English and psychology senior Yvenna Laine Pomarejo says that storytelling is more than a way to imagine a better world; it is a way to help understand the world we live in. Inspired by her Filipino culture and desire to raise mental health awareness, Pomarejo turned to writing a young adult novel.
“I want this book to give children and young adults access to a better understanding of mental health from an early age,” Pomarejo said. “I hope to get the book published in the Philippines and eventually have it integrated into the educational system.”
The Light of Christ
Bullied in her childhood for the color of her skin, Pomarejo shared how feeling like an outcast lit a fire inside of her.
“Because I had experienced the inequalities of the world, I became a very strong activist,” she said. “I wanted to become someone who could stand up for myself and fight for the people like me.”
Pomarejo would soon realize that the fire she had was not going to be enough to help people. However, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints changed how she understood her desire to do just that.
“My mission transformed that fire into the light of Christ,” she said. “It helped me understand how I could use the blessings the Lord had given me to help others.”
"While I was serving," she continued. "My classmates back home were sent to jail because of their activism during COVID-19. I thought that if I had not gone on a mission, I would have been one of them.”
She emphasized that her experience did not lead her to believe that fighting for one's convictions was wrong. Instead, she came to believe that she could pursue the causes she cared about in a way centered on Jesus Christ.
Pomarejo learned about BYU–Hawaii from her companions and others she met in the field. She viewed the university as an opportunity to move away from the difficulties she had experienced in the Philippines. However, her perspective evolved after she arrived on campus.
"What I initially saw as an escape was actually a way for Him to mold me and help me become a better disciple,” she shared. "I realized that the Lord had His own plans for me."
Learning at Her Own Pace
College had provided Pomarejo with valuable experiences from internships, research and campus clubs, but she recalled some of her most meaningful experiences of growth came from navigating personal challenges.
While dealing with homesickness and the loss of a relative, Pomarejo arrived late for an exam and found herself overwhelmed. Her professor noticed her distress.
“He tapped me on the back and said, ‘Don't worry. Take your time. We all have periods like that,’” she shared.
That moment helped Pomarejo understand that there is no set pace for personal growth. She said the grace of the Lord and the people who have supported her at BYUH have helped her recognize that she does not have to be perfect to continue progressing.
Rather than presenting herself as someone who has everything figured out, Pomarejo hopes her experiences will encourage others who are still working toward their goals.
“I want them to understand that there is still so much progress to be made and that we do not have to be perfect,” she said. “I have my own pace, and I can become who I want to be in my own time and in the Lord's time.”
Writing for Filipino Readers
Pomarejo’s novel, Babaylan Kong Apat Ang Mata, follows a young woman experiencing schizophrenia and examines how spiritual beliefs and cultural perceptions can influence the way people understand mental illness. She hopes the story will encourage readers to approach mental health with greater understanding rather than fear.
For Pomarejo, the project also addresses the importance of cultural representation in literature.
“Sometimes, we do not see ourselves represented in the books we read,” Pomarejo explained. “What makes this rewarding is seeing people realize that this is a story they can see themselves in and reflect on.”
Her studies at BYU–Hawaii have also helped her recognize how her two majors complement each other. While psychology has given her opportunities to explore mental health, English has helped her communicate those ideas through writing.
“I did not realize I had the potential to help the Philippines until I discovered it here,” Pomarejo said. “I want this book to help Filipinos and give a voice to the Filipino people.”