When I was young, I always struggled to accept and love my features, having grown up around communities of people where I never ‘saw myself.’ Features like my tanned skin, nose, and eyes always felt at least a bit out of place wherever I went, and that was an isolating feeling. Even among family, I struggled to take pride in my appearance, as I didn’t necessarily match up to Filipino standards of beauty.

Accepting my appearance was (and still is) a difficult journey, but it pained me to think of how much of my energy was spent as a child worrying about my appearance.

The work depicts my present self (right) looking back to my younger self (left), who strives to fit in with her community through the erasure of her own features.

Showcased in St. Edward’s University’s 2024 Student Juried Exhibition, curated by Sterling Allen (co-founder Okay Mountain Gallery), Fine Arts Gallery at St. Edward's University, Austin, TX.

Published in St. Edward’s University’s 2024 Sorin Oak Review Volume 34.