Serving and Leading in the Community
Community service has always been at the heart of my journey. Whether it’s organizing cultural events, supporting youth programs, or representing our traditions, I’ve committed myself to work that strengthens and uplifts those around me.
2024 Filipino Fiesta Cultural Village participants coming together to sing “Pinoy Ako”
One of my most meaningful experiences has been serving in the Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta - Cultural Village, first as co-chair in 2024 and later as chairperson in 2025. Over those years, the events welcomed more than 18,000 attendees and required months of preparation, thanks to the incredible support of the Filipino Community Center and the Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu. It was such an honor to be part of something that brought thousands of people together to celebrate our Filipino heritage. Through the Cultural Village, I was able to connect with schools, organizations, and cultural groups in a way that reminded me how powerful it is when our community comes together with pride and unity. .
The O’ahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC) has also given me opportunities to grow in ways I never thought. As the chairperson of the Task Force on Youth committee, I lead a team of like-minded individuals with the mission to provide opportunities for Filipino youth to pursue higher education and achieve overall success. With all the challenges Filipinos may face, whether it is as a first-generation immigrant navigating through developing their own multi-cultural identities or someone who grew up under traditional household values that may continue to treat issues such as mental health as “taboo”, my goal is to empower our youth to dream big dreams and knowing that they have a community to support them every step of the way.
I also had multiple opportunities to give back to provinces in my home country. Alongside YMCA Atherton and the Honolulu Rotary Club, I helped build classrooms and create a new learning environment for students in Cebu, Philippines. These week-long service projects allowed me to not only share my blessings but to connect with the communities and their children.
On Saturday, September 07 2025, I had the honor of winning the “Community Service Award” at the inaugural Queen’s Soiree. This event was hosted by the Crowned Collective, a new platform based in Hawai’i to empower and support our local, national, and international titleholders based in Hawai’i. To be recognized for this award was such a beautiful experience, because it allowed me to highlight the communities that mean so much to me once again. Mahalo to all my friends, family, and supporters who voted for me and for supporting my journey.
But my service doesn’t stop at one event. I strive to remain present in spaces where our community needs leadership, connection, and representation. From planning events to mentoring youth, every effort is rooted in my belief that when we invest in our people, we create a stronger, more vibrant future for Hawai‘i and the Filipino community.
