BIO
The special oral history collection is created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Matt Manalo was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to Houston in 2004. He studied Computer Engineering before graduating from the Univeristy of Houston with a BFA in Painting in 2006. He is now a full time artist who takes advantage of the city of Houston’s diverse environment as a source of inspiration. He has several community based projects and businesses, including Filipinx Artists of Houston and the Alief Art House. With a passion for building a community, Manalo hopes to provide a platform for future artists. Manalo agreed to this interview in order to talk about his projects, COVID-19, how he has adapted to the current environment, and the future of the art scene in Houston.