Blending dance, art and craft while drawing upon Indigenous Filipino spiritualism, Toronto-based artist Blessyl Buan creates a live performance within Pacita Abad. Exploring the shared identity of humans, nature, and the cosmos – what is referred to as the Kapwa -  Buan celebrates feminine power, resilience, and cultural memory.  The title is a play on words: Babae means woman in Filipino, and the Babaylan were the revered shamanic priestesses of pre-colonial times—healers, warriors, and guardians of the land. The work is inspired by the artistic legacy of late artist Pacita Abad, celebrating themes of feminine power, resilience, and cultural memory.   

Babaelan navigates the complexities of diasporic migration while resonating with Toronto's rich cultural tapestry. This performance transforms the gallery into a space for cultural exchange. Babaelan invites us to honour our Ancestors, celebrate our interconnectedness, and embrace the beauty of our collective journey through dance.   

Blessyl Buan is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans contemporary dance, choreography, painting, fiber, and jewelry arts (buankissed). She also has a deep-rooted academic background, holding degrees in Kinesiology and Chiropractic Medicine—all which bring a profound understanding of the human body into her artistic practice.   

Her creative journey is heavily influenced by Philippine Indigenous traditions. She elevates the personal process of reclaiming agency and healing from the multigenerational impacts of colonization and cultural erasure. Blessyl’s interest in neo-ethnic dance—which she views as a form of activism—has taken her practice beyond traditional stages, extending into performance art, interactive installations, and short films.  

Most recently, Blessyl was Artist-in-Residence at the Clark Centre for the Arts and the Lead Artist of Weaving Futures,as part of the Artists in the Library Program by Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Public Library.