Before I learned how to build a business or write a book, I learned how to love deeply, laugh loudly, and pay attention to life.
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Family and Roots
Family and Roots
I grew up primarily surrounded by my mother’s side of the family. My biological parents divorced when I was about two years old, but I was never short on love — my mom and my maternal grandparents made sure of that.
Family pride ran deep. My grandparents believed that family wasn’t just important — it was everything. My mom was the third of seven siblings, and as one of the first-generation American grandchildren, I was seventh out of twenty-one grandchildren, followed by great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as our family tree continued to grow.
My mom and her siblings were born in the Philippines, and those roots carried into every meal, every tradition, and every gathering. Holidays, birthdays, and family reunions were always crowded, loud, and full of laughter. There was always music, storytelling, and playful teasing — the kind of energy that makes a house feel alive.
Even as we grew older and life began to scatter us, we tried our best to stay connected, especially after my grandfather passed away. When my mom and grandmother later passed, things changed — we all went our separate ways — but those joyful moments from my childhood are the ones I’ll cherish forever.
Dreams and Imagination
Dreams and Imagination
Whenever someone asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” my answers were always big:
Singer. Actor. Model.
But my true passion was always the arts — especially writing, painting, and drawing. That creative spark never left me; it followed me into adulthood and shaped my path toward communication, storytelling, and personal expression.
Art taught me how to see emotion in color, beauty in silence, and stories in the small moments most people overlook.
My Childhood Hero
My Childhood Hero
As kids, we were often asked who our hero was. Many of my friends chose superheroes — and I loved She-Ra like any ’80s kid — but for me, the answer was always simple: my grandfather.
He wasn’t tall, but he was strong and fearless. He had this funny way of saying, “I don’t care,” dramatically, and even as a child, I understood he meant it in the best way — don’t worry about the small things. He took his time with everything — eating, working, living — always with precision and care.
I remember watching him eat slowly and say “Ahhhh” after each sip or bite. When I asked him why, he said, “Because I’m enjoying it.” That stuck with me. He taught me not to rush, to savor life, to find joy even in the smallest moments.
He might not have worn a cape, but he was my real-life hero — strong, calm, and full of quiet wisdom.
“He taught me that strength doesn’t always make noise —
sometimes it’s in patience, kindness, and how you choose to live every day.”
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