In truth, I can connect nearly all parts of my personhood to my identity as a Filipina, but the most all-encompassing aspect has been the lifelong bayanihan, or spirit of community, my roots have granted me and how it has molded my view of life. While much of my family has admittedly been ailed in health or financial issues, they have never failed to show not only strength in their situations, but joy through the hardship - and I believe this to be characteristic of our community. Though we are a people whose resources and opportunities are now limited due to our history, Filipinos continue to blossom with resilience and gratitude for what we have always had, and that is each other. From family to friends to my Filipino organization in college that has become a home away from home to me, I have learned an innumerable amount of lessons that I will carry and practice for the rest of my days - most especially the values of having strong work ethic, generosity of heart, and gratitude for life, through all of its joys and sorrows. That is why I seek to encourage in people a fervor for life and a desire to always do more for one another. While I have, in all honesty, never been especially drawn to the sciences, the dream of becoming a physician continues to supersede any other of mine. I believe a root of this dream is found in the concept of kapwa, a sense of connectedness with others. I truly believe that there is human connection to be found everywhere, and to be able to connect with others from all walks of life daily, chat with them about their days and their families, and ultimately, support them in becoming a better and healthier version of themselves is a life that would truly make my heart full. In pursuing such a career, I would be an addition to the very low percentage of female Southeast Asian physicians. Although Filipinos can often be found in hospitals as nurses and technicians, I hope to be someone who can break that glass ceiling that young Filipinos and girls can identify with, not only feeling comfortable and safe under the care of a familiar face but to see that there is no dream out of reach - that we can thrive and create a seat at the table for ourselves in places seemingly unimaginable. With the opportunities I have been granted, I want to ensure that all those I come across feel the warmth, love, and joy I have been blessed to experience and witness throughout my life. My intentions in becoming a physician have their foundation in serving the community, desiring to be not only a knowledgeable healthcare provider but a compassionate and understanding one that addresses all concerns and offers a quality of care that allows people the freedom to lead fulfilling lives and seek happiness, whatever that may mean for them. So while my roots, having sprouted into ambition and perseverance, can take me anywhere my heart desires, I know that this community will always be the one I come back to, and as I rise in my aspirations and achievements, it is also the very community I hope to lift as I climb because I would not be the person I am, lead the life I have, or strive for the dreams I have without my Filipino background and everything it has come with - its values, its support, and most importantly, its people.

I aspire to be a physician - not just to save lives, but to allow people to truly live. Tough times can often result in people going through the motions just to survive, and as the quote goes “everybody dies, but not everybody lives.” Growing up, my family has admittedly been ailed by numerous cancer diagnoses and various health issues, but they have never failed to show not only strength in their situations but joy through the hardship. I think this is characteristic of my Filipino culture, as there is so much heart and work ethic back home but too few resources to survive or opportunities to grow, and yet, we are known to be a happy and generous people by many. That is why I seek to encourage in people a fervor for life and a desire to always do more for one another. In all honesty, I’ve never been especially drawn to the sciences, but the dream of becoming a doctor continues to supersede any other of mine. I believe a root of this dream is found in the Filipino concept of “kapwa,” a sense of connectedness with others. I truly believe that there is human connection to be found everywhere, and to be able to connect with others from all walks of life daily, chat with them about their days and their families, and at the end of the day, help them become a better and healthier version of themselves is a life that would truly make my heart full. In pursuing such a career, I would be an addition to the very low percentage of female Southeast Asian physicians. Although Filipinos can often be found in hospitals as nurses, I hope to be someone who can break that glass ceiling that young Filipinos and girls can identify with, not only feeling comfortable and safe under the care of a familiar face but to see that there is no dream out of their reach. With the opportunities I have been granted, I want to ensure that all those I come across feel the warmth, love, and joy I was blessed to experience and witness throughout my life. In a system that is all too known for having overworked and stressed providers and fearful patients, I believe that even I, as one person, can take steps toward creating that warm and welcoming environment in a place that is intended to promote healing in those most vulnerable. And so, my ambitions in becoming a physician have their foundation in serving the greater community, desiring to be not only a knowledgeable healthcare provider but a compassionate and understanding one that addresses all concerns and offers a quality of care that allows people the freedom to lead fulfilling lives and seek happiness, whatever that may mean for them.