I was born and raised in Masi, Santa Teresita, Cagayan Valley, Philippines, where I began my journey not only as a student but also as a young farmer working alongside my parents. Growing up, I developed a deep love for agriculture, especially in growing crops like cassava, sweet potatoes, and various vegetables, depending on the season. I also loved caring for animals on our farm, which was home to cows, chickens, dogs, pigs, and many more, creating an environment full of life and responsibility. Thinking back to my childhood, I realize that even at a young age, I had many dreams and goals. During elementary school, I often dreamed of becoming a member of the Air Force or a police officer because I felt a strong passion for serving and protecting my country. Although my school back then wasn’t the most prestigious, it instilled in me important values that I continue to live by today, such as “Respect” and “Utang na Loob” (Debt of Gratitude), which teaches the importance of giving back to those who have helped you—one of the most cherished values in Filipino culture.

My hometown community is incredibly close-knit and supportive. We treated each other like siblings, always ready to help whenever someone was in need. If there was a power outage, we would all contribute money to rent or buy a generator so that everyone could have light again. If a family didn’t have enough food, the whole community would come together to provide “ayuda”, or aid, offering goods like rice, canned food, and vegetables to help them survive for several weeks. These acts of kindness, cooperation, and bayanihan spirit are memories that have shaped who I am today. Life back then wasn’t perfect, we faced hardships and challenges, but I can truly say that growing up in that environment was the best part of my life. Those experiences taught me resilience, compassion, and a deep appreciation for community, and I carry those lessons with me wherever I go.

On October 16, 2014, I moved to Kaua’i and continued my studies at Kapaʻa Middle School and Kapaʻa High School, where I began to think more deeply about life. I made many Filipino friends but noticed that many of them struggled with their language and culture, which saddened me. Because of this, my dream shifted from becoming a police officer to becoming a teacher who could help Filipinos reconnect with their identity. I started my journey at Kaua’i Community College pursuing a Liberal Arts degree, then transferred to UH Mānoa to major in Second Language Studies and Philippine Language and Culture. I hope to become a public school teacher and help future generations take pride in their heritage.

My first language was Ilocano. I learned how to speak Ilocano when I was two years old. I attended Public School when I was four years old and mastered Ilocano. My teacher was excellent, and she would always give us examples that would make us understand the words, such as how to create a conversation and greet someone. 

 When we had money, my parents decided to enroll me in Saint Francis Academy for kindergarten. I remember my first day was terrible. I didn’t know that the school has its own language, which is Tagalog. Therefore it would be easier to communicate with other people. I struggled to learn this language and also make friends. But each day, I carried a pencil and a book with me then wrote Tagalog words so I could study in my free time. After a year, I mastered Tagalog, and I would use this a lot at home and teach my family members.

  Then, about six years later I had moved to Kaua’i with my Mom and studied at Kapaa Middle School. I noticed that everything felt new to me: new language, new people, new rules, and more. English is very confusing, and some words sound the same but have different meanings. Before, I never talked in class because I did not have confidence in myself. I was afraid to make mistakes, answer questions, ask questions, and I found being quiet was the best solution. 

I was put in this class called English Language Learning, where I met people that were the same as me. They were all struggling to learn English and luckily our teacher was very patient with us. Our teacher kept giving us words day by day till we were confident enough to go on our way. I may not speak fluent English, but I got to know some essential phrases that can help me understand people. 

Recently, I have been encouraging myself to learn Spanish and Thai. I took two Spanish classes throughout High School. It wasn't that hard because some Spanish words are Filipino, and I got A’s. I watched Thai Boys Love Series in the summer of 2020, and it motivated me to learn Thai so I wouldn't have to read the English captions and could also assist my Thai friends in learning English. I dream of visiting Thailand or Spain one day in the future. That's why I am studying languages now. 

Choosing a career path has been incredibly hard to me especially coming from another country. I spent most of my nights overthinking what to do in the future from high school and my undergraduate. Should I have pursued an early college path? Should I drop out of high school or college and go back home? Am I in the right pathway? I don’t know. While many of my classmates seemed to know exactly what they wanted to do for a living, I am still in the process of exploring my options. I remember applying for Public Professional Services on High School focusing in Teaching where I was placed in Kapaa Elementary School English Language Program where I become a Teacher assistant for Ms. Kellet and at Kapaa High school English 10 for Ms. Higa. The classroom was very diverse where students were of mixed ethnicity and some are from another country. One student that stuck to me the most is this student who mentioned that they wished there were Filipino language classes to understand what “home” is like. That’s when I realized that I am “fit” to be a Teacher. As a Filipino immigrant, Teaching Filipino in Hawaii or any place is beneficial since most of the students nowadays are “mixed” and being there to help them understand their native language and culture. Teaching Filipino languages in Hawaii is essential for preserving cultural heritage, strengthening community ties, facilitating communication, providing educational opportunities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting economic development. After graduating from Kaua’i Community College in Spring 2023, I joined the SLS program as an undergraduate in Fall 2023 and that’s when I knew I was in the right place.

Embarking on the journey of pursuing a Master's degree in SLS represents more than just a step forward in my academic path; it embodies a firm dedication to exploring language education at a deeper level. My goal is to foster greater understanding and unity among Filipino communities with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Through rigorous study and active participation in the program, I seek to enhance my understanding of language acquisition, pedagogy, and sociolinguistics. I am also very interested in second language teaching where I design engaging activities and interactive lessons that would benefit students from acquiring the language faster. In addition, I would also like to further understand the language concepts of the Philippine languages and how they are connected to one and another. This commitment reflects my unwavering belief in the transformative potential of language education to promote inclusivity and empathy across varied contexts.

My goal in life is to get my Philosophy in Second Language Studies so I can expand my knowledge and hope to guide more students to the right path. I understand the courses and challenges that multilingual students have to go through because I’ve been there. My experiences would make me a good candidate to represent and help the multilingual community. I am blessed and thankful for this gift: learning new things everyday makes me happy and excited.