During Spring Break 2025, from March 15 to 22, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Cuba with Filter of Hope, alongside my college Christian groups—Bridges International, Cru, and Destino. The purpose of our trip was to bring clean drinking water and share the hope of the Gospel with local families. Each day from Monday to Thursday, we split into small teams with a local guide and translator, visited homes, installed water filters, and asked permission to share about Jesus and pray with those we met. In the evenings, we regrouped for fellowship, worship, team debriefs, and lots of fun—including singing with our hostel owners, laughing over meals, and bonding as a team.

Many moments made this trip special, but a few stand out in particular. On the very first day, I was placed in a group that worked with members of the local Deaf community. It was a surreal experience to share the Gospel and translate between English, Spanish, and sign language—all while learning how the filters worked for the first time. One of the most emotional visits we made was to an elderly man living alone in very humble conditions on the fourth day. He couldn’t see clearly and had very few people in his life to talk to, so he welcomed us with story after story. His situation reminded me of the dignity and value every person holds, regardless of how the world sees them.

On our “fun day,” when we rested and enjoyed the beach, I found myself later in the night standing in the kitchen of the third-floor Baptist church we’d partnered with, looking out the window. Across the street, I watched as some of our senior students, staff, and our guide María installed the very last filter of the trip. A woman who had asked earlier in the week for a filter had almost been forgotten—but thankfully, we followed up. That visit turned into a full conversation about the Gospel, and she gave her life to Christ that night.

By the end of the week, our team had installed 250 water filters, shared the Gospel with over 400 people, and witnessed 100 individuals choose to follow Jesus. We also prayed with 183 fellow believers. But beyond the numbers, this trip left me with a deep appreciation for community, the power of presence, and how much love and change can happen through simple acts of service. I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity to serve and be transformed through this experience—and I carry its lessons with me still, as well as its implications on my current journey in life.

In collaboration with Griffin Dominguez, Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat For Humanity ReStore of Champaign County, I organized a charitable event for Ameren Innovation Center interns and staff. This event reaffirmed the iCenter's commitment to the Urbana-Champaign community. Our tasks for the day included restocking the ReStore center with donations and furniture, as well as performing demolition work on worn-out couches and sizeable commodities.

During my study abroad experience in Granada, Spain, in Spring 2024, I engaged in community service at Colegio Ave María de la Quinta, a local secondary school. With the support of CEGRÍ faculty members Violeta and Yanira, and under the guidance of Virginia, I served as a classroom instructor once a week. I taught English to 15-16 year-old students, focusing on colloquialisms, American-British language nuances, and sharing my background as an immigrant from the Philippines. Additionally, I provided history lessons and facilitated cultural exchanges, creating a mutually enriching experience. This opportunity allowed me to learn more about Andalucían-Spanish culture in Granada while offering the students a broader perspective on international cultures and educational opportunities.

Since moving to Des Plaines in 2013, I have actively engaged with the Des Plaines Public Library, appreciating its welcoming staff and extensive resources for community development, research, and academic growth. During my junior and senior years of high school, my involvement with the library deepened. I organized events such as crafting dog toys from fleece, rallied students for the youth advisory board, and strengthened connections between the library and the English National Honors Society at Maine West High School.

Spirituality has long been the cornerstone of my life as a committed Baptist. From my experiences in the Philippines to engaging in mission trips, participating in special numbers, collaborating with community partnerships and ministries, and cherishing time with family, my dedication to this identity feels more like a calling than a mere obligation or community service.

At the Des Plaines Food Pantry, my primary focus was mobilizing students to volunteer and raise awareness about the pantry's mission and impact. I immersed myself in the pantry environment, built connections with facility directors, promoted available services and opportunities, and streamlined the volunteering sign-up processes and applications. This effort not only encouraged student engagement but also facilitated the accumulation of valuable service hours.