Kapisanan Staff Profiles
The Kapisanan administrative office is not unlike a jeepney. This symbol of Filipino culture is a communal vehicle that facilitates the movement of locals – so too does the executive staff at the K. Inside the Kapisanan Jeepney, the personnel are the drivers that skillfully steer our arts and cultural programming.
Caroline Mangosing
Co-founder, Executive Director
Codename: The Whip, Sgt. Doña, The Tiger
When she assumed the role of Kapisanan’s Executive Director, Caroline secured instant notoriety for her strategic vision and immovable drive. Photographer, actor, producer, designer – in this position, she has shape shifted not only her own artistic capacity once more, but that of an entire community.
Born in the Philippines and raised in both Los Angeles and Vancouver, as an artistic youth, Caroline dabbled in various communities in search of a place to share her cultural experience. She wished for support and direction that could advance the creative and professional path of a Filipino-Canadian artist like herself – only to be faced with limited resources to do so. When CBT and Digital Sweatshop Inc came together with the mutual intention to develop a youth-focused centre, it became clear that Caroline and her partners were a step closer to attaining this wish. “We wanted a place where we can do our own work, tell our own story. It’s also a place where we can share what we know, in turn creating a place for others like us – the young Filipino artists who are trying to make moves.”
“It’s most things in between,” Caroline describes the programming at the centre. “From Filipino language, critical Filipino history, and all the many artistic disciplines. Even with the cultural elements, our methodology of teaching is still based in the arts. As often as people say “Oh I am not an artist”, everyone enjoys it and learns the content in a much more relaxed and fun way. The retention of information is much higher.”
A seasoned media professional who wears many hats, Caroline encourages the co-mingling of all the arts, and from one generation to another. Kapisanan’s innovative curriculum has been designed to include new ways to tell old stories. “Our vision was to also take our heritage, like folk dancing, and allow for the younger generations apply it to their context. This creates a hybrid, or a contemporary cultural expression. Of course it’s also important to understand tradition, but it’s equally important make it relevant to the diaspora.”
This deeper sense of cultural identity is not only intended to stay within the walls of the centre. Its reach has proven inspiring to the greater Toronto community. Through the Kapisanan platform, Caroline and her team of mentors take stabs at breaking stereotypes by first identifying them.
When asked who her Filipino icon is, Caroline replies, “Imelda Marcos. I am trying to correct where she went wrong.”
About Caroline Mangosing
In 1999, Caroline began film work as a producer and director of a documentary for the UN in Kenya. The project focused on Kenyan youth speaking on the topic of sustainable living. The Things We Carry, shot in Canada, the UK, USA, Kenya, Cameroon, and Tanzania, has since been distributed in high schools in British Columbia. Other work with youth includes teaching media literacy and media production workshops to different programs in Vancouver, New York, and in Toronto. She has also toured around BC schools to raise awareness on discrimination and racism in Canada.
With a BFA in Photography from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Caroline is a published fashion photographer, featured in Vancouver and Toronto glossies, as well as in the Philippines. Caroline also has a diploma in fashion design.
In 2005, Caroline produced the short film Rolling Longaniza (CBC). That same year, she produced and starred in the TV drama, St. Jamestown (Vision TV). Both productions aired across Canada.
Caroline is one of the founding partners of a Toronto-based film & television production company, The Digital Sweatshop Inc (DS). Alongside DS, she produced and starred in her first feature film, Ang Pamana: The Inheritance. In 2006, the film had a wide theatrical release in the Philippines. Other acting credits include various theatre, film, and television productions, most recently and a recurring role on YTVʼs “How To Be Indie” now in its second season.
Kat Estacio
Operations Coordinator and Marketing
Educational Background: Graduated from Ryerson with Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, majoring in Marketing Management.
Not-so-secret identities: Lover of hugs, high fives, and hearty laughter
Born and raised in Pasig City, Philippines, Kat has lived in Toronto since 2004. Fond of discovering new things to do around town, Kat is fascinated by Toronto’s multi-culturalism and artist communities. She discovered Kapisanan in 2010 when she applied as a Marketing and Communications intern. Her insane attention to detail led her to a paying position handling much of Kapisanan’s operations. Being the shining multi-tasker that she is, Kat continues to handle Kapisanan’s marketing, communications, and social media presence under the mentorship of Kapisanan board marketing expert, Alex Mozo, and expert social media genius, Kuya Jodee.
