SMJ MAGAZINE
Rachelle Cruz
3. To facilitate conversations/dialogues about this issue and this part of our narrative as a community and find ways to help women who have suffered from sexual assault/rape/violence
through workshops, connecting them to culturally-sensitive intake centers; to create discussions for real policy changes. So when there was an opportunity for me to share my advocacy through a different platform like this documentary, it only made sense to represent the women in my community. I am doing this for them, and I am following what God had asked me to do”.
Palmonia Gordon
Rachelle Cruz is a Toronto-based TV personality. She graduated from Ryerson University in 2008 and majored in TV/Radio Broadcasting.
Palmonia Gordon is an Author, Communication and Speech Strategist as well as a Motivational Speaker. “I help people to understand the creative ability they have to design their life, by shifting their mindset and ordering what they truly desire, resulting in Growth, Action and Abundance.” For Palmonia, this documentary is bringing about a shift; a shift in our mindset, a shift in our view of culture, a shift in keeping things secret. What was done behind closed doors should no longer remain there. (#shift)
Her media career started in print with The Philippine Reporter. She is a TV correspondent for Balitang America, ABS-CBN News, North America Bureau, a global channel that caters to the Filipinos worldwide. Rachelle reports on issues and events that impact the community. She is also a segment producer for Lifestyle Network, showcasing Toronto events like fashion week and Christmas Market. In 2016, Rachelle created The It List, a lifestyle talk show that
She realizes her daughter has reached the age when “things started happening to me, I look at my daughter and I see the past in front of my face, and it is horrific. I am so grateful that this project shows that someone believes in us enough to create a safe space where we can connect and make this necessary film.”
featured lifestyle, music, fashion, art, health and beauty. It ran two seasons on Filipino TV. In 2015, Rachelle was nominated for the Notable Award in the Entertainment Category in Toronto. She was the host/ambassador for the Golden Balangay Awards 2017 and 2018. “When I first wrote my Me Too story, I thought I would share my story and then walk away. But after receiving so much response because I am a public figure in the media/entertainment industry, there was a call to action from my end. I felt that I had to do something. That’s why I started the Filipinas Speak Out advocacy campaign. This campaign’s initiatives are as follows: 1. To raise awareness about the sexual assault/violence that is happening to women in our community. 2. To challenge the debilitating beliefs and mentality in our community and society as a whole that discourages women from speaking out. SPECIAL EDITION: Winter/Spring 2019
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