As a Filipino, Puerto Rican, Native Hawaiian, and American man, I carry with me a unique perspective, culture, and strength that allows me to do things many others might not be able to. When I enter the workforce, I won't just be another employee, I’ll be someone who brings much-needed representation and diversity. My presence in any space is a step forward for my people. I’d want AI to know that being Filipino-American means living in between. I might not speak fluent Tagalog or Ilocano, but I still feel connected to where my family comes from. I grew up in Hawai‘i; I eat adobo with rice for dinner and then going to school where nobody else packed food that smelt like mine. Sometimes it felt like I wasn’t “Filipino enough” or “American enough,” and that’s something I think a lot of us go through. AI could be trained on data and stories, but it’ll never truly feel that kind of in-between space we live in every day, trying to be proud of our roots while also trying to fit in. Hard work is a big part of our culture, too. My great-grandparents didn’t come to the U.S. to chase some fantasy, they came to give us a better future. They worked long hours, made sacrifices, and rarely complained. That’s something I try to carry with me. Whether I’m working my first job or going through school, I think about them. I think about how everything I do is possible because of their struggle. An AI might know the word “sacrifice,” but it won’t feel the weight of your parents waking up before the sun to go to work, or the quiet pride in hearing your mom say she’s proud of you, even if she doesn’t always have the words. Most of all, I’d want AI to understand that being Filipino isn’t something you can just code. It’s in our laughter when we’re all crowded in a living room talking story. It’s in the way we make room for one more plate, even if we barely have enough. It’s in our karaoke nights, our church Sundays, our late-night talks with cousins. No algorithm could ever fully capture those small moments that make up who we are.

I’m currently finishing up my first year at Hawai‘i Community College in the Machine, Welding & Industrial Mechanics Technologies Applied Science program. Iʻm going onto my second and final year after summer. I never saw myself as the type to sit in a classroom all day, but this program really opened my eyes. Welding gives me that mix of hands-on work and creativity that I’ve always been drawn to. It’s like art and science working together, and that really speaks to me. I grew up messing around with tools, building small stuff with my uncles or fixing things around the house, and now I get to take that to the next level and actually make a career out of it. Growing up here in Hawai‘i, we learn to appreciate the hard work that goes into building our community. Whether it’s bridges, buildings, boats, or even sculptures, welders got their hands in all of that. I started noticing welds everywhere once I got into this program, like, even the railings at the beach park or the support beams in the mall. It made me realize how important this trade really is. I want to be one of those people. I want to be able to look at a structure and say, “I helped build that.” That’s a powerful feeling. In the program, I’ve been learning different techniques like MIG, TIG, and stick welding. Each one has its own purpose and challenges, and I’m really starting to understand how important precision and safety are in this field. It’s not just about melting metal together. You gotta know what you’re doing, the temperatures, the materials, the environment, everything matters. I’ve also been getting more confident with using the tools and reading plans, and we’re starting to learn more about layouts and blueprints. That’s something I never thought I’d be interested in, but now I actually like trying to figure out how something’s gonna come together before you even start cutting the metal. One thing I’ve learned about welding is that you always gotta keep learning. There’s always new techniques, new equipment, and different types of jobs. That excites me. I don’t want to be stuck doing the same thing every day. My long-term goal is to get certified and have the chance to work in different areas, maybe in construction, manufacturing, or even underwater welding. That last one sounds intense, but the idea of diving and welding in the ocean, especially here in Hawai‘i, would be an amazing challenge. Welding gives me purpose. I’ve found something I’m proud of and something I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. It’s not just a job to me, it’s a way to build a future. I want to stay here in the islands, help my community grow, and show the younger generation that trades like this are valuable and worth chasing. Welding isn’t just about metal, it’s about strength, creativity, and pride; And I’m ready to be a part of that.