Between Worlds

There’s a very specific kind of feeling that comes with being “the only one.”

If you know, you know.

I’m a Filipino American small business owner of Good Smells Inc in Brooksville, Florida and for most of my life, I’ve existed in the in-between. Not fully seen here, not fully claimed there. This AAPI Heritage Month, I want to share why that matters… and why it’s become the foundation of everything I create.

Growing Up Between Worlds

I was born and partially raised on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, one of over 7,000 islands, rich with history, resilience, and culture that runs deep. My earliest memories are full of scent and sensation: citrus in the air, blooming sampaguita, sweet fruits, rice cooking in the kitchen.

But identity isn’t always that simple.

Being mixed, Filipino and Indigenous American, meant I never fully “fit” anywhere. In the Philippines, I stood out. In the United States, I stood out in a completely different way.

And in Hernando County?

I was often one of the only Filipinos.

The Parts People Don’t Talk About

When people talk about growing up “different,” they usually keep it light.

I won’t.

There were moments as a teenager that stayed with me.

The jokes that weren’t really jokes.

The comments about my eyes, my skin, my food.

The casual “What are you?” like I was something to figure out instead of someone to know.

There were times I felt watched. Times I felt dismissed before I even spoke. Times I learned very quickly how to read a room and decide whether it was safe to fully be myself.

It wasn’t always loud or obvious.

Sometimes it was subtle. Quiet. Repetitive.

And that’s what makes it powerful.

Because it teaches you, slowly, that you are different and that difference might not always be welcomed.

Choosing Strength Anyway

Those experiences could have made me smaller.

Instead, they made me intentional.

They taught me how important it is to be visible anyway. To take up space anyway. To create something that says, clearly and unapologetically:

I belong here too.

Why My Heritage Collection Matters

On May 1st, I’m expanding my Heritage Collection and this launch is deeply personal.

Because in a place where there are still very few Asians and even fewer Filipinos, this collection is more than a product line.

It’s representation.

It’s a quiet kind of resistance.

It’s me saying:

You don’t have to understand my culture to respect it. But if you’re curious, I’ll show you how beautiful it is.

Each scent tells part of that story:

• Bright citrus like calamansi

• Soft florals inspired by sampaguita

• Tropical warmth from mango and coconut

• And yes… ube (not oob)

Let’s talk about ube for a second.

Because now it’s everywhere. Ube lattes, ube pastries, ube trending all over social media. And I can’t help but laugh a little and think:

“Oh, now everybody loves ube?”

But honestly, I love seeing it.

I love seeing Filipino ingredients finally getting the attention they deserve. And I leaned into that using ube in a fragrance that feels warm, nostalgic, and just a little indulgent.

Because that’s what heritage should feel like.

Scent as Memory, Culture, and Connection

Scent is powerful.

It connects people faster than words ever could.

You might not know the language.

You might not know the history.

But you smell something and suddenly, you feel something.

That’s part of what I’m building:

• Filipino-inspired candles

• Cultural fragrance storytelling

• Handcrafted products

• A space where heritage is something you can experience

Among other things

This is more than a small business.

It’s a bridge.

Building Something Where There Was Nothing

Having a Filipino-owned business in a place where your culture isn’t widely represented isn’t the easy path.

But it’s the meaningful one.

Because every time someone picks up one of my Heritage candles…

Every time someone asks about a scent they’ve never heard of…

Every time a conversation starts where there wasn’t one before…

That’s change.

That’s impact.

This AAPI Heritage Month

This month isn’t just about celebration, it’s about visibility, truth, and resilience.

For me, it’s about honoring where I come from and acknowledging everything it took to stand here now, fully myself.

Not smaller.

Not quieter.

Stronger.

If You’ve Ever Felt “In Between”

This is for you.

You don’t have to shrink to fit into spaces that were never built with you in mind.

You can build your own.

And if you’re in Brooksville or anywhere, really, I invite you to experience the Heritage Collection when it launches May 1st.

Just curiosity, openness… and maybe a newfound respect for ube.