My work explores identity, belonging, and rejection—their inherent power and the rippling effects they have on families, communities, and the world. As a Filipina-American, I merge personal experience with indigenous Philippine materials to examine how patriarchy, misogyny, consumerism, and colonialism carve deeply into both the human spirit and the land itself.

Through meticulous hand-sewing and labor-intensive processes, I create space for reflection on the destructive nature of these power structures—how they erode authenticity and sever our connection to our roots and the Earth. My practice is a means of reaching back to my indigenous ancestors, reviving and strengthening that lost bond.
 

Capiz shells and quilting hold deep significance in my work. Capiz, or windowpane oysters, appear delicate and translucent, yet they possess an unexpected resilience—much like people, whose true nature is only revealed upon closer inspection. Quilting, deeply rooted in American traditions, particularly within white and African-American communities, has little presence in Filipino or Filipino-American culture. By incorporating capiz shells into my quilts, I create a new visual and cultural language—one that speaks to the experience of being neither fully of one land nor the other, forging a path that bridges histories and redefines tradition.