One of my favorite parts of this journey is getting out from behind the desk and actually meeting people. Writing and publishing can be very behind-the-scenes, with so much time spent creating, editing, planning, designing, answering emails, and working quietly on the next project. Events give me a completely different experience because I get to see the books and the work become part of real life.

Whether I am reading to children, signing books, attending a cultural celebration, supporting a community program, participating in an award gathering, or simply spending time with families and other creatives, I enjoy the connection that happens when people are together in the same space. I get to hear stories, answer questions, meet parents and children, and sometimes see a child connect with one of my books right in front of me. Those moments make all the hours behind the scenes feel very real.

Over time, many of these experiences have also brought me closer to the Filipino community. I have been grateful to take part in events where culture, family, books, music, community, and storytelling come together. Some have been centered around my work as an author, while others have simply given me an opportunity to support something meaningful or celebrate alongside other people.

What I have come to appreciate most is that connection does not always happen in the places we expect. A meaningful book experience can happen in a bookstore or classroom, but it can also happen inside a grocery store, at a cultural gathering, during a community celebration, or anywhere families already feel comfortable being together.

Bringing Stories Into Everyday Community Spaces

One of the experiences that really stayed with me was Kwento at Kulay at Seafood City Chula Vista on July 11, 2026. It was a children’s storytelling event built around books, creativity, and family participation, with a live reading, activities for children, a coloring station, book signing, and opportunities for families to spend time together.

Seafood City confirmed that this was its first children’s author event at the Chula Vista location, which made the experience especially meaningful to me. I was proud of that milestone, but what mattered even more was seeing books become part of a place where families were already gathering.

Parents did not have to attend a formal literary event or go somewhere completely separate from their everyday lives. They could be at Seafood City with their families and suddenly find a storytelling activity happening right there.

That experience reminded me that literacy does not always have to stay inside a classroom, library, or bookstore. Sometimes reaching children means bringing stories into the places they already know and enjoy.

I also hope experiences like that open doors for other authors. If more writers eventually hold storytelling events in places like Seafood City, I would consider that a beautiful thing. Creating more opportunities for children to encounter books can only be good for the community.

Barnes & Noble Storytime & Book Signing

Another special moment came on September 13, 2026, when I held a Storytime and Book Signing at Barnes & Noble from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

There was something especially meaningful about being able to share my books inside a bookstore surrounded by shelves of stories from so many different authors. Storytime gave me the opportunity to interact directly with children and families, while the book signing afterward gave us time to talk more personally.

Bookstore events feel different from writing at home because you finally get to see who is on the other side of the book. You see children listening, parents looking through the pages, families asking questions, and readers deciding which story speaks to them.

I never take those moments for granted. A book may begin quietly at a desk, but once someone else picks it up, it becomes part of their experience too.

Culture, Community & Filipino Heritage

Being part of Filipino community events has also become an important part of this journey. My cultural identity appears throughout my work, especially in books such as The Filipino in Me: Celebrating What Makes Us Proud, so it means a lot to be in spaces where Filipino families, organizations, artists, business owners, and community members are celebrating together.

These gatherings have allowed me to meet people from many different generations. Sometimes the conversation is about books, while other times it is about family, heritage, travel, childhood memories, or what it means to raise children with a sense of pride in where they come from.

I love that these experiences are not only about promoting something I created. They give me the opportunity to listen too. Every person has a story, and being part of community events reminds me how much we can learn simply by talking with one another.

Dangal ng Pilipino Founders Citation Award

On March 14, 2026, I attended the Dangal ng Pilipino Founders Citation Award gathering through the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater San Diego.

Receiving recognition connected to the Filipino community was especially meaningful because my heritage has become such an important part of the work I do. My books may cover many different subjects, but identity, belonging, family, kindness, and helping children feel proud of themselves continue to come back in different ways.

The event was also an opportunity to celebrate other people who were contributing to the community through their own work. Being in a room with people from different professions and backgrounds was a reminder that community impact can take many forms.

BINI in San Diego

On August 9, 2026, I attended BINI’s San Diego concert, which became another memorable Filipino community and cultural experience for me.

Music has always been something I enjoy, so attending the concert brought together two things that are important in my life: creativity and culture. I also had the opportunity to participate in a special photo experience and share books during the occasion.

Events like this show me how many different ways culture can bring people together. Sometimes it happens through books, sometimes through music, food, dance, language, or simply being surrounded by people who share a connection to the same heritage.

Supporting Literacy Beyond My Own Events

Not everything I do in the community involves standing in front of a crowd. Some of the experiences that matter to me happen much more quietly.

Throughout 2026, I have continued finding ways to share books with community organizations and literacy-related programs. Books have been donated through different outreach efforts, including support connected with PASACAT and Libélula Books, along with other community efforts.

I see book donations as another form of participation. A child does not have to meet the author for a book to matter. Sometimes the most meaningful thing is simply making sure the book reaches someone who might enjoy it, learn from it, or see part of themselves reflected in the story.