“I found out about Kapisanan from friends of friends while I was at Ryerson. I was initially just interested in playing the Kulintangs. But as I went to more events and workshops, I became more interested in arts as cultural expression. I find it inspiring to learn of another Filipino-Canadian’s story, their search for identity and what it means to be Filipino in our own terms.”
Adriano Sobretodo, Jr.
Financial Coordinator
Educational Background: Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science HonoursLife Sciences. Information Technology Institute with a diploma in Applied Information Technology. York University with a Masters of Fine Arts Theatre.
Not-so-secret identities: Member of Litmus Theatre Collective.
Adriano boasts over 10 years of experience as a business consultant with several leading Fortune 500 companies across Australia, the USA, and Canada. In his role as Kapisanan’s Financial Coordinator, he says “I hope to keep the Kapisanan on solid financial footing for years to come. I would like implement the same business practices from my corporate work to my work at the K.”
Apart from his work in finance, and like many of those that frequent the K, Adriano is multi-skilled in the arts. He is a professional screen and stage actor, a playwright of Shangri-La and The Gold Coast as well as the acting instructor with York University and Canadian Stage Company.
Kristina Guison
Clutch Vol. 4 Coordinator
Educational Background: Theatre Production Design at College of St. Benilde in Manila; Visual and Creative Arts Program at Sheridan College.
Not-so-secret identities: KAPISANAN ina-anak [God child], Alunsina incarnate
Kristina Guison, a visual artist currently residing in Mississauga Ontario, was born and raised in the Philippines. She entered KAPISANAN through CLUTCH Program (Vol. 3) as a participant. During her time as a participant in CLUTCH, Kristina was inspired to participate in the KAMALAYAN KONSCIOUSNESS program within KAPISANAN (in 2010), a socio-political awareness workshop series targeted at young Filipinos. Kristina’s artwork is inspired by her Filipino heritage, its idiosyncrasies, and contemporary metaphors. An emerging professional artist, Kristina was one of KAPISANAN’s first artists-in-residence in 2010-2011. In Februrary 2011, her residency has taken her back to the Philippines to do an exchange with Philippine-based artist, Carlos Celdran. She also presented her work at a group exhibit at Celdran’s annual festival, Manila Transitio 1945.
Kapisanan Staff Profiles
The Kapisanan administrative office is not unlike a jeepney. This symbol of Filipino culture is a communal vehicle that facilitates the movement of locals – so too does the executive staff at the K. Inside the Kapisanan Jeepney, the personnel are the drivers that skillfully steer our arts and cultural programming.
Caroline Mangosing
Co-founder, Executive DirectorCodename: The Whip, Sgt. Doña, The Tiger
When she assumed the role of Kapisanan’s Executive Director, Caroline secured instant notoriety for her strategic vision and immovable drive. Photographer, actor, producer, designer – in this position, she has shape shifted not only her own artistic capacity once more, but that of an entire community.
Born in the Philippines and raised in both Los Angeles and Vancouver, as an artistic youth, Caroline dabbled in various communities in search of a place to share her cultural experience. She wished for support and direction that could advance the creative and professional path of a Filipino-Canadian artist like herself – only to be faced with limited resources to do so. When CBT and Digital Sweatshop Inc came together with the mutual intention to develop a youth-focused centre, it became clear that Caroline and her partners were a step closer to attaining this wish. “We wanted a place where we can do our own work, tell our own story. It’s also a place where we can share what we know, in turn creating a place for others like us – the young Filipino artists who are trying to make moves.”
“It’s most things in between,” Caroline describes the programming at the centre. “From Filipino language, critical Filipino history, and all the many artistic disciplines. Even with the cultural elements, our methodology of teaching is still based in the arts. As often as people say “Oh I am not an artist”, everyone enjoys it and learns the content in a much more relaxed and fun way. The retention of information is much higher.”
A seasoned media professional who wears many hats, Caroline encourages the co-mingling of all the arts, and from one generation to another. Kapisanan’s innovative curriculum has been designed to include new ways to tell old stories. “Our vision was to also take our heritage, like folk dancing, and allow for the younger generations apply it to their context. This creates a hybrid, or a contemporary cultural expression. Of course it’s also important to understand tradition, but it’s equally important make it relevant to the diaspora.”
This deeper sense of cultural identity is not only intended to stay within the walls of the centre. Its reach has proven inspiring to the greater Toronto community. Through the Kapisanan platform, Caroline and her team of mentors take stabs at breaking stereotypes by first identifying them.
