From the Islands to America: Faith, Teaching, and Transformation

Before any professional journey begins, the most important foundation is this: having a dream and a vision. I grew up in Bagacay, in poverty so deep that many days my only meal was a few small fish grilled over charcoal, eaten with soy sauce, calamansi, and rice. We lived on subsistence fishing and farming, and most of my friends never dreamed beyond that life. But deep in my heart, God planted a...

Life has a way of taking us on journeys we could never fully plan. My own story led me from the islands of the Philippines all the way to the heartland of America, here in Wichita, Kansas. When I first set foot here, I carried with me nothing but faith, determination, and a passion for teaching. What started as a leap into the unknown became a calling that has shaped my life for nearly two decades...

I came to the U.S. as a J1 visa teacher, uncertain if I would even last a year. Through God’s grace, perseverance, and calling, I earned my Master’s, Doctorate, National Board Certification, and was humbled to be a PAEMST state finalist. Today, I also serve as a priest in the ICCEC, living out my vocation in both the church and the classroom.