That is something I hope to continue expanding over time, both locally and eventually in communities farther away where access to books and educational resources may be more limited.

Past Events & Appearances

Looking back, I am grateful for how many different kinds of experiences have already become part of this journey. Some were planned months in advance, while others came about unexpectedly. Each one gave me something different to remember.

March 14, 2026 — Dangal ng Pilipino Founders Citation Award

I attended the Filipino community recognition event and received the Dangal ng Pilipino Founders Citation Award. The experience was meaningful not only because of the recognition but because it allowed me to celebrate alongside others who were contributing to the community in their own ways.

July 11, 2026 — Kwento at Kulay at Seafood City Chula Vista

I hosted a family-centered children’s storytelling experience at Seafood City Chula Vista, with a live reading, children’s activities, coloring, creativity, and book signing. Seafood City confirmed that it was the location’s first children’s author event, making it a special milestone for both my author journey and my community work.

Summer 2026 — Community Book Donations & Literacy Outreach

Throughout the summer, I continued sharing books through different community and literacy efforts. These included donations and support connected with organizations and community spaces such as PASACAT and Libélula Books, along with other outreach.

August 9, 2026 — BINI San Diego Concert

I attended BINI’s San Diego concert, where I had the opportunity to enjoy an evening centered around Filipino music and culture, participate in a special photo experience, and share books as part of the occasion.

1. September 13, 2026 — Barnes & Noble Storytime & Book Signing

I hosted a Storytime and Book Signing at Barnes & Noble from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Being able to read to children, meet families, talk with readers, and sign books in a bookstore setting made this another special milestone in my author journey.

October 24, 2026 — The 16th Annual TOFA Awards

I was honored to receive The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) recognition during a celebration spanning two memorable evenings, from the gala dinner to the awards night. Being recognized alongside fellow honorees whose work serves and inspires others made this a deeply meaningful milestone.

As a children’s author and advocate for emotional literacy and kindness, this honor holds a special place in my heart. I write to help children embrace their uniqueness, feel proud of their roots, and understand that their feelings and their lives matter. Having that work recognized gave me even more encouragement to continue.

The beautiful Filipino singing performances, heartfelt speeches, and welcoming conversations made the experience unforgettable. I left feeling grateful for the honor and for the family of friends I found within the TOFA 2026 community.

Why These Experiences Mean So Much to Me

What I remember most about events is rarely the schedule, the setup, or how many people were there. I tend to remember the small things: a child holding a book, a parent telling me something personal, meeting someone I had only communicated with online, laughing with people during an event, taking photographs together, or having a conversation I did not expect.

Those are the moments that stay with me.

They are also why I do not think events have to be huge in order to matter. A small reading with a meaningful connection can stay with me just as much as a large celebration.

My life also includes much more than being an author. There is motherhood, publishing, travel, community work, music, creative projects, family, friendships, and everyday life happening alongside everything else. I enjoy being involved, but I also want to experience the moments I am actually living rather than always thinking about what comes next.

As I get older, I appreciate time differently. I care more about experiences, people, memories, and being present than simply having a full calendar.

More Than Author Appearances

This page is not meant to be only a record of book signings. It is also a place where I can share some of the experiences that become part of the bigger story of my life.

That may include storytelling events, cultural celebrations, community gatherings, award ceremonies, literacy programs, music events, travel experiences, creative gatherings, and other moments that mean something to me.

Some will be directly connected to my books and others may have nothing to do with publishing at all. I like it that way because I have never wanted my life to fit into only one box.

Being an author is something I am incredibly grateful for, but I am also a mom, traveler, music lover, Filipino American, creative person, friend, and someone who still enjoys discovering new things and having new experiences.

What I Hope Comes Next

I would love to continue doing storytelling programs, bookstore events, school and community visits, cultural celebrations, literacy activities, book signings, and events centered around emotional literacy, kindness, confidence, identity, and belonging.

I am especially interested in finding more ways to bring books directly into community spaces where children and families already gather. Seafood City showed me how naturally reading can fit into an unexpected setting, while Barnes & Noble reminded me how special traditional bookstore storytime can still be. There is room for both.

I also hope to continue supporting cultural organizations, literacy programs, schools, and community groups whenever there is a meaningful opportunity to contribute.

For me, the goal is not to collect appearances. It is to keep having experiences where I can meet people, share something meaningful, support a community, learn something myself, and hopefully leave with a memory worth keeping.

Keep Up With My Latest Events

This page will continue growing as new experiences become part of the journey. For my latest appearances, upcoming events, community activities, and other moments along the way, I usually share updates on Instagram at @momosvoyage.

That is the best place to see where I may be next, what I am attending, and some of the everyday moments that happen in between the bigger events.

Check out my Events Here.

 

Meet, celebrate, and connect

Events & Adventures

November 2026

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Upcoming events

New events will be posted here soon.