What Did I Miss?: January 2023

Published Works

‘The Bad Batch’ Stars and Executive Producers Discuss Making the Second Season – For The Nerds of Color, I spoke with several of the creative forces behind the latest “Star Wars” animated series, ahead of its Season 2 premiere on Disney+.

Dante Basco Reflects on His Experience with ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ as Co-Host of Podcast – For the Center for Asian American Media, I interviewed the voice actor of the prince of the Fire Nation on what it’s like co-hosting the official companion podcast for this beloved animated series.

Review of Every Version of You by Grace Chan – For Goodreads, I briefly give my take on this thoughtful, sci-fi debut.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ For the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I (begrudgingly) go over my thoughts over, what I found to be, an unnecessary sequel to the Keanu-Reeves fronted thriller.

Appearances

Every Oscar Nom Reaction All at Once | Hard NOC Life – For the first time since 2020, for the first time as a co-host, and in the first episode of the year, I return to this podcast to discuss the Oscar nominations, trailers, Sundance, and Marie Kondo.

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What Did I Miss?: September 2020

Published Works

‘Mulan’ is a Thoughtful but Clunky Iteration of the Chinese Folktale – For The Nerds of Color, after being granted access to a screener of this highly anticipated live-action remake from Disney, I get down to business and give my take on it.

Patrick Clanton on Exploring Disney’s Hidden Gems on Behind the Ears YouTube Channel – For The Nerds of Color, I interview the creator and host of this new Disney-focused YouTube Channel about how it came together during the COVID-19 crisis.

Review of Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger – For Goodreads, I give my two cents on this debut work from a brilliant author on the rise.

Jessica Henwick: The Hapa Franchise Queen on Growing Up Between Two Cultures – For my debut issue as the new writer of Hapa Mag, Lauren Winn and I collaborated on this interview with this extraordinary actress and writer on her journey in the entertainment industry over the past decade.

The Presentation of Multiculturalism in the World of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” – For my debut issue as the new writer of Hapa Mag, I do an in-depth dive into how multiculturalism is presented in this beloved franchise, at a time of its resurgence into popularity.

What Did I Miss?: July 2019

Published Works

Review of Unsung Heroine by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I provide my impressions on this novella companion to this author’s beloved super heroine trilogy.

Director Lulu Wang Explores Telling a Story Based on an Actual Lie in “The Farewell” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sat down with this thoughtful director on the making of this very moving film.

From Fan to Writer: F.C. Yee on Developing the Story of Avatar Kyoshi – For The Nerds of Color, I got deep and geeky with this author/Avatar fan about the honor (*wink*) of writing the first YA novel in the Avatar universe.

The Circle of Life of “He Lives in You” from ‘The Lion King’ – For The Nerds of Color, I give an overview of the different iterations over the years of this underrated yet powerful song from “The Lion King” repertoire.

Review of The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee – For Goodreads, I explain why fans of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” will relish in this novel about one of the most incredible avatars prior to Aang.

‘Cobra Kai’ Has Got to Step Up Its Representation Game in Season 3 – For The Nerds of Color, I address a flaw this YouTube series has had over the course of its first two seasons, in the midst of a recent reveal about what’s to come in the new season.

Appearances

Lauren (San Francisco Bay Area, California) – I recently shared my experience for Mixed (Me)dia about being a mixed race person, by explaining a little bit about who I am, my thoughts about being mixed race, and advice for those who’re navigating their own mixed race journeys.

Writers’ Spotlight: Summer 2019 – Asienne Magazine gives previews to two separate interviews that were done with two California-based Filipino American writers (I being one of them).

Other News

CAAM Production of Wayne Wang’s “Coming Home Again” to World Premiere at TIFF – A film I briefly worked on last year, “Coming Home Again,” will be having its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Form Voltron!: Thoughts on a Revived Animated Classic

A few years ago, I started making the effort to expand my dialogue about storytelling by going beyond the boundaries of books and out into the mediums of TV and film. I do so by doing these analysis pieces once a while about a TV show or film that has reached a significant time in its history (i.e. series premiere, series finale, film release, anniversary of a release, etc.). Previously, I dug into the layers of the YouTube Red series, “Cobra Kai.” Today, in honor of its series coming to an end yesterday, I shall continue my exploration of my favorite content in the streaming world by delving into a nuanced revival of an animated series originally from the 80’s. Today, I’m talking about the Netflix series, “Voltron: Legendary Defender.”

What Did I Miss? (September 16th-22nd)

Published Works

Thoughts About the Netflix Live-Action Adaptation of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER – For YOMYOMF, I share why this Nickelodeon show is so beloved by people all over the world, as well as my thoughts about Netflix’s plans to adapt it into a live-action series.

The First Time(s) I Saw Me

Another hashtag has emerged over the past week where its relevancy rings true with the topics I address on this blog, and so therefore, I want to dwell into it. The hashtag is #TheFirstTimeISawMe. Diversity and representation of different lives – by way of race, sexuality, specific characteristics, etc. – matter, and Netflix started up this thread to celebrate inclusive media and diverse programming. If you look through the hashtag on Twitter, you’ll see people recall instances of the first times they saw someone like them onscreen, as well as people who are still waiting for that moment to happen.

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#TheFirstTimeISawMe #Katara #AvatarTheLastAirbender #Paikea #WhaleRider

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Thoughts About Escapism

At this time two years ago, I was already writing what would eventually become An Absolute Mind. It was easy to slip in that mindset of its setting in an optimistic future, given the conditions of my country back then. While I can’t say that everything was peaceful, as far as privileges and rights go, they were as intact and secure as ever, and even got better when the Supreme Court finally made the historic decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states.

If I were to write An Absolute Mind today, I honestly am not sure how I would be able to effectively slip into that mindset and make that future as positive as it is, given everything that’s been happening in the week since Trump took office. There’s so much to go off of. Women’s rights are in danger. The press is being censored. “Alternative facts” have apparently become a thing. The proposed wall to border Mexico is actually being pursued… somehow. As of recently, immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-dominant countries are banned from entering the country. It’s horrendous and difficult to read about. It’s history repeating itself, and then some.

5 Unfrequented Strong Female Characters in TV and Film in the 21st Century

There’s a lot of talk these days about better representation and diversity in various storytelling mediums, and that has even included better representation of female characters. They’re not just eye candy or the love interest, and there should not be as much emphasis as there is on what they wear, what they look like, what they’re interests are and what not.

Obviously, this conversation transcends beyond the storytelling world, for it’s characters like these that set up the idea in people’s heads on what a female is like and how to treat them. The weaker a female character is developed, the likelihood that idea is going to transcend onto someone’s mind. That’s why it’s cool to see efforts made now than ever before on more female-driven stories; from female characters as the lead in action films, to a female director guiding the way, and in the case of the literary world, female authors writing awesome female characters.

10 Years of Honor and Bending: My Memories of “Avatar: The Last Airbender”

As of recently, I’ve become more open to blogging about storytelling on other mediums besides books. I feel that the more I talk about other stories that are being told in ways beyond the written word, I think it will make for a better attempt at engaging dialogue about such narratives and also to aid myself in becoming more well-rounded in that. My first venture out into doing so- on the television landscape- was when I provided my feedback on “Fresh Off the Boat” the weekend following its premiere. Now, in celebration of the decade since its premiere, I shall devote this post to my thoughts about one of my all-time favorite television series: “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”