Alexander de Guia Memorial Scholarship

I don’t remember the first time I tried pancit or halo-halo. Or the first time I danced to Sinulog songs—probably tripping over my dress half the time and pretending I meant to. I don’t remember when I started preferring the stories of elderly lolos and lolas over playground games or being surrounded by uncles and aunties belting “My Way” on a karaoke machine so loudly that the neighbors probably thought Sinatra had moved in. But I do remember how it all made me feel: seen, connected, and rooted in something bigger than myself. Over time, I’ve come to realize that my greatest skill is creating a sense of belonging through celebrating my culture and embracing the diverse experiences of others. Through this exchange, I build spaces where everyone feels seen and valued. In Orlando, I was surrounded by a vibrant Filipino community. The smell of adobo in the kitchen, the sound of Tagalog and Cebuano bouncing off each other, the karaoke ballads—it was all part of me. I didn’t have to seek out community; it existed all around me. Then the pandemic hit, and my family moved to Fresno. Suddenly, the gatherings were gone. The familiar voices faded. At my new school, hardly anyone looked like me. I stopped bringing Filipino food for lunch – too many stares, too many questions. For the first time, I felt invisible. I missed feeling known. I carried my culture quietly, folding it into myself, afraid it might set me apart in ways I didn’t yet know how to explain. Eventually, I decided to rebuild. I volunteered at a Filipino-run food distribution site, where I connected with elders who reminded me of home. I joined a Filipino church choir as a violist, as I missed being surrounded by language, music and a community that felt familiar. Most significantly, I became president of my school’s Filipino Club. When I joined, it was a quiet, almost forgotten group. But I saw potential. Our small group turned into a cultural hub—we hosted potlucks, sang around campus on Valentine’s Day, played Filipino games during lunch, and taught classmates how to say “kumusta ka?” We didn’t just celebrate our culture; we created community. We even planned and participated in our school’s first cultural fashion show. Students wore their barongs and Filipiniana costumes and other students from other backgrounds participated as well. For many, it was the first time they had celebrated their identities at school. What I’ve learned is that cultural identity isn’t fixed to a place. It’s something we can carry, shape, and share. My skill lies in my empathy, initiative, and ability to create bridges for others to feel at home. With this scholarship, I hope to foster these bridges, through culture, conversation, and shared stories, especially when I go to medical school. My classmates will see how identity can be personal and collective, both fluid and grounding. I may not remember every detail of my childhood. But I remember the warmth of belonging—and now, I’ve learned how to offer that to others.

My mom’s family is from a small town in California called Delano. The Laeno family has been part of the Delano community for decades running events through the Filipino Hall. My immediate family lives in Gilroy, so we would travel to the valley to help work events during the holidays. The holidays were never for family gatherings, but instead a time to give back to the Delano community. At the young age of 10, I would help clean the kitchen, cook, and set up dining tables for events. We would have Easter Egg Hunts for children, Christmas BINGO, Philippine Weekend Festival, and Graduation Celebrations. Because of our efforts in the local community our family was honored with the opportunity to be part of the Philippine Weekend parade along with my grandfather, David Laeno, who was selected to be the grand marshal. While helping with an event at the beginning of high school, my grandma and mother inspired me to do the community service work I do today. I have been granted the unique opportunity to bring one of my hobbies, crochet, into homeless programs in Santa Clara County. Working closely with the South County Compassion Center I have brough about 60 handmade beanie hats to the local homeless community. This small project, inspired by those who work for their community, was done with the intention of paving another opportunity for students to work for disenfranchised communities. Currently I am also a member of the Santa Clara County Student Behavioral and Health Task Force where we meet to discuss school projects that provide students with mental health awareness. Being able to make a difference in Gilroy’s community by bringing awareness to these mental health opportunities is fulfilling and helps break down the stigmas surrounding mental health care, something that aligns with the career I want to go into. As a mixed-race woman, I found it difficult to connect with my identity as a Filipina. Being surrounded by the love and efforts of my family connected me with ways to create a difference in communities and my culture. When I spent time with my family while organizing events, I felt connected to who I am and understood the value of having a positive impact on the lives of others. On both wide scale and small scale, I have played vital roles in my community. Through my experiences in advocacy and community service, I have learned more about myself and future goals. I hope to go into the field of child therapy with a degree in Psychology at a 4- year university.

