Coast To Coast

What was it that first got you into the creative industry? Is it something you’ve always wanted to pursue?
Honestly, I think I just grew tired of trying to fit into the norm of a “stable” office job. My first working experience was at a medical equipment sales company, and I was earning comfortably, more than some of the jobs down the road, but I just got bored and uninspired.

So one day, I decided to hand in my letter of resignation, and I jumped straight into music journalism, because music is a big interest of mine. And from then on, I’ve been exploring different industries as a creative!

If you could do anything else for work, what would it be and why?
I’d like to open a bookstore-by-day, bar-by-night kind of joint (laughs). It’s the two things I enjoy in life, and it’s really what best describes me as a person.

Tell us about your childhood! What’s the earliest memory you have?
My sister is just one year older than me so I was never lonely growing up, you know? We’re almost like twins, dressing up in the same kind of dresses, just in different colours.

But my earliest memory was a trip to the zoo when I was kindergarten. I don’t know why that stuck with me. It wasn’t particularly exciting, but I have this vivid memory of taking a photo with the class in front of a cardboard standee of cartoon animals.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Ooh, I’ve thought about this often, and it’ll definitely be flying. How freeing would it be to be able to fly! Plus, I hate travelling in an airplane so that’ll be a big help.

What’s your fondest memory from 2024?
My trip to the beach back in my home country of the Philippines. It was my first time visiting a beach there and it was so cool that we got to park our van right up by the shore. My relatives and I set up tables and chairs, and in spectacular Filipino fashion, set out a table of home-cooked food that travelled 5 hours with us. And, of course, cracking open a cold one and just listening to family gossip, too!

What’s one song/artist/album that’s been on repeat for you this year?
My Spotify Wrapped top artist has been the same for about three or four years now—Paramore. They’re my first and forever love.

As we approach a new year, do you have any goals or resolutions laid out for yourself? What’s one thing you’d like to achieve or tick off your bucket list in the new year?
I’m not really a goal-setting kind of person because I like taking each day as it comes. The lower your expectations, the fewer the disappointments, right? But I do want to start learning how to roller skate. I got a pair for Christmas two years ago and I’ve just been procrastinating till I’m now too busy and tired to start again. Hopefully I’ll get the bandwidth to do so in the new year!