Honouring Abortion Through Music: The Pasya Music Album

Illustration by Carla Camoglio

season 1, episode 20

June 22, 2021

The Pasya music album was created as part of a campaign to decriminalise abortion in the Philippines, and is a collaboration between the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights, the Filipino Free Thinkers, and the Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network. The album is a collection of 12 songs of different genres written and performed by local Filipino artists. Pasya celebrates the strength of people who stand up against patriarchal and oppressive systems and exercise their body autonomy. It’s a call to all people who have had abortions, who have been silenced by stigma, to show them they are not alone. It’s a labour of love - a hug to everyone who has had an abortion.

On this episode I talk to Tao and MuroAmi, two Filipino artists who were part of the creation of Pasya. They share the process of creating the album, how music can be a medium to channel rage, the fear of speaking publicly about abortion in a country where abortion is criminalised, and the message they hope the album brings.

Tao (she/her) has been singing for 15 years, both solo and in a band (most recently with Sleep Kitchen). She has also performed in theater (Nanay Mameng: Isang Dula, Orosman at Zafira), and is a member of SAKA (Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo), CAP (Concerned Artists of the Philippines), and FAEN (Free Amanda Echanis Network).

MuroAmi (she/her) does hiphop when she’s not relationship coaching. She’s dabbled in theatre for development and social science research, and proudly continues her family’s tradition of arts for advocacy.

Links and Resources:

Listen to Pasya:
SoundCloud
Pasya Album Website
Pasya Music Album Facebook Page