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When my mother learned she had dementia while my grandmother was already in late stages of her diagnosis, I faced a profound realization: the cultural wisdom and family stories I had yet to learn would soon fade away with time. 

This vital need became DIWA’s foundational commitment to capturing Filipino American stories before they disappear from memory. Growing up Filipino American often means living between worlds—honoring heritage while adapting to a culture not your own, carrying forward traditions while creating new ones.

I experienced this duality firsthand, and it shaped both my personal journey and professional path. Over a decade in brand strategy and community building taught me how powerful stories connect people to their identities and to each other. 

From luxury retail to nonprofit work, from Las Vegas to Portland, I consistently found myself drawn to projects establishing long-lasting relationships across diverse communities. But it wasn’t until facing the potential loss of my own family’s stories that I discovered a new purpose, to create DIWA.

DIWA represents the convergence of a personal quest and professional expertise. It is a publication born from love, loss, and the deep belief that every one of our stories matter.

On October 10th, we are celebrating the inaugural issue of DIWA by sharing a story of awakening, remembering, and coming home to yourself through childhood memories.