#666 Westwords Takeover

Lagpas Tao:
When a storm surge swallows a coastal town in the Philippines, a daughter in Sydney receives a shaky phone call from her mother, made over patchy Wi-Fi. The floodwaters would recede, but they couldn’t take away a daughter’s worry from thousands of kilometres away. “ I’ve been so worried about you. I guess what I really want is to be there, even if I don’t know how to say it out loud.” Produced by Aswathi Matthews. Written and performed by Neen Ramos, Mother voiced by Liza Caliao. In addition, special thanks to Amanda Caliao, who generously recommended her mom to voice this piece. 

Rapture:
After losing his job, a young man in Sydney ends up working at his uncle’s chicken farm, where the daily violence of slaughter and the weight of family expectations trigger a crushing anxiety attack. His only comfort comes from Lorenzo, a Sudanese coworker who offers faith, hope, and an unexpected kind of tenderness in a place built on brutality. The smell he’s trying to escape isn’t on his clothes – it’s in his bones. Produced by Persephone Waxman. Written and performed by Christopher Sammut. Sound design by Lana Lusina 

My childhood is split into Inside and Outside:
What are the small, ordinary moments when you feel safe enough to connect with your body, with others, with place? Cathay’s childhood is split between two worlds: the fear-soaked “inside,” where her father’s rage fills the air, and the bright “outside,” where magpies call, bare feet hit the grass, and the rhythm of games, laughter, lizards, and sunshine offer a taste of freedom. With every step between inside and outside, she begins to realise that light can live in her too. Production and sound design by Catarina Fraga Matos. Written and Performed by Cathy Stirling. Mark Williamson voiced ‘Dad.’

All The Best Credits
- Host: Kwame Slusher
- Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
- Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
- Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
- Cover Art: Ray Vo
- Special shout-out to our volunteers:  Sue, Sharon, Lindsey, Andrew, Ash, and Emma.