#1 Journey to St. Malo—Unearthing the First Asian Village in North America
Updated: Jul 27
It’s a truth universally acknowledged by writers: exploration, reading, listening, and learning are the fundamental methods for gathering the raw materials of insight, empathy, and knowledge. You can't craft compelling, original work without them.
But sometimes, inspiration finds you when you least expect it.
My journey into the world of St. Malo began with a casual conversation at a comic convention. A fellow Filipino mentioned something that stopped me in my tracks: the first Asian village in North America. I was genuinely dumbfounded. How had I, a Filipino-American writer obsessed with history and storytelling, never heard of this?
The Internet Rabbit Hole and Bayou Barkada
The obsession was instant. I immediately turned to the internet and discovered Bayou Barkada, a cultural group in New Orleans dedicated to centering and uplifting Filipinx communities through history, tours, and cultural experiences. Their mission statement was a rallying cry:
“BAYOU BARKADA: We are your Matriarchal energy centering and uplifting Filipinx communities in New Orleans, creating a cultural 'vibe' of deeper connections through history, ancestral tours, artist collectives, food and spirits.”
For the last two years, I’ve been traveling to New Orleans, diving deep into research on St. Malo. My guides and advisers have been the incredibly generous Jessica Bayuga and the amazing Carolyn Sideco of Bayou Barkada.
Walking the Ancestral Terrain
Jessica took us to the historic sites of St. Malo and Manila Village. It was surreal. I found myself connecting with the very first Filipinos to settle in North America. I pictured them living on platforms above the water, just like their ancestors, working tirelessly—fishing, shrimping, and hunting—to make a living for their families. They were blazing ground in a new world, unaware they were creating history.
Though the weather didn't permit a boat trip on Lake Borgne, I got to walk the terrain, take pictures, and truly absorb the isolation and the hard-won community they built. This firsthand experience was invaluable. Working with talented artist, Feriowind, I was able to share these images of the terrain, ensuring the heart and soul of St. Malo would be accurately represented on the page.
The adventure to St. Malo is more than just research; it's a profound connection to an untold chapter of the Filipino-American experience.
Artwork by Feriowind
To purchase St. Malo (Release date is January 14, 2026), visit Creative Mussel's Cryptid Corner on
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