Hometown: From the Philippines’ noisy slums of Quezon City, now in Surrey, BC. Yeah baby!
Education and Training: Graduated from Studio 58’s acting program in 2023. I also took some writing workshops from Ins Choi (TV Comedy) and Anosh Irani (Playwriting). Being a writer helped me become a better actor.
I also studied dental science before migrating to Canada, but I wonder why it didn’t help with my theatre performance. I still got the skills to extract teeth though if someone double-dared me to do it.
What influenced you to pursue a career in theatre?
3 things: Lea Salonga, the thrill I got from giving my strict parents a headache, and wanting a cathartic space for my loud creative ideas.
What do you love about theatre?
Being able to live another person’s life for a short time to understand their perspective. I know that theatre ain’t therapy but I love how it helps heal some people’s “inner child”.
Which plays and musicals were you in, and what were your roles?
Select Acting Credits:
- Basyang in Grandma.Gangsta.Guerrilla. (Ruby Slippers Theatre)
- Deviser and Performer in The Gorge (Up in the Air Theatre)
- Connie Wong in A Chorus Line (Studio 58)
- Saltwater Ensemble in East Van Panto: The Little Mermaid (Theatre Replacement)
- Celia Willbond in Blue Stockings (Studio 58)
Upcoming: Staged reading of the second play I’m writing. It’s called Far and Free, a comedic coming of age story about Filipino twins who move to Canada, while navigating their first romantic relationships during the dangerous martial law years in the early 80’s Philippines. It’s an homage to the generation of my mom and flirty aunties. It also has a closeted gay love storyline, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
If you hadn’t become a performer, what might have you pursued professionally?
Oral & maxillofacial surgeon or biomaterials researcher. Or in forensics, where I identify dead bodies through their dental records. I legit love science!
Career goals?
Here are some of my goals that I am actively working toward:
- Establish the first Filipino-Canadian theatre collective in Vancouver that exclusively produces plays in different Philippine languages.
- Act in and write international co-productions of films, or in plays that tour worldwide.
- Be known for well-executed genre-bending shows that feature a fun tomboy character or complex female characters.
- Produce and direct my first feature length documentary within the next decade.
- Score a motion capture and voice over lead role for a kickass video game.
- Never lose my childlike wonder.
Theatre 604 
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