Storyteller, Social Entrepreneur, Artist

Through a creative process of self-discovery and mishaps, I've arrived here as a storyteller, social entrepreneur, and artist. Storytelling encompasses what I do naturally, whether through acting, journalism, narrative filmmaking, or media and event production.
 

I am the founder and CEO of WeXL.org, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to empower and unite through diverse and inclusive storytelling. Unlike most nonprofits, we don't just rely on grants and donations. We also have a social enterprise business model that provides story services to amplify the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As for being an artist, that's a new development. I didn't call myself an artist until recently. Art-making is when I experience complete freedom. When I'm painting, I feel free. When I'm acting, I feel free. When I'm leading my team as we produce the stories we want to produce, and the world needs to see, I feel free. I'm a brown immigrant woman in the land of the free and the brave, and finally, in my life, I know that's me: free and brave.

So the timeline goes: I was born in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 5. I lived in Los Angeles until I moved to New Jersey, where I grew up. I received an undergraduate degree in political science and English from Rutgers University, after which I moved back to California. For the past decade, I've lived in San Francisco, where I met my husband, Michael.