I was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States in 1978. Throughout my life, community involvement has been at the center of everything I do.
As a volunteer with an Asian American film organization, I helped organize a 10-day film festival in Washington, D.C. showcasing Asian American films from around the world. Music has also been an important part of my life and I performed with friends at local farmers markets in Washington, D.C. My volunteer work with the ACLU eventually led me to my current role as Media Specialist and Content Creator at Mid-City Community Advocacy Network (Mid-City CAN) in San Diego.
Mid-City CAN is based in City Heights, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in San Diego. As the organization's sole communications professional, I handle everything from photography and videography to graphic design, website and social media management, and our monthly e-newsletter. Earlier in my career, I worked at USA Today covering sports, where I was among the first Filipino American editors to cover the National Hockey League. The fast-paced newsroom taught me to think creatively, adapt quickly, and tell compelling stories under deadline.
After moving to Los Angeles, I spent five years studying filmmaking and visual storytelling. I later teamed up with a musician friend from the Bay Area to write and co-direct a short film that screened at film festivals, including the LA Shorts Fest. That experience strengthened my passion for visual storytelling and continues to influence the way I approach photography today.
Photography has become the perfect way to combine my passion for storytelling with my commitment to community. When I'm not working, you'll often find me documenting life across San Diego, especially at protests and community demonstrations. I don't just photograph these events. I participate in them. Being part of the community allows me to build trust with the people I photograph, and I believe that connection comes through in my images.
One of the most rewarding parts of my photography is reconnecting people with moments that matter to them. After posting protest photos online, I often hear from individuals who recognize themselves in my work. One single mother reached out after seeing a photograph of herself and her young daughter at their first protest together. She told me the image captured a milestone they would always cherish, and I was honored to send her the full-resolution photo. Experiences like that remind me that photography is more than documenting events. It preserves personal histories, strengthens community, and creates lasting connections.
