If you were to walk up to someone and ask them what their favorite book was, you would probably hear an array of answers ranging from classic novels to insightful self-help books. Reading means something different to everyone; people slide books out of shelves and crack open their spines to experience- in every sense of the word. Interestingly enough, the book I believe everyone should read is "The Empty Pot" by Demi. I could go on and on about the intricacies of world-building and political impacts, but the simplicity found in children's books plants the seed of wonder that can flourish in our adult years. One of the reasons I think "The Empty Pot" is a great book for everyone is its message. Ping, the main character, is a little boy who always finds success when growing flowers. The emperor of the kingdom gives all the children a test by handing out seeds and asking for their best in one year. A year goes on, and all the children in the kingdom have beautiful flowers, while Ping is left with an empty pot to show the emperor. Kids teased him for his inability to grow flowers like everyone else. The emperor declares Ping the next ruler of the kingdom because all the children unknowingly received cooked seeds. It is an important tale of integrity in the face of pressure to follow what everyone else is doing- even if it means deceit. Although Ping was not aware of the bigger picture, his steadfastness allowed for the greatest reward. Dishonesty, greed, and anger are powerful emotions with devastating consequences. The need for compassion and honesty is greater than ever, which can be seen in the pressing socioeconomic issues of the world. This is such an important message to send to a world filled with pressures to fit in, an obsession to find the next best thing, and justifying any means to an end. Reading should be enjoyed by people of all ages at any education level, so picking an incredibly complex book would cut out important demographics from accessing a story. Part of the wonder of children's books is their easy readability, which is so important when discussing a book everyone in the world should read. Sometimes, the books with the simplest messages stick with us all our lives by shaping our thinking and morals.

The air felt hot and sticky against my limbs as I raced past my cousin, Rachelle, toward the makeshift finish line of our busy neighborhood. We bickered about who won while gearing up for a game of "patintero" with the neighborhood kids. According to Google, Imus, Cavite is a component city with almost 497,000 people. To me, it's a reminder of why I am who I am today. Despite moving to the United States at a young age, my core values and dreams stem from the tiny home in Cavite I spent my childhood. Many of the mightiest dreamers come from the smallest homes, and I've always been encouraged to exceed all expectations. Filipino culture stresses respect for your elders and parents. Family always comes first, and I couldn't shake the nagging feeling my life could never be my own. Part of me longed for the simplicity of playing with the neighborhood kids—when my greatest worries involved game strategies. As I entered my twenties, I remembered the excitement of playing with my friends and the importance of taking care of my community. It reminded me of the kids trapped in their circumstances and were not as lucky as me. How could I ever make a difference in the world if I couldn't even help the people in my backyard? "Malasakit" is more than a word; it's a promise to protect the less fortunate. It's a promise to do your best even when no one is watching. Filipinos are resilient and value their community, as it is the heart of our culture. I firmly believe access to health education is not just important, it's a necessity and a right. I pursued a career as a pharmacy technician, and my experience working in the local pharmacy fueled my desire to make healthcare more accessible. Life in the Philippines and an upbringing in one of the poorest cities in Texas helped me decide to earn a master's in public health. Wherever I end up working, the development of public health programs is important in communities without the best access to information about screenings or disease prevention. This aspect of healthcare is often overlooked, but it's my mission to nurture the glimmer in children's eyes by improving access to a healthy life; the Filipino values instilled in me taught me to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves.

The air felt hot and sticky against my limbs as I raced past my cousin, Rachelle, toward the makeshift finish line of our quaint neighborhood. We bickered about who won while gearing up for a game of "patintero" with the neighborhood kids. Boisterous laughter erupted from our barefoot friends, Archie, Stella, and Marco. To the average person, Imus, Cavite is a vibrant city jam-packed with hundreds of thousands of people filled with hopes for the future. To me, it is a time capsule of heart-warming memories with a loving family, close-knit neighbors, and great food. Despite moving to the United States at a young age, my core values, ambitions, and wildest dreams stem from my parents and a tiny home in Cavite. Many of the mightiest dreamers come from the smallest homes, and I've always been encouraged to exceed all expectations as a daughter of immigrant parents. Filipino culture prioritizes the security a career can bring, as opposed to chasing your dreams. Family always comes first, and I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that my life could never be my own. Part of me longed for the simplicity of playing with the neighborhood kids—when my greatest worries involved game strategies. As I entered my twenties, the child whose eyes glittered at the thought of meeting up with her friends reminded me of the importance of taking care of my community. It reminded me of the kids trapped in their circumstances and were not as lucky as me. How could I ever make a difference in the world if I couldn't even help the people in my backyard? My life in the Philippines, struggles with cardiovascular illness, and upbringing in one of the poorest cities in Texas helped me decide to earn a master's in public health. Even if it went against my parent's wishes, I wanted to do something worthwhile with my new chance at life. "Malasakit" is much more than a word; it's a promise to protect the less fortunate. It is a promise to do your best even when no one is watching. Filipinos are resilient and value their community, as it is the heart of our culture. I firmly believe access to health education is not just important, it's a necessity and a right. It's part of the reason why I pursued a career as a pharmacy technician; everyone should have the access to life-saving medications, should they desire it. I worked in a small community pharmacy that worked to deliver medications free of charge to struggling clients and searched for methods to drive the cost of medications down. My experience and admiration for my coworkers' diligence fueled my desire to continue serving people in the healthcare field. By completing my bachelor's degree in biophysical sciences and earning a master's degree in public health, I can be the change I've dreamed of since I was a child. Whether I end up working for the state health department or a local hospital, the development of public health programs is incredibly important in communities that may not have the best access to information about screenings or disease prevention. This aspect of healthcare is often overlooked, but I always think back to the child in me that hated watching others suffer. Tattered clothing and damaged slippers didn't stop the glimmer in our eyes as we played games in a narrow alley. It's my mission to nurture the sparkle n children's eyes by improving access to a healthy life; the Filipino values instilled in me taught me to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves.