UNITing Creativity: The artistic partnership of David Oro and Hazel Venzon

by Oscar Pantaleon Jr.

	“Being a creative duo in both a marriage and a business means navigating deeply personal and professional boundaries. Art is inherently personal, and when you share that with your partner, it makes you vulnerable in ways that are both challenging and rewarding.” – Hazel Venzon (Photo by Charles Venzon.)

David Oro and Hazel Venzon are a husband-and-wife team making their mark in Winnipeg’s arts community through their company, U N I Together (UNIT) Productions. I first met them earlier this year at a dinner hosted by Dennis Gupa, theatre artist and eco-critical conservation advocate, and I was struck by their thoughtful approach to storytelling and their commitment to highlighting Filipino-Canadian experiences. Since then, I have been interested to know more about their community-focused projects that reflect their shared dedication to the arts.

An artistic duo defined by collaboration

David and Hazel have created projects that illuminate Filipino-Canadian stories, tackling themes like migration, family separation, and the cultural challenges faced by the diaspora. Their creative partnership thrives on a synergy of complementary strengths.

David, a seasoned visual essayist, specializes in visual storytelling, with expertise in storyboarding, illustration, and stage design. Hazel, meanwhile, brings her prowess in text and structure, excelling in writing, dramaturgy, and production. Their collaboration is a seamless balance of these strengths, with each stepping in to support the other when needed.

“David handles most of the visual elements,” Hazel shares, “while I focus on the words. But we’re always collaborating, and that trust allows us to take on roles outside of our comfort zones.” David adds, “Hazel has worked on web design, and I’ve performed on stage – even though those aren’t our primary skills. It works because our strengths balance out each other’s weaker areas.”

Redefining artistry: Everything Has Disappeared

UNIT Productions’ most ambitious projects to date is Everything Has Disappeared, a collaboration with Mammalian Diving Reflex. Co-created by Hazel Venzon and Darren O’Donnell, the project envisions a dystopian world where every Filipino person suddenly vanishes, leaving society to grapple with the immediate and long-term consequences of losing such a vital global workforce.

For Hazel, this project is deeply personal and transformative. “Everything Has Disappeared redefined my understanding of what it means to be an artist,” she explains. “It’s not just about delivering a flawless performance; it’s about pushing boundaries and diving deeply into the work. The expression of excellence becomes a byproduct of that process, like sweat for an athlete – it happens because of the effort.”

Through interviews with members of the local Filipino community and rigorous research involving economists, sociologists, and demographers, the project not only tells a chilling science-fiction story but also highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Filipino migrant labour to the global economy. By combining mind-reading, stage magic, and interactive technology, it challenges audiences to recognize the interconnectedness of their lives with those of Filipino workers – a relationship that underscores human dignity itself.

The journey of UNIT Productions

UNIT Productions was born out of a shared passion for telling stories that matter. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on producing multimedia works that explore the Filipino-Canadian experience, offering mentorship, consultancy, and dramaturgy for artists of colour.

One of their most impactful projects was The Places We Go, a live graphic novel brought to life through shadow projection and illustration. The play, which delves into the struggles of children left behind by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), was first showcased at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in 2016 and later toured to Tacloban, Leyte.

“It was a full-circle moment for us,” David recalls. “Taking a story we created in Canada to the Philippines validated our mission and gave me the chance to embed my childhood experiences into the work. Performing for Typhoon Haiyan survivors was both humbling and deeply meaningful.”

Looking ahead: Pagbuo

Building on their vision, David and Hazel are now preparing to launch Pagbuo: A Storybuilding Workshop Series. This initiative, aimed at Filipino-identifying emerging artists in Manitoba, offers free workshops in songwriting, playwriting, screenwriting, and drag artistry.

“Filipino stories often remain on the margins,” Hazel explains. “Pagbuo is about bridging that gap – giving underrepresented voices the tools and confidence to share their stories.”

The workshops, which begin in January 2025, will prioritize accessibility and inclusion, welcoming participants across Manitoba both in-person and via livestream. The program also focuses on creating a safe space, particularly for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring that everyone feels seen and valued.

With UNIT Productions, David and Hazel are not just creating art; they’re fostering a movement – one that celebrates the richness of Filipino narratives and builds a stronger, more inclusive artistic community.

For more information about “Pagbuo” or UNIT Productions, visit www.unitprod.ca.