Throughout my journey in High school, joining the MHS PUSO, the Pilipinix Unified Student Organization, was one of the decisions I wish I would've done earlier. In my Sophomore year, I was initially captured by the PUSO tinikling performers and applied to shadow an officer in the next semester. I was expected to attend every officer and general meeting as well as to participate in events that we'd hold after school. Through these events, I learned just how impactful a connection, with people that share the same culture as me, could be. I'll admit that I wasn't the best at speaking my mind to a large group of people in my Sophomore year, and that I'd only do the bare minimum in participation. However, once my Junior year hit and I expressed my intention to be the publicist of PUSO, everything changed. Suddenly I found myself connecting with my officers on a deeper level, not only because I was once an Ading for the senior officers with them last year, but because they've helped me grow out of my shell. My club advisor, Mr. Lorenzana was also one of the people who encouraged me to feel comfortable with my peers and to embrace our culture together. Throughout the whole school year, I've stayed after school, the latest until 8 pm, learning tinikling and doing performances with them. Learning how to choreograph and memorize my club member's names have been a challenge that I was ready to face. And learning about my officer's individual experiences at home made me wonder how I could help them. How can I ensure that not only my family, but their families are safe as well. I decided that I wanted to help in the legal section. I want to shield them from any policies that could potentially separate their loved ones. I want to fight for their rights. I want them to know that they're legally allowed to live in the United States, just as much as me. Just as much as my entire family, who immigrated to the U.S. to ensure me and my siblings and cousins could live a better life. I want to continue this fight. This scholarship could provide something that my family still struggles with, money. I plan to become independent and find my own sources of money when I move out for college, but I wouldn't want my family to be burdened with the expense. Any step along the way is a step that counts towards my goal, for the Filipino community living in the United States.

Growing up in a rural and impoverished province in the Philippines, I was immersed in a culture that emphasized the tradition of “Bayanihan”, centered on unity and interconnectedness. While America is rooted in individualism which fosters independence and personal achievement, my experiences as a Filipino woman have shown me the profound strength that comes from uplifting one another through shared purpose. I’ve witnessed countless families in my childhood share limited resources to thrive together, whether that be sharing extra food or helping one another fix a broken roof. In my own personal life, I saw this in my teen parents, who sacrificed their college education to raise my Kuya (older brother) and I. Their sacrifices and selflessness became the foundation of who I am today, fueling my own passion to support others as well by creating lasting change through sustainable advocacy. When I moved to Oahu as a young child, I struggled to adapt to a new culture. However, I began to see ways in which I could integrate the values of my culture into my new life. During high school, I’ve woven the idea of Bayanihan by participating in local clean-ups and campus-wide environmental conservation efforts. From planting trees to becoming a lead intern in my school’s first Natural Resources & Management Team, I experienced firsthand how collaborating with fellow volunteers and interns echoed a sense of camaraderie. Together, we not only improved the environment but also cultivated connection, a value I cherish from my time in the Philippines. Working among individuals from diverse backgrounds helped me see things in a new light and create newfound friendships. While these involvements inspired me, they also reminded me of the environmental challenges faced by my hometown in Ilocos Norte. Being uprooted 5,000 miles away from where my deepest roots resided had its own challenges for someone so young, yet it gave me the perspective to reflect on the struggles my community in the Philippines endures daily. People are working tirelessly; making ends meet for their families, but being indifferent to the impact their struggles had on the land they relied on. Colorful plastic bags and debris followed the sidewalks that people walked on; with even the sea’s shoreline now marked by litter. These circumstances are forever etched into my memory, which gave me a new devotion. I am committed to channeling the love I have for my hometown into action by pursuing a career in Environmental Toxicology–the study of chemicals that impact ecosystems and human health. This field allows me to investigate and further mitigate the harmful effects of toxins, particularly in communities like mine, where the environment is a source of livelihood. By receiving this scholarship as a student from a low-income household, this funding would ease the financial strain of funds like tuition, books, and housing. This would allow me to focus fully on my education without worrying about money. I am proud to honor my family’s legacy by becoming the first in my family to pursue a career in science. With this opportunity, I can transform not only my future but also the lives of others. Maraming salamat po!

