About

In the year 1960, my father's family immigrated from the Philippines to Delano, California. Max, my father, was born a year later. Feliza, his mother, nursed patients at the local hospital while Eustaquio, his father, worked the grape fields of the Central Valley. Twenty years later, Siu-Mei, my mother, and her family landed in San Francisco after living in Hong Kong and before that, Guangdong. Lai-Wah, her mother, sewed garments while Ying-Yee, her father, worked in the New Hong Kong Noodle Company factory.

Like many, many others, my elders moved to this country seeking opportunity and favorable lives for their families. As my parents met in architecture and I witnessed their struggles and successes as a child, I have much to be thankful for. For the many who went before me, I see their courage in new beginnings. I see their diligent work for society and in raising families. I see moments of great tension. Celebrations and gatherings embed themselves in memory. I taste the damn good food. With them in mind, my loved ones, myself, I seek to learn from stories past and stories unfolding. Through my work, I hope to give back and make them known.