Our Team

EXECUTIVE

Wilkinson GONZALES

Founder; Director

I am a PhD graduate student studying Linguistics at the University of Michigan. I went to De La Salle University for my BS Education-English (summa cum laude) and the National University of Singapore for my Master's in English Language and Linguistics.

I am interested in Sino-Philippine linguistic varieties in general and have published several works on them in journals and edited books. I am the founder and current Director of The Lannang Archives; I am also a licensed professional teacher (PRC Board Examination, Top 6).

RESEARCH

Steffi Anne CHONG

Creatives Director; Technology Coordinator; Junior Research Assistant

I am a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology graduate from Grace Christian College. Designer for an accounting firm by day, and a night-owl gang homie by night. I have always taken interest in things that are related to my bicultural identity. It's an honor to be able to take part in contributing and supporting the organization's advocacy in conserving the Lannang heritage.

Hui-Giok LIM

Project Head - Philippine Hokkien Dictionary

I'm a Physics major in Ateneo De Manila with no formal linguistic background, but growing up speaking English, Tagalog, Philippine Hokkien, and Mandarin introduced me to the world of languages early on. When a friend wanted to learn Hokkien from me in high school, I realized the lack of research in this field, and that I may witness language death if nothing was done. I'm glad to have discovered The Lannang Archives in May 2020 as a place to contribute with like-minded people. Many languages have gotten my interest, but I just couldn't leave Hokkien on the side.

Misha Ysabel HWANG

Project Head - Automated Transcription/#AskALannang

I am an aspiring Data Scientist on the weekdays and an advocate for Tsinoy culture and language on the weekends. During my childhood, I used to wonder how I may contribute to preserving the Hokkien dialect one day. And 15 years later, I am volunteering and supporting the initiatives of The Lannang Archives, hoping to apply Data Science to aid in the preservation of the language.

Dave Ryan Mikhail GO

Contributor; Project Head

I graduated from Ateneo de Manila with History and Diplomacy and International Relations. I have minors in Asian and European Studies, Literature and Cultural Heritage. Due to my passion for languages and history, I am currently taking my Master's in Linguistics in UP Diliman. I also work as a teacher and will be in Japan. Being in the Lannang Archives, I believe in advocating for and preserving this unique heritage and language.

Lance SIBI

Project Head: Lannang Orthography to Lannangdi input method for Rime

I am a Management Information Systems graduate from Ateneo de Manila University and currently a part-time Mandarin tutor for Chinese school students in the Philippines. As someone who is of half-Lannang heritage wanting to learn Lannang-ue, I found it disheartening not to find an abundance of resources for learning the Philippine variant of Hokkien or the Philippine Hybrid Hokkien (Lannang-ue) language. As my interest grew for Chinese culture and being of Chinese descent, I wanted to learn not only the worldwide standard Mandarin but also the largest Chinese variety used in the Philippines, which are Philippine Hokkien and Lannang-ue. I am glad to be part of preserving our language and heritage.

Norlene CHUA

Junior Research Assistant

I am a pharmacist by profession but I am also interested in linguistics. I am enthusiastic to be involved in activities that preserve different cultures and traditions such as this initiative. I also want to improve my Hokkien and to share this with people who are also interested to learn the language. Thus, I volunteer for The Lannang Archives on my own time.

Aya Sophia GAN

Junior Research Assistant

I am a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduate from De La Salle University of Manila. I am interested to practice honing my Hokkien language and to know more about the cultural impact that the Hokkien language had in the Philippines. In my spare time, I volunteer in The Lannang Archives.

Nelson CHONG

Trainee Research Assistant

I am currently a student at the University of Hong Kong, taking up a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and majoring in both Accounting and Finance. Living in Hong Kong, I discovered how well-developed other Chinese dialects are and how this development helps them become preservable. It is then I realize the importance of my identity as a user of the Hokkien dialect and the need to preserve the beauty of it for future generations. Through volunteering in the Lannang Archives, I am given an ample opportunity to contribute to the development of PHH in our community. I look forward to working with you all in preserving our beautiful language.

