The Ten Most Memorable Experiences from 2025

Glancing Back Before Stepping Forward

Jan 09, 2026

Thank you to everyone who has contributed funds to my next film project. It is a sequel to my film YUP. You can help fund this campaign at the link below by donating or sharing:

DONATE FOR YUP

We are now a full week into the new year. Forgive me for taking a break from WPR since mid-December. Between lots of time time spent out of town with family over the holidays and the passing of my dear cat Steinway, I needed a little space.

Before we proceed with 2026, I wanted to spend this week reflecting on some of the activities and events that made the year wonderful for me. I am at a stage in my life where I derive the most joy out of my shared experiences with friends and loved ones.

Of course, there are lots of terrible things that happened throughout the U.S. and the world in 2025, but in my corner of the woods, life flowed steadily along.

Visiting the Philippines

In late January of last year, I traveled across thousands of miles with my mom and her husband to visit the country of my birth, my motherland, the Philippines. I am so happy that we got to do this. I saw so much beauty and drank in as much of the local culture as I could. The food was comforting and rich, and finally spending time with my older brother, nephews, and family made it all worthwhile. I wrote four travelogues to document the whole experience. You can read them HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Throwing my husband MaxZine’s 60th Birthday Party

I designed the promo flyer and coordinated the decor for this big party at our dear friend Xyla’s house. The whole place was decked out in pink and white balloons and unicorns everywhere! Several friends and musicians sang songs and told stories about MaxZine during an open mic. My band and several other local performers played music. There were lots of delicious dishes, and the birthday cake almost flew off the table! So much fun was had by all.
Performing with my band Ancestral Tongue

My drummer (Joe), guitarist (Andrew), new bassist/mandolin player (MaxZine), and I played a bunch of shows last year in the greater Nashville area in places like DRKMTTR, BoroPride, Grandpa Bar, the Lipstick Lounge, New Heights Brewing, Lammas Cotillion, and the French House, among others. Our combined efforts have grown stronger over the years, and I am proud of our collaborative efforts on stage.
Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

It was always on our bucket list to visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and we finally did it last summer! The place is so beautifully designed and lovingly sustained. If you get a chance to go there, run—don’t walk!
Walking in my first Trans Pride Parade

MaxZine and I registered for and walked in a Trans Pride Parade in St. Pete, FL, and it was incredibly life-affirming. Amid throngs of people and spectators, there was so much love everywhere!
Filipino Camping Trip!

I went with two dear Filipino friends, Kubby and Bashi, in my neighborhood for a midweek camping trip to Kentucky last October. We ate lots of yummy food, unexpectedly explored an adult toy store (and probably did not buy anything), told campfire jokes, attempted to fish, and saw a few beautiful animals. I hope this will happen again some time this year.
Hanging Out with my Bestie in Ohio and West Virginia

This past December, I spent a few days out in Proctorville, OH, hanging out with my best friend, Laurel, who moved there with her family last year. We tootled over to Huntington and Charleston in nearby West Virginia to hunt for a piano, explore antique shops, tour a botanical garden, and poke around a few book stores. I do not get to explore different parts of the country all that often, and this was a relaxed and sensory-rich adventure.
Protesting and Canvassing

I did a fair amount of protesting this year both on behalf of Gaza and against the ICE raids and kidnappings that have been happening all over the country. Last fall, I canvassed for a political candidate for the first time and actually enjoyed it.
A Gorgeous Queer Opera in the Woods
When I am not wandering around with pianos, I work part-time for a local queer arts nonprofit called Chinkapin Craftstead, and our biggest production this year was the world premiere of a queer opera called Leland and Silas. The power and depth of the human voice find no greater outlet than an opera and hearing tenors, sopranos, altos, and baritones belt out sweet, tender harmonies was simply magical (having a live string quartet, horns, woodwinds, percussion, and piano in the mix did not hurt either).
Saying Goodbye to Steinway
My cat Steinway’s passing in December was the worst part of 2025 and a sad way to end the year, but it has certainly been memorable. He was my faithful sidekick and companion for such a long time. I am learning how to live with these kinds of losses, and it is an important lesson that I take away from this past year.

Now that the new calendar year has started, I can tell you that I have been preparing for 2026 since last fall. Prior to New Year’s Day, I zeroed out my email inbox and have spent months building a self-care routine and other creative practices that I hope will sustain me through 2026.

There will be a ton of music, art, and creative work in the next 12 months (and maybe a secret or two to be revealed).

I am happy to share my journey with you.

Buckle up.