Our Stories Matter (LIVE EVENT!)

Vivien Narcisa Triano is the eldest daughter of two hardworking Filipino immigrants. She is also a Manang, sister, mother, and trusted friend. She is a dedicated student of Life, whose most recent teacher is grief. By day, she's a clinical genetic counselor in corporate healthcare; by night, she's a closeted creative whose art and sweary writing is guided by her fierce, but far more polite indigenous ancestors and Spirit guides. She is currently on a path to uncover her life's purpose whilst charting new waters as a co-parent to two spirited young boys.

Lan-Phuong was born in South Democratic Vietnam during the Vietnam Civil War. She spent 15 years under the Communist regime before resettling in the US in 1990. International and domestic politics have profoundly and tragically affected her life and her family: she has experienced death, political persecution, separation, and destitution. Thanks to the US government and the people who fought hard for her family to emigrate from Vietnam, she is proud to call the US home.  She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in macroeconomics from American University in Washington DC, and she is currently studying politics and international relations at Sacramento State. Lan-Phuong is a life-long devoted community and political activist. 

Jasjeet Dhanota is a naturalist and writer. She was born in San Jose, California and currently lives in Sacramento.

Hằng Hoàng is a 1st generation Vietnamese American and the 1st in her family to pursue a graduate degree. She had to navigate higher education while supporting her younger brother with an incurable illness. Despite her delayed graduation, she believes that she will be able to support her family and graduate with her degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. When Hằng is not working on her thesis or helping her family, you can find her watching anime and Asian dramas, and anything she finds interesting on Netflix. She also loves to read fiction and self-development books and learn about photography on YouTube. Hằng enjoys hanging out with her friends and staying connected with them via messaging.

Jomari grew up in the slum of Payatas, Philippines. As a child, he remembers selling flowers on the streets to help buy his grandmother’s medicines and experiencing bullying from his peers. But he kept a positive attitude. As a newly settled immigrant to the US, he threw himself into helping his community. He volunteered in the food pantry, his high school garden, high school library, and helped in janitorial duties. He even spent his lunch time educating students about composting and recycling. Although his life has not been perfect, he believes each challenge has allowed him to discover what he wants to do in life: to serve the public. By sharing his story, he hopes to inspire those who experience failures in their own life.