The Making of Nathaniel Francisco Abayon Villanueva

Looking across toward Leyte on the SuperFerry in the Philippines.

As a story forms in my mind, the protagonist is front and center.

I can see their story arc, their trials and tribulations, their ultimate failure and success.

When writing A Bigfoot Homecoming, it was easy to see how the story unfolded for Zeke. His early years were inspired by my dad’s childhood of growing up in rural Missouri. His later years were formed in an answer to the question; can you go home again?

My imagination had created quite the journey for Zeke. What I needed now was someone to take the journey with him.

The story required a person not only willing to drop everything and head out into the unknown but also do this with a near perfect stranger.

I knew for readers to believe in this character I needed to believe in them, to know them. Thankfully, I have friends and family who have gone above and beyond for me in my life to draw inspiration from.

There were two people who jumped to the forefront of my mind when it came to creating this character. Ashley and Joe. Both are amazing people, and both are Filipino, thus Nathaniel Francisco Abayon Villanueva was born.

Readers may question whether or not someone really would stop what they’re doing to help a stranger. I can answer with an unequivocal yes.

I met Ashley and his family on a Superferry traveling between Manilla and Cebu in the Philippines in January of 2009. The ship had left Manilla several hours late, which put us into Cebu near midnight.

As an independent woman, I was convinced my traveling companion and I would be fine making the trek from the port to the bus station. Ashley and his family had other plans. In no uncertain terms, he would walk us there.

We had known each other for about twenty minutes.

I was very happy for his help as soon as we left the dock and entered darkened streets full of people moving every which way.

Ashley maneuvered us to the right bus, got our tickets, told the driver and passengers around us in Tagalog where were needed to get off, and made me promise to text when we arrived at our hotel “no matter how late.”

We arrived safely at our hotel and had a wonderful time in Cebu. Ashley and his family checked on us during our visit, and we’ve remained friends to this day.

Ashley is just part of Nathaniel Francisco Abayon Villanueva. The other part comes from my Southern California friend Joe.

Chilling at the back of the SuperFerry. I had no clue I was about to meet a lifelong friend.

I met Joe in 2007 as we were both heading to teach in Central China. The minute he said he was from Long Beach, I knew we’d be friends. And I was right.

Joe and his family opened their homes, refrigerators, and arms to me—and anyone else who came through the doors. I remember laughing and eating with more laughing and more eating.

In addition, I learned about the mano po, where a young person takes an elder’s hand and gently pulls it to their forehead. I noticed how elders—even non-family members—were lovingly called tito and tita (uncle and aunt). Moreover, I loved how living in the Los Angeles area hadn’t eroded tradition but someone amplified it.

While in China, foreign teachers were asked to put on performances, most of which included dancing. As a person with two left feet, this was not an easy task nor one I looked forward to, but Joe had the patience of a saint and taught me—and the other teachers—several dances during our years overseas.

There were several Filipino teachers in China and at times they’d speak in Tagalog to each other. I picked up on the sporadic Spanish words and asked Joe about it. He gave me a brief history, and then raised his fist, shook it, and said, “Stupid Conquistadors.” (I included that moment in the book.)

Joe’s love of music, tradition, and people, makes up the other side of Nathaniel Francisco Abayon Villanueva.

Zeke now had a full sidekick to travel with, and my head was full of memories with my dad, Joe, and Ashley from which to draw inspiration.

Sometimes it was a bit noisy in my head, but it was a lot of fun.

I’m excited to see where the road leads the duo next.