MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Goethe-Institut Philippinen proudly present Magic Maids, a cultural ritual and dance performance interlacing the fear and oppression of women from centuries ago to today. The performance will be held at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) from November 7 to 9, 2025.
Conceptualized and choreographed by Eisa Jocson and Venuri Perera, Magic Maids interweaves the complexities and similarities of maids with the trials and tribulations of witches. Through the lens of feminist resistance, the 80-minute performance is told through the perspective of both the witch and the maid—using the broom not only as a metaphor for shared experiences of prejudice and sacrifice, but also as a physical device that connects both archetypal figures.
The dance performance serves as a ritual and collective retelling of the hushed stories of domestic workers in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, offering a broader perspective on labor exploitation in the Global South—likened to the European witch hunts.
With Jocson and Perera both born and raised in the Global South, Magic Maids carries a deeply personal and cultural resonance, denouncing the ongoing oppression of women worldwide while celebrating feminist resistance through art and ritual.
As part of the engagement, Jocson and Perera will lead a workshop titled “Broomology 101” on November 9 at 11:00 AM at the TIG Lobby. The session uses the broom as a central axis linking the archetypes of the witch and the housemaid—transforming it into a tool for playful exploration and somatic transformation. Participants will explore how to extend themselves through the broom, merging, becoming wild, and engaging with the power of intention through movement and collective experience—while examining the spectrum between beauty and monstrosity.
Eisa Jocson is an interdisciplinary artist based in La Union. With a background in ballet, she has expanded her practice into contemporary dance and pole dancing, delving into body politics and the exploitation of migrant work in the Philippines.
Venuri Perera is an independent creator from Colombo, having curated and produced projects such as the Colombo Dance Platform. A current member of the Dance Panel of the Arts Council in Sri Lanka, her work examines patriarchy, colonialism, and class struggle—drawing from her own experiences and those of women in her country.
Performance Schedule
- November 7 & 8 at 5:00 PM
- November 9 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices:
- Regular: ₱600
- Student Discount: ₱300 (with valid ID)
Workshop Registration:
Interested participants may register until November 4, 2025 through the registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3GUt_9AlzYuTEt31AiA-fhPT4A_FuctYhl1-Y4viMabAFjg/viewform
Selected participants will receive confirmation from the Goethe-Institut.
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