This augmented reality (AR) project presents an orasyon ~ a special prayer, incantation or mantra that is mentally or verbally recited before combat as a protective armor.
It is a mode of psychic self-defense that is unique to Filipino Martial Arts and Philippine oral traditions. It asks for the unison of mind, body, and spirit and is believed to provide magical powers and invulnerability that enables the user to perform incredible and unbelieveable feats, such as withstand bullets and weapon attacks, as well as heal injuries. The efficacy of the orasyon requires belief and intention behind the recitiation that gives individual words their significance and pyschosomatic power.
This Orasyon was co-authored by the Chrysalis Kali Collective in 2021 and includes contributions by founder Kristen Cabildo, Katrina Cabanban, Princess Manuel, Noelle de la Paz, Nicole Reyes, Ezza Valdez, and exhibiting artist, Caroline Garcia.
This collective of Filipina/x women and gender expansive femmes have gathered since 2018 to train in Filipino Martial Arts under the mentoring of Cabildo, specifically with a focus on decolonization through practice and embodiment. They predominantly train in Kali (also known as Arnis or Eskrima) which emphasizes weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, and bladed weapons, as well as “open hand” techniques without weapons. For this project, Garcia facilitated writing workshops to collaboratively create this text to address the collective’s needs in the culture of today’s socio-political landscape.
Collaborators:
AR App Development by Justina Yeung
3D Model by Shengnan Dong
Audio by A La Una (ft. The Chrysalis Kali Collective)