I arrived in the “Big Apple” in July of 2012, carrying two suitcases packed with my necessities: framed pictures of my children, my resume, my favorite clothes, and what I hoped would be enough money to get me through. My decision to leave the Philippines was in some ways very easy, but in other ways challenged me to my core. I had spent 18 years working for the United States Embassy all for the chance to immigrate with the goal of bringing my children with me.

Many times, throughout the years, people asked me why I chose New York of all the places to live. My answer would always be that I had intended to work for the United Nations… But it was not meant to be, despite there being one close call where I almost got hired. My mind wouldn’t let me accept this setback as a failure. Instead, I saw it as a blessing, and a push in the direction I was meant to be in – although I had no idea what that was right away.

​My vision had always been to create a bright future, inspire others, and make a positive impact on the world. Born and raised in the Philippines, I witnessed poverty and fewer opportunities. And while many accepted this path, I dreamed of a better life for me and my children. I desired greater opportunities for careers, housing, transportation, medical care, health insurance, and overall lifestyle. But I also understood that immigrating to America would take time, hard work, faith, and determination to face the challenges and difficult choices that would come my way. I was more than ready. My journey to America started long before I immigrated. And during that time, I learned to use my two great passions—journalism and photography— to create a voice for myself and for others. I became an advocate for women’s rights, social responsibility, and volunteerism. My eyes and ears were always searching for those positive voices and stories to capture and retell to motivate and inspire those around me.