jade Sasser and just starting to read Wild Profusion by Celia Lowe. These books make me think of the fascinating breakthroughs of social movements across the world. In Democracy on the Wall Guisela Latorre shows us examples of visual democracy practices in post-dictatorship Chile. Jade Sasser sharpens our thinking on population-focused responses to climate change. Celia Lowe opens a path for creative and justice-oriented biodiversity conservation through postcolonial science. These works inspire me to continue to expand my vision of what is possible and take deliberate actions toward this vision. On easy days I tune in to NPR and when I miss home I listen to Original Pilipino Music. I like watching anime and whatever my friends recommend on Netflix.
What practices are sustaining you?
I am more deliberate than ever about my choices on how to use my time. Thinking about the possibilities for my research project excites me the most these days and I like afternoons where I can just sit quietly by myself or with a friend or colleague that I can talk to about it. I miss running outdoors and hiking regularly and I hope I can re-establish a routine soon. I like the parks a lot and try to see as many of them as possible. I am always down for a good sleep and a hearty weekend meal.