Out of the Imaginary

I asked her if she could face me, hold my hands, and look deeply into my eyes. She scoffed and laughed. This was the end result. • #candid #lasvegas #marriedlife (at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsDEI9sBjCvXbfQgg03Fw-F9mfhRb4I8FGTjLU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u0e3zuxisptf

We BEEN ready for this season. I enjoy Christmas and the holidays now more than ever because life gets difficult with displaced frustration, looming deadlines, and learning curves. This season allows me time to breathe and genuinely appreciate happiness with family, friends, and community. Besides the colonized becoming of Christmas, I can do with a Santa hat and jingle bells music all day e’ry day. • #selfcare #christmaswaspagan #knowhistory #timetobreathe #happyholidays #santaclaus #santahat #groundhogday #merrychristmas (at Rideback) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrUKDkThGaW0EO6en0BHMl5JOGx8fqB7ct7KKg0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e07fyd789rzv

Long ago, friends said I hella look like this. Any resemblance? Created by @justinbua. • #justinbua #dj #hiphop #wishicoulddj #4elements https://www.instagram.com/p/BrS9FmiBuwJXlGAv4F3vfE1c9vQwnBmJaAyu2M0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13y9fbe9wjlln

Yo. “Sorry to bother you, but can I take a photo with you?” Met @bootsriley today from the Bay to LA. He’s hella chill. • #bootsriley #solosangeles #bay2la #goodmorning #sorrytobotheryou (at LAX) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrOKtO_hwBuMu8kQaiJNgA3wwZcAVjjG1zuEZ40/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fj07u4hbjc9i

Best friendship is like we never left. Happy engagement to the love birds, @sojournr and @ezraella_ella_ella! Cannot wait to celebrate with y’all next year. Whatever you need, got you. • #foshopho #goodtimes #fremont #fulloflife #projector (at Pho Saigon Noodle Grill) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrMZlCYBF5KdvpR94GtCTXx637h56Q_Aby2fbU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nq9fnq8rleaf

Growing up, dad spoke little about his side of the family. The part of my last name, Gana. Today, I met titos, titas, cousins and first cousins once removed for the first time. Some, I didn’t remember because I was too makulit as a child. Many still are not pictured here from the Bay, Texas, and back to Cavite, Philippines. Not every family is perfect and healthy, including mine. But I try my best to make the most out of these moments because time is a fickle thing. • #familypictures #happyholidays #hellafilipino #timeflies #ifyouwantlove (at Fort McKinley Restaurant, Bar & Banquet) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrL-n_LBRvPdVZRW5ip8LYiXNL_GJT6ULmCrko0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h6f4457k6cu6

Girls’ trip for two weeks. Although I’m not home often, I will miss y’all. See you two later in Vegas. 🙌🏾 (at Oakland International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrI5RllhH_beEySMG-XwsgLD-xx31wmy3P4cHs0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11w72di1y70l1

One fall, one rise. #IsangBagsak (at Rideback) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrFQQA-Be4kSBZdwhEXGg8uus2W5QYyN-cG5AM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dkcx31tpcr1a

Meet ALGEE. Today, I became dually certified as an instructor in Youth Mental Health First Aid AND Adult MHFA. Contact me if you would like to schedule a training for you and your group in the community. I got you. • #MHFA #MentalHealth #Awareness #Koala (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoNw6LHBGKH5dzkvQDgMQwcZMYMyv8ghmixldA0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fdbb7ktsynyt

De-stigmatize mental health. Going to therapy is the best decision I’ve ever made. • #MHFA #HistoricFilipinotown #SelfCare #NextSteps (at Filipino American Service Group Inc) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoIZ9-hB1G6x1bFyu5uW48yD4tq1KNIFZ4RWb40/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=139pdmdiid4oj

Before graduating from USC, I started the Express Line of @usctroyphi. Still going. Proud of my adings supporting the @tnproject family. • #hellafilipino #expressline #troyphilippines #tuesdaynightcafe #alwayswantedtodothis #growing (at Tuesday Night Project) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnVdnQ0hOF-buRiwM9VwxosMGrZCi4rGIGaEsE0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b6eshwxek0os

Harder than an ulo. • #TBT #Seattle #ThrowbackThursday #BestFriends #AriesConnection #Filipino #Pilipinx #MatigasAngUlo (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnIhIbtB2dJ1pvLmAeObNrcD2FPbQA2uzp1jJI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xrkwwkhmqlzu

Lived up to the hype. • #bobaguys #sanfrancisco #home #strawberryfresca #allgood #lookslikeananteater #enjoyingwhatsleftofsummer (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnCR_aSBrJPRModc51QZuAdw9Wxwltnu4vhN280/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q7rtiot555r8

Sometimes, it’s meant to be. After running into Carlos at the I-Hotel, it was an honor to meet the people’s poet, Tony Robles. Thankful for them being so welcoming to my kasamas @kmb_la. That instant feeling of community building makes me miss home, but there’s a reason why moments like these happen. From the Bay to Los Angeles, let’s continue to build. • #ihotel #poetry #pilipinx #filipino #spokenword #community #Bay2LA (at International Hotel (San Francisco))

After all these years building in the community, I found out we both went to the same grade school, St. Edward’s in Newark. Just different years. Same teachers like Ms. Pacheco (RIP), Sister Elizabeth, Ms. Priego, and Student Council. SAY WHAT. • #smallworld #catholicschool #dontmisstheuniforms #steds #bayarea #eastbay #hellafilipino #fbf #bay2la (at Wolf & Crane)

End of the chapter is the beginning of the next. • #puertovallarta #selfcare #forthefuture #postgrad #makemoves (at Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco)

FULL after beef belly on beef belly. So proud of my adings! • #koreatown #usctroyphi #aycekoreanbbq #bay2la #family #expressline (at Bud Namu Korean BBQ)