Maella Santiago Ate, Kuya, Bunso (collaboration with Santi Mateo Santiago and Sarita Santiago)

This is me and my siblings. In Tagalog, we call a big sister Ate, a big brother Kuya and the youngest child Bunso. I am the big sister. I am grateful to be Ate because it’s an important job. My siblings are very precious to me (like the gold in the painting). My culture is also part of this painting. We are wearing barongs, which are special to the Philippines. My culture is important because it makes me different, but it also makes me fit into a special community.