OUR NARRATIVES

Q: When did choosing Joy make a difference in your life?

​

A: I chose joy when I decided to pursue acting. Growing up, my parents had groomed me to be a doctor and I thought that was the path I was going to go down. However when I sat in my chemistry class and couldn't care less about bonds, but would look forward to rehearsals for my student show, I realized then that I needed to choose joy and live for joy. We only have one take for this lifetime, why not choose joy every single day?

Q: What is your favorite way to celebrate yourself?

A: To sing and dance with deep breath and barefoot!

​

Q: How would you like to change the narrative society has given AAPI people?

A: I would like to be a person who shares the joy of embracing and loving each of our own uniqueness.

Q: What were the setbacks you felt as an AAPI actor, and how did you overcome them?

A:Language barrier (as an actor with ESL), Talk with native speakers, Watching movies, Watching shows, Taking accent deduction classes.

​

Q: When did choosing joy make a difference in your life?

A: As a actor, we face many ups and downs and probably more rejections than approvals. It’s incredibly challenging and mentally exhausting. But when I decide to chose joy, It changes my perspective to see everything. I realized I can focus on what I can control.

Q: What were the setbacks you felt growing up as AAPI?

​

A: I definitely was a victim of bullying as a child and while I didn’t see it then, I realize now that it wasn’t only because I was the new kid in class but because I was a freshly immigrated young Asian boy that was too nice for his own good and was too afraid to overstep his young role in American society. Today, I use this knowledge to empower the younger generation to always dream big and ignore those determined to slow your amazing trajectory to greatness. As an AAPI artist who made it from the poor streets of Manila, Philippines to Broadway NYC, truly nothing is impossible.

Q: How would you like to change the narrative society has given AAPI people?

​

A: I just think it's important for people who happen to be Asian American to get out there and show the world all of your value and individual talents. Lumping together a single perception that applies to all AAPI, is lazy and dangerous, but a fact. This will only change when we actively work to help others see us for all the unique, brilliant and disfunctinal qualities we all have that make us people, just like every other human.

This is your Team Member description. Use this space to write a brief description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.

This is your Team Member description. Use this space to write a brief description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.

This is your Team Member description. Use this space to write a brief description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.