Before I had even contemplated law school, I saw firsthand how meaningful mentorship could be as a member of core leadership of Bayanihan, formerly known as the Filipino Student Association (FSA), at UC Santa Cruz. As a first-generation undergrad, the mentors I had provided invaluable guidance and experience that helped guide me to where I am at present.

I was then graciously given the opportunity to join FBANC while I was still a law student.  Though I initially joined on a whim, I was able to find a community that led to several invaluable opportunities and connections. As a board member of USF Law’s Pilipino American Law Society, I co-founded the Bay Area PALS Coalition and facilitated  connections with other Filipino law students from law schools across the Bay Area by organizing mixers and other social events. With the PALS Coalition and FBANC, I then helped organize FBANC’s inaugural Komunidad – a conference which aimed to foster the  professional development of Filipino law students. When Komunidad transitioned to a  virtual format, I contributed to the brainstorming process for panel topics and breakout  rooms. In Spring of 2020, I had the honor of receiving the FBANC Foundation Legal  Scholarship.  

These experiences largely helped aid in my eventual development as an attorney. As a first generation law student, I had little to no idea of how to navigate the beginnings of my legal  career. FBANC graciously provided me with resources and mentorship that proved to be  invaluable. FBANC’s mentorship and guidance that I’ve been able to benefit from even now only compels me to further continue that pipeline of mentorship and guidance with the FBANC community. 

As someone who has been both a mentor and mentee,  I hope to evoke that same sentiment with the FBANC community and to provide and share in the same resources and guidance as I have been bestowed with.