Growing up I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of science and art married together. Quite literally, my parents are both brilliant medical doctors — the two met in medical school — although my father is also a passionate musician, and my mother a vibrant artist. I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, where I lived in two homes, moved to Los Angeles, California at sixteen, and attended college in Syracuse, New York for four years. Amidst constant change and movement in my life, I've gained memories, friends, and family from all over the world, all near & dear to my heart.

But having traveled and accumulated a diverse array of perspectives also means that I am always curious about the world around me, constantly seeking and absorbing what makes each person so distinct or special, how the universe works, and the meaning of life. I love hearing stories about people and the world, in the same way that I love expressing my story to communities around me and in which I belong.

So let me tell you my story.

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Since I was young, I’ve connected with the world through art, philosophy, and logic. I'd spent my days writing poetry, playing piano, solving analytical problems (yes, for fun!), performing science experiments, directing theatrical productions, producing short films, exploring graphic design, and reading about astrophysics. And in the two decades I’ve lived thus far, I’ve learned quite a lot about myself and others. In my pursuit for understanding both the tangible and what is not, art is how I channel this curiosity, because it is also the art I experience daily that inspires me to look for meaning in everything I do and see.