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Asian American Pacific Islander Month

Asian American Pacific Islander Month

In celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, InSync PLUS highlights its employees who are a part of the AAPI community. Engaging in conversations with Gloria, Cher, and Eric, we explore their preferred cuisines, movies, and other fascinating aspects of their cultural experiences.

Gloria, Senior Producer

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?

This is a time to celebrate and recognize the rich history, culture, and contributions of AAPI individuals to the United States. Also, to promote awareness, understanding, and respect for our diverse cultures and experiences.

How do you identify within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community?

Filipino-American, first generation American born.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?

Although I love shoes, Filipino culture is known for its strong emphasis on family, respect for elders and hospitality to guests. These values have been instilled in me from a young age and continue to shape my worldview and interactions with others. Filipino cuisine, art and music are also important aspects of my heritage that have helped shape my identity and contributed to my cultural pride.

What is your favorite AAPI comfort food?

Heavens, where to start? Adobo, halo-halo, curry laksa, sinigang, roti canai, rosé tteokbokki, char kway teow, pancit palabok, lumpia, chicken korma, lechon, laing and the list goes on…

Who is your favorite AAPI filmmaker?

Ang Lee, Mira Nair, Brillante Mendoza, Park Chan-wook

Cher, Designer

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?

It’s about knowing where I came from and taking pride in the clothes, food, physical attributes, and traditions that others made me feel embarrassed of when I was younger.

What is your favorite AAPI comfort food?

There are too many to list, but the ones that come to mind are tteokbokki, ramen, and pho.

What is your favorite movie?

Probably Oldboy or The Handmaiden.

Who is your favorite AAPI filmmaker?

I love Park Chan-wook and Hayao Miyazaki.

Eric, Digital Creative Director

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?

As a half-Asian person, I’m glad AAPI heritage month exists, it didn’t when I was a child. Hopefully, this can help spark curiosity in Asian kids to discover figures of inspiration, who look more like they do.

How do you identify within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community?

My mother is Korean and my father is German American.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?

Growing up outside the norms of traditional society has given me a great deal of observational knowledge of American and Korean life. I am a permanent observer.

Who are the role models or mentors that have influenced you or helped guide you?

The incredible photographs of Hong Kong by Fan Ho. Also Shohei Ohtani, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

What is your favorite AAPI comfort food?

Budae Jjigae (which is Korean food with American ingredients) and most Japanese Curry.

Who is your favorite AAPI filmmaker?

Chan Wook Park (Korea), Wong Kar Wai (Hong Kong), Justin Lin (USA), to name a few.

What is your favorite movie?

I have dozens of favorite movies. In context of Asian heritage month I’d say The Last Emperor, the original Oldboy, Better Luck Tomorrow, and the movie my sister and I watched constantly as kids, Big Trouble In Little China.

Book suggestions?

I’m not much of a reader. I’d rather people talk to Asian people to learn more about them.

At InSync PLUS, recognizing and valuing the multiculturalism and heritages of all employees is an essential aspect of our core values.