Graphic designed by my boyfriend John

I was born in the Philippines, but adopted by an American family when I was a year old and brought to the U.S., hence the Scottish last name and English first name. My biological mother had to give me up for adoption because she could not afford to care for herself, let alone for me, as the economy in the P.I. back then was even more horrible than it is now. She had heard about two American missionaries running a baby home in Manila and went there to ask them to adopt me out to a family in the U.S. who would love me and give me a better life than she could. As it happened, the daughter of the two married missionaries was unable to have any more children after she had one son, and was really wanting a daughter to round out her family. The missionaries called their daughter and let them know that if she was willing to fly out to Manila and deal with all the red tape of adoption, then she could have the daughter she wanted. She took her 3-year old son, got both of them the necessary shots and papers for international travel, and flew out to Manila to begin the process of adopting me. About a month later the red tape was finally cleared up and I went home with my new Mom and my new brother Robert.

I was renamed Valeen (after my Grandma, who was one of the 2 missionaries in Manila, my Grandpa was the other) and started the process of living a happy, normal childhood in a small town near Chico, CA.

College at Chico State was everything you've probably heard about in the news (and maybe read about in Playboy, if you're so inclined), but it was also much, much more. Yes I partied my butt off, had long mornings trying to get through classes without falling asleep, had all night cramming sessions the night before tests because I had been too busy partying to study earlier; but I also managed to graduate in May '98 with a pretty decent GPA and without having a hangover at the ceremony! Getting my B.A. in English was actually incidental though (and very, very tedious!), the important parts of college were the friends I made, the experiences we shared, and the memories we created along the way. Because Chico is such a small town, the university is the absolute center of the town. This creates a nice, cozy atmosphere amongst its students and I think people find it easier to meet people and get to know each other in such a place.

Of course partying and making friends weren't the only part of my college experiences. My family were the ones who helped me through everything, good and bad, that college brings. They've always been there for me and always will. I used to spend a lot of time with them before I graduated and moved. Unfortunately though I can't be with them as much as I would like since they all live around Chico, with the exception of my aunt Itanna (the only other Filipino in my family - also adopted), who lives in Oregon with my grandparents. My immediate family consists of my Mom Paula; my stepdad Curtis; my brother Robert and his two children Kameron and Emilie; and Robert's fiance Patty. I love them all so much and I miss them like crazy now that we're 3 hours apart.

I never knew much about my Filipino heritage until a couple years ago when I met some fellow Pinoys (affectionate term meaning Filipinos) in my old apartment complex while still in school at Chico State and they got me to join their Filipino club, FASO (Filipino American Student Organization). Joining FASO was probably one of the best things I've ever done. In a roundabout way, FASO even gave me the chance to meet my boyfriend, who happens to be Filipino. I learned about the culture, got a serious taste for the food (like beef kaldareta and chicken adobo), learned a few words in Tagolog, and finally found some people who look like me! More importantly though, FASO provided me with a circle of life-long friends. We had some great times in college and are still friends even though most of us have graduated and moved from Chico. When I get access to a scanner again I'll post some more pics of raging parties and hangin' out and even some embarrassing moments (for other people, not my embarrassing moments!)

Right now I am taking a *LONG* break before I go back for my graduate education. I am working and paying off my student loans before I go and take out more, it makes me ill just thinking about school and more loans right now. For now I am working at this company in San Mateo called Beatnik. It is the coolest company, check out their web site Beatnik, Inc. They do interactive audio (called sonification for web sites like MTV.com and Altoids. The company was founded by Thomas Dolby (remember the song "She Blinded Me With Science?) I am really glad to be working there because the company is already expanding rapidly and is going to be a huge success! It really is the coolest job I could have considering that I am a big fan of Thomas Dolby, whose last name is actually Robertson (no relation though) and Beatnik's product is amazing.

---

Back Home |John| |J & V| |Family| |Friends| |Resume| |V's Stuff| Capricorn Page