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.

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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.

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?: August 2022

Published Works

New Looks and Release Date for ‘Andor’ – For The Nerds of Color, I share the new glimpses and news of the postponed release date for the upcoming “Star Wars” live-action series.

Samantha Futerman’s ‘From Here’ Explores Anti-Asian Hate From Korean Adoptee’s Lens – For The Nerds of Color, I spotlight this thoughtful and important short film from this Korean American actor and filmmaker.

Review of The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee – For Goodreads, I give a brief rundown on my thoughts about the latest novel set in the world of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

Dino-Ray Ramos Looks at Favorite Shows Through Fresh Eyes in New ‘Problematic Fave’ Podcast – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the host of this new podcast about how it came to be, the discussion held in each episode, and long-term goals for it.

Livestreams

“Dasig” IG Live with Kristian Kabuay – Due to technical difficulties from last month, Kristian and I redo our conversation about our graphic novel-in-progress, this time for Instagram.

“Dasig” IG Live with Mixed Asian Media – I talk about the making of “Dasig” and the significance it holds for me with my friend and MAM chief editor, Alex Chester.

The Act of Screenwriting Exercises

This is another one of those things where you will already know if you follow me on social media. However, in case you don’t, let me just say that I really enjoyed the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” limited series this past month. I loved the journey that this beloved character went through, and despite the hiccups along the way, it didn’t deter my otherwise full blown enjoyment for it. In terms of adding to long-existing story, it was inspiring to me as a writer — so much to where during the show’s run, I started adding to the story myself.

What Did I Miss?: June 2022

Short Films

Interview with an Aswang (Short Film) – Originally written and produced in 2021, a college student interviews her aswang friend about what her life is like for a class assignment.

Published Works

Filmmaker Soma Helmi on Bringing AAPI Leads and Indonesian Mythologies to “The Angkasa Legacy” – For Mixed Asian Media, I spoke with this writer and director about the making of this sci-fi romance and the importance of Indonesian representation.

Notable Little Moments and Details from ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into the “fractals” that caught my attention in this “Star Wars” limited series.

An Additional Notable Little Detail from ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ – For The Nerds of Color, I explore an additional “fractal” I had accidentally left off of my list exploring them from the latest “Star Wars” live-action series.

Reflection on a Celebration of “Star Wars” Stories

(Before I dive into today’s topic, I do want to acknowledge the fact that yes, I am aware that it’s been about a month since I did one of my regular blog posts. That was unplanned, but trust me when I say that I have a really good reason for doing so. Aside from work having been busier than usual at my day job, I also have been hard at work on a project I am writing. It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but stay tuned. Something is coming very soon.)

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?: November 2021

Published Works

Changes Are Coming for the Underworld in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ Trailer – For The Nerds of Color, I hype up our first official look at the second-ever “Star Wars” live-action series.

Thoughts (and Just Thoughts) from Watching ‘The Animatrix’ for the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I give a mini review for each of the shorts that make up this anthology film from the world of “The Matrix.”

TV Spots and Poster Art Galore for ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ – For The Nerds of Color, I highlight the hype that’s starting to build up for the second-ever “Star Wars” live-action series.

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.