Join me in D.C. from April 6-8 for the National Summit for Human Rights and Democracy in the Philippines. I will be a speaker at the Defending Press Freedom panel.
Read MorePersonal
One Night at Arundel Mills Live! Casino & Hotel
One night at Live! Casino and Hotel in Baltimore. My review.
Read MoreThe Arrest of Maria Ressa and the Rise of Illiberal Democracy in the Philippines
Aesthetic Distance condemns the recent arrest of Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, co-founder and CEO of online news outlet, Rappler, and a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's regime.
Read MoreThe Backlash Against Marie Kondo is So Stupid (and Racist)
Have we really progressed as a society when it comes to how we view Asian women? What is really behind the backlash against (very benign, very gentle, very sweet) Marie Kondo?
Read MoreThe AASLE 2019 Conference
Yesterday was an amazing experience at the AASLE (African American Student Leadership Experience) conference in DC. I participated in a discussion panel about being an Asian American creative and facilitated a workshop with students from all over the country. I left feeling so inspired and motivated!
Read MoreEvents in January 2019
Happy New Year!! I can’t believe Aesthetic Distance is in its 5th year now! I hope everyone had a wonderful, restful holiday. I know I did. And now I’m ready to get back in action. Here are a few events that I’ll be hosting or am involved in this month.
Read MoreThe Best of 2018: My Greatest Hits
As 2018 comes to an end, I had a look back at everything I wrote, shot, podcasted, and collaborated on this year and boy did I have a lot of projects. I learned so much and met so many amazing people. My brand is constantly evolving to become more and more of a community and providing a perspective not often found in mainstream media. And I wrote A LOT of essays.
Read MoreDecolonize Your Bookshelves
My book club is coming soon. Get ready to decolonize your bookshelf in 2019. I hope to host some great, thought-provoking discussions and open people’s eyes to what they’ve been missing by relegating Asian American writing as “special interest” and therefore, inessential. To us Asians, these works are absolutely necessary to discovering our own identity and liberation.
Read MoreCorporations That Encourage Charitable Giving Are Only Helping Themselves
Since it's Christmas, be wary of any corporation that encourages charity (like Walmart and countless universities across the U.S.). They could just, you know, pay their fucking employees a livable salary.
Read MoreThe Bmore Creatives Gallery Opening: December 13th
Thank you so, so much to The Bmore Creatives for naming me among the city's most influential figures. As part of this recognition, the above portrait of me will be on display on Dooby's gallery wall alongside an inspiring group of other Baltimore makers, artists, and movers and shakers.
Read MoreWe Need To Change Course, But What's That Mean?
During the Trump presidency, many Americans have found themselves desperately trying to not just point out the longstanding problems in our society but actually find pathways to fix them. But what does that mean?
Read MoreComing soon...The Aesthetic Distance Podcast
I’ve been collaborating with so many of my friends and colleagues that I’ve met on this huge project of mine and it’s almost ready for launch! Get ready….
Read MoreKing of the Yees at CenterStage
While the last event was about revitalizing the historic Chinatown neighborhood here in Baltimore, the event at Center Stage was about understanding where your parents came from and in doing so, discovering your own origin story.
Read MoreThe Oscars Have Always Been My Super Bowl And This Year Is No Different, Damnit
Once autumn hits, my interest in going to the movies really starts to pick up. October is the beginning of what many people such as myself refer to as Oscar Season — typically beginning when summer blockbusters wrap up and ending on December 31, which is the eligibility cut-off.
Read MoreWearing More And Going Out More - November Events
Once the sun goes down, I have a hard time staying put. I’ve always been social and love to go out. If you’re like me, here are some events I’m involved in for this month.
Read MoreHappy Glamoween 2018
Halloween is fun because it’s an excuse to wear a ton of makeup and for many of us more flamboyant types, a chance to finally be ourselves. Trust me, the rest of the year, we’re just toning it down.
Read MoreHanging Out In Baltimore - #DitchWithLyft
This month me and Devin Allen are giving up our cars and taking Lyft everywhere we go as part of the #DitchWithLyft campaign, where we use transportation services like Lyft, Zipcar, bike sharing and mass transit to get around as part of a bolder step towards creating a better future for our cities, our planet and the next generation.
Read MoreOctober is Filipino American History Month
If you follow me on Instagram (especially my Instagram Stories, where it ALL goes down), Twitter or Facebook, then you know that October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM) and across the nation, my fellow Pinoys and I have been celebrating, hosting events, boosting our favorite Pinoy artists, musicians, writers, and activists.
Read MoreAsk Me Anything Part V
It’s that time again! Last July, I collected a bunch of questions from my readers and here are all of my answers!
Read MoreLuck Be A Lady: Arundel Mills Live! Casino & Hotel
GIRLS NIGHT OUT. It’s not girls night out unless you’ve got sparkly dresses, glitter, lots of makeup, selfies for Instagram, and…..dinner at David’s at Arundel Mills Live! Casino & Hotel …followed by a show (we had the pleasure of seeing Thunder Down Under) …and lots of gambling afterwards!
Read More