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Recent Blogs & Photo ESsays:

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ARROZidency Artist-in-Residence

VENERATING AN ICON is Nica's visual study of the Santo Niño in contemporary Philippines & CA diaspora. Created during her 2025 month-long artist residency at OM France Viana Studio at the Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco, the work reflects on diasporic identity, memory, religious iconography, & devotion through lens-based image-making & personal storytelling.

Balay da Judge Artist-in-Residence

Nica spent 2 months exploring the Philippines, including a month-long spring artist residency with the Alfredo F. Tadiar Library in coastal La Union — where art, literature, waves, landscape, & memory met. Her residency project is still in-progress.

Mindanao Memories

Nica's first visit to the stunning southern Philippine island of Mindanao was a 10-day journey through coastal roads & misty mountains with friends — timed perfectly to witness the vibrant Kaamulan Festival in full swing.

Return Call

In autumn 2024, Nica returned to the Philippines for the first time since her father’s burial in 2019, spending a quiet month in her family's northern province, revisiting old paths once walked with her parents.

Taiwan Travel: Art, Ritual & the Everyday

In this photo series, Nica explored Yilan County through art, spirituality, & daily life during a trip in 2024. The images weave together quiet rituals, cultural history, & intimate moments along Taiwan’s northeastern coast.

MONO NO AWARE: Stills from Japan

Here are some digital stills from Nica's solo-trip to Japan in autumn 2024, where she spent part of the Halloween season! She explored the streets of Tokyo's cityscape on foot & bicycle, & also made a day trip to Kamakura.

Nica goes [Back] to College

From September-December 2025, Nica took an advanced photography lighting class at Glendale Community College, where she practiced a range of advanced lighting techniques she never learnt during her four years in art school. Check out the full roundup of photos + some reflections!