As a student, I've always loved engaging in all kinds of volunteer work. It has always provided an avenue for me to appreciate the greater things in life that can be experienced outside of the comforts of our classrooms. Many passions, but above all of them, is to simply make a positive impact on society in whichever ways I can. I joined TLA because it taught me that to truly be able to connect with our community means being able to converse in the language of homes, hearts, & heritage.

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.

I am a graduate of MS Meteorology from the University of the Philippines Diliman. I also finished my undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Mathematics in the same university. I taught High School Mathematics in Ateneo De Manila and Xavier School Nuvali. I worked as a Project Assistant in UP Diliman College of Science, technical adviser under the Philippine Red Cross, a DOST-SEI Graduate Fellow assigned to DOST-PAGASA, and a Research & Advocacy Staff at the Center for Environmental Concerns. I currently work as a Senior Actuarial Specialist at Zalamea Actuarial Solutions, Inc. My passions are Mathematics, Meteorology, Music (Fingerstyle/Classical Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums, Ukulele), and Linguistics. I joined TLA because I wish to reconnect with my Chinoy roots and am very interested in learning and becoming proficient in Lannang-ue.

I teach and do research at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where my work focuses on language, identity, and power. Outside of academia, I enjoy winding down with Netflix, playing mobile games, and discovering new places to eat—I'm definitely a foodie at heart. I founded The Lannang Archives (TLA) out of a deep passion for uplifting communities that have often been rendered invisible: whether because of language, ethnicity, or social stigma. TLA is my way of creating space for voices that have been overlooked, and of building pride in our complex, hybrid identities.

I’m Sigmund Ban Siy—also known as Sig or Siggy—a passionate Lannang who always strives to give my best in everything I do. I enjoy writing poems, essays, and reflections, and I love listening to both OPM and Chinese music. I hope to use these passions to contribute meaningfully to The Lannang Archives (TLA), which I joined out of a deep commitment to preserving our culture, heritage, and Lánnang-uè. Through TLA, I found a true home among fellow Lannangs in the community. I always do my best to help create a healthy, engaging, and fun environment within the organization—and if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m always open and ready to listen.

I'm a creative professional with experience in media production and marketing. I joined the org in 2020 to get in touch with my roots and to find new ways to exercise my skills. Since then, I've been helping the team with any of their graphic design, copywriting,or video editing needs.

I’m Ricci Sy, and my background in AB Sociology has shaped the way I value stories—especially those rooted in real, everyday experiences. I enjoy listening to people’s narratives and turning them into insights and voices that deserve to be heard. I’m passionate about living life fully and making a positive impact wherever I can. I joined TLA because I’ve always felt that Filipino Hokkien is a gated language—spoken only by a few. I was really moved by the organization’s mission to preserve and revive the language in the Philippines, and even more by how it affirms Lannang as a proudly Filipino identity. I wanted to be part of that effort—to help make our language and culture more inclusive, visible, and alive.

I’m Joseph Dofitas, and while I don’t come from a Lannang background, I’ve always believed in the power of language and culture to shape who we are—and who we can become. My background is in [insert field if known; if unknown, keep general], and I’ve always been drawn to community-centered work that preserves the diverse cultural narratives of the Philippines. I joined The Lannang Archives because I deeply resonate with its mission to make often-overlooked identities more visible. Through my involvement, I hope to support ongoing efforts in documentation, advocacy, and education—especially those that make language and heritage more accessible to everyone, regardless of background. Being part of TLA has taught me that even if we don’t share the same lineage, we can still play a role in honoring and uplifting the stories of others.

I'm currently a student for the Ateneo de Manila University under the AB Chinese Studies course. I love sports in general as well as socializing, especially with people who share my common interest in Lánnang-Uè. I only actually found out about TLA during my 2022-2023 school year through a planned partnership that just so happened to coincide with my term as the VP for Research and Academics the following year under UPCSA. I always had a strange relationship with my heritage, proud of it yet never expressing it confidently until the Lannang Symposium 2024 in which UPCSA was invited to be a sponsor. The entire process of helping plan the event, finding speakers and finally to experience its success made me truly proud to be myself, and so I was more than grateful when the opportunity to be part of this team presented itself.

L&D Practitioner by day, fiction writer and Nintendo games enjoyer at night! Endlessly curious and determined, I joined TLA to reconnect with my ancestry through community.

I'm a Clinical Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist in Davao City currently pursuing my Certification in Lifestyle Medicine. Born in Vancouver and raised in Davao, I'm a third-culture kid with a passion for learning about and sharing the uniqueness of my Lannang culture, language, heritage, and of course—food!

