I am a graduate student up for an adventure from the small city of Ewa Beach on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
I'm not the most talkative person in the world, but I'm pretty down-to-earth, relaxed kinda guy.
I enjoy hiking, traveling, hitting the beach, watching movies, and cooking as interests of mine.
I'm a pretty big Hawaiian local guy, ethnically Filipino, and a student in Korea. The whole diverse package.
I'm very open minded and liberal as a person, willing to listen to other people's views about their country and their culture, history, politics since I want to work in diplomacy at the US Department of State, one day.
I believe mutual understanding is the first step towards dialogue, with individuals and states.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Looking for kind hosts (and potential lifelong friends) on my travels to accommodate me, teach me the culture and language of the country, and show me around, help me as I go on this journey.

Interests

Anything, everything. I also like acquiring new skills/interests, teach me your ways, Sensei.

• writing
• photography
• cooking
• traveling
• hiking
• social science
• learning languages
• sleeping
• reading books
• learning new things
• different cultures
• exploring
• teaching languages
• good conversation
• world history
• diplomacy
• international politics
• foreign films

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy all genres of music, I have no bias or dislike. I enjoy action, comedy, historical, and fantasy/sci-fi movies as well as books, even moreso with books.

I've been getting into K-Pop/K-Hip Hop since having lived in Korea for more than a year (AKMU, IU, PSY, San E, IOI, AOA, MC Mong, and Epik High). But I also grew up with Hawaiian and Reggae (Mana'o Company, Ehukai, Ekolu, Braddah Iz, Opihi Pickers, Rebel Souljahz); and then a weird Rock/Alternative phase (Journey, Dragonforce, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Duran Duran, Paramore, Queen) in my teen years.

American/Marvel/Fantasy/History-related films: The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Antman, Logan, Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange.

Foreign Films: Letters to Iwo Jima, Train to Busan, The Last Emperor, Assassination, The Age of Shadows, The Last Princess, Spirits Homecoming, My Way, Tae Guk Gi, 71: Into the Fire, Ode to My Father, Welcome to Dongmakgol, Silmido, The President's Last Bang, The Attorney, A Taxi Driver, Take Off, Kite Runner, Captain Abu Raed, My Name is Khan, Children of Huangshi, Singh is Kiing, Hero, The Founding of an Army, 1911, Assembly, The Founding of a Republic, The Admiral, Heneral Luna, Masquerade, Jeon Woochi, That Demon Within, Dearest Sister, Downfall.

I've read a lot of fantasy, but historical fiction books and autobiographies have been my interests in reading as of late. Tales of escaping North Korea by defectors, exploring the jungles of Borneo and its tribes, traveling the world by train, and about early 20th century Tibet under the Dalai Lama.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I rode a camel in the Sahara Desert, I know it doesn't seem interesting as much, but it was a memorable experience that I'll cherish on my first trip out of the states.

But there are way more things that I've done that I can't leave it just one "amazing" thing.

Less than 4% of travelers take the ferry to get to Jeju Island in South Korea and even a more infinitely small fraction of that 4% were foreigners. So being able to navigate my way in Korean to be able to ride the ferry from Mokpo to Jeju was a feat on its own. And being able to experience the five-hour journey interacting with the locals was quite the trip. Only wish I was able to do the round-trip but it was in the middle of winter and the ship was stuck in port, so we had to take a flight back to mainland Korea.

Taking a flight from Ulaanbaatar to the capital of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, Dalanzadgad. And being able to navigate my way around the small rural town with rudimentary Mongolian I learned on the flight and being able to live in a Yurt, and eat the local meaty cuisine.

Climbing Mount Seoraksan and Hallasan within a few days of each other on opposite sides of the country in the middle of winter. I was only able to hike a third of the way up Hallasan before it got pretty dangerous on the longer Gwaneumsa Trail. And on Seoraksan, I was able to make it near the summit of the Ulsanbawi Rock.

I was able to cross the DMZ on the South Korean side to the North Korean side of the border.

I got to feed baby elephants in a sanctuary/conservation center in Kuala Gandah, Malaysia .

I was invited to a conference in international diversity at the Council of Foreign Relations in Washington DC.

I met the former Prime Minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb. And organized a student group for an event with the Dalai Lama.

I was able to tour the Blue House (Cheongwadae) which needed a lot of planning in advance to pull off.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Any language I've dabbled in or are fluent in, about life in Hawaii (cultures/traditions), ethnic cooking, travel planning/guidance, etc.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United States