“I’m alone here; my parents are still in the Philippines. I came from [there], but I’m full-blooded Chinese — just born and raised in the Philippines. We have a different culture from Filipinos. My family came from a traditional family, so it’s so hard to adjust with my friends who were Filipino. I’m really thankful that I had Chinese culture in my life, because it’s a really beautiful culture where everything’s just so disciplined. There are rules for everything. Then there’s Filipino culture, where everything is more free. The most troublesome difference was finding people who understood where I was coming from or how I lived my life. When I went out with Filipinos, it was hard to explain to them that I wasn’t allowed to do this and that. I didn’t have a sleepover until I was in college I think. I’ve never gone out after 4pm. I was always at home — either at school or at home, and I wasn’t allowed to go elsewhere.

“I’ve been finding myself and understanding myself a little more because before I had my parents on my back. Now, I feel really free.”

“What inspires you to take photos?”

“Just life. I take photos of everything. There are things, there are people, even animals, and all of those. I’ve been in photography for quite a while, it’s been ten years, and there’s tons of stuff, so if you tell me to choose one photo as my favourite, I can’t.”