Bill Arnott's Showcase Interviews: Kyla Estoya

Welcome back to Showcase Interviews, meeting artists through Q&A. Today we’re privileged to visit with the diversely talented Kyla Estoya, editor of New Reader Magazine, the mixed media publication with hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Kyla’s home country of Philippines.

What a pleasure to have you on the Showcase, Kyla! Let’s introduce you with your bio: Kyla Estoya is a super typhoon survivor and an advocate for throwing kindness around like confetti. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts and has hopped her way through the mass media field until she finally found a home in a publication dedicated to literary works and the arts. She’s lost track of her past write-ups but she’s positive that they’re in a local lifestyle magazine and newspapers somewhere. She enjoys painting, lip-syncing, commuting by bus, and making people smile. She currently lives in Cebu City, Philippines with her dad and younger siblings.

Q. Tell us, Kyla, what do you feel you’re best known for?

A. I think I’m best known for being a mother-like figure—someone people run to when they have problems. But at the same time, I’m also that person who starts bursting into laughter at times of seriousness and gets overly excited even at the smallest things, like, a frog.

Q. (Remind me to share a story with you of a frog named Steve!) And what was it that brought you here?

A. My parents. Ha-ha! They’re really cool and I love them so much. Ever since we were kids they’ve always supported our dreams, pushed us further, and taught us to be resilient. I’m proud to be raised by them and I hope they’re proud of me too.

Q. (Beautiful.) And building on your folks’ influence, who (else) do you consider as mentors?

A. I’m easily awed by people’s talents and character so I look up to so many individuals. If I have to choose, I’ll go with the recent ones: Anne Lamott (for inspiring me to write) and Alain de Botton (for reminding me about compassion). Ironically they both don’t know me, I just read her book and watched his videos.

Q. (Very cool. I’ve also been inspired by Alain de Botton.) Now, please list for us your favourite: book, album, movie, and food dish.

A. Peter Pan by J.M Barrie, The White Album by The Beatles, Disney’s Mulan, and chicken pesto pasta.

Q. (Nice. Tidy, definitive, and tasty!) Tell us what you’re currently working on.

A. Apart from this quarter’s [NRM] magazine issue, I am working on myself, specifically, my creative writing skills. For a while I’ve been trained in news and feature writing, so I am still exploring that area.

Q. And what’s your advice to others?

A. This isn’t going to be easy but no matter how cruel you think the world is to you, never throw that cruelty back to the world. Oh, and always write an email subject line!

Q. (Brilliant. Both bits!) Now, a Quirky Question. Make a choice: Mary Kay, or Mary-Kate and Ashley?

A. I don’t like putting make-up on so I choose Mary-Kate and Ashley. They might give me oversized clothes.

(Bill.) Too fun. Thank you Kyla, for a lovely, engaging interview.

Cheers friends, and see you next time on the Showcase!

Bill Arnott

Website

Bill Arnott is the bestselling author of A Season on Vancouver Island, theGone Viking travelogues, andA Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot(Arsenal Pulp Press, Fall 2024). Recipient of a Fellowship at London’s Royal Geographical Society for his expeditions, Bill’s a frequent presenter and contributor to magazines, universities, podcasts, TV and radio. When not trekking with a small pack and journal, Bill can be found on Canada’s west coast, where he lives near the sea on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land.