Victoria ANG

Trainee Research Assistant; Member

I am a graduate of University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Architecture. The importance of Chinese culture and language has always been impressed upon me from an early age. Despite that, conversing with my fellow Chinese has always been hard. With our generation, you can tell that it is difficult for many to use Hokkien or any of the Sino-Philippine languages for everyday use. It shows how our Chinese culture here in the Philippines is disappearing. Living in the Philippines, a lot of us forget that we are Chinese or of Chinese descent. I believe that Lannang Archives can change this. I believe that this organization can bring back the Chinese culture in the Philippines. I want to take this opportunity as a research assistant to expand my knowledge and experience, and also to enhance my knowledge of Hokkien and our Filipino-Chinese culture.

Giana Mae NUNCIO

Trainee Research Assistant

A graduate from Ateneo de Manila University with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with Materials Science and Engineering, I am innately curious about the workings of the world. Aside from being an advocate of science and health, I am also interested in various languages and cultures, particularly in East Asia and Southeast Asia. I deeply appreciate my Chinese-Filipino heritage and am enthusiastic in preserving and documenting the use of Hokkien in the Philippines in hopes of preventing its loss in the future generations. Growing up, learning Chinese meant learning only Mandarin and I found it such a pity that Hokkien, the language integral to the Chinese-Filipino community, was not taught as well. Since Philippine Hokkien was passed on from generation to generation verbally, the lack of published resources and standardization make it difficult to learn for a non-native speaker. I work to overcome this challenge and make the language more accessible for those interested to reconnect to their roots or to learn a new language.

Merwin Leon CHAN

Trainee Research Assistant

I graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Management Information Systems (MIS), Specialization in Enterprise Systems, but I have a passion and interest for history and ethnolinguistics, so I have been an active contributor too in such domains like, Wiktionary, Quora, Wikipedia and other such apps. With my background as part of growing up immersed in the Chinese Filipino culture and all such languages heard or used through the years, I aid in supporting the initiatives for this heritage.

Kashmir CAPUNO

Volunteer Trainee Research Assistant

A graduate of the University of the Philippines Los Banos, I’m a human ecologist by training and a researcher by profession. My interest in languages has driven me to study German and some local languages. Being an indigenous peoples’ rights advocate, I have realized the significance of language in the preservation of culture. As Noam Chomsky has said, “A language is not just words. It’s a culture, a tradition, a unification of a community, a whole history that creates what a community is."

Hysa GUARTE

Volunteer Trainee Research Assistant

I took up BA English Studies (Language) in UP Diliman thinking that it would be my pre-law course, but in my third year, I fell in love with studying the structure of a sentence. My love grew deeper when I took a sociolinguistics class. I knew then and there that my dream changed from being a lawyer to being a teacher who aims to show other people how exciting studying languages can be. I am currently finishing my MA degree in English Studies (Language). Some of my research interests are language and gender, language education, language policies and politics, language and identity, semantics, and sociolinguistics.

PUBLICATIONS

Wilkinson GONZALES

Founder; Director

Jennifer SUN

Co-Host, #LannangTalks

I graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Santo Tomas, and worked in the corporate world as a Supply Chain planner. After three years, I pursued my first love, and started teaching preschool children in MGC New Life Christian Academy, took up education units and licensure exam for teachers. I am on my 9th year as an educator, and currently teaching in a progressive preschool, and doing online Mandarin and Hokkien classes for kids and adults alike. Aside from being a teacher, I am also a contributing writer for Church Strengthening Ministry’s Take Heart: Letters of Faith, Hope and Love, Scripture Union’s Light to My Path, and Keys for Kids Ministries’ Unlocked Devotional. In my free time, I write blog posts in whenateacherwrites.wordpress.com. Hokkien is my first language, and I am proud to say that even until now, I think in Hokkien! It’s my desire and passion to teach this rich language to the next generation.

Dave Ryan Mikhail GO

Sharmaine IBARRA

Contributor

CREATIVES

Steffi Anne CHONG

Creatives Director; Technology Coordinator; Junior Research Assistant

Clifford DE JESUS

Ad-hoc Video Editor

I am a Literary and Cultural Studies sophomore at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila. The idea of how literature resonates the beauty of a specific culture fascinates me endlessly. I use my major in creating stories for my digital arts projects, digital content and videos, for various companies and individuals. I have also been part of professional media-related projects that involve the creation of original outputs such as MTVs and photography. Capturing moments of human experiences is my ode to literature and culture wherein I pour all my hard work and dedication in creating my very own "opus".

