I was born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. when I was just four years old, surrounded by the love and strength of my four older brothers and our parents. From the start, my family lived by the spirit of bayanihan—a beautiful Filipino value that celebrates community, compassion, and collective care.
Now, more than 50 years later, that spirit continues to guide me in everything I do—as a mother, a wife, and a creative soul. Over ten years ago, I was diagnosed with a chronic condition that changed my life. It led me to slow down, reflect, and begin a journey of healing through mindfulness. In 2023, I found pottery—and with it, a way to center myself, express my emotions, and reconnect with joy.
While I’ve loved the studios I’ve been part of and love the people I’ve met, I felt a deep calling to give back. I wanted to create a space that feels like home—a place where people of all backgrounds can come together, create, and heal. That dream became Bayan Ceramics Studio.
Bayan is more than a ceramics studio. It will be a sanctuary for creativity, connection, and community. I invite you to join me in shaping something beautiful—one piece of pottery, one shared moment, one act of bayanihan at a time.
About Me
Bayanihan is a Filipino custom and cultural value that describes the spirit of communal unity, cooperation, and selfless effort to achieve a common goal. Derived from the word bayan, meaning "community" or "nation," it represents neighbors working together without expecting anything in return.
The Bayanihan Spirit
The “For Lease” Sign
My journey into the world of clay began quietly in the Fall of 2023 at a local studio right here in Oak Park. Like many busy professionals, my life was a constant stream of stresses and demands. Pottery quickly became my lifeline—a ritual of slowing down, a chance to meditate and truly center myself amidst the chaos. The simple, rhythmic action of the wheel was transformative.
I was hooked, and I knew I needed to commit to this practice. I sought to become a full member, eager to secure my own shelf and 24/7 access. - That's when I hit the barrier many artists face: the dreaded waitlist.
For almost two years, I remained dedicated, enjoying my time as a student and squeezing in practice during the limited student open studio hours. The need for a dedicated, accessible creative space was a constant, frustrating reality. I looked at other studios in the area and it was the same thing - wait lists.
Then, in September 2025, fate stepped in. I was walking across the street from my house when I saw a "For Lease: Call Joe" sign on an incredible old building. Later that week, I called Joe, walked over, and the moment I stepped inside that massive, raw space, I simply knew.
That spontaneous moment—the collision of my long-held need for a pottery home and the sudden discovery of the perfect space—was the birth of Bayan Ceramics Studio LLC.
Bayan Ceramics Studio is not just as a business - it’s an opportunity to create a community and space that is supportive, accessible, and a well-equipped open environment that I, and countless other budding and established artists in our community, waited years for. This will be a space where passion can bloom, mindfulness is promoted, artistic expression is shared, and the spirit of bayanihan thrives.
As we prepare for our April 2026 grand opening, Bayan Studio’s 7,500 square foot space with 20 foot ceilings and 30 free parking spaces will house two production kilns, 36 pottery wheels, a slab roller, pug mill, work stations, community glazes, stoneware clay, and shared pottery tools. As the studio and our Bayan community grows, so will the shared amenities and memories.
Contact us
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