Growing up in a very conservative church, I began questioning how the things I was being taught in church were aligned with the reality around me. What was being condemned were things that I was curious about and enjoyed. I started to break away from this church in my teens and followed my innate curiosity and wonder toward critical thinking. This led me on a path to understand how the church has been used as a tool of control under decades of colonialism of the Philippines, and the traditions of pre-colonial Philippines that had subsequently been erased. This led me to dig into study of my people's history, including stories of the Babaylan, matriarchal society, and the deep culture of rebellions and resistance that extends to today, and how queer people exist in current society. It is because of the bravery of queer elders, friends, and youth that I am constantly empowered to be myself. I'm still on my journey to achieve wholeness, balance, meaning, and purpose, which I believe is a life-long journey.