On this episode of Real Talk, I recount my personal experiences living in Tokyo for the last few months and discuss the reason why I moved to Japan, transitioning into a daily lifestyle, gaining confidence through photography and fashion, loneliness and making new friends in a foreign country, thoughts on living in Japan long term, and personal recommendations for food and drinks in the city.

In an office building located in Shinjuku, I connected with graphic designer Yoji Hamada and discussed how we met in Harajuku, navigating his personal identity between being Japanese and New Zealander, the overwhelming amount of food options in Tokyo, recording fashion vlogs, the hype behind visiting Japan, networking opportunities as foreigners in a new country, and comparing unreleased Frank Ocean tracks.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/why.oji/

https://www.youtube.com/@whyoji

At the DDD Hotel in Tokyo, I had a conversation with my family members Annaliza Toledo and Trevor Peters (a.k.a. Curly) about sleeping in Yoyogi Park, how they got into the graffiti scene, the origin behind their Rust Magic agency and mural festival, my experiences with photography in Japan, the opening night of the "Still Tho" travelling exhibition, and being intentional with your time and energy.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/annaliza_____/

https://www.instagram.com/curly_yia/

https://www.instagram.com/rustmagic/

During our final full day together in Japan, I sat down with my cousin Mark in my sharehouse located in Itabashi City to discuss our experiences travelling around the country from the last two weeks.

In one of MacEwan's study rooms, my barber Rolando Bautista and I discussed his experiences studying abroad, my decision to move to Japan, getting wasted together at karaoke, trying to break into the modelling industry, visiting South Korea with an online friend, and our favourite areas in Tokyo.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/itsrolandohair/

https://www.instagram.com/erorob_/

On the upper mezzanine of Double Dragon, I spoke to Anna Lee of Liezl Studio about creating concrete art with her Dad, transitioning into a new career path with no experience, growing up as a minority in the 80’s, recording house parties on stationary camcorders, Filipino superstitions, and the differences between working in the corporate world vs the food industry.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/liezl.studio/

After our latest appointment, I spoke to tattoo artist Hammy about the differences between neo-traditional and traditional tattoo styles, growing up and living in a small town, comparing Filipino dialects, becoming a tattoo apprentice, the traits that go into becoming a good artist, and treating themselves with Sosyal Scoops ice cream.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/hamtown.tattoo/

I had a chance to sit down with Alyssa Lau of New Classics to discuss how she started her business at 22, eating out with family in Malaysia, curating her personal style, meeting her husband on Guild Wars II, the risks of social media, and her experience attending Chanel fashion week events.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/imalyssalau/

https://www.instagram.com/shopnewclassics/

I spoke to graphic designer Bridgette Crabbe about her experience in modelling, being exposed to art and design from a young age, feeling disconnected from Filipino culture, participating in MacEwan's Design Student Organization, finding ways of being less introverted, and gorpcore fashion.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/bridgettedawnn/