Growing up as a second-generation Filipino-American, Maia’s glimpse into life in the Philippines came through conversations with her family about their childhoods. Through the constant retelling over the years, these narratives start to blur between memory and imagination to create a rich family mythology that was uniquely hers. In contrast, during her research for photographs of life in the Philippines in the 19th century, she came across the work of Dean C. Worcester, an American zoologist-turned Secretary of the Interior. Through Worcester’s eyes she saw imagery of Filipinos subjugated and dehumanized without agency for their own representation. It became a means to justify US’ mission to “civilize” the area.