We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Maxali. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.
Hi Nicole, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Both my grandfathers were part of the Manong generation, immigrating to America in 1927 and settling in San Francisco in the 1930’s. My grandfather Canuto Salaver owned one of the first Filipino owned pool halls and restaurants in San Francisco’s Manilatown. My grandmother Estrella founded and led the San Francisco-based Philippine American Cultural Foundation whose specific purpose was to promote social and cultural awareness in the community and produce programs and performances in the 1960’s. My uncle, Patrick Salaver, was the founder of the college organization PACE and a member of the Third World Liberation Front. He was a key figure in creating the first Ethnic Studies Department in the United States at San Francisco State University. So I come from a long line of Filipino-American entrepreneurs, pioneers, artists, leaders and activists.
When I came back to the west coast after living in New York for almost a decade, I took 2020-2021 to recalibrate, realign, and reground into what I wanted to create next. See in New York I was caught in the rat race of hustling the Hollywood dream. Running to auditions, keeping part time jobs in between acting gigs & traveling the world to meet my international fans. So the pandemic gave me the opportunity to come back to my roots and really find my purpose. The answer that came was: “Focus on your legacy. Not just in your art but in your community too.”
A big theme for my purpose in life is leaving a legacy that I’m proud of, not only for my 1 year old son, but also other young Filipino-Americans who crave a community, support in their art and thirst for inspiring Filipino American stories. And to reframe the perspective that art is a luxury only reserved for the wealthy and privileged.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a writer, filmmaker, producer and creatrix that has been creating and producing art for nearly two decades. Initially drawn to the Hollywood success narrative, I later realized my artistic fulfillment lies in expressing my experience as a decolonizing 3rd generation Filipino-American.
I consider myself a “creatrix” because I refuse to confine my art to a specific medium. I’m focused on leaving a legacy for my son and aspiring Asian-American artists. I see a new Renaissance period for people of color, particularly Filipino-Americans, emphasizing community support over reliance on external validation and dismantling the falsehoods imposed by colonizers.
Currently, I am the host and co-producer of “The Cultural Kultivators” podcast that streams on all major streaming platforms. Every episode I do is like a love letter to my son. I think about him when I’m formulating the questions. I think about him when I’m picking the guests. I think about him when I’m even writing the intro and outro scripts, and writing my reflection of each episode, and what I’ve learned through the various conversations I have with my guests. My intention is to invite podcast guests who have a growth mindset and understand that it takes a village and community to do what they do. With the hope that one day my son will listen to this podcast as an adult and be inspired by the stories and conversations he hears.
By producing my podcast and creating my films, I’m planting seeds, opening doors for my son and his generation, to know that anything is possible. Filipino Americans can achieve anything, regardless of what other people have told them in the past. You can find all of my projects through my instagram handle at https://www.instagram.com/kindredkapwa
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, three impactful qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge include connect to your dream/visions, community engagement, and multidisciplinary creativity.
1) Trust Your Visions: Everything I’ve ever manifested or created started with a dream, a passion or a vision. There is power in writing it down and speaking it out into the Universe. After that the other powerful step is TRUSTING IN YOURSELF to manifest it!! Have confidence in your creative instincts and trust the visions you have for your work. Your unique perspective is a valuable asset. Allow your intuition to guide your artistic decisions and stay true to your vision, even (or especially) if it diverges from the mainstream.
2) Community Engagement: Building a supportive community is vital. In Tagalog, we call it Kapwa. Actively participate in events, volunteer and collaborate with fellow creatives, and contribute to initiatives that align with your passion. Networking and fostering relationships within your community can open doors, provide mentorship, and offer valuable insights.
3) Multidisciplinary Creativity: Embrace a “creatrix” mindset, allowing creativity to flow across various mediums. Don’t limit yourself to one form of expression. Experiment with different artistic outlets to discover your strengths and preferences. This versatility can set you apart and bring a unique perspective to your work. See everything as a possible tool in your toolkit.
For those starting their journey, my advice is to stay curious, be open to learning, and actively seek opportunities for self-discovery. Connect with mentors who share similar experiences, engage with diverse communities, and don’t be afraid to explore different artistic forms.
AND also remember that your journey is unique, so embrace the challenges and use them as stepping stones toward your goals. And sometimes, “Rejection is just REDIRECTION”. A valuable piece of advice I received as a young writer and performance artist came from comedian Dave Chappelle. When I sought guidance on whether to continue to pursue stand-up comedy or shift my focus to writing my one-woman show, his response was: “There is only one of you! Your path is unique. No matter what my opinion is, it doesn’t even matter. You are the only one writing and creating your art. Don’t let anyone…even me, dictate what you should or shouldn’t do on your path. Do what YOU feel is right!”
Following that piece of advice, I shifted my attention to creating and performing three solo shows. The latest one I wrote and performed gained acceptance into a dozen theater and fringe festivals, secured grants, and garnered enthusiastic reviews nationwide. I had the privilege of performing it at the iconic Public Theater in New York City—the same venue where Hamilton originated!
Lastly, my biggest advice to ANYONE is to write down your dreams and visions! Keeping a journal allows you to articulate and clarify your goals. Documenting your aspirations not only helps in visualizing your path but also serves as a reference point for reflection and growth. It provides a tangible record of your journey, serving as a source of motivation and a reminder of the visions you are currently manifesting.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past 12 months, my most significant area of growth has been honing my leadership skills through a dedicated course, all while navigating the profound experience of becoming a new mom. This transformative journey involved taking control of my narrative, engaging in courageous conversations, trusting my instincts, and recognizing my inherent worth. The course empowered me to lead with authenticity, navigate challenging dialogues confidently, and establish a stronger sense of self-value in both personal and professional contexts, all while balancing the demands and joys of motherhood.
Being a creative full-time working mom has significantly contributed to my major growth. Prior to having my son, I viewed parenthood as potentially hindering my career. However, my perspective has completely shifted, and I now see it as an opportunity to HEAL generational trauma, disrupt ancestral patterns of scarcity, and cultivate meaningful opportunities for my own inner child to heal and play. Someone recently asked me, “How’s Motherhood?” And my favorite response is “It’s amazing. It’s like I’ve finally met my purpose in life and I’m getting the chance to raise my best friend!” Being a mother is a chance to intentionally center on “Joyful Evolution.” Something I want to bring into this new year is Joyful Evolution into all my projects, podcast episodes and making core memories with my son.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kindredkapwa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindredkapwa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KindredKapwa/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2RuIRW7B_U_LbaXUVHTtRA
- Other: Podcast: https://balaykreative.com/cultural-kultivators
Image Credits
Mike Ricca Jy Jimmie Gabiola Iggy Mora
