Why Nancy Siy Advocates for Veganism
Most people ignore animal suffering because it is inevitable, and some consciously overlook the issue because it doesn’t affect them. However, one took a courageous stand: Nancy Siy, the founder of Manila Vegans, who vowed to fight oppression in all forms.
As a vegan for 15 years, Nancy Siy (施兰丝) advocates for animal and human rights to challenge discrimination. This gave her a more profound understanding of why she should continue fighting against oppression and violence.
On her path to fully embracing the vegan lifestyle, Nancy also discovered the practice of Jivamukti Yoga. Yoga and veganism taught Nancy to be more conscious of the violence we inflict on others, including ourselves. The path of healing encourages her to help herself and be more proactive in standing for what’s right.
Hence, her journey to healing and finding wholeness led her to build Manila Vegans as a safe space for other like-minded people. With CHiNOY TV, she exclusively shared her experience as the founder and how advocating can change lives.
Founding the Manila Vegans Group
In 2009, Nancy adopted the vegan lifestyle after learning about animal suffering. Her knowledge about animal oppression made her feel isolated because many people still reject the idea of veganism.
Advocating for animal rights was and still is a taboo subject for some people, so Nancy vowed to create a safe space for others who want to fight for the exact cause.
She shared: “I started Manila Vegans in 2014 because I think like-minded people should be able to find each other more easily. I was also finding that I had to repeat myself when giving info to people who want to be vegan, so I thought the group would serve as a place to streamline information.”
Besides finding her community, Nancy wanted to strengthen the connection among vegans in the Philippines. She added, “I had zero expectations when I started the group. I had no plans or goals, to be honest. I just wanted a safe space for myself and other people fighting against oppression.”
By creating the Manila Vegans community out of goodwill, Nancy faced challenges in managing the group because it requires time and patience while being unpaid. However, Nancy still finds the purpose behind this – her activism to promote veganism and end speciesism, which fuels her to continue.
She added, “But this is what I chose because activism becomes what we do when we realize we have privileges, and we need to use those privileges to amplify the voices of those who are oppressed.”
As the group expanded, Nancy also used this opportunity to advocate for veganism. She educated people on why being a vegan is more than a lifestyle; it is also a pledge to be an ally for those who are oppressed.
Veganism as an Advocacy
When advocating for veganism, don’t expect people to cheer and pat you on the back. The reality is that you’ll be ridiculed because the idea of not eating meat is “illogical” for some people. So, one who continues to adhere to the advocacy is an unsung hero because, despite the mockery, vegans like Nancy Siy still fight for the good fight.
She recalled, “It’s very painful when people resort to attacks, not necessarily because it hurts me, but because it hurts those whom I am standing up for to be dismissed, disregarded, and ignored—if not outright mocked and made fun of.”
Nancy still hopes for a more compassionate society, so she continues to advocate veganism as a way to teach people about political and social issues.
She explained, “I became vegan because I realized that it’s wrong to use and kill animals just because we can. I started to understand that power dynamics create unjust hierarchies, and these hierarchies and discriminations also exist for humans.”
Veganism can also be a way to teach people how class discrimination oppresses not only animals but also human beings: rich people exploiting poor people, big corporations suppressing activists, etc.
To further support this statement, she continued, “Veganism focuses on nonhuman animals, but as a liberatory stance, it is inherently connected to human rights. There is a misconception even among vegans that we should focus only on animal rights and that human rights are a separate advocacy altogether.”
Nancy also explained that our modern society and its norms are inherently oppressive. So, advocating for veganism is an act of defiance against exploitation and injustice. One way to show resistance against oppression is to acknowledge our privilege and use it to amplify the voices of the oppressed.
Being aware of the privilege we unknowingly experience can make us more compassionate and extend an empathetic gesture to those who are exploited, forgotten, and abused.
She advised, “If your heart is open because you know that you have a good life and can make choices that would make life better for others too, then challenge yourself to learn more. Watch the documentary Earthlings. Read the book Food Revolution. Join Manila Vegans. The adjustment that you make to be vegan will open the world up to you.”
Making Veganism Accessible in Filipino Society
It can be challenging to convince people to adopt a vegan lifestyle because only some people share the same values, beliefs, and economic statuses. Classism is also an issue that Filipinos face because everyone has a different financial capacity to support a vegan lifestyle in the Philippines.
Nancy continued, “We make veganism more accessible by focusing on it as a liberatory stance first and foremost since that does not cost money. Anyone, regardless of their means, can recognize that nonhuman animals are sentient beings whose lives are theirs alone.”
She also shared some practical tips for supporting a vegan lifestyle across all economic statuses, such as focusing on more affordable staple foods like fruits, vegetables, tofu, and munggo from local markets.
Filipino society, much like any society in the world, is also entangled with speciesism, so sometimes, vegans are forced to make choices that don’t align with their values to survive.
However, Nancy remains hopeful, saying, “To make veganism more accessible, we also want to foster a culture of care in the community—that we are watching out for the most vulnerable populations in our society, even if it costs the middle class some inconvenience.”
Since Nancy is a Chinoy, we can support her ideals by adopting veganism within our community. Our daily efforts may seem small, but by living a compassionate lifestyle, we are quietly, yet bravely, fighting against oppression.
Bringing Veganism in Chinoy Culture
Eager to adapt to the vegan lifestyle, I asked Nancy, “Does being part of the Chinoy community make it easier for me to transition into veganism?”
Nancy answered, “To be honest, I don’t think it’s easier or harder in any culture or religion, etc. Speciesism is pervasive in all cultures, and each culture and religion has its own values and defenses. What it boils down to is the openness of one’s mind to dismantle the culture of harm we were taught to normalize.”
Nancy truly showed that veganism is not about who we are but what we stand for. Fortunately, if one is willing to change, there are many ways to adopt veganism in Chinoy culture.
She shared that you can veganize Chinese cuisine by simply swapping animal-based meat for tofu or other plant-based protein sources. For example, you can use the same sweet and sour recipe but replace the chicken with tofu, meat magic, or any other plant-based protein source instead.
Additionally, Nancy shared some Chinese restaurants to go to for vegan dishes. She recommends Veggie Select (formerly Quan Yin Chay) in Binondo, which has lots of vegan options. IMC Kavino, owned by Chef Kavino Lau in Parañaque, also has a vegetarian menu that can be easily made vegan upon request.
There are indeed plenty of ways to adopt veganism in Chinoy culture. The only thing that we need is a genuine stance in the fight for oppression and animal liberation.
Nancy’s message for everyone is, “It’s still important that we keep trying. It’s still important that we continue to learn and unlearn. It’s still important that we figure out the different puzzle pieces so we play our part in liberating all beings from oppression. It’s still important that we have hope, dare to imagine, and not settle for less when co-creating a world where all can live with dignity.”
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