Migrant Musicians: Filipino Entertainers and the Work of Music Making (Center for Art and Thought, 2013)

Authors: Sarita Echavez See, Theodore S. Gonzalves, R. Zamora Linmark, and Karen Tongson. This thought-provoking volume examines the global circulation of Filipino musicians within the entertainment industry. Drawing from personal experiences, family stories, and scholarly insights, the contributors explore the complex intersections of migration, labor, and the transformative power of music. From mythologies of music’s ability to transport to the harsh legal realities faced by Filipino musicians as overseas contract workers, the essays offer a nuanced look at the hidden labor behind music-making. As Sarita Echavez See poignantly observes, migration and survival often turn “living song into living labor,” masking the effort that shapes the emotional resonance of music.

This limited-edition publication (only 150 copies) is as striking as the stories it tells. Each copy is an exquisite art object, featuring:

• Covers printed on a Vandercook letterpress: Hand-fed and hand-cranked at Horse & Buggy Press in Durham, North Carolina.

• High-quality inner pages: Digitally printed for crisp text and vibrant color images.

• Hand-bound with linen thread: A testament to craftsmanship and care.

Proceeds from the book support the Center for Art and Thought’s cultural and educational missions, making each copy a meaningful contribution to the preservation of Filipino history and culture.