Victoria ANG

Trainee Research Assistant; Member

Micchaela KING

Content Producer

I’m currently taking my Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Visual Communication at the University of the Philippines Diliman and doing freelance projects involving illustration and design on the side.

However, I always have a big interest in language learning. As a person who grew up in a hybrid culture with Filipino and Chinese roots, language is a defining factor of cultures and I’m glad to be taking part in something that helps preserve my own culture heritage and at the same time connect with the Lannang language even more.

On my spare time, I look out for new baking recipes and juggle between 5 different Japanese mobages everyday.

Chelsea CUE

Member

I am a Multimedia Arts graduate from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and I’m currently working as a freelance photographer.

My favorite photography subjects have always been the people around me as well as the stories they share. With the help of language, I find that I am better able to understand and connect with everything more deeply. I think it’s fascinating how we use communication to find meaning in our identities, bridge gaps between cultures and histories, in order for us to have a more profound view of the world.

When I’m not working, I am a film aficionado, a culinary enthusiast, and an aspiring barista with a tendency to overwater plants.

Robyn LIM

Member

Robyn is an incoming freshman at UC Berkeley interested in the intersection of art, technology, and social studies. She has worked for multiple organizations in High School, having spearheaded a mentorship program, pioneered an interscholastic conference, and mobilized fundraisers for families in Manila and Zambales. These experiences have allowed her to grow both as a communicator and as an artist, expanding her graphic design skills from platforms like Canva to more complex softwares like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Often playing with words, colors and shapes, she hopes to continue to use her voice and craft in bridging disparities through The Lannang Archives. Indeed, Robyn likes to spruce up visuals and rave about Chinese culture, though other times, she can be found watching historical dramas, singing ‘80s karaoke, or listening to some nice, soothing music.

MARKETING

Jan Keanu PLANTILLA

Co-coordinator

Keanu likes to ride the waves and just go with the flow making sure that things sail smoothly even in rough waters. He is occasionally a poet and writes pieces that drive positive social impact. When he's not writing, you can find him binge-watching random series on Netflix. He is currently a marketing specialist for The Lannang Archives.

Jianne Nicole UY

Co-coordinator

I finished my bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (magna cum laude) at the University of Santo Tomas. I currently work as a full-time teacher during the day, and a visual artist at night. I also help out as a volunteer at the Lannang Archives.

My interest in languages and my heritage is the primary reason why I joined The Lannang Archives. Aside from learning and meeting new people who share the same interests as me, I also hope that through my abilities, I could contribute in the betterment of Lannang-ue for our future generations.

In my leisure time, I love to get myself updated with the latest trends in the art scene, slurping some ramen, and gulping milk teas.

Gretch GABRAL

Member

I'm an advocate of Philippine Hokkien and its language variants. In TLA, I found an inclusive community that communicates the rich culture & history of a part of my roots. A little background of me: an engineer by profession, draws digital arts in my spare time and loves asian cuisines. As a member of TLA, i get to spark interests and discourses among audience via our platforms.

Joshe TIU

Member

I graduated BS Management and AB Chinese Studies with Minors in Southeast Asian Studies and International Business from Ateneo de Manila University. I have deep interest in language and culture as I believe that each and every one of us have our own unique cultures. As a member of the Chinese community in the Philippines, I would like to take part in not only preserving the Lannang heritage, but also to promote it as we move forward with our lives. My passion in life is to do international business. As I travel and go to different places in the future, I would like to bring with me my identity; my identity as a Southeast Asian, my identity as a Filipino, and my identity as a Chinese-Filipino.

