Embracing Duality and Cultural Identity: Meet Cecilia Dagdagan
For Filipina-American poet and creative writer Cecilia, storytelling is more than art—it’s a defiance against erasure and a bridge between generations. Her journey from California’s familiarity to New York City’s chaos mirrors her deeper exploration of identity, revealing the courage it takes to embrace change while holding fast to cultural roots.
Cecilia channels her lived experiences into art that celebrates dualities: cultural pride and personal growth, the comforts of home, and the longing for belonging. As part of the Beyond the Narrative series—a platform exploring identity, lived experiences, and creativity—Cecilia shares her story of transformation, art, and the undeniable weight of cultural identity.
Cecilia’s leap from a stable career as a cardiovascular nurse in the Bay Area to the uncertainty of travel nursing was not just geographical—it was an emotional and creative shift. She describes her move to New York City as both a physical act of courage and a metaphorical step into the unknown.
“I was wholeheartedly choosing a harder and lonelier life. I put myself in a position of immense discomfort and solitude… but I would do it a thousand more times,” she reflects.
Leaving her comfort zone allowed Cecilia to confront loneliness and uncertainty head-on, unearthing a wellspring of self-discovery and creativity. This period of upheaval inspired much of her writing, as she explored the tension between feeling uprooted and finding her voice.
“There were nights I doubted myself so deeply, but those moments pushed me to confront who I am. It was uncomfortable, but growth always is,” she shares.
For Cecilia, the act of movement—whether across states or emotional states—becomes a recurring theme in her work. Her poetry navigates the in-between spaces: the struggle to feel at home in foreign places and the courage to find solace within herself. In her chapbook Shades of Suede, she captures this balance, writing about the healing found in “places and people of love,” both real and metaphorical.
At the heart of Cecilia’s art is her identity as a Filipina-American. Growing up within a diaspora presented her with a duality she couldn’t ignore: the pride of rich traditions clashing with the pressure to assimilate.
“I want to be openly and loudly proud of where I come from because that is who I am. I cannot separate who I am or ignore my ancestry in the work I produce,” she says.
Her writing often explores feelings of being “less Filipino” due to language barriers or cultural dilution. Through poetry and prose, Cecilia reconnects with her roots, celebrating the values, stories, and resilience passed down through generations.
“Sometimes, I feel like I’m searching for a version of myself that existed before the world told me who I should be. Writing brings me closer to her,” she reflects.
More than embracing Filipino culture as a whole, Cecilia’s work feels like an ode to her ancestry—particularly her grandmother, Gracia, a poet, teacher, and mother of eight in the Philippines. Though Cecilia never met her grandmother, she describes Gracia’s presence as an undeniable force in her writing. Cecilia’s pen name, Cendaña Lova, is a deliberate nod to her grandmother’s birth name, intertwining their legacies across generations.
“She was Eliza, and I am her, in part,” Cecilia explains. “It’s like I’m writing for her, for us, even though I never knew her.”
In the U.S., where Filipinos are simultaneously visible yet typecast—particularly in the nursing field—Cecilia defies stereotypes. Her work challenges perceptions and uplifts her community, proving that being Filipina is not a singular experience but a vibrant, multifaceted identity worthy of celebration.
“I don’t just exist as a label or a profession—I carry a heritage that’s complex, vibrant, and deserving of celebration,” she asserts.
Her poetry, steeped in gratitude and humility, honors the oral traditions of her ancestors. These influences intertwine with her literary inspirations, such as Toni Morrison and Terrance Hayes, teaching her to write boldly and unapologetically.
“In Filipino culture, storytelling is how we pass down history, teach lessons, and build community. My work is an extension of that tradition—it’s my way of carrying our stories forward.”
Cecilia’s work is deeply personal, yet it resonates universally. Her commitment to writing in her “true voice” allows her to connect with readers on an emotional level. She views storytelling as a mirror, reflecting both the beauty and complexity of shared human experiences.
“I just want people to see me as a normal girl going through normal things... that’s what makes it significant.”
By infusing vulnerability into her art, Cecilia transcends cultural and personal boundaries. Her poems and performances are not spectacles—they are shared moments of connection, where the rawness of her emotions mirrors the struggles and triumphs of her audience.
“Storytelling isn’t just about words on a page. It’s about feeling seen. If my story can give someone else permission to own theirs, then I’ve done my job,” she says.
Cecilia believes in the transformative power of storytelling—not just for the writer but for the reader. Through her art, she offers an invitation: to embrace our own stories, honor our roots, and celebrate the diversity of experiences that shape us.
Her journey is a testament to the courage it takes to be vulnerable, to step into the unknown, and to hold space for one’s identity in a world that often asks for conformity. For Cecilia, writing is both an anchor and a compass, grounding her in her heritage while guiding her toward growth.
As part of the Beyond the Narrative series, Cecilia’s story reminds us that storytelling is more than an individual act—it’s a communal celebration of what makes us human.
About Cecilia:
Cecilia (she/her) is a Filipina-American author and poet from the Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015 and has written prose and poetry since high school, concentrating on free verse, photoverse, and spoken word. She currently lives in Oakland, CA. Her latest accomplishment is her self-published 2023 debut chapbook, Shades of Suede by Cendaña Lova.
“I just want people to see me as a normal girl going through normal things. I don’t have this outwardly special story that demands all this attention, but that’s what makes it significant. I have felt like a giant in the tallest rooms, even if it was just for a moment, my moment. I want them to feel inspired, to create their own pieces from what they’ve seen and been through, to feel like a giant, brave enough to articulate a story from just feelings.”
Connect with Cecilia: cendana.mad@gmail.com; @cendana.lova
About Shades of Suede:
Photo by Jessie Grace Eisenhart (@jgephotos_)
Shades of Suede is a poetry chapbook about a woman's raw journey of healing and navigating her twenties. She includes poetry in structured form, letters, spoken word, and free verse. It showcases themes of solitary reflection, loneliness, gratitude, and the difficult transition of moving to new cities.
Our Galaxy Publishing is an all-in-one solution for aspiring authors, offering them the education, tools, and resources they need to write, edit, publish, design, and market their books. We assist authors at all levels of their publishing journey, whether they’re looking for a literary agent to traditionally publish, are going all-in on their self-publishing venture, or are unsure of which book publishing path to take. We are a service-based platform, meaning all the creative power stays in the writers’ hands. No long-term agreements or contracts, no splitting royalties, and no sharing of your intellectual property. You tell us your aspirations and goals, and we’ll guide you to making them happen through our publishing services and author workshops.