I hold an MA in Linguistics from UP Diliman. I also graduated with Honorable Mention in both AB Diplomacy and International Relations and AB History from Ateneo de Manila University. I was formerly an English teacher under the JET Program in Japan, and I enjoy traveling, performing, writing, drawing, cooking, and playing sports. I’m passionate about supporting the presence of Lánnang-uè in more media and educational materials—including through a book I’ve written.

I am a recent Dentistry graduate from Mindanao Medical Foundation College, 2025. I am a 4th generation Lannang from Davao City and I speak Philippine Hybrid Hokkien (Jinjiang-Nan'an + Cebuano variant) at home. I am interested in our culture and language and etymology. I continually compile vocabulary and grammar that I casually hear from my immediate family and family-friends. I joined TLA because I want to help preserve the culture and language as I see it also within myself that learning the language is a continual never-ending journey. Aside from Lannang-related activities, I indulge myself in sports like tennis and pickleball, and I am also sufficiently capable of doing 3D modelling and 3D printing.

I am a Lannang Visiting Lecturer handling foreign language (Chinese Mandarin) classes at the College of Home Economics of Western Mindanao State University. I have a degree in Entrepreneurship from De La Salle University - Manila, and also an MBA from Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. I joined TLA because I take pride in my identity as a Lannang, felt that now is the best time to reconnect and rediscover all things lánnang, and I'd love to contribute to TLA's activities and advocacies as well.

I’m Jasper Yeung, a second-generation Chinese currently studying in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Chiang Kai Shek College. I’m multilingual—I speak English, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Lánnang-uè (Hokkien), which I consider my mother tongue. I’m actively involved in my community, serving as the Vice President for Sports and Recreation at the Manila Downtown YMCA Youth Club, and I previously served as the External Vice President of our Student Council. I’m also passionate about sports like golf, basketball, and badminton. I joined The Lannang Archives because preserving Lánnang-uè is deeply personal to me. For a time, I believed the language was in decline and that preservation efforts might be in vain. But after discovering TLA through the Lánnang Symposium, I found renewed hope. It inspired me to take action and be part of a movement that’s working to preserve and celebrate our cultural heritage—starting with our language.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and human resource professional with Chinese-Filipino roots, committed to advancing mental health, cultural understanding, and inclusive education in the Philippines. My professional work spans clinical psychology, trauma recovery, psychological assessment, and organizational development. I also advocate for mental wellness through public education, media engagement, and community-based initiatives. Deeply passionate about identity and heritage, I focus on the intersection of psychology and culture—exploring how family systems, collective memory, and diasporic narratives shape human behavior and well-being. As someone who grew up navigating both Filipino and Chinese traditions, I am driven to preserve and elevate the diverse experiences of the Lannang community. Outside my professional work, I find grounding through sports like running and Kendo, which allow me to live out values of discipline, balance, and personal growth. I joined The Lannang Archives to contribute to a growing body of research and storytelling that honors our community’s complex histories. Through TLA, I hope to help future generations rediscover their roots, reclaim their narratives, and celebrate their Lannang identity with pride.

I'm Steph Wong, I'm an Architect and I wanted to volunteer in the preservation of hokkien because I fell in love with the culture as well as the sound of hokkien itself. It gives a different sense of unity and pride just being a lannang and knowing how hard working the chinese are. I've been looking around researching different ways to learn LNU so I can teach the language and its culture to the next generations as well.

A passionate Tsinoy polyglot hailing from the vibrant City of Zamboanga in Mindanao, Philippines (Asia’s only Latin City). He has immersed himself in various communities, grassroots movements, and advocacy work, becoming a true champion for causes close to his heart. With an impressive track record in engaging diverse communities and fostering intercultural dialogues, he possesses exceptional communication and linguistic skills. One of his niches is debating issues covering Southeast Asian and Chinese politics, diving into power dynamics, and identity politics. When he is not engaging in intellectual discourse, he indulges with his hobbies and interests, including language learning, traveling, and the occasional golfing adventure. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and personal growth, he is always on the lookout for new challenges and life-enriching opportunities.

I'm a Judenite, currently in real estate sales and a licensed Sun Life Financial Advisor advocating for the younger generation people to prepare for life/ the future. I'm passionate about being lannang among others, that's what brought me here. I also dive into sports, nowadays mostly watching and the ocassional engagement in it. I'm currently into fitness as well, which allows me to be able to experience the different cultures of the world, most esp. Asia. You will only realize that health is wealth once you reach a certain age. So, with that, I believe that life truly begins @ 40!

Hello! My name is Wharton Tsoi, I’m 23 years old and I’m currently a student and I come from Hong Kong. I’m passionate about helping others, setting personal goals, and learning new skills. I’m interested in joining because I’d love to make new friends, improve my communication skills, and build more confidence.

