hello hello ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧ maligayang pagbati! i am Malaya (they/she). 
Malaya (phonetically sounds like papaya) translates to “to be free” in Tagalog.
"Gawa ni Malaya" translates to "made by Malaya." these art pieces i make are conduits of my complex grief ꨄ︎ & colorful resilience ★ as an undocumented immigrant.
i was born in so-called "Philippines" and have called the Inland Empire/Los Angeles area my home since fleeing family violence at nine years old.
i completed a Bachelor's of Science degree in Geography and a Bachelor's in Arts degree in Science, Technology, & Society, in addition to a Nonviolence Studies Minor.
daily, i imperfectly practice mindfulness in the plum village tradition. creating vibrant & lively wearable art brings me joy & solace. i wish to imbue these tender feelings to qt ˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ bipoc immigrant cuties as well.
the idea to start this art venture was the love child of the tumultuously transformational year of 2020.
six brutal beautiful years later, I am honored to still be here to share, live, laugh, & create another day ⋆˚₊ 𖤓☽˚.⋆