What Did I Miss?: November 2022

Published Works

Review of Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me by Ralph Macchio – For Goodreads, I briefly give my take on this memoir about the “kid” who played “the Karate Kid.”

NOC Review: When Grogu Met the Soot Sprites – For The Nerds of Color, I do a little write-up on a collaboration between two studios many have been wanting to see together.

Tig Fong on Navigating the World of Stunts and Directing – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak to this “What We Do In the Shadows” director about how they got into directing, as well as navigating the stunt world as a queer, mixed Asian person.

Highlights from the 42nd Hawai’i International Film Festival’s Virtual Program – For The Nerds of Color, by the power I had in whatever I was able to access from the mainland, I give quick glimpse at standout, feature-length films from this film festival’s virtual programming.

Mentions

This Filipino American Life Episode 179 – TFAL Gives Thanks – One of the co-hosts reads aloud an email I had sent, in response to the previous episode of the podcast. It can be heard near the beginning of the episode.

Credits

The Master of Influence with Si-Fu Bruce Lee – I am credited as the photographer behind a photo briefly shown of Daniel Dae Kim speaking at the Vicha Ratanapakdee Way street renaming ceremony.

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What Did I Miss?: November 2020

Appearances

Lumpia with a Vengeance Review – I make a guest appearance on Nerds Rules the World, as Kuya P and I give our non-spoilery thoughts about Patricio Ginelsa’s new film, “Lumpia with a Vengeance.”

Published Works

‘Story Game’ Navigates Celebration of Storytelling Through Odd Plot Choices – For The Nerds of Color, I give my thoughts on this fascinating film, from this year’s lineup for the Hawai’i International Film Festival.

Shannon Lee on Her New Book “Be Water, My Friend” and the Legacy of Her Father Bruce Lee – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spoke with the CEO of the Bruce Lee Family Company about continuing the legacy of the beloved martial artist and philosopher.

‘Water Like Fire’ Explores Life and Loss in Contradictory, Unexpected Ways – For The Nerds of Color, I review this emotionally moving film from this year’s lineup for the Hawai’i International Film Festival.

‘Waikiki’ Doesn’t Pull Any Punches about the Realities of Tourist Hot Spot – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into this sobering look at Honolulu’s tourist hot spot as the closing night film for the Hawai’i International Film Festival.

News

The Short Screenplay Challenge 2020, 1st Round Results – My script, “Small Town Spy,” made Top 15 in my assigned group for the first round of this challenge.

What Did I Miss?: January 2020

Published Works

Review of Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming by Ann Marie Fleming – For Goodreads, I briefly give my general thoughts on this graphic novel adaptation of a favorite animated film.

Review of The Magical Language of Others by EJ Koh – For Goodreads, I give more so of a train of thought on my questions and takeaways from reading this emotional memoir that was born out of a really emotional circumstance.

‘Just Mercy’ Effectively Calls for Justice with Emotional Impact – For The Nerds of Color, I go over my impressions of this powerful film that retells a true story that is still just as timely today.

Review of The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee – For Goodreads, I give my brief thoughts about this first novel of – what is surely to be – an epic series.

Review of The Iron Will of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee – For Goodreads, I briefly discuss my thoughts on this long anticipated follow-up to F.C. Yee’s The Epic Crush of Genie Lo.

What Did I Miss?: December 2019

Appearances

Long Distance Calls Vol. 1 | Long Distance Radio – I was one of many listeners whose voice messages appear in this first volume of Long Distance calls about our experiences in the Filipino diaspora (mine starts around 19:00).

Published Works

Review of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History by Walter Ang – For Goodreads, I give a brief overview on my thoughts on this heavily detailed account about a part of theater history that hasn’t been as thoroughly explored before.

CAAMFest Alumnus Edwin Chang Explores Immigration and Family in Pixar Directorial Debut “Wind” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the writer and director of the latest release from Pixar’s SparkShorts program.

Review of I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story by Anthony Daniels – For Goodreads, I provide a brief rundown on my thoughts about this insightful account into the making of all nine Skywalker saga films from the one person who has been in all of them.

Some Things are Thicker than Blood: The Core Theme of ‘Star Wars’ – For The Nerds of Color, I provide a counter for one of many arguments being made about the latest “Star Wars” film.

Force Healing and Its (Re-)Emergence in ‘Star Wars’ – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into a fan theory I have about the first live-action appearances of Force healing in two recent “Star Wars” productions.

What Did I Miss?: November 2019

Published Works

Doug Jung’s Screenwriting Debut Will Be Available on Disney+ – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into an early work from this “Star Trek” screenwriter, ahead of its availability on Disney’s new streaming service.

‘Jojo Rabbit’ Sends a Timely Message via Satire, Fascism, and War – For The Nerds of Color, I provide my non-spoilery thoughts about the latest feature film from director Taika Waititi.

Review of From Rufio to Zuko by Dante Basco – For Goodreads, I give my input on this informative memoir from someone who’s seen and done a lot in the entertainment industry for over three decades.

The Director and Producer of Pixar’s “Float” Discuss Filipino American Representation and Bringing a Personal Story to Life – For the Center for Asian American Media, I go behind-the-scenes of this groundbreaking short film from Pixar Animation Studio by talking to two of the people that made it what it is today.

Review of Cyber Shogun Revolution by Peter Tieryas – For Goodreads, ahead of its 2020 release, I give a rundown on what I make of this latest entry into the United States of Japan series.

Appearances

About Tita | TFAL Podcast – Over two years after its initial release, an audio essay I did for the This Filipino American Life podcast is now available on their YouTube channel.

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?: August 2019

Published Works

The Timing and Timeliness of ‘Hamilton’ – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into my experience of finally getting to see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical. (This is an altered cross-post of my post that was originally published here.)

Review of The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang – For Goodreads, I manage to write and present a quick overview of my thoughts on the second novel of this page-turning fantasy trilogy.

From “Greetings from Bury Park” to “Blinded by the Light”: The Making of a British Pakistani’s Cinematic Personal Story – For the Center for Asian American Media, I go in-depth on the making of this feel-good, motivating film, by way of conversation with the writer-director and writer.

The Significance of Iko Uwais in ‘Wu Assassins’ – For The Nerds of Color, I point out something special about the lead character of this fantasy-crime-martial arts Netflix series.

Review of Greetings from Bury Park by Sarfraz Manzoor – For Goodreads, I go over my thoughts about the memoir that served as the inspiration for the film, “Blinded by the Light.”

Other News

Chicago theater: ‘The Band’s Visit,’ ‘The Great Leap’ and more previews, openings Aug. 30-Sept. 5 – My Q&A with playwright Lauren Yee was quoted in this listing for her play, “The Great Leap,” in the Chicago Sun-Times. (To read the full interview with her, you can read it here.)