In Filipino culture, the spirit of bayanihan—communal unity—is a cherished value that deeply influences our way of life. As the child of an immigrant mother from the Philippines, this spirit was a constant presence in my household. Our home was always filled with the warmth and laughter of fellow Filipinos, whether during lively gatherings or quiet moments of support. In our tight-knit Minnesotan Filipino community, everyone acted like an extended family, always stepping in to help when our parents were at work. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I sought a similar sense of belonging on a predominantly white campus. I found that connection and support by joining the multicultural organization Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc., or SYZ, during my sophomore year. I was drawn to Sigma Psi Zeta’s focus on combating violence against women, which resonated with the bayanihan spirit of mutual support I grew up with. Our sorority organizes events like fundraisers for local women's shelters and educational workshops on domestic violence prevention. Most recently, I led the sorority's annual Denim Day tabling event to raise awareness about misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. These events provided me with meaningful opportunities for community engagement and giving back. Through my experience in SYZ, I discovered the importance of embracing my heritage and my passion for community engagement. This made me consider how to integrate my cultural background into my other passions. I entered college aspiring to be an epidemiologist, but reflecting on my goals made me question my underlying motivations. My journey through college helped me realize my Filipino-American identity uniquely prepared me to address health disparities. Being part of a diaspora community has exposed me to diverse perspectives and cultural practices that influence my professional goals. Public health interventions are often “one-size fits all” and do not directly address the needs of individual communities. My approach to epidemiology is heavily shaped by the concept of bayanihan, where I see collaboration and community engagement in epidemiological research as essential to developing effective, culturally sensitive interventions. The value of bayanihan is also the driving force to my epidemiological aspiration of serving underrepresented communities. Despite being the second largest Asian subgroup in the United States, Filipinos are underrepresented in health disparity research. The few existing studies often suffer from data aggregation issues, skewing their findings. A study on COVID-19 disparities among Filipinos found research often relies on data from the California Health Interview Survey, the only large-scale health survey in the US that disaggregates Filipino data. Growing up in Minnesota and attending university in Wisconsin, the need for more research in this area is especially meaningful to me. I aim to bridge this data gap by conducting research on the healthcare experiences of Midwestern Filipino communities. Through education in tandem with my cultural background, I aim to leverage epidemiological research to impact not just local communities but also contribute to global health equity. Building on my Filipino-American values, I am committed to integrating my heritage throughout my professional journey. As I advance in my career, I plan to focus on research projects that specifically address health disparities within the Filipino-American community, beginning with a proposed study on the healthcare needs of Midwestern Filipino populations. I am also eager to collaborate with organizations to develop culturally tailored public health interventions. Combining my cultural insights with epidemiological research, I aim to contribute to more inclusive and effective health solutions. This approach will not only honor my heritage but also drive meaningful change in the communities I am dedicated to serving.

A hyphen, by definition, is used to join words that indicate they have a combined meaning. I was Filipino-American by title. Yet internally, I didn’t feel as if I could fully relate to either side of this identity. The hyphen between “Filipino” and “American” felt more like a reminder that I would never truly be one or the other. Why must a singular line inhibit my entire understanding of my own identity? In hopes of connecting with others who shared similar experiences, I joined Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc., or SYZ, during my sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Established by 10 women to promote the awareness of Asian and Asian-American culture and community issues, SYZ stood out to me for its multicultural emphasis and diverse membership. Despite this foundational principle, however, I felt our particular chapter could do more to showcase our cultural richness on campus. This led me to establish the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) chair, aiming to elevate not only my Filipino heritage but also the cultures of other members. I vividly remember our first cultural potluck event hosted by the DEI chair, where I brought the Filipino food lumpia and felt a sense of pride in sharing a piece of my heritage with the community. Through this experience, I discovered the power of community and the significance of representation. I wondered how I could further incorporate my heritage into my other passions and interests. Throughout my academic journey towards epidemiology, I