Growing up on a remote Island in the Philippines without electricity, television or mobile devices, Riza develop the habit of reading during her formative years. She soon recognized her passion and talent for writing stories and poetry, and became a member of “The Artrader,” her high school's newsletter where her essays and poems were first published. She joined many writing contests in high school which allowed her to travel throughout the district, as well as to regional and national level competitions throughout the Philippines.

Riza was a consistent honor student throughout elementary school and during high school. In college, she elected to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and used writing as a way to unwind and relax.

Earning her BSN degree and becoming a U.S. Registered Nurse, she left the Philippines to work as a staff nurse for the Commonwealth Health Care Corporation (CHCC) on the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Surrounded by blue skies, pristine beaches and a warm island vibe, Riza continued her writing whenever her demanding job scheduled permitted. She submitted her poetry and essays to local newspapers and, to her elation, they were published. She also participated in the local library and public school book reading activities to share her love of literature with students.

Her entry into independent publishing started in 2010 when she attended author and passionpreneur Walt Goodridge's writer's workshop on Saipan, and the rest, as they say, is history. After successfully self-publishing two books, she moved to North Dakota, USA, to pursue her profession where she lived for two years. Riza now lives in Gainesville, Florida with her husband and son.

Riza's journey from the Philippines, to Saipan, to North Dakota, and now Florida–brings a wealth of experience and heart to her storytelling. As a poet and writer with a unique and versatile style, she weaves that experience as well as important life lessons – from hygiene and health to the complexities of migrant families – into stories that resonate with both children and adults.

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