Elsie OR

UP-TLA Liaison Officer

I teach linguistics and Chinese Mandarin at the University of the Philippines Diliman. I am currently engaged in different Philippine language documentation projects, and presently working with the Buhid Mangyan community in Oriental Mindoro in building a dictionary for their language. My research is mostly on the morphosyntactic structures of Philippine languages. However, I am also interested in studying second/foreign language learning, as well as language contact. In my spare time, I volunteer in The Chinoy Archives.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Belinda TAN

HR Coordinator

I am currently pursuing my M.A. in Psychology (concentration on Social Psychology) at the University of the Philippines. My research interests involve close relationships, arts, culture, and technology. I am also an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working for public and private sectors that mainly involves learning and development. One significant insight I've learned from my discipline is to know, accept, and embrace yourself - despite your flaws and imperfections - to experience genuine and lasting growth as a person. Working and contributing to the advocacy of The Lannang Archives is putting that theory into practice. I am now embracing my Lannang heritage that had been mostly ignored and under-appreciated most of my life. And, on my way to understand and value our language and culture - that part of myself. Yes, I am all that plus being a couch potato and a cat mom.

John Paolo LAGRISOLA

Member

I am currently a college junior taking my Bachelors degree at Batangas State University, Alangilan Campus. My professional interests are learning more about the leadership, people-handling, philippine market and the business side of Information Technology (IT). My personal interests are immersing myself in different cultures and learning foreign languages. It may sound cliche but I firmly believe that “Experience is the best teacher”, as I tried numbers of activities and volunteer groups before, many of my friends thought that It’s just a waste of time, but personally in the greater scheme of things I was actually gaining something much more important, and it was the Experience. I am looking forward to fulfilling more of my interest while I’m here in this community.

Melissa Anne ODTOHAN

Member

I am currently taking BA Political Science at the University of the Philippines. It is my hope in the future to be a lawyer and a clinical psychologist so I can provide service to people in any way that I can. Working in this organization, I will be able to do that. Growing up, I only learned to speak Mandarin and Filipino. It is unfortunate that I have never learned to speak Hokkien as this is important in the Chinese-Filipino community. Being part of Lannang Archives gives me an opportunity to learn more about the language that I should have known and spoken as I was growing up. This provides a way for me to understand myself more, and hopefully as I go through that process, I will be able to help someone who is the same as me.

Victoria DE LOS SANTOS

Member

I graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a bachelor’s degree in AB Psychology. My ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of other people, especially people with disabilities (PWDs) and those living in poverty in the Philippines. I think educating myself more about Philippine culture and language brings me a step closer to understanding present Philippine society and how it can be improved. During my free time, I am either watching a movie or fantasizing about my next business venture.

Patricia ESTRELLA

Member

As a Communications graduate and now working in an airline and tourism industry, I believe that language and culture greatly influence our everyday lives. I believe that language and cultural sensitivity will help one to have healthy relationships. At the same time, as a travel enthusiast, I love to meet different people. Sharing and hearing different stories, I appreciate that the beauty and uniqueness of each person lies in their language and culture.
It is through these interests that I decided to work in The Lannang Archives. I believe that joining this organization will be a new learning experience for me. By understanding the Lannang heritage, I hope to develop a new understanding about myself and the environment I am in. Moreover, I would also love to share my insights and skills that will also help for the cultural awareness and growth of others and of the group.

TECHNOLOGY

Steffi Anne CHONG

Creatives Director; Technology Coordinator; Junior Research Assistant

Dennis ERESTAIN

Website Manager

I am a Computer Engineer and have been in the web content management field for almost 10 years, managing a wide array of digital portfolios and leading a diverse and high performing web team. I am currently exploring the field of experience design and UX/UI. I am a movie goer, coffee lover, and addicted to Manga/Manhwa/Manhua.

Sannie GO HO

Website Manager

I am a registered pharmacist who has work experience in insurance underwriting and web content publishing. Currently, I am on a new chapter of my career where I am exploring the field of experience design. My hobbies include reading manhua and light novels.

LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE

Paola Ciarra VALENCIA

Coordinator

I am a Bachelor of Laws graduate from San Beda University.
I have always been interested in learning about other cultures. Being a part of this organization will help me gain a deeper level of understanding of the culture. It will be an honor for me to be a part of a reputable organization that is actively advocating for the preservation of the Lannang heritage.

Member

Elsie OR

UP-TLA Liaison Officer