What Did I Miss?: December 2021

Published Works

Review of The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki – For Goodreads, I dive into my thoughts surroundings this latest novel from this renowned author and Zen Buddhist priest.

Final Trailer for ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ Teases the Familiar and the Unprecedented – For The Nerds of Color, I point out how a small moment from The Matrix might actually be playing a much more central plot point in the upcoming installment of the franchise.

Dolly Li and Adrian De Leon Make Asian American History Accessible, One Video at a Time – For the Center for Asian American Media, I explore the individual careers of the co-creators of co-hosts of “A People’s History of Asian America,” before collaborating on the PBS mini webseries in the aftermath of the Atlanta shootings.

Sarah Kuhn on Bringing Herself into Her Fiction – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with the author of the Heroine Complex author series on how she made the transition from being an entertainment journalist to writing fiction for a living.

New Heights, Going Solo, and Creating Fanded: A Conversation with Travis Atreo – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with this longtime voice and face of the digital space on his journey so far, as well as his upcoming startup.

Thoughts From Watching ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ For the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I give my take on the first entry into this beloved film franchise in 18 years.

Appearances

NOC Spoiler Chat: ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ – In conversation with Mike Manalo, we discuss our very contrasting opinions about this fourth installment of this film franchise, as we dive deep into the rabbit hole of spoilers.

 

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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!

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.

What Did I Miss?: August 2021

Published Works

‘Reservation Dogs’ Brings Humor and Realness from Indigenous Perspectives – For The Nerds of Color, I give my take on the first two episodes on this new comedy series from FX on Hulu.

Bay Area Native Avantika on Becoming the First South Asian Lead of a Disney Channel Original Movie, “Spin” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the star on the making of this groundbreaking Disney Channel Original Movie.

Review of Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay – For Goodreads, I explore the tender subject matter that this YA author did such a good job of exploring in this very important novel.

Author Katrina Olan Discusses the Making of Mecha-Centric Sci-Fi Novel, ‘Tablay’ – For The Nerds of Color, I conduct the first international coverage on this bestselling sci-fi novel from the Philippines.

Appearances

Strong Asian Lead: Clubhouse – Mixed Asians in Media – I was one of the people featured in this panel discussion about where mixed Asians fit into the ongoing discourse about representation in the media landscape.

The So Weird Podcast Ep. 84 – Family Reunion – Book 1 Review – I make a guest appearance on the latest episode of this “So Weird” fan-run podcast, as we dive into the novelization of the show’s pilot episode.

What Did I Miss?: July 2021

Mentions

Meet Alex Chester | Actor & Editor-in-Chief – I got a shout out from Alex Chester, chief editor of Mixed Asian Media and friend, in a profile that was done about her for Shoutout LA.

Published Works

Anime Expo Lite’s ‘Trese’ Panel Talks Origin Story, International Release, and Anime Adaptation – For The Nerds of Color, I provide coverage on this riveting discussion on how a beloved horror comic series from the Philippines came to be and how it’s not reaching the global audience.

Gwendoline Yeo on Her Return as Nala Se in ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ – For The Nerds of Color, I spoke with another actor from the latest “Star Wars” animated series and the intriguing arch her character is on.

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?: 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.