Malaya Ulan, a junior at the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, is Philadelphia’s newest Youth Poet Laureate, writes Kristin Hunt for PhillyVoice.

Ulan is a 16-year-old Filipino-American artist whose background goes far beyond just poetry. She is also experienced in dance, film, and painting.

She has performed at the Barnes Foundation, Asian Arts Initiative, and Painted Bride Art Center. Ulan also recenty appeared in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival production, “Special Topics,” alongside her mother and fellow artist, Anito Gavino.

Ulan’s poetry collection, “Ulan: When my tears turn into roses,” was released in 2022.

“Poetry is incredibly important to me; it has always been a portal to healing, a connection to my ancestors, and a form of resistance,” Ulan said in a press release. “Being not only the Youth Poet Laureate, but the Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia is a huge honor, considering that Philadelphia is a city that has birthed so many amazing poets. I am excited to use my creativity as an organizer, poet, dancer, and filmmaker, and to bring together my fellow teens in the powerful act of radical poetry writing.”

As Philadelphia’s Youth Poet Laureate, Ulan earns a scholarship and mentorship from the city’s poet laureate, Kai Davis.

Read more about Philadelphia’s newest youth poet laureate in PhillyVoice.

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