That story about the kid asking 'What are you?' obviously planted a seed. But what was *the* single event, or specific period, that ultimately forged the path you're on today? Not just a question, but the actual turning point where you decided this wasn't just a curiosity, but *your work*.
I would say that when I started receiving emails—when I posted a tattoo of my last name on MySpace—people began asking, “Can you help me translate my name?” I also heard various reasons, such as feeling disconnected or someone marrying into a Filipino family and wanting to impress them. I realized I wasn’t the only one with these questions about identity or the desire to connect.