When asked who her Filipino icon is, Caroline replies, “Imelda Marcos. I am trying to correct where she went wrong.”
About Caroline Mangosing
In 1999, Caroline began film work as a producer and director of a documentary for the UN in Kenya. The project focused on Kenyan youth speaking on the topic of sustainable living. The Things We Carry, shot in Canada, the UK, USA, Kenya, Cameroon, and Tanzania, has since been distributed in high schools in British Columbia. Other work with youth includes teaching media literacy and media production workshops to different programs in Vancouver, New York, and in Toronto. She has also toured around BC schools to raise awareness on discrimination and racism in Canada.
With a BFA in Photography from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Caroline is a published fashion photographer, featured in Vancouver and Toronto glossies, as well as in the Philippines. Caroline also has a diploma in fashion design.
In 2005, Caroline produced the short film Rolling Longaniza (CBC). That same year, she produced and starred in the TV drama, St. Jamestown (Vision TV). Both productions aired across Canada.
Caroline is one of the founding partners of a Toronto-based film & television production company, The Digital Sweatshop Inc (DS). Alongside DS, she produced and starred in her first feature film, Ang Pamana: The Inheritance. In 2006, the film had a wide theatrical release in the Philippines. Other acting credits include various theatre, film, and television productions, most recently and a recurring role on YTVʼs “How To Be Indie” now in its second season.
Kat Estacio
Operations Coordinator and MarketingEducational Background: Graduated from Ryerson with Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, majoring in Marketing Management. Not-so-secret identities: Lover of hugs, high fives, and hearty laughter
Born and raised in Pasig City, Philippines, Kat has lived in Toronto since 2004. Fond of discovering new things to do around town, Kat is fascinated by Toronto’s multi-culturalism and artist communities. She discovered Kapisanan in 2010 when she applied as a Marketing and Communications intern. Her insane attention to detail led her to a paying position handling much of Kapisanan’s operations. Being the shining multi-tasker that she is, Kat continues to handle Kapisanan’s marketing, communications, and social media presence under the mentorship of Kapisanan board marketing expert, Alex Mozo, and expert social media genius, Kuya Jodee.
“I found out about Kapisanan from friends of friends while I was at Ryerson. I was initially just interested in playing the Kulintangs. But as I went to more events and workshops, I became more interested in arts as cultural expression. I find it inspiring to learn of another Filipino-Canadian’s story, their search for identity and what it means to be Filipino in our own terms.”
Adriano Sobretodo, Jr.
Financial Coordinator Educational Background: Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science HonoursLife Sciences. Information Technology Institute with a diploma in Applied Information Technology. York University with a Masters of Fine Arts Theatre. Not-so-secret identities: Member of Litmus Theatre Collective.Adriano boasts over 10 years of experience as a business consultant with several leading Fortune 500 companies across Australia, the USA, and Canada. In his role as Kapisanan’s Financial Coordinator, he says “I hope to keep the Kapisanan on solid financial footing for years to come. I would like implement the same business practices from my corporate work to my work at the K.”
Apart from his work in finance, and like many of those that frequent the K, Adriano is multi-skilled in the arts. He is a professional screen and stage actor, a playwright of Shangri-La and The Gold Coast as well as the acting instructor with York University and Canadian Stage Company.
Kristina Guison
Clutch Vol. 4 CoordinatorEducational Background: Theatre Production Design at College of St. Benilde in Manila; Visual and Creative Arts Program at Sheridan College.
Not-so-secret identities: KAPISANAN ina-anak [God child], Alunsina incarnate
Kristina Guison, a visual artist currently residing in Mississauga Ontario, was born and raised in the Philippines. She entered KAPISANAN through CLUTCH Program (Vol. 3) as a participant. During her time as a participant in CLUTCH, Kristina was inspired to participate in the KAMALAYAN KONSCIOUSNESS program within KAPISANAN (in 2010), a socio-political awareness workshop series targeted at young Filipinos. Kristina’s artwork is inspired by her Filipino heritage, its idiosyncrasies, and contemporary metaphors. An emerging professional artist, Kristina was one of KAPISANAN’s first artists-in-residence in 2010-2011. In Februrary 2011, her residency has taken her back to the Philippines to do an exchange with Philippine-based artist, Carlos Celdran. She also presented her work at a group exhibit at Celdran’s annual festival, Manila Transitio 1945.