Before she became a community leader in Texas, Michelle was a young girl in Pasig helping her mom sell goods on the street. Her father labored in a recycling plant, her mother juggled every side job she could. Life was tough, but it taught Michelle the one thing that still drives her today:
Strength doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from rising anyway.
What does it mean to be successful? For many, it’s a degree, a title, or a paycheck. For Dr. Pat Lindsay “Pinky” Catalla-Buscaino — a Filipino American storyteller, educator, and community advocate — success is measured differently: by impact, legacy, and the stories we leave behind.
From singing at school programs in the Philippines to representing the country on international stages, Dessa Salazar has built a life anchored in music, faith, and family. Her story is one of perseverance, purpose, and pride in her Filipino roots.
Some people inspire with what they do. Others, like Pearl Gomez-Ontalan, inspire with who they’ve become through what they’ve endured.
You can plan your life—but Bobby Reyes learned to listen when life asked him to pivot. What followed was a life of meaning, community, and quiet strength.
Meet Vincent Jasper Cauilan — or simply “Japs” to those who know him. A registered nurse by education, a sales and digital marketing professional by trade, but above all, a servant leader by heart.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge,” Albert Einstein once said. For Coach Jil, it’s been both—the knowledge gained from her roots, and the imagination to envision something greater. Her story is a bridge between nations, between generations, and between what is and what could be.
And she’s only getting started.
Long before she stood at the frontlines of Asian American advocacy in Texas, Nicolette Ardiente was just a young girl from the New York–New Jersey area, caught in the complex in-between of being Filipino and American. Like many children of immigrants, her upbringing was rooted in tradition, yet constantly navigating identity within two worlds.
As a Filipino-American who’s built a meaningful life in both business and her community, Joyce Garcia’s story is a blend of family values, passion, and a strong determination to create lasting change. Her journey showcases not just the success of an entrepreneur, but the heart of a woman who is deeply committed to her community and culture.
Dr. Ronilda C. Henson, the newly appointed Dean of Graduate Studies and Program Chair for Special Education Master’s Programs in Autism Studies and Neurodiversity Studies at Remington College, is one such trailblazer.
Her journey—from the classrooms of the Philippines to shaping education policy in the United States—is nothing short of remarkable, built on a foundation of unwavering passion for inclusive, equitable education.