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?: December 2022

Published Works

New ‘Bad Batch’ Trailer Teases Action Packed, High Stakes Second Season – For The Nerds of Color, I give a glimpse at what’s to come from the upcoming season of the latest “Star Wars” animated series.

Bad Axe Director David Siev on the Making of His American Dream – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with the director of this potential Oscar contender about how this series of home videos eventually morphed into the highly talked about documentary.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘John Wick’ For the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I layout what was going through my head as I watched this Keanu Reeves-led flick for the first time.

What Did I Miss?: October 2022

Published Works

Review of Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala – For Goodreads, I dive into my impressions on the latest installment from Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series.

New Documentary ‘Rising Against Asian Hate’ Captures An Unprecedented Moment – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spoke with the filmmakers of this very important, upcoming documentary.

Background and Filler Stories Unfold in ‘Tales of the Jedi’ – For The Nerds of Color, I discuss my thoughts about this new anthology series set within the “Star Wars” universe.

Appearances

ShoPowSho 104: ‘Dasig’ Creators Kristian Kabuay and Lauren Lola! – My collaborator and I chat with host Patrick Michael Strange a.k.a. Kuya P on the making of our graphic novel-in-progress.

What Did I Miss?: July 2022

Crowfunding Campaigns

Dasig – Philippine Martial Arts Graphic Novel – The graphic novel I’m writing is seeking funding. Please consider being a backer for its Kickstarter campaign.

Published Works

From Kyoshi to Yangchen, F.C. Yee on Chronicling Stories of the Avatars – For the third time for The Nerds of Color, I speak with this New York Times Bestselling author about continuing to tell stories set within this beloved universe.

Livestreams

“Dasig” Discussion – Kristian Kabuay and I discuss the process of writing “Dasig,” my process, my inspirations, etc.

Video Interviews

Interview with Ken Cheung – In a press line interview conducted on behalf of the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with writer Ken Cheung about setting the upcoming comedy movie, “Easter Sunday,” in his hometown.

Interview with Joy Koy – In a press line interview conducted on behalf of the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with actor/comedian Jo Koy about starring in the upcoming, Filipino American-centered comedy, “Easter Sunday.”

What Did I Miss?: April 2022

Published Works

Review of The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel – For Goodreads, I briefly discuss my general thoughts on this historical romance novel.

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Explores the Multiverse with Chaotic, Emotional Range – For The Nerds of Color, I go in-depth on my initial impression of the Daniels’ sci-fi black comedy with heart.

Alexandria Herring’s Adventures in Producing – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with the associate producer for the Try Guys about her experience working in the entertainment industry.

What Did I Miss?: March 2022

Published Works

Depths of Unexpected Emotions Unravel in Kogonada’s ‘After Yang’– For The Nerds of Color, I break down my observations and thoughts about this director’s second feature film.

“Turning Red” Animators on Anime Influences and Working with Domee Shi – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spoke with two Pixar animators on what it was like to work on the studio’s 25th feature film.

Review of Hollywood Heroine by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I go over my general thoughts about the fifth entry into the Heroine Complex series.

Plays

Rainy Day Artistic Collective 2022 | Not in Kansas by Lauren Lola – Following the performances of the Halfway Historical Festival, the director of this very personal play gave it a home on her YouTube channel for audiences to continue to discover and, hopefully, learn from. Inspired by true events, two PhD students from the Philippines are on a road trip to New Orleans, when they experience the opposite of Southern hospitality at a rest stop in Mississippi.

Comics

My Journey with Journals – In collaboration with This Asian American Life, I look back on 20 years of journaling and how much it has shaped my life. (The companion personal essay can be read on the TAAL website.)

Wesley Chan on Re-Envisioning “Shell” Through New Sci-Fi Webseries

I rarely conduct interviews for my website, but when I do, I often center them on writers and storytellers who I either know or admire about their creative process and/or their latest project. This case scenario is particularly exciting for me, as this is a conversation with a filmmaker whose work I’ve come to admire and be inspired by over the years: Wesley Chan.

What Did I Miss?: February 2022

Published Works

Review of Light Years From Home by Mike Chen – For Goodreads, I briefly fan out over – what is now – my favorite novel, by the author known for writing sci-fi with feels.

Review of Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala – For Goodreads, I provide my thoughts on the second book of this Filipino American cozy mystery series.

Why Boba Fett’s Character Development Matters – For The Nerds of Color, I defend the direction that was taken with this iconic “Star Wars” character in the latest, live-action series.

The Authors of “Rise” on Documenting Three Decades of Asian American Pop History – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the three authors of this upcoming, comprehensive book exploring Asian America from the 90’s to the 2010’s.

Review of A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger – For Goodreads, I give a brief rundown on my impression of the sophomore novel of this visionary Lipan Apache writer.

What Did I Miss?: January 2022

Published Works

The Stars of ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ on Being AAPI Leads of a ‘Star Wars’ Production – For The Nerds of Color, I kick off the year with my brief conversation with the two leads of the second-ever, live-action “Star Wars” production (and in a first, that interview can be watched).

Review of Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki – For Goodreads, I very briefly condense my thoughts about this whimsical, sci-fi fantasy from one of the more thoughtful authors out there.

Review of How High We Go In the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu – For Goodreads, I give a run down on this moving yet heavy debut novel.

Sundance Highlights Speculative Storytelling From Southeast Asia – For The Nerds of Color, I spotlight two distinct speculative films from Southeast Asia that made their world premieres at this prestigious film festival.

Mentions

Strong Asian Lead: Mixed Asian Media w/ Alex Chester – Alex Chester shouts me out in her conversation with host Masami Moriya about Mixed Asian Media.

What Did I Miss?: October 2021

Published Works

Official Trailer for Netflix’s ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ Has Arrived – For The Nerds of Color, I announce the trailer for this upcoming film adaptation of an early work from the late Jonathan Larson.

Emma Mieko Candon on Continuing ‘Star Wars: Visions’ in New ‘Ronin’ Novel – For The Nerds of Color, I speak with the author of the continuation of this fan-favorite short film from the “Star Wars: Visions” anthology.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ for the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I break down what was going through my mind as I watched the third installment of this renowned sci-fi franchise.

From Star Wars to Trese: The Kiner Brothers on Composing Music for Today’s TV Landscape – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with this dynamic, music-making duo about growing up mixed-race Filipino American, becoming composers for the TV industry, and making music for shows like “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” and “Trese.”

“Larry: A New Musical” Will Bring the Story of Filipino Labor Activist Larry Itliong to the Stage – For the Center for Asian American Media, I dive into the genesis and development of a musical-in-the-works about the life of activist Larry Itliong.