Migration is more than just moving from one place to another, it’s an act of courage, transformation, and self-discovery. For many, it’s about seeking opportunity, safety, or a chance to thrive in ways that might not have been possible back home. For Kulay, the journey from the Philippines to the UK became the canvas for his creativity, shaping not only his life but also the stories he tells through his work.
Today, on the World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Kulay shares how the challenges, triumphs, and moments of introspection as a migrant have influenced his artistry. From navigating a new world to holding onto his culture and identity, his work captures the interconnectedness of human experience – a true reflection of his belief that art and migration both thrive on curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Can you share your journey from the Philippines to the United Kingdom? What motivated your decision to migrate?
I moved to the UK in 2015 to pursue my further studies at Central Saint Martins, UAL. But then opportunities and love found me in the journey, so I took it as a nod from the universe that I was in the right place at the right time and felt like this was the path I needed to follow where I could fulfil my calling and be my best self.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first arrived in the UK, and how did you overcome them?
To be 100% honest it is the financial side of things. I did not come from a wealthy family. I was on a scholarship but it only covered the uni fees so I had to provide for my living expenses. I came in only with £2000 not knowing how long it would last, or how would I even make it last. In my first few months here I tried to do this thing I call a “CV giveaway” for any opportunities I thought I could do but nothing came out of it.
Until I became more chilled with my approach, then the opportunities started to come. As much as I recognise the privileges that came with my choices, the journey has not been a walk in the park. Only when I managed to get to the other side did I realise that I can only do the best that I can and the difficult pill to swallow is to keep the faith and never surrender. If there’s anything that this experience has taught me is that sometimes the most painful and difficult part of trying is the one closest to a breakthrough.
How has your experience as a migrant influenced your sense of identity and belonging?
My experiences as a migrant allowed me to step back a bit and look at myself from a distance in a bigger picture. It is the image that reveals a lot about who I am, that I use as a moral compass in the many times I needed to fit in, blend in and shape-shift in order to assimilate. So in a way, my migrant experiences did not change my sense of identity but it reinforced who I really am and enriched who I could become.
What aspects of Filipino culture do you carry with you in your everyday life in the UK?
Of course the usual, the food, the humour, and our optimism. But my favourite I think is grit. Growing up in a catastrophe-prone part of the globe with very limited opportunities and basic resources, my inner power to push through and try and keep trying has empowered my confidence with my own abilities that I try to bring and show up with every day.
Have you encountered any misconceptions or stereotypes about Filipinos or migrants in general? How do you address them?
I think stereotypes are neither absolute good nor absolute bad, it depends on the context they are operating. But sure I have my fair share of them, looks in people’s eyes sometimes don’t need words when the colour of my skin gives it away. But I must say I am lucky that I never had any violent physical or verbal abuse because I have heard a lot of those horror stories. Plus I am based in London which is rather multicultural and more embracing of diversity. But whenever I get them, I address them with what I know and I know that kindness breeds kindness so that’s my choice of approach.
How has your perception of ‘home’ changed since moving to the UK?
My heart will always be Filipino but London is also ‘Home’ now. I guess the definition of home has now evolved into something that goes beyond geography. I think I do a lot of the creative work that I do now because in a way it is a doorway to access the fleeting and familiar feeling of home. So my perception of home is essentially still the same but now that my world has expanded, it has also expanded into something that cannot be reduced to a singular place and definition. Home now feels like not just a noun but a verb.
What support systems or communities have been most helpful to you as a migrant in a new country?
I have been so blessed to have found people who I shared common backgrounds back home with. My international cohorts from my MA have been constantly there since day dot until now. I met a lot of old Filipino friends who moved here to study and started new lives here as well. But ultimately my loving husband and my new family make a lot of these “migrant” things more bearable. So yeah the universe has been watching my back in that ‘Human Resources’ department that’s why I am so very grateful.
What are your thoughts on the importance of observing World Day for Migrants and Refugees, and how can we better support migrants and refugees around the world?
As human beings, we must see everybody as human beings. Coming from a culture where the concept of ‘Kapwa’ is at its core meaning others are extensions of ourselves or even looking at other people as our selves, empathy and compassion a paramount practices. Observing World Day for Migrants and Refugees annually is an opportunity to exchange stories and remind many of us of our privileges as well as to constantly treat everyone with respect and kindness.
Looking back, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your migration journey?
It is human nature to follow curiosity and search for places of safety, refuge, and survival. Each one of us has our unique story to tell about our personal migration journeys, but for myself moving away from home has always been about finding a place where I could express my most authentic self, do my best work, and at the same time look for my corner of the earth that would allow my inner creativity fly. It has been a spiritual adventure. So the most rewarding aspect must have been the journey itself where I learned a lot more about who I am and the fact that all humans are innately good.
What message would you like to share with those who may feel hesitant or fearful about migrating to a new country?
Prehistorically even before all the tectonic plates have decided to drastically move, migration has been a constant human business, so something is reassuring that it is in our collective history and DNA. Having said that, I don’t want to overgeneralise and say that it is for everybody because it may not be, for some it is a privilege and for many, it is inevitable for survival. I think the more important question that needs answering is to muster the confidence and the courage to listen to their inner compass to know when to move, where to go and most importantly why.