The French circus is coming to Manila and Iloilo to entertain, to delight, and to raise awareness on child sex abuse in the Philippines
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In the words of Ernest Hemingway, the circus is an “ageless delight.” For Hemingway, a lifelong circus lover, the circus was the only spectacle that, as you watched it, would give the quality of “a truly happy dream.” But for Laurence Ligier and the girl survivors of Cameleon Association, the circus means so much more.
The circus, “the most spectacular show on earth,” is well-loved in all corners of the world for all its glitter, energy, excitement, fanfare, and, recently, for its therapeutic benefits to young girls who have experienced sexual abuse. “Sports and physical activities like the circus play an integral role in the education and personal rehabilitation of children survivors of sexual abuse,” says Laurence, founder of Cameleon, a non-government organization based in Iloilo dedicated to rehabilitating very young girls who have been victims of sexual abuse.
Circus takes a big part of the Rehabilitation Program of Cameleon and is considered therapeutic in so far as they allow children to blossom, to be happy, gain self-confidence, regain control of their bodies, and build a positive image of themselves. It’s a unique medium for helping girl survivors overcome their nightmares, come out of their shell, feel well, have fun, and
dream again.
For the past six years, through their partnership with Cameleon, French circus professionals and students from the Ecole Nationale des Arts du Cirque de Rosnysous-Bois or ENACR come to the Philippines as volunteers. Cameleon Girls (sexually abused children) are always looking forward to their visits and to learn new skills. These French students and professionals share their knowledge with the best performers within Cameleon and help facilitate circus trainings during the year.
“This unique program in the Philippines has already shown positive impact on children who demonstrate outstanding progress and more autonomy. Thanks to this partnership, the skills of the girls have improved and two of them have become professional trainers,” says Laurence. “This yearly project reflects Cameleon’s willingness to reinforce the place of circus practice as a tool of therapy and professional integration.”
And now, this month, this week, Cameleon and ENACR performers/volunteers will perform for the first time to the public at Resorts World Manila’s (RWM) Newport Performing Arts Theater. Dubbed as Lukso! Cirque de la Vie: Healing Girl Survivors of Sexual Abuse, the show (featuring French actress Sabrina Ouazani who also does aerial silk in the circus) not only aims
to showcase French circus in its unadulterated form but also, most important, to raise awareness on the issue of sexual abuse of children and to raise funds for the activities of Cameleon.
After the circus at RWM, six shows, involving the ENACR and the whole company of “Cirquerade Cameleon” (20 girls), will be organized in Roxas and Passi, Iloilo to raise funds and advocate on child rights. Different disciples will be trained and presented: Aerial silk, fix trapeze, cloud swing, aerial straps, Chinese pole, acrobatics, balancing, hand to hand, juggling, and cyr wheel.
Luc Richard and Patrick Mattioni, two teachers from the ENACR, are internationally renowned trainers and pioneers in their discipline. They were involved in the artistic direction of events like the Asian Games in Qatar, the Festival of Cirque de Demain, and have also worked with Cirque du Soleil.
“The topic of sexual abuse is still taboo in the Philippines, and much more when it is incest. Cameleon denounces any infringement on children’s rights and dignity. So every time we organize a circus show, we do press conferences, we ask our child advocates to speak up about child rights and the issue of child abuse in the Philippines. This is a good venue to do it and to raise our voices. We take advantage of this time to address ourselves to the children, the youth, the parents, the media, and the authorities,” says Laurence.
Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com, 02 891 9999; Box Office 02 908 8000 loc. 7700; Ticketnet 02 911 5555; or SM Tickets 02 470 2222. http://www. cameleon-association.org/en/