Mixed Pinoy Pride Panel: Recommended Viewing

Happy Filipino American History Month everyone!

I’ve written about this before, but for those who need a refresher or who otherwise don’t know, Filipino American History Month is a time dedicated to acknowledging the Filipino Americans who’ve helped build and change the United States of America for the better. It’s more than just celebrating the traditions that have been passed down by our ancestors, so please, please refrain from calling it Filipino American Heritage Month. It’s not the same thing!

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What Did I Miss?: September 2021

Published Works

Mixed Motivations for Martial Arts – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with mixed-race Asians who practice martial arts and other forms of combat and their motivations for doing so.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ For the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I give a rundown of what was going through my mind during various moments of this first follow-up to “The Matrix.”

Review of Tablay by Katrina Olan – For Goodreads, I briefly recapture my thoughts on this epic sci-fi novel from the Philippines.

Poster and Premiere Date Announced for ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ – For The Nerds of Color, I give a quick news bite about when to expect the release of this upcoming live-action “Star Wars” production.

Other Works

Q&A with The Mandalorian’s Diana Lee Inosanto – For Mixed Asian Media Fest, I interviewed the seasoned actor, filmmaker, and martial artist about the making of her 2008 independent film, “The Sensei.”

Appearances

Mixed Pinoy Pride Panel co-presented by ShoPowSho – I hopped on this panel discussion with Michaela Ternasky-Holland and Patrick Michael Strange as part of Mixed Asian Media Fest, where we discussed our thoughts and experiences of being both mixed-race and Filipino.

Coming in September: Mixed Asian Media Fest

So something I’ve been working on throughout the year is now a few short weeks away from happening, and in this announcement, there are multiple components to it. Allow me to walk you through them:

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.)

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?: June 2020

Published Works

The Ongoing Legacy of Anna May Wong: Hollywood’s First Asian American Star – For the Center for Asian American Media, I dive into the recent interest in the legacy of this early Hollywood ground breaker, as well as works done about her in the past.

Appearances

Share Your Hapa Story: Lauren Lola – 6 Degrees of Hapa re-shares a feature done about me and my experience as a mixed race Asian American. (The original Instagram post from 2017 can be seen here.)

What Did I Miss?: May 2020

Published Works

Director Alice Wu and Actor Leah Lewis on the Whole Story of Making “The Half of It” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I give a glimpse at the making of Alice Wu’s first film since “Saving Face” and how the lead actor landed and approached the project.

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?: 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.

What Did I Miss?: May 2019

Published Works

Review of This Is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila – For Goodreads, I give my general impression on this debut collection that gives a very real look at Hawaii.

Actor Charles Melton Discusses Filming “The Sun Is Also a Star” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with the “Riverdale” star as he gives me a deep analysis of his role in the upcoming teen drama.

Review of Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen – For Goodreads, I give a brief rundown of my thoughts on this debut novel that will surely tug on the heartstrings.

Actress Nichole Bloom Discusses Her Journey to “Superstore” at CAAMFest 37 – For the Center for Asian American Media, I did a cover story on the conversation with one of the lead actors of the NBC hit series on how she got her start and her journey in acting.

The Stars and Director of “Always Be My Maybe” on Creative Collaboration and Love for San Francisco – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Nahnatchka Khan to discuss the making of this upcoming Netflix rom-com.

Review of I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I go over my general impressions of this author’s first venture into the YA genre.

Appearances

defining the fil-am identity with lauren lola – I was recently interviewed for a feature profile for Asienne Magazine. I talk about living life as a mixed race Filipino American, my journey as a writer, and my desire to collaborate with Wong Fu Productions on a short film one day.