For the 35th anniversary of North York Community House, we had a night filled with so much joy! Although I haven't worked here for years, NYCH always feels like home. Settlement workers have the warmest hearts for sure. ❤

On Saturday, Nov. 1st, from 1:00-2:00, I'll be co-hosting a workshop at Barbara Frum Public Library with Ysh Cabaña and Diana Roldan, my fellow tour guides of Toronto's Little Manila! We've been running tours since 2016, and we have lots to share. Free tickets: www.eventbrite.ca/e/how-toront...

I won the Excellence in Arts and Culture Award for my debut novel, Reuniting with Strangers!  Maraming salamat to the Golden Balangay Awards committee for giving us a wonderful way to celebrate Filipino leadership across Canada. This award is dedicated to the 1200+ Filipino Talks youth!

On September 9th, 2023, my debut novel, Reuniting with Strangers, went out into the world. Ever since then, I've been on the most incredible journey-- one that I truly didn't expect! Looking back at the last two years, I'm so filled with gratitude for everyone who has supported me along the way!

As a Filipino-Canadian author, I've repeatedly seen how OMNI News Filipino has always been a powerful conduit to help amplify our creative voices. The power of the ethnic press! Salamat to Patrick Dooc and the FilCan Creative team for putting this event together. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBeA...

For the first time, a LiterASIAN event is taking place in Ottawa! On Monday, September 15, 7:00-8:30, come celebrate Asian-Canadian authors at Perfect Books, 258A Elgin Street. Grateful for the support of Canada Council for the Arts, LiteraSIAN, ACWW, the Writers' Union of Canada & more!

Loved making this little video featuring one of our amazing volunteers! Diane's positive energy totally shines through.

So glad that in my day job, I get to use my writing skills to help refugees who are new to Canada!

Last month, while on our big family trip around the Mediterranean, JC and I snuck away for a day to reunite with Ilknur, my Turkish coworker from my School Settlement Worker days, and her husband, Ulvi. It was so special to tour Kuşadası, Milet, and Tuzburgazı with them! 🧿

Tonight, there will be a vigil in the Peace Garden just west of Toronto’s City Hall. If you can come, bring flowers and candles, wear black, and come with an open heart ❤️

The Lapu Lapu Day tragedy will be forever remembered by the Filipino-Canadian community; it has truly shaken all of us. This is what we know about the man responsible for this devastation. vancouversun.com/news/driver-...

Thankful to CBC Books for including Reuniting with Strangers on this list of books for fans of Dandelion! Love seeing my novel beside Sharon Bala’s book, The Boat People. Back when my story was a manuscript waiting to be unearthed from my laptop, Sharon was such a source of encouragement.

Ontario friends, please vote today!

It's Pinoys on Parliament weekend-- the annual conference of Fil-Can university students! As I head to Ottawa, I can't help but reminisce about my first Pinoys on Parliament back in 2020-- the last event I attended before the pandemic hit, making this conference feel like a dream.

My Valentine's Day present to myself was that I deactivated my X account. Happy to try out this platform with you! If you're interested in the Filipino-Canadian community / if you liked reading Reuniting with Strangers / if you're an author / if you're kind, thoughtful & funny, let's be friends!