Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines
Raised: In Manila until the age of 6, then Fairfax County in northern Virginia
Ethnicity: Of Filipino, Spanish, Turkish and Chinese descent
Future plans: Grad school for physical therapy and getting into acting
Origins of your name: My last name originated in China, when three dynasties — Lau, Cheng and Co — joined together and became one.
If you could have dinner with any famous Asian American, who would you choose?: Michelle Kwan because she has accomplished so much in her sport and inspired many young athletes, especially in the Asian community.
Favorite Asian food: Spicy foods like Thai and Filipino food, of course
Something people would never know just by looking at you: I’m a big goof and dorky at times.
Cultural tradition that you will pass on to others: Definitely Filipino cuisine. I love the foods of my motherland. I would encourage my children to learn how to cook them, so I can eat their food when I don’t feel like cooking.
Special talent: I’m talented with my body. I’m very athletic and wanted to be a stunt artist when I was a kid. I would always practice doing flips and would climb anything that I could get on top of.