Growing up, I was constantly reminded to follow the cultural, yet stereotypical, image of a Filipina: submissive and service-oriented. Instead, these values inspired me to pursue architecture—a traditional male-dominated field—and to show other Filipinas their potential. From a young age, I wanted to forge my own identity, but I felt my family was trying to destroy it. I remember one Sunday when my family was preparing for church. I had to dress nicely, so I wore an elevated version of my style: a white, black-striped shirt with dark jeans and a jean jacket. In front of the mirror, I felt pretty without having to wear feminine clothes, and the reflection I saw in the mirror was me. Eager, I showed the outfit to my mom, but her face expressed disapproval. I knew it was because I was not conforming to our cultural values: no dress, no heels, and no ponytail hair. Nonetheless I stood my ground, refusing to change into something more “Filipina,” despite the anticipated consequences. Looking back, that day marked a pivotal moment for me. I was done obeying to the Filipina stereotype and determined to become the confident and rebellious woman I desired. Due to ongoing familial judgement, I want to redefine what it means to be a Filipina by embracing my own identity and through my career as an architect, instead of a typical service-oriented nurse or housewife. Regarding my education, I am pursuing architecture to help disadvantaged communities in Las Vegas via the creation of soup kitchens, affordable housing, and accessible resource hubs. My strengths in art and math are unique and extraordinary compared to a traditional Filipina. This is also why I am pursuing architecture to make the world a better place for Filipinas who are wanting to escape from the cultural stereotype. Knowing my strengths and wants, I realized that I could do more than what I was traditionally destined to be. So during my undergraduate journey, I plan to visit classrooms, attend career fairs, and attend local Filipino organizations to show Filipinas the power of their potential from breaking away from tradition and embracing their own identity. However, the first step to sharing my personal conflicts with Filipino tradition and improving the world is to attend college. I plan to pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the Fall of 2025. Yet, I cannot ignore the financial hardships my family is currently facing. In 2024, my father lost his job, and we lost about $30,000 of our usual annual total income. Although he’s working now, I have heard that he is planning to quit this job soon as he feels uncomfortable with the work environment. Furthermore, my sister is anticipating surgery for tonsillectomy, and our parents will soon be burdened with medical bills and medicines to buy post-surgery. Right now, asking for any form of financial assistance for college may distress our family's situation further. I cannot imagine trying to present and inspire others through my story with financial distress on my mind. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial distress of college and alleviate my parents’ worry about paying for my education. I also plan to be involved at UNLV’s FIlipino American Student Association, where I am able to showcase my ambitious personality that contradicts traditional roles and builds other Filipinas. As a future Filipina architect and ongoing stereotype-breaker, I will reference my personal challenges to uplift the community of Filipinas in Las Vegas and worldwide, without having to stress about student debt or my family’s tight financial situation.

