Between Islands, Between Identities
I’m 100% Filipino, with Ilocano roots on both sides of my family, but I was born and raised in Hawaiʻi. For much of my life, I’ve lived between cultures, never feeling quite Filipino enough and never feeling quite American enough.
OberrDerr is where I’m exploring those in-between spaces. Through personal stories, family history, and reflections shaped by island life, I’m reconnecting with my heritage and preserving the memories that brought me here.
This isn’t a story about having all the answers. It’s about asking questions, looking back, and discovering that sometimes belonging isn’t a place you find. It’s something you grow into, one story at a time.
The Story Behind OberrDerr
OberrDerr comes from the phrase “over there” spoken with a Filipino accent. Growing up, it was a familiar expression I heard from family and relatives, often followed by a pointing gesture using their lips. It’s a simple phrase that carried a sense of distance, movement, and connection across places.
Over time, the phrase took on a deeper meaning for me. “Over there” became a way of thinking about the spaces between where I came from and where I am now: between the Philippines and Hawaii, between Filipino and American identities, between memory and belonging.
OberrDerr is more than a name. It represents the journey of living between worlds and searching for a place to call home.
Meet the Author
I was born and raised on the island of Lana‘i, Hawaii, to Filipino parents who immigrated from the Philippines. Much of my writing explores identity, family, belonging, and the stories that connect generations.
Meet Nunu!
Nunu is the friendly nuang, the indigenous Ilocano word for the Philippine water buffalo, more commonly known as the carabao, who calls OberrDerr home. With a curious heart and their signature puckered little “oberrderr,” they’re always pointing toward the next story, memory, or adventure waiting to be shared.
Inspired by the quiet strength of the carabao and the spirit of island life, Nunu reminds us that home isn’t just a place, it’s the people, memories, traditions, and values we carry with us wherever we go.
Why a Nuang?
Nuang is the indigenous Ilocano word for the Philippine water buffalo, an animal that has long symbolized strength, resilience, patience, humility, and quiet perseverance. For generations, the carabao has worked alongside Filipino families, helping cultivate the land and becoming a trusted companion in everyday life.
Nunu embodies those same enduring qualities. Though small and curious, they carry the spirit of the nuang wherever they go, a gentle reminder that our roots are never truly left behind. They live on in our stories, our traditions, and the values we carry with us, no matter how far from home life may lead.
The Shop is Coming Soon
From stickers and stationery to keepsakes inspired by Nunu and the stories of OberrDerr, something special is on the way. Check back soon!