As time passes us everyday, the thought of our own death is not something one would think of often. To Have Lived was made to confront this personal challenge of finding the desire to live. While I was in the process of creating this piece, I was reminded of this distant memory of when my Lolo (Grandpa) had passed. My family and I had made the visit to the Philippines, and I was presented with this culture shock of my Lolo’s viewing being inside the family house. It was when I learned the practice of keeping the casket in the home for a few days until it was time for the burial. There were also these parties that were being held during the last few days, of course everyone was still sad, but everyone also wanted to spend these last joyous moments together with their late loved one. With this kind of memory at hand, I had realized that even through death, you are celebrated.

There is just this comforting reassurance of the value of life that comes from that realization.