The blend of a rich, savory, and garlicky-pungent aroma drifts through the air as relatives gather around the kitchen, their voices overlapping in laughter and conversation. In the living room, someone picks up a microphone and belts out a familiar ballad on the karaoke machine, while children weave between legs, stealing bites of lumpia from styrofoam plates. This is not just a party, it’s a Filipino gathering, a cornerstone of the Filipino-American experience. In an age where artificial intelligence strives to understand and replicate human culture, capturing the depth of this moment, the warmth, the legacy, and the unspoken love, poses a unique challenge. If an AI system were trained to understand the Filipino-American experience, I would want it to know not just the facts of our heritage, but the feelings behind our traditions: our hospitality, our resilience, and our sincere connection to family. At the heart of Filipino culture lies warmth, comfort, and hospitality. If you ask an AI or anyone familiar with Filipino values, the first trait that often comes up is how hospitable Filipinos are. This is shown through open-door homes, sharing meals without hesitation, and generous acts of kindness, not just for family, but even for strangers. Filipinos take pride in making guests feel like family. From my own experience, and through my Filipino friends’ families, this trait holds true. My extended family hosts Sunday dinners every week, simply to enjoy each other’s company. These gatherings are full of laughter, shared meals, and lasting memories. The Filipino-American experience is shaped by balancing cultural heritage and life in American society. Filipino Americans uphold their identity through traditions, religion, bilingualism, and code-switching. Filipino American History Month is a prime example of how we stay connected to our roots. We also express identity through music, art, and fashion. During the 2000s to 2010s, American “swag” culture inspired the rise of “Swagapino” culture, a niche mix of Filipino pride and swag style. In recent years, Filipino cuisine has entered the American mainstream, with ingredients like ube gaining popularity in pastries and lattes. While AI may process patterns and facts, it cannot fully grasp the emotional and spiritual depth of our culture. I’d want AI to learn the warmth, celebration, and complexity of the Filipino-American experience, but it may never understand the irreplaceable soul of community passed through touch, voice, food, and memory.

I remember those mornings vividly, rushing downstairs to join my grandma and little sister in the kitchen. We’d gather at the table in the crisp morning air as soft sun rays filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow throughout the room. The sweet aroma of whatever my grandma had prepared would fill the house, accompanied by the comforting sound of her voice as she shared stories from her past. These moments were about more than just breakfast, they were glimpses into her life. Through her stories, I came to understand the depth of her resilience and the care she carried through everything she did. Major chapters of her legacy include escaping Japanese colonization in the Philippines, migrating to the United States in search of better opportunities for her family and future generations, working multiple jobs as a single mother, and supporting extended relatives along the way. My grandmother’s strength, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to her family have inspired me to use my art as a tool for storytelling, to honor lives like hers that often go unseen, and to innovate by giving voice to underrepresented stories through creative expression. My grandma was born and raised in the Philippines. She grew up experiencing the effects of U.S. colonization, and later in the 1940s, she faced the impact of World War II, more specifically, the Japanese invasion. Around the 1960s, my grandma and my grandpa migrated from the Philippines to Canada and later the U.S. in the hope of better opportunities for her family and future descendants. My grandparents later divorced, leaving my grandma to raise her children alone while balancing work to support her family. Amidst this, my grandma also made sure to care for and support extended relatives and their children. Her life was rooted in creating opportunity, care, and resilience for the next generation, even if it was at the expense of her comfort. Through my grandma’s example, I am able to understand true strength and the importance of family. Stories like my grandma’s are so critical, yet unfortunately go unrecognized. Her untold narrative fuels my drive to represent the underrepresented voices. With the skills that I have been gifted with, I want to bring representation to these stories by creating art that focuses on storytelling. An idea I’ve been dwelling on to make art that’s innovative is to collect photo archives from my grandma’s past, sewn together with pictures of myself leading to where I am today. Art isn’t just an aesthetic, but a means for preserving, interpreting, and sharing lived experiences. In an oil painting I created titled “Strong Roots”, I recreated an old picture of my grandma at peace, admiring some flowers that she had grown. The piece resembles her warm, calm, and comforting presence, delivered by the warm color palette, amidst the reality of the chaos she was facing at the time. The composition of flowers is a nod to her beauty, delicacy towards her family, and how my grandma has influenced me with her being part of my roots. Her perseverance, compassion, and constant commitment to others have served as the foundation for my artistic goal, which is to use storytelling as a tool for remembrance and representation. Her legacy endures in my art, not just in the subjects I explore but also in the intent behind each composition. I want to elevate voices that are too frequently ignored, just as she raised generations by her selflessness and concern.

