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

Hi Marianne, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in the Philippines but raised in America. Coming from an immigrant background, and being raised in America gave me dual identities. My family in the Philippines taught me about hard work, humility, and the importance of family. My identity in America gave me the audacity to have reach for my dreams and goals.

This season, I am learning about decolonization and learning about where I came from and how colonization has really affected my upbringing, even in the Philippines.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a social worker, I received a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I decided I wanted to be a therapist which involved 2 different licensing exams and at least 3,000 hours of training for therapy. At times, I forget how hard I worked to get to where I am today. Now, I work in private practice and for a clinic as a mental health counselor.

In order to get to where I am professionally, it took quite some time (the entire process can take about 4-5 years). I actually failed one of my licensing exams and had to wait half a year to take it again. I used that time to study and passed the next try.

I have always loved photography. I learned to develop black and white photographs and have been published in a book of photographs called Houston: It’s Worth It. Traveling has allowed me to photograph as well.

I call myself a visual storyteller. I tell stories through photography. I also tell stories through poetry, short story, and spoken word.

One of the projects I am a part of is partnering with an organization that has allowed me to marry three of the important things in my life: my faith, mental health, and serving the community. I am a part of a group that provides conferences for Christian women leaders in the middle east. We train them in discipleship, trauma healing, and leadership. It is a five year project and we are going on year three. It has been a delight and joy to serve and grow with these women. It takes me out of my cultural context and allows me to appreciate how these women live their faith boldly in the Middle East. I learn so much from being with them. Probably more than they learn from me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a big fan of museums. Museum of Fine Arts would be a spot, The Menil Collection is one of my favorite museums. I also like to picnic in that area. When I picnic there, I don’t feel like I’m in the city.

Phil & Derek’s is always great for brunch and jazz. Lotus Seafood is my go to for out of towners. I also love Sweet Paris and Flower and Cream for sweet treats. I love shopping at Railway Heights and there are great farmer’s markets around the city.

I love walking around David Adickes’s Studio.

Chinatown, EaDo, and mural hunting are also my favorite places.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to Ms. Chambers, my first art teacher in America. She taught me about impressionism, ignited my love for Van Gogh, and in telling her about my life, told me I should write a book. I was a 7 year old immigrant. She let me know that my life had value and my story was worth telling.

I want to give a shoutout to Fred Rogers. Yeah, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, who taught me about the value of emoting and why talking about your feelings is important. To this day, when I am having a rough day, I will watch an episode of Mr. Roger’s neighborhood.

I was in nursing school and had a mentor, Yolanda. I didn’t want to be a nurse deep down, but just kept going. Yolanda told me about social work and how my talents and gifts would be better suited for the profession of social work.

Much of my self development has been due to Brene Brown’s work. Untamed by Glennon Doyle has also been inspiring for me.

These are only a few of the many people that have crossed my path and influenced me in the best way.

Website: www.mariannedublado.com

Instagram: @la.vida.colorida

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-dublado-1255b919

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