Your UX Tita is LIVE!

I wanted to rebrand, and time passed by, with no inspiration to start with.

I retraced my roots, embraced my age, and thought it’s finally time to get off this timid shell. There were so many hesitations in my mind. What if no one reads? What if no one cares? What if no one engages?

I’m like, whatever. The first step is always the most difficult. I have to get my feet wet, and write anyway.

So who exactly is “Your UX Tita”?

/ˈtita/ a young adult woman exhibiting the stereotypical characteristics of a Filipina aunt — Wikipedia

The thought came to mind like Uncle Roger’s online image. It’s like how most Chinese call older people as uncle/auntie.

This Medium profile used to be my actual name, going with a more formal approach as a UX Designer. I already have my personal website for that, so I needed this blog to be a more interesting voice. But at the same time, I wanted a “Filipino” touch to it.

I didn’t want to put a Tita before my name, but instead use it to talk as someone who works in UX design. That way, I feel that I can communicate more.

Being in the United States as a Filipino UX Designer got me into a wild ride. While the discipline might actually be similar worldwide…people still can’t prevent their personal lives to overlap with their jobs.

I mean sure, we have political, cultural, and religious disagreements in the Philippines the same way America has it, but we are super diverse here when it comes to demographics. I had to be super careful and learn what people stand by and believe in over here before I say something. In our Filipino culture we might just shrug it off and think it’s funny, but some people here find it offensive. I have to “switch” and put aside what I grew up with to “empathize”. See what I’m trying to say?

My current situation here is that I’m the only Filipino in the entire organization, therefore, I don’t want to misrepresent our race just to raise our flag and shove it to everyone’s throats. Ever since I show more of an open mind to learn about the people here and the different cultures, they are now more curious to learn about me as a Filipino. Respect begets respect, for short.

I am hoping that I’ll start writing more instead of keeping these thoughts tucked in my head. For now, this is the end of this post. Feel free to share your experience, ask questions, or call out anything! Thanks for reading!

Tara, kwentuhan tayo! / Hey, let’s chat!