grappled with the underlying motivation of my career choice. My role as DEI chair helped me realize that my Filipino-American identity uniquely prepared me to address health disparities. Being part of a diaspora community has exposed me to diverse perspectives and cultural practices that influence my professional goals. Growing up with the Filipino value of bayanihan—which emphasizes the value of community support and collaboration—I realized its relevance to public health interventions. Public health interventions are often “one-size fits all” and do not directly address the needs of individual communities. My approach to epidemiology is heavily shaped by the concept of bayanihan, where I see collaboration and community engagement in epidemiological research as essential to developing effective, culturally sensitive interventions. My epidemiological aspirations stem from a need to serve underrepresented communities. Despite being the second largest Asian subgroup in the United States, Filipinos are underrepresented in health and healthcare disparity research. The few existing studies often suffer from data aggregation issues, skewing their findings. A study on COVID-19 disparities among Filipinos found research often relies on data from the California Health Interview Survey, the only large-scale health survey in the US that disaggregates Filipino data. Growing up in Minnesota and attending university in Wisconsin, the need for more research in this area is especially meaningful to me. I aim to bridge this data gap by conducting research on the healthcare experiences of Midwestern Filipino communities. Through education in tandem with my cultural background, I aim to leverage epidemiological research to impact not just local communities but also contribute to global health equity. I will continue to carry the memories, experiences, and lessons of my Filipino-American upbringing throughout all stages of life. My journey has transformed the hyphen from a barrier to a bridge between my identities. This singular line is a source of strength that continues to shape my identity and guide my personal, academic, and professional journey. With each step in my academic and professional journey, I aim to honor my heritage by creating impactful change that addresses health disparities and fosters inclusive public health practices.

A hyphen, by definition, is used to join words that indicate they have a combined meaning. I was Filipino-American by title. Yet internally, I didn’t know what I was supposed to call myself. The hyphen between “Filipino” and “American” felt more like a reminder that I would never truly be one or the other. Why must a singular line inhibit my entire understanding of my own identity? Growing up, I navigated the space between two worlds, straddling my Filipino heritage at home and embracing my American identity at school. I struggled to find a balance, aspiring for a sense of belonging in both realms. In hopes of connecting with others who shared similar experiences, I decided to join the Filipinx American Student Organization (FASO) during my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This turned out to be a life-changing decision. FASO provided me with a safe and inclusive space where I could explore my heritage while navigating my diaspora identity. Inspired by my newfound sense of community, I began to wonder how I could extend my heritage to my other passions and interests. During the spring semester of 2023, I enrolled in a course titled Intro to Public Health: From Local to Global Perspectives. It was this course that helped me discover a career in epidemiology. Through the education I receive with the global health major in tandem with my research within the field of epidemiology, I aspire to create a healthcare system where all sectors of human health can work together, aiming for optimal well-being among all patients. Being part of a diaspora community has exposed me to diverse perspectives and cultural practices. Unlike the individualistic nature of Western culture, Filipinos emphasize the need for family and community support. This value translates into my approach as an epidemiologist, recognizing the significance of collaboration, interdisciplinary teamwork, and community-based research. By involving and empowering communities in the research process, I can better understand their needs and develop culturally sensitive interventions. Finally, my Filipino-American identity fuels my passion for equity and social justice. It serves as a driving force in advocating for underserved populations and promoting health equity. The Philippines has made significant investments and advancements in health in recent years. However, much of its population cannot access this high quality of care. In the future, I hope to conduct research in the Philippines regarding the medical barriers their healthcare system experiences. By harnessing my cultural background, I can bring attention to the unique challenges faced by Filipino communities, ensuring that epidemiological research and public health interventions are inclusive and responsive to their specific needs. I will continue to carry the memories, experiences, and lessons of my Filipino-American upbringing throughout all stages of life. The hyphen no longer serves as a barrier between two opposing identities, but rather a bridge between my two worlds. This singular line is a source of strength that continues to shape my identity and guide my personal, academic, and professional journey.

