I was born in Leyte, Philippines. I am the only girl of four children. In college, I took up accounting because I dreamt of climbing up the corporate ladder, becoming a CEO, or building my own business.  

At age 26, I left the Philippines for Japan to study the Japanese language. While studying, I was also teaching English part-time. I was a language learner and at the same time a language educator. I thought it was cool.    

At school, I’ve met people from around the world, and made friends with them. That experience was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I gained a global perspective, and it also allowed me to develop cultural understanding and intercultural communication.  

After language school, I stayed in Japan to become a language teacher at public schools. Teaching was a revelation. I have never imagined that I would love teaching, especially with kids. On weekends, I would occasionally volunteer to read picture books to cute Japanese children and also introduce the Filipino culture.  

Little did I know that each of these experiences will have a connection to my writing of a children’s book in the future.  

It was also in Japan where I met my husband who was studying at the same language school. A few years after, we got married on a beautiful lake in Maine, USA. We stayed in Massachusetts while doing our advanced degrees. 

Fast forward to 2016, I got my MBA and got inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma’s Honor Society.