The styling carries history. The mix of influences hints at places they’ve lived, communities they’ve absorbed, and the version of self they’re choosing now. It’s subtle identity mapping through visuals.
Sophia Abdon
“I’d say that growing up I was a victim of thinking that fairer skin was perceived to me more beautiful.”
Alyssa
"Don’t let the jokes get to you! People will call you out on certain mannerisms but it’s only because it’s unique."
Margaret
“To think of Philippines as like coming back home, I'm still getting used to the idea, But I want to make Philippines my home as well”
Lorenzo
“Every time someone would ask, oh where are you from or where do you consider home? I can't really give a straight answer.”
Alex Mutuc
“I found it difficult because I need to constantly adapt.”
Leila
“Social norms are also noticeably different—there is a clear emphasis on pakikisama, as well as respect for hierarchy.”
Pao
“Physically you wouldn't really know if I’m a TCK unless I opened my mouth and I used my actual accent.”
THE TCKS
Andrene
“I used to dress modestly when I was in my host country… but when I came to the Philippines, a lot of factors changed how I dressed.”
River
“The misalignment in our experiences makes me think I'm not Filipino enough.”
the half-seen, half-found portraits
A look at identity in progress: the missing pieces they are searching for and the reflections they wrestle with.
“For the longest time, I always thought of the UAE as my home, but a part of me also missed the Philippines.”
“I realized that Philippines is my home as well”
“In the adjusting phase, I really struggled with feeling like I was a part of the community that I was in.”
balik tahanan
culture becomes something lived again, through clothes, movement, flavor, and the feeling of coming home.
Pao
“I was feeling alone and isolated after being rejected by some people.”
Alex mutuc
“For me, home is less about the place, but it's more about being accepted for who I am”
Hendrix
I was objectified for my ‘Chinito’ features and even catcalled in public… In Singapore… it's not shoved into your face 24/7.”
Pao
“There was some instances where people wouldn’t make me feel as welcome”
Alex mutuc
“So I do have this identity crisis, do I consider the Philippines my home or Muscat Oman where I grew up to be my home?”
“I did feel that I didn't belong anywhere when I migrated here in the Philippines”
“I would definitely say that I have found the concept of home for me. Which is here in the Philippines. So I would say that I do call the Philippines my home now.”
When i first moved to the Philippines, my racial identity was shattering. I was always treated as the “Singaporean Foreigner”. No one treated me like I was born from here.
“I always knew I was technically a Filipino but raised in Singapore so I always assumed when I moved back, I would be treated as an equal.”
“So I do have this identity crisis, do I consider the Philippines my home or Muscat Oman where I grew up to be my home?”
“Mainly describe home by the people you surround yourself with, it doesn’t have to be your actual family, in can be people you find comfort in their company”
