National City native wrote, stars in play, ‘How We Love,’ steeped in Filipino culture

Ever since middle school, San Diego native Camille Joy Mendoza has been in love with theater and the performing arts.

“I just kind of was like theater, theater, theater,” Mendoza said.

Her love for the arts led to some stage-managing work and a film documentary she wrote. 

But now, at age 22, the young woman who grew up in National City is ready to stand in the spotlight with the staging of “How We Love,” a play that explores love and romance.

Mendoza, going by her stage name Coza Joy, wrote and is producing and stage managing the play, which premieres Friday in City Heights.

The play follows Maria, a young Filipina-American, who is curious about love. In vignettes, it follows three love stories with 10 characters, but with all the stories narrated by Maria, who is played by Mendoza.

“Yeah, it’s a lot,” she said. “But I think with all the experience I’ve had growing up, I’ve learned to wear different hats and I thought, when putting this into production, I might as well utilize all my different hats and all the different skill sets I was growing into.”

She acknowledges the play is her passion project. But it is also a love letter to community and culture.

Much of it is autobiographical, coming from experiences she had at karaoke sessions with friends or at family parties. It is steeped in Filipino culture, including music and stories representing Harana, a traditional Filipino serenade and courtship practice.

“The inspiration just kept growing to write this, and the motivation,” Mendoza said.

While love stories can lead to heartbreak, Mendoza added that “it does end off on a more happier, more uplifting note.”

She wants audiences to feel empowered and enlightened.

“I honestly hope they walk out of it being reflective and wondering how they navigate love and romance, either through themselves or also through their family and generational cycles too,” she said.

As for her story, she’s hoping to bring more Joy to the world. She’s thinking about more plays featuring Maria. But she also has an itch to go back to filmmaking.

No matter what she does, she intends to keep community at the forefront of her projects. She has done community organizing and currently works for a local youth development nonprofit organization. On the play’s ticket-selling website, she highlights local groups that have supported her.

The play is being performed at the PANA (Partnership in Advancement of New Americans) event hall, 5555 University Ave., through Sunday. More information and tickets, at $18, are available online.