Everybody has a voice, and it's the job of a journalist to intensify it. This fall, I intend to transfer to UC Berkeley and major in Media Studies to become a journalist. I want to raise awareness about underrepresented communities by highlighting their experiences, which my education has already allowed me to do. Using my knowledge from journalism courses at my community college, I composed an article about nontraditional (veterans, first-generation, undocumented, and returning) college students emphasizing the inequities they faced. My work’s impact led to greater outreach of campus resources, students' better understanding of each other, and the college's recognition of how these vulnerable populations felt. I desire to continue to give voices to the voiceless because telling their stories of resilience will inspire others. My education will assist me in constructing change through journalism, as I’ll learn reporting techniques that promote transparency and assess the role the media has on contemporary life. I’m confident that having access to faculty, research opportunities, and challenging coursework in Media Studies at UC Berkeley will help me develop further as a journalist, scholar, and social activist. I know my storytelling has a purpose - to make the world more equitable - and my education will be the cornerstone of its effect. At my community college, I’ve kept a 4.0 GPA while participating in clubs, working 20 hours per week at my job, and maintaining my family responsibilities. This semester, I'm starting a new position at a cat shelter as an unpaid social media intern. I've decided to work 10 instead of 20 hours a week at my job so I can focus on my studies and extracurricular activities. Receiving the $1,000 would equal working 63 hours at my job - that is six, 10 hour work weeks I can spend honing my journalistic skills, preparing to transfer to UC Berkeley, and achieving my goals. The funding will also assist in paying my student loans and day-to-day college expenses. Although my parents will cover my tuition, I want to lessen their financial load of sending their two children to college. Both being state workers, California will be experiencing budget cuts this year, which impacts their wages negatively. The scholarship will help me assist my parents in paying off my debt, while also advancing my education to become a journalist and serve marginalized communities. My family obtained graduate or postgraduate degrees from prominent Philippine universities, demonstrating the high regard my family has for education. In the early 2000s, my parents, grandparents, older brother and I immigrated to California in hopes of greener pastures. We weren’t wealthy, but my family worked hard to create a simple and comfortable life. Instead of believing in material wealth, my family believes that knowledge is wealth; possessing intelligence and wisdom is success that can open up countless possibilities. I was always encouraged by my family to dream big and serve others. I was assured I can accomplish anything with education, hard work, and persistence as my foundation. I value education because it leads to personal development. Acquiring knowledge not only provides you with information but also helps you understand yourself. My dedication to giving voices to the voiceless would not have been discovered if not for an education. I find it essential to receive an education not only to honor the sacrifices my family made while immigrating to America but to also change people’s perspectives on the world and its citizens and to deeply learn about a subject I’m passionate about - journalism. With that, I’m determined to find the living books in this world with stories to tell.

My family has been separated for five years until we reunited in 2014. Being a part of a family of seven, my parents struggled to provide meals and educational needs, especially with five children. After struggling to make ends meet in the Philippines, my father took my two oldest siblings to the island of Maui, with hopes of earning more money for our family. He has worked multiple jobs ranging from a security guard to working as a determined housekeeper for 14 years in luxurious hotel called Grand Wailea. It wasn’t until five years later, when he was finally able to save enough money to reunite his family in Hawaii. When my mother and I, along with my two other siblings arrived at the Kahului Airport, I expected our lives to become easier. With easier access to technology and better educational settings, I had thought my life would be smooth-sailing. However, as I grew up, I was proven wrong. With the expenses of living in Maui and the constant rate of inflation, my family could not afford to purchase a home of our own. When we arrived at Maui, we lived with 7 of my relatives for five years. To this day, my family and I live in rental homes, barely making ends meet despite the double jobs my parents took on. Seeing both my parents work tremendously to provide for my family, fueled my determination to reciprocate the same drive and hard-work into my education. By going into the path of being a Registered Nurse, I am able to make the world a brighter place by treating and aiding patients who are in-need of help. By going into the medical field, I am able to create an environment where families and patients feel safe and taken care of. As someone who has suffered a severe injury and had to undergo surgery for an ACL reconstruction, I have seen the great impact the nurses had on me and other patients. Despite their busy shifts, they always assisted me with kindness and a smile, a gesture that made my recovery smoother. With that said, I hope to shed the same light and positivity to help children recover from illnesses and injuries. With this scholarship, I am able to expand my knowledge about medicine and treatment, as well as achieving my goals of becoming a Pediatrician Nurse. As a student coming from a low-income family, this scholarship will open new doors and opportunities for me to take. The funds will enable me to purchase essential materials for my education as well as financing the classes I need for my career. While I understand the difficulty and stiff competition I will have to endure, I have learned to use my challenges to get stronger. As someone who grew up seeing their parents push through their obstacles, I learned to make do with the cards that I was dealt and as a result, I have transformed into a stronger and more confident person.

