From Acting on Stage to Acting for the Earth with Sabrina Basilio
Hello, I’m Bina! I’m a performing artist and community facilitator working at the intersection of storytelling, decolonial pedagogy, and climate justice. I seek to compost old stories of domination and nurture more stories that facilitate collective healing.
I used to think of cultural work and climate justice work as separate things. I wrote for lifestyle & fashion magazines during the day, performed Western dramas at night, and volunteered for environmental causes only when my schedule allowed.
But within my first year as a creative professional, my passion for storytelling burned out fast. It drained me more than it nourished me. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I returned to the countryside and reconnected with the mountains that fed my family and the rivers that enchanted us with local mythology. The cultural diversity and biodiversity of my hometown saved me.
I understood then, that my creative gifts were less about me and more about the beauty of life expressing itself through me. My career path clarified. It became an act of service to promote and re-dignify life.
I was surprised by how quickly I found a place in the sustainability sector. A lot of organizations aren’t just interested in skills but people—collaborators eager to learn and contribute in their own unique way. While other industries taught me to always reach above and conquer specializations to stand out, the green economy taught me to grow through reciprocity and understanding my role in a larger ecosystem.
It’s not without struggle, but I’m lucky I get to meet people stepping into this work from all directions: science, spiritual practices, or storytelling. There are so many entrypoints, and so much we can all learn from each other.
I want to call in anyone who has ever felt it’s too late to start, or that the leap is too far. There is no singular and perfect path, only the one most honest to who you are. If you start there, I’m confident you’ll find a community of thinkers, creators, and dreamers as vibrant and alive as the world you’re working towards.
👉🏼 Find jobs with purpose in Southeast Asia