J Rex, as he prefers to be called, is a documentary photographer currently developing work on Chinese Filipino identity and culture. Through the symposium, he hopes to gain more insight and ideas with which to guide his work as it develops. J Rex is also keen to connect with other Chinoys and hear out their stories, to find common ground and unique truths among the myriad of experiences individuals have. He intends for the work to act as a conduit for meaningful conversations on Chinese Filipino experience and history, and its role in nation building.
When not doing or thinking about photography, J Rex wistfully thinks of all the dogs in his life, or wonders what will happen to the hundreds of recipes he's developed in over 14 years of cooking.

Philipp is a small business owner who studied theology and formerly served as pastor in a Baptist Church in Guimaras. Born and raised in Iloilo, he is an alumnus of Hua Siong College of Iloilo (formerly Iloilo Central Commercial High School), where he first experienced the unique culture and camaraderie of the Filipino-Chinese (Lannang) community. After years away from formal cultural involvement, he is now on a personal journey of reconnection—seeking to rediscover and honor his generational heritage. Now in his late 30s, he is answering a quiet yet powerful call to come home—not just to a place, but to an identity. His participation in the 2025 Future Lannang Leaders Symposium is not about titles or recognition; it is a step in honoring the community that helped shape him. Through this journey, he hopes to encourage others that it is never too late to return—with humility, purpose, and love.

Lance is currently a third-year Bachelor of Arts in History student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. His research interests center on the American occupation period in the Philippines and the development of Chinese communities in the country during that time. He is an active member of the University of the Philippines Chinese Student Association and has previously served on its Academic Services and Initiatives Committee, specifically contributing to academic events. Lance’s motivation for participating in the symposium is to gather insights that will inform his future academic work, including research papers and his undergraduate thesis. Having grown up in the Chinoy community, he also sees this as an opportunity to appreciate different aspects of his culture and heritage. He hopes to deepen his understanding of Lannang life through engagement with reputable speakers and facilitators, ultimately enabling him to better embrace and contribute to the community that shaped his upbringing.

Marilyn is an ECE and MBA graduate of De La Salle University. She worked in the IT BPO industry for 10 years with 7 years in Mandarin-English tech support/service desk work. She also did work in banking systems implementation, web/mobile app development, photo printer marketing, toy product development, corporate training/coaching, and marketing communications fields in a project documentation, coordination, management and process improvement capacity. She served as an elementary Chinese teacher in her alma mater Saint Jude Catholic School for two years.Mar enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, meditation, and mountaineering. Growing up in a traditional Chinese-Filipino household, Mar felt conflicted with the stereotyping of and towards Lannangs, hence, she endeavored to rediscover her ancestral roots in order to appreciate her Lannang identity. She looks forward to meeting and learning from the speakers at the Lannang Symposium. Mar aspires to advocate healing intergenerational trauma and promoting mental health and wellbeing.

Ricky is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in European Languages, majoring in German with a minor in Spanish, at the Department of European Languages, College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines Diliman. He is a member of the Linguistic Society of the Philippines and the Knights of Rizal – Blumentritt Chapter, with plans to join the Philippine Historical Association. His interests span literary studies, film, art exhibitions, World War II and Cold War history in Southeast Asia, and international studies. He will be participating in the upcoming Lannang Symposium to support his colleagues in their research and to reconnect with the memories of his childhood in Binondo.

Aaron Kiefer Sia is a fourth-year Architecture student at the University of Santo Tomas. He is currently working on his thesis proposal titled “A Filipino-Chinese Cultural Center Focused on Intangible Heritage through a Culturally Responsive and Multi-Sensory Approach.” This project holds deep personal significance for him—not only as a student and designer, but also as someone seeking to reconnect with his cultural roots. Raised in a predominantly Filipino-Chinese household, Aaron carries a strong sense of belonging to the culture that shaped his early years. However, over time, he found himself gradually drifting away from the traditions and practices that once formed an integral part of his identity. His enduring passion for design, art, and architecture has consistently drawn him to cultural spaces in his academic work. For him, designing a space that embodies the very culture he was raised in is both a natural extension of his interests and a meaningful act of reconnection. Participating in the Lannang Symposium and pursuing this thesis topic represents not only an academic endeavor, but a personal journey of rediscovery and cultural affirmation.

