Celebrity Travel: Go away with Amielynn Abellera

Growing up in Stockton, California, Amielynn Abellera didn’t see herself reflected in the mainstream media. “The only Filipino actors I remember during my childhood were Dante Basco as Rufio in the film, ‘Hook,’ Tia Carrera in ‘Wayne's World’ and Lea Salonga in ‘Miss Saigon,’” said Abellera, who is one of the stars of Noah Wyle’s new Max show, “The Pitt.” “I remember there being Asian characters in some of my favorite martial arts films (‘Rumble in the Bronx,’ ‘Karate Kid,’ ‘Best of the Best’), but to see any Filipino or Filipino American characters or storylines was rare.” A resident of Los Angeles, the actress stays in touch with fans on Facebook and Instagram (@amielynn.abellera).

Q: Did you film any of “The Pitt” in Pittsburgh?

A: We film on the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank. The production traveled to Pittsburgh for a week in September to film hospital exterior scenes, hospital helipad scenes and a scene in a Pittsburgh park. I was not in those scenes, so I did not travel to Pittsburgh that week. I heard it was fun, though, and the weather was great!

Q: Where are some places you’ve lived?

A: I was born and raised in Stockton. I moved to Santa Clara in 2000 to attend college at Santa Clara University, with a year abroad in London. Then I lived and worked in San Francisco and Stanford for three years before moving to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California for my Master of Fine Arts d egree in acting. I've lived in Los Angeles since 2008.

Q: Where did you film your first professional role?

A: I was Architect No. 2 in “The Bold and the Beautiful.” I filmed for one afternoon at the CBS studio in Los Angeles. I was so nervous and didn't know how to do anything!

Q: Can you share an important vacation memory?

A: I visited the Philippines for the first time when I was 12, for a cousin's wedding. I don't think I was conscious of it at the time, but deep down, I think I was expecting to have a pivotal experience with a deeply shared connection to the people, culture and land. Upon arrival, however, I felt disconnected, isolated and even more of a minority than I ever had. I didn't speak the language, the locals treated me differently and put me on a pedestal because I was an American. This made me feel very uncomfortable. It was confusing to interact with people who looked just like me, something I had craved in America. However, there was a clear divide in class and status between us. I left the Philippines feeling out of place and ultimately confused.

Q: Have you been back?

A: I have yet to visit the Philippines again in my adult life. I hope to start over, reintroduce and allow myself to be welcomed with open arms, just like they did when I was 12. Only now, I feel more grounded in who I am and accepting of whatever level of connection I have with that beautiful country.

Q: Have you visited places for work that were so nice that you traveled back there later for a personal trip?

A: I filmed an independent feature film called "I Am That" for a month in Albuquerque. I loved New Mexico – the people, nature, sunsets and food. The nearby locations where we shot the film were beautiful, with historic adobe architecture. I was so happy to revisit Albuquerque six years later to film an episode of FOX's "The Cleaning Lady." I felt nostalgic seeing the same locations from the film shoot. It was during the annual [Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta], where they release over 500 balloons into the sky. I hope to return to bring my family to the festival. My daughter is four and loves hot air balloons.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: If you want something, do it, because you may not ever be here or have this chance again.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: California is beautiful. Even though I was born and raised here, there are so many places I haven't visited. My family and I love glamping and exploring different areas of the Angeles National Forest or areas within driving distance. We recently spent a weekend in Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which was a three-hour drive from L.A. We loved the peace and quiet and described it as a mellow, less-touristy, less-flashy Palm Springs.

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

A: I spent Christmas and New Year's in London and Germany, respectively, during my junior year abroad. I remember it being so very different from California. There was so much snow in London, and fireworks are legal in Germany. The fireworks were insane for several hours – being shot out of high-rise apartment balconies, out of cars, filling the streets. ... The city smelled like residual smoke and gunpowder all day on [January] first.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: My ear plugs and eye mask – can't sleep without 'em. Coffee and coffee creamer, all my skincare products, an extra pair of contact lenses and some slippers for the hotel/Airbnb. I don't like walking around barefoot on an unknown floor!

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A: Not exercising and eating all the sugar – Sour Patch Kids, Sweet Tart Ropes, marshmallows, juice, coffee drinks.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)