When I was in eighth grade, someone asked the classic question: What do you want to be when you grow up? I answered “pediatrician” without thinking twice. I loved little kids, and it felt like a purposeful path. By ninth grade, I doubled down by choosing Latin instead of Spanish or French, convinced it would give me an academic edge.

For my mom’s 80th birthday, my brother and I wanted to do something unforgettable. Egypt had always been high on her list, so we made it happen—a trip that turned out to be as meaningful as it was awe-inspiring.

I was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. at the age of 5. My father, an artist in fine art, comics, fashion illustration, and architecture, has consistently drawn inspiration for his work from our homeland. Now, at 87, the central theme of all his paintings remains his mother country.

Raku firing has a rich history rooted in Japan. Developed in the late 16th century, it was inspired by the wabi-sabi aesthetic of imperfection and simplicity. Originally created for tea ceremonies, Raku ceramics gained popularity for their unique, unpredictable nature.

Over the last 14 years, I've delved into a wide range of ceramic techniques, styles, and expressions. While my creative approach has always been intuitive, organizing my body of work posed an interesting challenge.

Naoshima Island, also known as Art Island, in Japan's Seto Inland Sea is an inspiring haven where art, architecture, and nature seamlessly converge.

When it comes to Raku firing, incorporating tape or wax resist can add interesting design elements to my ceramic pieces. Here's my step-by-step process:

Raku and naked raku are two distinct ceramic alternative firing techniques that produce unique and beautiful results. Let's explore the differences between the two:

How I turned a failed bird whistle project into one of my favorite small sculptures pictured above. Do you see the original bird shape?