Micah Janine Yu is a fourth-year architecture student at the University of Santo Tomas. She comes from a long line of Filipino-Chinese families deeply rooted in culture and tradition. From a young age, she turned to writing as a form of self-expression and a way to document the practices and traditions that shaped her identity. However, as she became more involved in her academic and personal pursuits, she gradually grew distant from the culture that once defined her. For her, the Lannang Symposium is more than a chance to reconnect with her roots—it is an opportunity to rediscover the enduring values embedded in her heritage and to contribute to the preservation of its artistic and cultural expressions. Through this experience, she hopes to bridge the gap that has developed over the years, revive the vibrant traditions that once connected her to her community, and find renewed inspiration among others who share a deep appreciation for the same cultural legacy.

Sally Yu recently served as a Chinese preschool teacher at Saint Jude Catholic School, her alma mater, for two years. She is also a member of the Cycle Mass Chorale, which performs Chinese songs at the Binondo Chinese Parish. A lifelong learner, she enjoys attending seminars that help her develop both personally and professionally. Her passion for Chinese was nurtured by her father, who encouraged her and her siblings to attend cultural shows and Chinese enrichment classes from a young age, inspiring them to continuously deepen their learning. Drawn by both curiosity and a desire to improve her Chinese fluency while supporting language preservation, she is excited to participate in the Lannang Symposium 2025. She looks forward to becoming more involved in the Lannang community and connecting with like-minded individuals.

Analiza is an accomplished educator, school leader, and international speaker with over 13 years of experience in the Philippine education sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Baliwag University and a Master’s degree in Education from the Technological University of the Philippines, Manila, where she is currently completing her Doctorate in Educational Management. She presently serves as the Principal of Baliwag Polytechnic College Senior High School, leading a thriving academic community of over 1,500 students. Known for her inclusive leadership and passion for excellence, she actively promotes academic innovation, values-based education, and culturally responsive teaching. Analiza has also represented the Philippines as a speaker in various international conferences across several countries, sharing her insights on educational leadership, curriculum development, and intercultural engagement. Her work emphasizes the integration of heritage and identity in education, especially within the context of Filipino-Chinese (Lannang) culture. Deeply committed to empowering learners and educators alike, she continues to champion education as a force for cultural preservation, community development, and transformative leadership.

Ashley is a creative writing student in the University of the Philippines Diliman and a member of UP Chinese Student Association. Raised in a mix of English, Filipino, Lánnang-uè, she hopes attending the 2025 Lannang Symposium will help broaden her understanding of Lánnang-uè, not just in technical fluency or cultural heritage, but in the present possibilities of language living and ever-evolving with communities across the Philippines. From this, she aims to explore and engage with the use of Lánnang-uè in nonfiction, realist and even speculative fiction that can uplift, critically examine, and repersent the Chinese-Filipino community as part of the broader nation. When not writing, she takes interest in researching post-3.11 Japanese literature, Chinese-Filipino literature, and in watching musicals.

Ahngelo is the Deputy Manager for Seafarer Documentation/Safety Officer at International Registries, Inc., bringing over 15 years of experience in the maritime industry.
A graduate of Universidad de Manila with a degree in Business Administration major in Marketing, he is known for his dedication to operational excellence in maritime documentation.
Outside of his professional role, Ahngelo enjoys running, gym workouts, and mountaineering

Adrianne, with a background in Business Management, is currently affiliated with Guangdong Huariwin Rotomolded Products Co., Ltd., one of China’s leading rotomolding firms, where she focuses on language, culture, and community development, particularly within the Filipino-Chinese community. She hails from the Joven family, part of the Ho-Beng lineage influential in Manila’s Binondo district, and her adopted family includes figures who designed national landmarks like the National Museum and Jones Bridge, served as early leaders of the Katipunan (KKK), and were part of the ilustrado class from Bacolor, Pampanga—deepening her connection to her heritage. Her exposure to family members in business, as well as her upbringing around her grandparents’ hardware store and printing press, instilled in her strong management skills, a solid work ethic, and a drive for entrepreneurship. Committed to preserving cultural heritage, Adrianne believes that fostering an understanding of history and identity is key to building cultural appreciation and unity within future generations of the community.

Dr. Reyes is currently the Program Director of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English at the Institute of Education at Baliwag Polytechnic College now known as the Dalubhasaang Politekniko ng Lungsod ng Baliwag, City of Baliwag, Bulacan. He has more than a decade of experience in education both in higher education and basic education as a classroom teacher and school principal. He is also an Associate Member of National Research Council of the Philippines under the Division 1-Governmental, Educational, and International Policies.

Watson is an electronics engineer from De La Salle University, an amateur writer and preservationist, and an advocate for Filipino history and culture with a particular emphasis on Lannang perspectives, experiences, and events. With a strong passion for stories and a desire to see more Lannang culture represented, they hope to help further the Lannang community by promoting creative works, research, and community efforts centered around fostering an inclusive, multicultural group of people who have a shared interest in all things Lannang.