We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaya Landingin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaya, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
As a Filipino-American woman there are multiple things that made me inspired to become successful re overcoming obstacles from my past experience and current experiences from the people who are creating barriers including my parents who never feel proud of me what I am currently doing in life. my mentors from my community college which are Los Angeles Valley College and Los Angeles City College faculties, staff, my club advisors, and people I know including my art department faculty members. I am also learning new things such as attending dance classes ( like Latin fusion in the studio like the C-spot) and learning hip-hop from LA Fitness Universal Studios and another dance studio to gain experience. a young man who is taking care of me since August 2021, this person is coming from Golds Gym Hollywood to give me the motivation to challenge myself by dancing and exploring other things like drawing and acrylic painting.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There are some people in this current generation are looking to transform themselves based on what they are gone through. maybe from past experiences, maybe from their childhood experiences, past relationships from men and got mistake over and over again and what are lesson that they need to attain. but there are many people like young people are giving up with their dreams, or deciding to stop work from the company and look for some old man who are supporting financially. As a strong woman, I learned how to fight myself from bully people, how do I speak with my own voice, I am learning how to not depend too much to people when you are living alone. everyone are different, they are not the same. I try to distract myself to keep myself busy and I am trying to avoid conflict issues from the people however, I am still here, stepping up the stairs slowly and slowy until I reach the goal that I want.

There are some difficult parts of our life that you need to figure it out by our own and we need to accept. everyone are not totally perfect. we are not same as other people have. it is ok to make dreams for yourself. its ok to accept the truth, you do not need to lie on social media platforms, your job career, education and the status of your life. this is what I want to give people as a lesson to learn, to inspire others even if we are not good in English. there are many people who speak other languages. Forget the dramas from Instagram or facebook or dramas from people that you meet in nightclubs, bars, or gyms who are toxic and control you. do not worry about them because they will figure it out one day. if they learn something. focus on your dreams and achieve it!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to shoutout to my relatives and my biological father from the Manila, Philippines who are taking care of me while growing up from grade school through high school. I would like shoutout to Gold Gym Hollywood staff and few group fitness instructors from Hiphop, Minor T, and other instructors who are giving me tiny fuel to feel good to myself for one year even I am not there anymore. I would not forget those people who I am with.

I want to shoutout to the Los Angeles Community College district, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles City College Associate Student goverment ,student life, Art department and other department . I do not what I am going to say and there are many lesson that I need to explore and learn more to inspire other college students who wants to earn associate degree and transfer into four year university to earn bachelor degree and work in the field in the future.

Website: https://kmaelandingin2.wixsite.com/mysite

Tiktok: @msdarksoultakerkyl

Image Credits
most of my art work are made from acrylic painting

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