User interface / visual designer by profession, detective of fictional crimes by obsession, and a hopeless sucker for anything delicious! 🎨🎬🕵‍♂️🥙🥗 As a second- or third-generation immigrant, I’m learning to embrace my identity that lives in the in-between—where Chinese and Filipino - Lannang - cultures meet and mingle.

I am Charles, currently a medical student from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. I have always been an enthusiast of many things, but more and more in the last couple of years, my interest in languages and culture grew significantly. I did not grow up speaking good Hokkien or Lánnang-uè, but as years passed, I recognized the need for learning and advocating for the language. This passion has led me into discovering and attending the TLA's Lannang Symposium in the summer of 2024, and consequently, joining the Lannang Archives as a proud member.

I’m Belinda, a researcher with a background in psychology and a deep interest in culture, identity, and learning. I joined The Lannang Archives to reconnect with my roots and explore what it means to be Chinese Filipino.

I live in San Nicolas, Manila and my usual colleagues in the chinatown neighborhood are Anson Yu, Ivan, etc. I also give heritage tours in the area as a freelance guide. My skillset would definitely be more on research especially about Chinese-Filipino cultural heritage, including historic buildings and spaces, which is part of my heritage consultancy work. I also have special interest on funerary heritage that is why I’m doing a digital mapping on the Manila Chinese Cemetery. On Lannang-ue, I know very little at it and perhaps by being part of your team, it is one way for me to brush up on the language and learn about ways to finally to be able to become fluent at it. That is my primary motivation.

I am a second-generation Lannang Chinese mathematics and data science student passionate about the Lannang language and culture and in helping out the community so that this beautifully complex hybrid identity continues to thrive and reach the next generations.

I’m a management student that heavily identifies as a Lannang. My interests are in cultural anthropology and etymology. I joined TLA to fulfill my personal mission of spreading awareness and ensuring that Lannang-Ue doesn’t die with me.

I like drawing things about stuff I'm interested in. I joined because I was interested in the organization and learning about my own culture.

I’m Cydney Chua, a finance professional and my roots are deeply connected to both Chinese and Filipino cultures, and I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of heritage, identity, and language. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to preserve our unique histories — especially those that don’t always find space in mainstream narratives. My passions lie in cultural preservation, education, and community engagement. Whether through language, storytelling, or shared experiences, I believe in empowering people to embrace their heritage while building bridges across cultures. I joined The Lannang Archives because its mission resonates deeply with me. I’m inspired by TLA’s dedication to documenting and revitalizing Lannang culture — not just for the present generation but for those to come. Being part of this community allows me to contribute meaningfully, learn more about my roots, and help ensure our stories and languages are not forgotten.

I’m a Filipino-Chinese pastor and business owner who loves connecting people through food and stories. I’m passionate about faith, culture, and helping others rediscover who they are and where they come from. I joined TLA to reconnect with my Lannang roots and to be part of preserving our shared heritage.

I'm a language enthusiast with a special passion for Lánnang-uè. By tutoring it part-time and being involved in TLA, I hope to help make it more accessible and easier to learn, while also elevating the language to its greater potential within both the local Lannang community and beyond.

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.

I'm an electronics engineer by training, with a passion for history, preservation, and a good story. I joined TLA to help document the past and celebrate the present of Lannang identity, culture, and language in whatever way I can

I'm Ashley Cua, a creative writing student at the University of the Philippines Diliman and a member of the UP Chinese Student Association. I was raised in a mix of English, Filipino, and Lánnang-uè, and I aim to explore and engage with Lánnang-uè in both nonfiction and fiction—writing that uplifts, critically examines, and represents the Chinese-Filipino community as part of the broader Filipino nation. When I’m not writing, I enjoy researching post-3.11 Japanese literature, Chinese-Filipino literature, and watching musicals.

I am Merwin Chan, a Chinese Filipino, Chinoy, Lannang, Filchi, etc. of 3rd or 4th generation and as Filipino as any other. Growing up in Metro Manila, I grew up with family, peers, fellows, etc. all speaking Ph. Hokkien, and/or a mix thereof with Tagalog and English, or just the latter two. I myself first spoke both Tagalog and English tho, or whichever came first, and was taught English, Filipino(Tagalog), Chinese(Mandarin) at my school, all as if they were each our native languages. In college, we got to pick foreign language classes, like Basic Portuguese and Japanese. Upon managing to learn our history, language, social milieu, I noticed there was a disconnect with reality, and the "Chinese" that was always used in most our families for centuries was always relegated to the margins, despite its real role in our lives. I thought at least that I have the ability to make a positive impact for future generations.

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".