Some of my earliest memories of the Philippines come back to me in pieces. I vaguely remember sitting on a box at the airport in the summer heat, surrounded by crowds, and, of course, I remember the food. I was born in the United States as a first-generation Filipino American, but at only four months old, I was sent to the Philippines. Because of that, the Philippines was never simply the place my parents came from. It became part of my own story, too. My parents came to America from the Philippines after my father joined the military. Like many immigrants, they were searching for greater opportunities and their own version of the American dream. What I understand now, however, is how much courage that dream required. They had to leave what was familiar, adapt quickly to American culture, and build a life in a country that was completely different from the one they knew. Their decision eventually gave our family a life that stretched far beyond either country. Through my father's military career, our family lived and traveled from the Philippines to California, Okinawa and Yokosuka, Japan, Virginia, Bahrain, back to California, and eventually Spain. The dream my parents left home to pursue became bigger than simply living in America. It gave our family the opportunity to experience the world. Growing up this way taught me that opportunity means very little if you aren't willing to work for it. My parents taught me the importance of family, hard work, resilience, gratitude, independence, and education. They also showed me Bayanihan long before I fully understood the word: the idea that we don't move forward alone. We help each other, support our families, and remember the people who helped us get where we are. I carry those lessons with me now as I work toward becoming a dental hygienist. Higher education has challenged me, and I know reaching my goal will continue to require patience and persistence. But I was raised to believe that if you work hard, believe in yourself, and stay grounded in the values your family gave you, you can create opportunities that once seemed out of reach. Every prerequisite I complete and every step I take toward my career is part of building the life I want while honoring the sacrifices that made it possible. My parents left the Philippines believing there was a bigger world waiting for their family. Because of their courage, I grew up seeing just how big that world could be. Now, I hope to honor their journey by creating my own, not by forgetting where I came from, but by carrying those values with me wherever I go.

I learned how to rebuild my life before I ever learned how to stay in one place. Growing up in a military family meant constant movement: born in California; raised in Okinawa, Japan, and Virginia Beach; then Bahrain, Virginia, California again, back to Okinawa, Hawaii, and now Arizona. My life has been defined by motion. Every move required resilience. Every goodbye required strength. What I did not realize at the time was that those transitions were quietly shaping the perseverance I would later need to pursue my purpose. My journey into dental hygiene was not immediate or easy. After high school, I struggled in college and internalized the belief that I was not “good at school.” I stepped away and worked retail, unsure of my direction and doubting my academic ability. In 2016, I made a decision that changed my life: I enrolled in trade school and became a dental assistant. What began as a practical step quickly became something deeply meaningful. I discovered that dentistry is more than procedures and instruments; it is trust, education, and transformation. I have watched patients regain confidence after years of insecurity. I have seen how preventive care changes not just smiles, but lives. That human connection ignited a passion in me that continues to grow. Working abroad in Okinawa for six years expanded my perspective in ways I never anticipated. I integrated into both military and local Japanese communities, developed cultural humility, and balanced multiple jobs to support myself. During strict COVID lockdowns overseas, separated from my family for years, I learned emotional endurance and self-reliance. Those experiences forced me to grow beyond comfort and into strength. Still, a quiet voice remained: I was capable of more. In 2024, I made the difficult choice to leave a life I loved in order to pursue becoming a dental hygienist. After moving from Okinawa to Hawaii and eventually relocating to Arizona, I worked seven days a week throughout 2025 to eliminate my personal debt so I could enter school focused and financially prepared. Becoming debt-free was not simply about money; it was about proving to myself that I am disciplined, capable, and ready. My goal is to become a licensed dental hygienist who prioritizes prevention, patient education, and service to underserved communities through volunteer mission work. Financial preparedness is essential to that vision. Minimizing student debt will allow me to concentrate fully on academic excellence and clinical mastery, ensuring I can serve with both skill and compassion. I am not pursuing this career out of uncertainty. I am pursuing it with clarity earned through experience, growth shaped by adversity, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. Dentistry gave me direction. Dental hygiene will allow me to expand that impact and I am ready to carry that responsibility with heart, resilience, and unwavering dedication.