"If we can get more stories and people who can make differences, such as authors writing OwnVoices stories, I think we…"

"The most Filipino thing about me is the way I look. Having grown up essentially in American culture, for the longest …"

"So the biggest lesson for me was to write what you want. People are going to have their opinions—good and bad. The re…"

"I’ve always looked at life through the lens of a non-Filipino."

"I always wanted to be an author. I thought it was the coolest job. As a child of immigrant parents, it wasn't ever so…"

"I considered myself white, having grown up essentially American but with Filipino parents. I don’t speak with an acce…"

"Like many American born Asian-Americans, I wanted to assimilate as a child. I wanted to fit in. As I grew older, I re…"

"...There is a lack of diversity in publishing—authors and books—so if you want to write that book about growing up as…"

"I try not to look up to people who are Filipino for the sake of their nationality. There seems to be a shortage of di…"

"Make believe is much more entertaining and enjoyable than real life. More fantastical things can happen in make believe."