Momo Manalang R.

Momo is passionate about music, performance poetry and embodying advocacy through art. She hopes her work will instill a conversation that bolsters the voices of marginalized groups, particularly issues that regard race and gender. Apart from her ambitions, she has competed in Brave New Voices with Miami's Tigertail Wordspeak Team. She has also won a Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and American Voices Medal in Scholastic's Art and Writing. Her goal for the year is to compile poems and essays, depicting Pune, India and personal growth, and is also eager to learn more about transgender rights and ethnic disparities present in her host country. As saying goes, "There is no earthly bliss not watered by tears. - Filipino Proverb."