My name is Miranda Perez, and I am currently nineteen years old, pursuing my dream of transferring to California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in the Fall 2025 semester. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, surrounded by my large, multicultural family. I am Filipino, Mexican, and Japanese, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be immersed in these diverse cultures. Growing up in America, a melting pot of traditions, I have witnessed the celebration and, at times, the lack of representation of various cultures. In Filipino and Mexican culture, family is at the heart of everything, and I have been fortunate to experience this priority in my upbringing. Although most of my Mexican relatives live in Southern California and my Japanese relatives reside in Japan, I was raised with my Filipino relatives, who played a central role in my life. Family gatherings were frequent, and my cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents, and extended family were a constant presence. We did everything together from attending the same schools, participating in extracurriculars, playing sports, and, of course, enjoying family parties and “just because” dinners. These close-knit experiences have shaped who I am today. One of my most cherished childhood memories involves my mom regularly taking my cousins and me to the library. We would attend scheduled storytimes, read books together in the library, or check out books to enjoy at home. I was an avid reader growing up, and picture books, in particular, have a special place in my heart. As a visual learner, I found comfort in the vibrant, cozy world of “Goodnight Moon,” and I was fascinated by the detailed illustrations in “The Mitten” by Jan Brett. Books like “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes, “Fancy Nancy” by Jane O’Connor, and “Corduroy” by Don Freeman also stand out in my memory. I loved how books could transport me to new worlds and ignite my creativity. The art of transforming written words into illustrations and eventually bringing them to life on the page or screen has always fascinated me. This love for storytelling and visual art has inspired my career aspirations. I am excited to continue my journey at CalArts, where I plan to earn a Bachelor’s in Fine Art or Illustration. My goal is to use the skills I develop there to pursue a career in storyboarding, concept art, or illustration. I hope to create the same transformative experiences for future generations that I had when I saw stories come to life through art. A significant influence on my artistic path has been my uncle, Noel Tuazon, a children’s book illustrator. His minimalistic illustrations capture the essence of his subjects, and I admire his ability to include Asian representation in his work. It’s inspiring to see how representation is growing in children's books and cartoons, and I am motivated to contribute to this progress. The opportunity to bring diverse voices and cultures to life through art is something I am passionate about. Attending CalArts will not only allow me to hone my skills but also provide invaluable networking opportunities and open doors to a successful career. With the support of this award, I will be able to help cover the costs of my education, bringing me one step closer to realizing my dream of sharing the magic of storytelling and creativity with the next generation. Thank you for considering my application!

My favorite piece I have created is titled "Strong Roots," an oil painting portrait of my beloved grandmother. This work of art captures her natural beauty and grace, mirroring the flowers she cherished and nurtured throughout her life. My motivation for this piece extends beyond a portrait of a loved one, moreover, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to her remarkable spirit and unwavering character. My grandmother bravely left the Philippines during a chaotic period marked by war, navigating treacherous circumstances to seek a better life. As a single mother, she raised three children, juggling the demands of work and motherhood with unwavering determination and love. Even as she faced challenges, she generously supported her grandchildren, stepping in to raise them when their parents were at work, creating a stable and loving environment. Throughout her life, she demonstrated incredible diligence and strength, balancing her responsibilities while pouring endless love and patience into our family. The photograph that inspired this piece was discovered after her passing. It captured a tender moment of her caring for flowers in her home back in the Philippines. In choosing a warm color palette, I aimed to evoke the warmth and comfort she consistently provided, radiating positivity even in the most challenging times. This project holds profound emotional significance for me, as it encapsulates her legacy and spirit. I hope to continue creating artwork that shares the dynamic and often overlooked stories of individuals whose contributions and sacrifices deserve to be celebrated and remembered.