What Did I Miss?: May 2022

Published Works

More AAPI Supernatural Recommendations for Fans of Disney’s ‘So Weird’ – For The Nerds of Color, I bring a second iteration of supernatural (and some sci-fi) content, creating by and about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, for those who grew up on the ’90s Disney Channel original series.

The Pinays on the Rise Artists Delve into Their Origin Stories and Music – For the Center for Asian American Media, I get to know the three up-and-coming artists who make up the roster for this CAAMFest 40 music showcase.

The Cast and Crew of ‘The Bad Batch’ Reflect on Season 1 and Tease Season 2 – For The Nerds of Color, I bring coverage of what was talked about and revealed at the panel for the latest “Star Wars” animated series at Star Wars Celebration.

A Look Back at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, From a Certain Point of View – For The Nerds of Color, I reflect on my first experience attending this highly anticipated yet long delayed fan convention.

Appearances

Mifits Ep. 10 | Being Filipino and Proud, Contemplating the Complexities of Asian Identities, and Writing Science Fiction with Lauren Lola – Host Annie Prafcke and I chat about my experience growing up as a multiracial Filipino American in the San Francisco Bay Area, coming to terms with my Filipino identity, my life as a writer, and “The Matrix.”

Videography Work

The Stars Come Out for ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ on the Star Wars Celebration Red Carpet – These are press line interviews conducted following the Lucasfilm Showcase at Star Wars Celebration for The Nerds of Color. Interviews conducted by Laura Sirikul, filmed by me, and edited by Keith Chow.

On the Red Carpet with the Stars of Mando+: ‘Ahsoka,’ ‘The Mandalorian,’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ – Here is another crop of press line interviews done for The Nerds of Color at Star Wars Celebration, this time for the Mandalorian+ panel. Interviews conducted by Laura Sirikul, filmed by me, and edited by Keith Chow.

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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.

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?: 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.)

5 Things I Haven’t Written, But Would Like To

Ever since I made the decision several years ago to start taking my writing more seriously, I’ve managed to have written quite a number of projects since then. I’ve written novels, short fiction, plays, films, and the occasional poem or two. However, there is still so much more that I have not written that I would like to try my hand at eventually, and a lot of those mediums are collaborative. As I’ve been told time and time again, the first step to making something happen is by putting it out into the universe. Therefore, I would like to take today to run through five things I have not written, but would like to someday:

Re-Introduction in Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States, where the entire duration of the month is devoted in recognizing the history, culture, and achievements of people from the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. While this annual, month-long celebration has been going on for a couple of decades now, I think it’s fair to say that this year’s will really be one of the first ones where people outside the communities are actually paying attention and learning about the history, in light of the hate crimes that have been happening for over a year now. I’m always going to be dismayed that it took a massacre for the general public to start paying attention to what has been happening, but the positive is that at least they’re finally paying attention. We’ve been here for a long time and we’re not going anywhere.