Joanna dela Rosa was born in Manila, Philippines and emigrated to the United States in 1991. She grew up in Springfield, Virginia and attended New York University to pursue journalism. She also studied photography and studio arts. After college, she joined the corporate world to pursue a career in communications.m. But her passion belongs to the arts. More recently, she is hoping to devote her time writing and painting. She lives in New Jersey with her husband Omar and her two daughters Charley and Madison.