What Did I Miss?: May 2022

Published Works

More AAPI Supernatural Recommendations for Fans of Disney’s ‘So Weird’ – For The Nerds of Color, I bring a second iteration of supernatural (and some sci-fi) content, creating by and about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, for those who grew up on the ’90s Disney Channel original series.

The Pinays on the Rise Artists Delve into Their Origin Stories and Music – For the Center for Asian American Media, I get to know the three up-and-coming artists who make up the roster for this CAAMFest 40 music showcase.

The Cast and Crew of ‘The Bad Batch’ Reflect on Season 1 and Tease Season 2 – For The Nerds of Color, I bring coverage of what was talked about and revealed at the panel for the latest “Star Wars” animated series at Star Wars Celebration.

A Look Back at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, From a Certain Point of View – For The Nerds of Color, I reflect on my first experience attending this highly anticipated yet long delayed fan convention.

Appearances

Mifits Ep. 10 | Being Filipino and Proud, Contemplating the Complexities of Asian Identities, and Writing Science Fiction with Lauren Lola – Host Annie Prafcke and I chat about my experience growing up as a multiracial Filipino American in the San Francisco Bay Area, coming to terms with my Filipino identity, my life as a writer, and “The Matrix.”

Videography Work

The Stars Come Out for ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ on the Star Wars Celebration Red Carpet – These are press line interviews conducted following the Lucasfilm Showcase at Star Wars Celebration for The Nerds of Color. Interviews conducted by Laura Sirikul, filmed by me, and edited by Keith Chow.

On the Red Carpet with the Stars of Mando+: ‘Ahsoka,’ ‘The Mandalorian,’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ – Here is another crop of press line interviews done for The Nerds of Color at Star Wars Celebration, this time for the Mandalorian+ panel. Interviews conducted by Laura Sirikul, filmed by me, and edited by Keith Chow.

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5 Years of Playwriting

There is a series from PBS called “The First Twenty,” where it explores significant, altering events within the first two decades of the 21st century. One of the episodes, “20 Years of Asian American Playwriting,” interviews playwrights – from David Henry Hwang to Lauren Yee – about how Asian American playwriting has evolved.

8 Years of Lola By the Bay and 2021 Year in Review

For those who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas! For those who don’t, I hope you have a really good day anyway.

I can’t believe it’s been this long since the formation of my little corner of cyberspace already. It’s grown to be the virtual hub that I’ve always wanted for myself, and then some. I created the website to make it easy, for those who don’t already follow me on social media, to keep up with writing projects I have going on, as well as what’s on my mind on a (mostly) week-to-week basis. Looking back on my posts over the last 11 months, I think I’ve started to notice just how blatant and honest I’m becoming about both where I am in my journey as a writer, as well as the things that I truly care about.

What Did I Miss?: May 2021

Published Works

AAPI Supernatural Recommendations for Fans of Disney’s ‘So Weird’ – For The Nerds of Color, I go through a list of recommended material across mediums, created by and starring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, for those who grew up on Disney Channel’s ’90’s supernatural series.

Dante Basco Looks Back and Forward at His Career in Storytelling – For the Center for Asian American Media, I once again find myself speaking with this beloved Filipino American actor, as he goes over his career so far and what is ahead for him.

Review of Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala – For Goodreads, I give my take on my first dive into the cozy mystery genre, starring a Filipino American protagonist.

Netflix Gives First Look at ‘Trese’ Anime Series – For The Nerds of Color, I hype up the release of the trailer, as well as the announcement of the cast and release date, of this highly anticipated anime adaptation.

Review of From Little Tokyo, with Love by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I go over how this latest novel from this author really hit home for me, in more ways than one.

Appearances

ShoPowSho 036: Author/Writer Lauren Lola – I am the latest featured guest on this Filipino American-focused podcast, where I discuss my journey both as a writer and as a mixed-race Filipino American. (Full description can be found here on The Nerds of Color.)

Re-Introduction in Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States, where the entire duration of the month is devoted in recognizing the history, culture, and achievements of people from the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. While this annual, month-long celebration has been going on for a couple of decades now, I think it’s fair to say that this year’s will really be one of the first ones where people outside the communities are actually paying attention and learning about the history, in light of the hate crimes that have been happening for over a year now. I’m always going to be dismayed that it took a massacre for the general public to start paying attention to what has been happening, but the positive is that at least they’re finally paying attention. We’ve been here for a long time and we’re not going anywhere.

What Did I Miss?: March 2021

Appearances

180 Seconds, 5 Artists – Co-produced by Tara Mercene (co-director of Breath of Writing), I am one of five artists featured in this short video from Rappler, in honor of National Arts Month.

Published Works

Kelly Marie Tran On Being the Voice of Raya in Disney’s First Animated Film Set in Southeast Asia – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spoke with the star of the latest Disney animated film about bringing the character to life during the pandemic, as well as the history the film is making and the timing of its release.

The Perseverance of Diana Lee Inosanto and Becoming Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth – For Hapa Mag, I speak with the accomplished actor and martial artist about her experience filming for The Mandalorian, as well as her work as a stunt actor and how she created opportunities for herself.

NOC Presents: A SEA Conversation about ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ – For The Nerds of Color, I bring together all the Southeast Asian writers of the outlet together for a conversation regarding our thoughts on Disney’s Southeast Asian-inspired film.

Review of All of This is for You by Ruby Jones – For Goodreads, I give a brief overview of this unexpectedly timely book from this contemporary New Zealand visual artist.

