Lois in Progress

Dear Human,

Writing from my freezing human body here in the north of the Philippines, the land of strawberries and fat vegetables: Baguio. It feels so surreal to finally send my first letter to my subscribers, whom I consider my official guests at my birthday today. You guys are the greatest gift I’ve received this year. Thank you so much for subscribing to my weekly letter!

It’s been ages since I put art aside because I had to face reality. When I graduated from college, I didn’t pursue it because, obviously, being an artist here in our country doesn’t always put food on the table, or at least that’s what many of us were taught by our parents. We were programmed to study hard, get a degree, and get a job. There’s nothing wrong with that, actually, but it’s also not necessarily the only truth.

Maybe artists are called delusional, unrealistic, or whatever society wants to label us. But here I am, after 15 years of putting that part of myself aside, finally wanting to work on it again and, this time, stay consistent. I have a background in performing arts, specifically theater, with writing as my strongest backbone. Writing and ideation were two skills I confidently practiced throughout my teenage years. However, when I was forced to face adulthood, I left writing, theater, and art behind.

Now, I want them back. 🥹

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