When my mother and I immigrated from the Philippines to California, times were rough, especially during the cultural transition. We moved for my mom to find a job with the degree she had in Information Technology, and to have a better life than the one we had in the Philippines, where we lived near slums and where there were fewer job opportunities. It was only years later that I realized we would never have been able to come to America if my mom wasn't as hardworking as she was. Without a degree, she most likely wouldn't have been able to get a job that would provide enough for a family. My mom was (and still is!) my biggest educational supporter. She was the one who taught me that "Education is something no one can take away from you". For years, she has shared stories with me of how hard it is to get an education in the Philippines, compared to America. To travel to the nearest high school, my mom had to wake up at 5 AM, squeeze into a jeepney (a Filipino vehicle) every day with sweaty strangers, commute for an entire hour each way, and arrive home hungry at 7 PM. As a college student, she had to work and study from sun up to sun down, without time to hang out with friends or family. Even after graduating, she didn't get much of a break and had to work night shifts during her pregnancy with me. My mom would tell me these stories whenever I complained about how "hard" my school was, or why I don't have any free time. Instead of complaining about school, my mom tells me to remember that millions of other kids don't have the opportunity that I have, as a citizen living comfortably in America with access to school. Thankfully, I have a family who understand the importance and rarity of education, and I've been taught to not take it for granted. Although there are times when I am tempted to give up on that one math problem, or the heavy dual college and high school workload, or even waking up early every morning to head to school, I ask my mom to tell me a story from her life, and it instantly makes me so grateful to be able to go to school. Now, fifteen years later after immigrating, I have three new siblings and an amazing dad. However, we are now a single-income family, and after moving to help plant a church, we live in one of the most expensive cities in the nation, San Diego. Winning this scholarship would provide my family an opportunity to transfer me to a private four-year university after I graduate from my local community college. My future dreams and goals include getting my A.A. in English, and my B.A. in Humanities. Afterward, I hope to earn my TESOL certification. Since I love to travel, I'd love to move to a country in Asia one day to become an ESL teacher for young children. As English is a universal language, and is related to an incredible amount of job opportunities, being able to teach this language to children who might use it in their future careers greatly inspires me to pursue this field. In addition, I will be able to experience a new culture and learn a new language! Last but not least, thank you for considering my application. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for my education and career. Maraming Salamat! (Thank you!)

Education. Hard work. Family. These are the three core values my grandparents and mom brought from the Philippines to America, the same values they instilled in me from a young age. When I want to truly understand these principles, I have to look no further than the members of my own family. My lola, a doctor in Angeles City, worked hard to serve her community. My lolo, working overseas in the Middle East, worked hard to serve his family. My mother, a single mother working in laboratory services, works hard to be able to raise me and give me a proper education. Through their hard work and dedication, they gave back to those they cared for the most. Thus, I have been inspired to do the same with my own education. Growing up and hearing these three core principles, I began to live them in my own life. Even from elementary and middle school, I sought to do the best I could in my studies. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic interrupting my eighth grade year, I pushed on and kept my drive into high school. Throughout high school, I have balanced my numerous honors, AP, and dual-enrollment college courses with choir, art club, and, most recently, broadcast journalism. Though this may appear to be a tremendous workload for some people, I instead see it as a necessity to open new opportunities: namely, a college education at a meritorious institution. Pursuing different courses in high school has also opened my eyes to fields of study I may be interested in pursuing at a higher level. However, above all, I have developed an interest and skill in mathematics. I am currently taking both AP Statistics and AP Calculus BC in my senior year. In addition, I am interested in math-based majors and future careers. To be truthful, I have no concrete idea for what my future may hold for me. Though I have the vague idea of pursuing something related to mathematics, I am not yet sure what this specifically may be. Despite that, I will remain industrious and enthusiastic with wherever my studies take me. Further, despite not having a clear idea of how I will get there, I have one important goal: to be able to give back to my family members who have worked to get me to where I am today. Without their support and own dedication, I would not be getting the experiences I am living today, nor would I even be able to consider college education. In addition, two people have come into my life in the recent years that have only further pushed my ambition: my two younger cousins. It has been so inspiring to seem them grow and change over the years. Seeing these young children, it feels as though I am in a similar position as my grandparents and mother were when I was young. I want to give them as much support as I can and instill the very same values I was given as a child. Above all, I want to give back to my family, making the world a better place for them to be.