Book Recommendation: I Am the Change in Climate Change

 

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Bangtan Hermana Notes: BTS Paved the Way: Heavy is the Crown

There is a difference between wearing a crown on one’s head and holding one. One speaks of recognition; the other makes me think of responsibility, legacy, and what we choose to do with the recognition we receive.

When we talk about BTS paving the way, I think we need to look beyond who came first or who influenced whom. We need to examine the pathways they opened and the cultural exchanges they made possible.

Their glocal impact matters: a Korean group whose music, language, and stories crossed borders, found meaning in different local contexts, and inspired conversations that extend beyond the music industry, including philosophy, cultural studies, language, and identity. Their legacy is not about erasing the artists who came before them. It is about recognizing what BTS uniquely contributed to the landscape.

And that is what these crowns remind me of: the crown is not the whole story. What matters is the work, the people who made it possible, and the doors that opened along the way. BTS did not build the road alone, but they helped take K-pop into places and conversations that were once harder to imagine.

Seven artists, one shared legacy. The crown may be a symbol, but the impact is something we can examine.

Apobangpo! Purple and true!

Coming Soon: Poetry, Clay and Stories

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Book Spine Poetry: Feed the Weightless World

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The Book Spine Poetry is Back for Mental Health Awareness Week

 

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Museum and Galleries Month: Fundacion Sanso

In February, my writing group, Women Writing had a full day workshop on the Memoir at Fundacion Sanso. I was fortunate to share my work and advocacy on the healing and therapuetic aspects of reading; how writers benefit from close reading and its affects. Poet Marj Evasco, writers Jen Soriano and Alya Honasan were speakers too. We had a fun and productive day listening to stories, poetry and what moves our writing lives.

The staff at Fundacion Sanso made it extra special by providing us with a space where we can be and become.

Last Saturday, I was at Fundacion Sanso once again. And with the intrepid members, officers, artists all of Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan. It’s Kid Readers Speak Day & moderating a panel of young readers was a refreshing experience. The three kid panelists we had conversations with opened windows of hope, doors of possibilities & showed us mirrors where we can see reflections of our shared humanity through the books we read about.

Thank you, Fundacion Sanso for making your gallery a warm and welcoming space.

It’s Musuems and Galleries Month. If you’re in the area, go visit. There’s a cafe that serves good food and great coffee, too!

#namjooning #museumgalleriesmonth #artgaller

Disaster-Ready Kids Series Wins Best Children’s Short Story at the Catholic Mass Media Awards 2026