Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylli Hipe.
Hi Kylli, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins in the Cebu, Phillippines. I was born at exactly 11:11 pm to my single mother who I had trapped in the hospital since lunchtime. My father had not shown up to sign my birth certificate even though he had promised; no one was surprised at that. My mother during my first three years of life, tried her best to support me while working. Thankfully, my grandparents were also trying their best to help relieve some financial burden for my mother. They were all the way in America since they immigrated to try to find better opportunities and eventually be able to help the rest of our family become citizens as well.
I often heard bits and pieces of my early childhood because my mom was unable to really take videos of me, only pictures from borrowed digital cameras. From what I heard, my family back home cared for me and often would come to visit me in the mornings since we were all neighbors. In fact, my twin cousins were in charge of feeding me my first soft foods. But, the memory that comes to mind the most is one about a moment my mom and I shared. She explained how one evening, she was feeling a bit more down than usual. She softly cried sitting on the bed, until she felt me wrap my tiny arms around her. My mother said she was surprised because I was still so young, yet it was a good reminder to stay strong.
Eventually, I was able to immigrate to the United States at the age of four after my mom met my stepdad. I did not know a lick of English, let alone culture shock. I remember during my first day in Kindergarten, I stood on the playground trying to communicate with the Filipino girl the principal assigned me to. However, she didn’t speak my native language and I remember my peers just being confused. I remember being poked, and when I turned around a girl was scurrying away. At the time, I was so unaware and ill-equipped, that I believed this girl was trying to play tricks on me rather than play an innocent game of tag. Fortunately, my transition over time wasn’t as difficult as others. I was able to make a solid group of friends and make good memories during my time in San Mateo.
When I moved to the South Bay, I was able to truly settle as I would stay there from second grade to high school. The city I lived in was considered small, like a city you would just pass through before getting to your final destination. Being the only child, I was accustomed to keeping myself company. The hobbies I picked up were all hobbies one could do by themselves. Whether it was, reading, dancing, drawing, journaling, watching movies, or painting, I spent a lot of my childhood being creative. I was lucky enough to still have experience playing with the neighborhood kids and playing pretend. Moreover, I was privileged enough to live in a clean home, with home-cooked meals, and a present mother while my stepdad was hard at work.
As I grew older, my ambitions and dreams grew and changed. Like any other teenager, I yearned to get out of my small town. I resented how the only things to do in my city for fun were so limited. I hated the crappy mall, the scarcity of local coffee shops, and how the entire city seemed to be asleep by 9 pm. What’s interesting is when you are presented with what you’ve always wanted, you can’t help but notice and appreciate what you’ve always had. When I learned I was accepted to go to CSU Fullerton, I was elated. After being in community college for three years, this was my ticket. I worked hard and I had to learn everything from scratch because I was the first in my immediate family to go to college in America. Yet, leading up to my moving away, I found myself revisiting all the places I hated and also loved growing up. I found myself sitting at my city hall secret spot, taking time to eat ice cream at the old local diner, and memorizing all the little signs of wear and tear at the shopping mall. There was a fondness that grew after feeling displeased for so long. I soon realized that I didn’t hate the crappy mall; I loved it. The scarcity of local coffee shops was just an excuse to make coffee at home to take to a quiet park, and I loved that the city was asleep by nine because the nights were so peaceful. It made it harder to leave. I realized that, in a way, I was leaving a town that made me.
Saying see you soon to my dearest family, friend, and childhood dog was difficult. But, I was excited for this new chapter of my life, as it felt like I could spread my wings. My sweet boyfriend flew up from Southern California to drive me down to my apartment. As we followed my parents in a convoy, I said my goodbyes and welcomed my new life. I am currently studying Marketing; however, I am creative at heart. I love creating small little doodles and cute paintings with gouache,
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although I would say I was privileged in so many different aspects of life, I still had incredible difficulties at times. I struggled and still struggle with self-identity. I think it truly manifested itself early on in the absence of my father and not knowing much about him. The amusing thing is, I remember being so adamant in proving it didn’t affect me. I wanted so hard to belong with my peers especially because I already felt different. To be fair, there were a fair amount of Asians, specifically Filipinos, in my town. But, many of them were born here and didn’t speak my native language, mainly understood Tagalog (I speak Bisaya). Rest assured, I don’t ever want to make this about who is more Filipino, but more about the fact I just didn’t feel American enough.
Being so close to my mom, a person so in tune with our native culture, there were definitely moments during school when I was made to feel different. Whether it was my barely-there accent, the food I brought, or my mannerisms, it felt like I was constantly cutting and repositioning parts of myself to seem more digestible to my friends at the time. It was so exhausting. It truly took a turning point in the fall semester of my last high school year. I was so far removed from who I was, and I realized the person I had become was indistinguishable. Some traumatic events caused me to do significant introspection. I was depressed and anxiety-riddled, and I later would drop out to finish the rest of my senior year online. Looking back at it now, I can clearly recognize how I was surrounded by people who made me feel ashamed about myself and compromised my values. It was significant to learn this because it allowed me to truly appreciate the few beautiful people I befriended but set aside. I learned that even though some really horrible things happened to me and that there can be some really mean and ugly people in the world; there is still good out there if you are open to it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While I am still a student, I still constantly seek to express myself creatively. I have helped the small business I used to work for rebrand their cups and bowls (a project that I was really proud of). Currently, I am trying my hand at influencing and working on my brand. I would like to believe that I am known to be artistic and creative as I constantly share my endeavors in trying new creative hobbies. However, I think what truly sets me apart from others is my big heart. I try my best to always see the good in people and to empathize with them no matter how much they’ve hurt me. The people close to me have always said that I am too nice and that I need to grow a stronger backbone, and while that is true I think the world should be kept warm with kindness.
It reminds me of a time when a customer asked me for a to-go box after her meal at my past job. While I handed the to-go box, she explained to me how she remembered me from her last visit and that she wanted to express her gratitude because I consistently seemed to serve her with such a positive attitude and joyous energy. At this point, I started to tear up due to the fact I was going through a really difficult time. I was very emotionally and mentally exhausted, but I always made it a point to not let it spill into my profession. She went back to pack up her things and at this point, I was in the back trying to compose myself. Then, my coworker came over to me to tell me how she wanted to say goodbye. Her last sentences will be something I hold dearly in my heart; she told me to never apologize for crying because it shows how willing I am to open my heart to a complete stranger and how strong I am to not be afraid to be vulnerable. She further explained that she knows how hard it is to show up every day and be consistent and that the world needs more people like me. She then ended it with, “Don’t let this world make you forget that.”
The moment changed me as I felt seen. To have someone take time out of their day to say such gracious and tender words to me about me made me feel like I was doing something right. Every day, I strive to continue spreading warmth in hopes it touches someone who truly needs it.
How do you define success?
I believe success is defined as being able to feel pride in what you’ve accomplished and in your work. To truly understand the importance of your work being an extension of you and to be able to feel unapologetically proud of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://junesdove.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/0.5bun/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1yhDZsCLPj0mkFueaWYQA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@unhingedbb