Review of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro – For Goodreads, I give an in-depth analysis on the latest novel from this renowned British author.

Patrick Clanton on the Evolution of Behind the Magic YouTube Channel – For The Nerds of Color, I do a follow-up interview with this innovative content creator on how his passion project has grown over the last few months.

Review of Home in a Hundred Places by Sarah Dayan Mueller – For Goodreads, I briefly share my thoughts on this long awaited second novel from this thoughtful indie author.

What Did I Miss?: December 2020

Published Works

Hiromi Kamata On Growing Up with Selena’s Music and Directing Netflix’s Biopic Series – For The Nerds of Color, I spoke with one of the directors of the first season of this new series about how it came together.

Kimiko Guthrie on Her Career in Dancing and Writing Block Seventeen – For Hapa Mag, I speak with this Bay Area author about growing in Berkeley in the 1970s, her work in the dance world, and about the process of writing her debut novel.

Raya and the Navigation of Asian America as a Mixed-Race Filipino American – For Hapa Mag, I dive deep into my excitement for this upcoming Disney animated feature film, after years of going about Asian America as both a mixed-race and Filipino American woman.

Three Characters Lauren Mary Kim Performed Stunts for in ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2 – For The Nerds of Color, I go over the characters this former interviewee performed stunts for in the most recent season of this live-action series from a galaxy far, far away.

Appearances

#Kollab2020 Alumni Staff Highlight – Ahead of Kollaboration’s 20th anniversary celebration, I was featured as one of many former staff members, where I talk about my experience being a part of the organization and how it has changed my life. (Facebook version available here.)

NOCs of the Roundtable: Goodbye 2020 – As we close out this horrendous year, the people behind this pop culture outlet come together to discuss their favorite nerdy moments from the year.

Readings

SCI-FI Festival Best Scene Reading: An Absolute Mind by Lauren Lola – WILDsound’s Fantasy/Sci-Fi Film & Writing Festival produces an audio-only reading of one of my favorite scenes from the screenplay adaptation of my second novel of the same name.

What Did I Miss?: April 2020

Appearances

A Tigertail Commentary Panel – I am one of four women featured in this panel, discussing Alan Yang’s film directorial debut, “Tigertail.”

Calls from the Frontlines | Long Distance Radio – I make another audio appearance on this podcast, as I call in to share how I’m doing during the shelter-in-place order during the COVID-19 pandemic ( you can hear me starting at 45:24).

Published Works

The Producers of “Asian Americans” Look Back on the Making of the Documentary Series – For PBS, I interview several of the producers about the making of this five-part documentary series.

“Asian Americans” Producers Hope for Enlightening Experience During COVID-19 Crisis – For PBS, I interview several of the producers of this five-part documentary series about releasing it during this pivotal time in history.

Review of “The Boba Book: Bubble Tea and Beyond” by Andrew Chau, Bin Chen, and Richard Parks III – For Goodreads, I provide my thoughts about this book that, in the best possible ways, is part cook book, part cultural analysis, part success story, and part  memoir.

The Lessons Learned and To Be Learned from Darren Criss in ‘Hollywood’ – For The Nerds of Color, I do a dive into Darren Criss’s role in this latest Ryan Murphy creation, how he has come to understand his privilege as a white-passing, mixed race Filipino American, and why I hope the Asian American community at large will learn a thing or two from his character’s arc.

What Did I Miss?: October 2019

Published Works

Dante Basco Dives into His Career So Far in ‘From Rufio to Zuko’ – For The Nerds of Color, I speak with this recognizable face and voice from both mainstream pop culture and Asian American independent cinema about the making of his upcoming memoir.

Paola Mardo Gets Ready to Dive Deeper into the Filipino Diaspora in the Second Season of “Long Distance” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I chat with this prolific podcast producer once more about what’s to come of the second season of her documentary podcast series.

Author Rebecca Roanhorse Makes Her ‘Star Wars’ Universe Debut with ‘Resistance Reborn’ – For The Nerds of Color, I spoke with this Nebula Award-winning author about writing her upcoming novel set in the galaxy far, far away.

What Did I Miss?: September 2019

Published Works

Actor Will Yun Lee Has Been Making Strides in Hollywood For Two Decades – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spoke with the “Good Doctor”/”Altered Carbon” star on his journey as an Asian American actor in Hollywood.

‘Abominable’ Brings All the Charm in This Magical, Heartfelt Adventure – For The Nerds of Color, I give a spoiler-free overview of my thoughts from watching this upcoming Dreamworks and Pearl Studio co-production.

Review of Anime Supremacy by Mizuki Tsujimura – For Goodreads, I go over my thoughts on this dynamic novel that gives a glimpse at the chaotic anime industry.

Review of Frankly in Love by David Yoon – For Goodreads, I discuss my thoughts about this heartfelt, YA romance debut novel.

How Disney’s ‘So Weird’ Deepened My Connection to My Filipino Side – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into how this 90’s Disney Channel series has had an unexpected effect on me this past year.

Review of Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli – For Goodreads, I give my latest impressions on a novel I grew up with, ahead of the film adaptation’s release.

Christopher Sean Talks About Being the First Asian American Lead of “Star Wars” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I dive into this overlooked first for the “Star Wars” universe, as I speak with the lead actor of “Star Wars Resistance.”

Other News

Critics are calling “Abominable” “absolutely gorgeous” – My review of “Abominable” was quoted by Dreamworks Animation for promo leading up to the film’s release.