A hyphen, by definition, is used to join words that indicate they have a combined meaning. I was Filipino-American by title. Yet internally, I didn’t know what I was supposed to call myself. The hyphen between “Filipino” and “American” felt more like a reminder that I would never truly be one or the other. Why must a singular line inhibit my entire understanding of my own identity? In hopes of connecting with others who shared similar experiences, I joined the Filipino American Student Organization (FASO) during my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. FASO provided me with a safe and inclusive space where I could explore my heritage while navigating my diaspora identity. Inspired by my newfound sense of community, I wondered how I could extend my heritage to my other passions and interests. Being part of a diaspora community has exposed me to diverse perspectives and cultural practices. Unlike the individualistic nature of Western culture, Filipinos emphasize family and community support. This value translates into my approach as an aspiring epidemiologist, recognizing the significance of collaboration, interdisciplinary teamwork, and community-based research. By involving communities in the research process, I can better understand their needs and develop culturally sensitive interventions. Finally, my Filipino-American identity fuels my passion for equity and social justice. It serves as a driving force in advocating for underserved populations, dismantling systemic barriers, and promoting health equity. The Philippines has made significant investments and advances in health in recent years, yet much of its population cannot access this high quality of care. I hope to conduct research in the Philippines regarding the medical barriers their healthcare system experiences. By harnessing my cultural background, I can bring attention to unique challenges faced by Filipino communities, ensuring that epidemiological research and public health interventions are inclusive of their specific needs. I will continue to carry the memories, experiences, and lessons of my Filipino-American upbringing throughout all stages of life. The hyphen no longer serves as a barrier between two opposing identities, but rather a bridge between my two worlds. This singular line is a source of strength that continues to shape my identity and guide my personal, academic, and professional journey.

A hyphen, by definition, is used to join words that indicate they have a combined meaning. I was Filipino-American by title. Yet internally, I didn’t know what I was supposed to call myself. Although Filipino culture surrounded me every day within the walls of my household, it was an amalgamation of traditions, values, and experiences that I had yet to fully comprehend or articulate. The hyphen between “Filipino” and “American” felt more like a reminder that I would never truly be one or the other. Why must a singular line inhibit my entire understanding of my own identity? Growing up, I navigated the space between two worlds, straddling my Filipino heritage at home and embracing my American identity at school. It was a constant juggling act, a quest to find harmony and belonging. I struggled to find a balance, aspiring for a sense of belonging in both realms. In hopes of connecting with others who shared similar experiences, I decided to join the Filipinx American Student Organization (FASO) during my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This turned out to be a life-changing decision. FASO provided me with a safe and inclusive space where I could explore my heritage while navigating my diaspora identity. Inspired by my newfound sense of community, I began to wonder how I could extend my heritage to my other passions and interests. During the spring semester of 2023, I enrolled in a course titled "Intro to Public Health: From Local to Global Perspectives." It was this course that helped me discover a career in epidemiology. Through the education I receive with the global health major in tandem with my research within the field of epidemiology, I aspire to create a healthcare system where all sectors of human health can work together, aiming for optimal well-being among all patients. In today's increasingly globalized healthcare field, culturally competent medical professionals are more crucial than ever. This is where my Filipino-American identity comes into play. Being part of a diaspora community has exposed me to diverse perspectives and cultural practices, nurturing my ability to navigate and understand the complexities of health disparities within marginalized populations. Filipino culture places a strong emphasis on family and community support. This value translates into my approach as an epidemiologist, recognizing the significance of collaboration, interdisciplinary teamwork, and community-based research. By involving and empowering communities in the research process, I can better understand their needs, gather accurate data, and develop interventions that are culturally appropriate and sustainable. Moreover, my Filipino identity strengthens my resilience and adaptability. Filipinos have a rich history of overcoming colonization and embracing innovation in the face of challenges. This mindset equips me with the determination to tackle complex public health issues, persisting in finding effective solutions even in the face of inevitable setbacks. Finally, my Filipino identity fuels my passion for equity and social justice. It serves as a driving force in advocating for underserved populations, dismantling systemic barriers, and promoting health equity. By utilizing my cultural background, I can bring attention to the unique challenges faced by Filipino communities and other marginalized groups, ensuring that epidemiological research and public health interventions are inclusive and responsive to their specific needs. I will continue to carry the memories, experiences, and lessons of my Filipino-American upbringing throughout all stages of life. The hyphen no longer serves as a barrier between two opposing identities, but rather a bridge between my two worlds. This singular line is a source of strength that continues to shape my identity and guide my personal, academic, and professional journey.