About
Catalina grew up in Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia and read English at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.
She is an educator by profession and specialises in the teaching of literature at pre-university and secondary levels of education. Currently, she teaches Group 1 English for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and is based in Singapore.
She has an academic interest in Asian writing in English, having written her MA dissertation on the poetry of Wong Phui Nam, and is also interested in pedagogical practices in the teaching of literature in English to Asian students.
Enrolling in the Masters in Creative Writing programme at LASALLE College of the Arts has allowed her to hone her craft in various genres of storytelling, and she hopes to apply the knowledge and experience gained to create meaningful creative works in English set in Asia.
The Restoration: Extracts from a Novel
In a once-abandoned Straits Chinese mansion in Penang, a young architect involved in the house's restoration project receives a manuscript written by a woman who claims to be the heir of the house—an heir who has been missing and presumed dead.
As the architect begins to read the manuscript, he learns of the history of the house and the reason for its abandoned state, as well as the competing claims to its ownership.
This thesis consists of the first three chapters of this novel-in-progress and an exegesis that dives into its inspiration: the gothic tradition and its tropes as expressions and claims to power.
Borrowing from the tropes of the Victorian gothic, the extracts from the novel show that these tropes, when placed within a postcolonial setting, function as a platform for the conflicts of power and ownership, with competing claims made not only over the right to the physical space but also the narratives about its history and the identity of the claimants.
Photograph of the courtyard of a mansion in Penang, author's own.
A photograph of 'To a Tree', a sandblasted poem at Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
Professional practice
Catalina began her writing career as a contributor to children's and youth magazines, including Breadbits and Montage by Asiapac Books, Phases magazine by Scripture Union, and All the R.Age by The Star.
She began actively participating in spoken word events in Kuala Lumpur after attending a series of workshops organised by the British Council, and went on to perform at various events including the KLUE's Urbanscapes Arts Festival and Readings @ Seksan's. She also had her poetry published in a number of journals and anthologies.
Catalina has also written and published short stories, with most of them revolving around the themes of repression and wrongdoing contextualised against a Southeast Asian urban backdrop coloured by elements of magic realism and fantasy.
Her first short story, 'The Kill Wish', which was initially published by Fixi Novo in the anthology KL Noir: Yellow, was made into a short film directed by acclaimed Malaysian director Khai Bahar. Catalina has also supported the production of the movie Pendatang (2024) and is listed on IMDB as an Associate Producer for the film. Both films have been released on YouTube for public viewing.
Catalina is currently working on her first novel, which she describes as a 'dark bildungsroman' in the style of the gothic novel, and explores the themes of space, power and ownership through a series of nested narratives.
The first three chapters have been submitted as a thesis for her Masters in Creative Writing programme at LASALLE. In addition, a part of the novel has been adapted into a short story called 'The Crime' and is set to be published in SAMPAN 5.
The Manchester Writing School Summer Festival 2026: First Draft to Last Draft
A masterclass conducted via Zoom featuring student writers from the Manchester Writing School and LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore.
Book Launch of In The Mirror: New and Selected Poems of Wong Phui Nam
Participated in the book launch of a landmark collection of poetry by the late Southeast Asian poet, Wong Phui Nam and read a selection of his works in Nov 2025.
Sayang/Chellame: A Multilingual Queer Love Poetry Event
A reading and performance of a series of LGBTQ poetry written in multiple languages native to Singapore, 2017
Book Launch of Little Basket 2017 @ London Book Fair
World book launch of Little Basket 2017 at the London Book Fair during Spring, 2017.
Recite to Ignite
Performance poetry event at HELP Academy’s A Levels Department, 2016.
Book Reading @ The Refinery
Part of a group of readers reading from their creative works at The Refinery in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. 2014
Numinous @ MAP KL
Part of a group of readers performing poetry based on the art works of emerging artists auctioned by Henry Butcher, 2012.
Readings @ Seksan’s
Part of a group of readers reading from their creative works at Seksan’s in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. 2010.
Poetry Underground Spoken Word Performance
Part of the launch of MAP KL, Publika Shopping Gallery. 2010.
KL Poetry Slam: Death by Pudding
Poetry slam event as part of KLUE Urbanscapes Art Event, 28 June 2008.
KL Poetry Slam II: Green and Bare It
Poetry slam event at Zouk KL, 26 April 2008.
0202
In 2020: An Anthology. Published by Fixi Novo. 2020
Taximan Ghazal
In Malaysian Money Stories Volume 2. Published by Suraya Zainuddin Communication. 2019
Memories Upon Hearing the Destruction of a Mall
In Little Basket 2018: New Malaysian Writing. Published by Fixi Novo. 2018
The Panda Has Forgotten the Taste of Meat
In When I Say Spoken You Say Word: Kuala Lumpur Spoken Word Anthology. Published by Skinny Walls. 2018
Little Basket: New Malaysian Writing 2016–2017 (as editor)
Published by Fixi Novo. Little Basket 2017 was nominated for the 2018 Popular - The Star Readers' Choice Awards.
Uber Driver
In Singpowrimo 2017: The Anthology. Published by Math Paper Press. 2017
Selected Poems
In Malchin Testament: Malaysian Poetry in English. Published by Maya Press. 2017
The Longing
Published by Eastlit. October 2016
Saint Hypatia
Published by ZiggyZag Arms Poetry Journal. June 2016
The Sick Man and the Satellite
In PJ Confidential. Published by Fixi Novo. 2016
At Night in George Town
In Anak Sastra Volume 18. 2016
Reservoir Park
In HEAT: A Southeast Asian Urban Anthology. Published by Fixi Novo. 2016
Ascension
In As Life Found Me. Published by Taylor's University. 2015
I Have Taken Up Cooking, The Cranes and Genesis 3:17-19
In The Asian Centre Anthology of Malaysian Poetry in English. Published by Partridge. 2014
The Kill Wish
In KL Noir: Yellow. Published by Fixi Novo. 2014
The New Year's End
In New Village Zines. 2013
To a Tree (sandblasted poetry)
Presented as part of the Text Walk Project @ MAP. Sandblasted poem at Publika Shopping Gallery. 2011
Genesis 3:17 - 19 and Scratch
Voices from the Underground II: a linked poetry performance in one act. Self-published. 2010
Retold
In New Village Zines. 2010
Voices from the Underground
Published by Kathleen Choo & the Poetry Underground collective. 2008.
Angry
Published on the Silverfish New Writing Blog. 2007.
Florence Loh
He Jia Wen
Leon Oh Jun Cheng
Ang Fonteyn
Tan Kai Suan
Benjamin A. Wilgus
