What does your pillar represent?
Barkada's Academics Pillar represents our commitment to supporting members throughout every stage of their academic journey. My role strives to make educational resources accessible by sharing curriculum guidance, helping members navigate campus resources, and encouraging supportive study environments. I also help people form meaningful connections through our KKAA program, which pairs new and returning members for personal and academic support, as well as by connecting students with peers within our community who share similar educational fields and can offer advice and mentorship. Finally, we give members a space to celebrate their achievements together through Pilipino Graduation at the end of spring semester, recognizing the hard work, growth, and community that define their academic experiences over the past few years.

What does "Academics" mean to you?
To me, academics go beyond the classroom. While we all came to college to build the knowledge that will shape our future careers, I believe some of the most valuable lessons come from the people and communities around us. Besides earning a degree, education is also about developing as a leader, learning from different perspectives, and building relationships that challenge us to grow. Barkada embodies this idea by giving members the opportunity to explore Filipino and Filipino American culture while strengthening leadership, communication, and collaboration skills through events and programs such as Friendship Games, PACN, and Sportsfest. Our KKAA program reflects this as well by creating relationships that offer personal guidance and encouragement alongside academic support. Through the friendships and mentorship fostered within our organization, members gain the confidence and support to succeed both personally and academically. Ultimately, a strong and supportive community is one of the greatest contributors to academic and personal success.

What makes you most excited about your pillar?
What excites me most about the Academics Pillar is the opportunity to oversee our KKAA program. As one of Barkada's most cherished traditions, it embodies the sense of family that makes our community so special. Attending a college so far from home, the support and connection I found through my own KKAA experience had a profound impact on both my academic journey and my college experience as a whole. Being able to give that back by helping new members find mentors, friends, and a support system of their own is incredibly meaningful to me. There is something especially rewarding about getting to know each individual, thoughtfully pairing them together, and watching those relationships grow into lasting connections that can continue well beyond college.

What does your pillar represent?
The culture Pillar represents a connection, diverse shared appreciation, and the opportunity to learn all about Filipino culture. Regardless of whether you were born in the Philippines or how you currently feel connected to their heritage, it does not limit their ability to explore and connect with the many beautiful aspects of Filipino Culture. As your Culture Chair, it is my responsibility to bring attention to the many different aspects of Filipino Culture and to get members to understand, educate, and immerse themselves in our diverse culture. This is shown through numerous cultural events that we hold throughout the year, such as Culture corners, PAHM (Pilipino American History Month)workshops, and PACN (Pilipino American Culture Night). If I can provide that experience to members of Barkada, then I can be proud of the work I have done as Culture Chair.

What does "Culture" mean to you?
To me, Filipino culture represents the memories, traditions, relationships, and values that connect people together. Just as our club’s name, “Barkada,” means a group of friends, we come together to celebrate our culture while creating new memories, strengthening relationships, and sharing meaningful experiences with one another. Filipino culture is also deeply rooted in the value of Bayanihan: the idea of coming together as a community to support and uplift one another. It reminds us that culture is not something we experience alone, but something we build and preserve collectively. Filipino culture is not limited to one type of person or a single set of experiences. Instead, it creates a sense of family, community, and belonging. It is shaped and passed down through generations, influencing who we are and how we represent ourselves today. Filipino culture reminds us where we come from while giving us the opportunity to preserve our stories and continue sharing them with future generations.

What makes you most excited about your pillar?
What makes me most excited about my pillar is the opportunity to connect with everyone, whether through cultural events, social gatherings, or simply meeting new people! Being Culture Chair allows me to build and foster meaningful relationships while also creating opportunities for members to learn more about Filipino culture. At the same time, this role gives me the chance to educate myself by learning about the different cultures, traditions, regions, and experiences found throughout the Philippines. Through meeting new people and hearing their stories, I hope to continue expanding my own understanding of Filipino culture as well. What I look forward to most is creating a sense of bayanihan within our club and building lasting memories with everyone. By the end of the year, I hope each member has learned a little more about Filipino culture, developed a stronger appreciation for their own individual background, and felt a greater sense of connection and belonging within Barkada!

What does your pillar represent?
I believe the athletics pillar represents the importance of prioritizing our health especially in college. we only get one body in this lifetime and we need to treat it with kindness, both physically and mentally. As Athletics Chair of Barkada, my goal is to help members discover what athletics means to them, find their own sense of purpose, confidence, and community through it, and support members in maintaining good health in all aspects, not just physical.

What does "Athletics" mean to you?
Athletics means many things to me. It is crucial step to maintaining good health, but it goes beyond just physical health. Growing up, participating in sports was a way to build friendships and foster a strong bonded community. I’ve made some of my most amazing friendships through athletics/sports. But as I’ve grown up and entered college, athletics has taken on another meaning in my life. It has become this outlet for me where i can escape the stress and chaos of everyday life.
What makes you most excited about your pillar?
Athletics has become a lifestyle of mine and has shaped me into the person i am today. I strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every member feels encouraged to participate, regardless of their skill level. Whether it’s through Sportsfest, Street Games, the outdoor picnics, intramurals, or open gyms, i hope everyone is able to find their own meaning of athletics in their lives.

What does your pillar represent?
Barkada translates to “a group of friends,” and that is exactly what the social pillar represents. Many people join clubs in hopes of meeting new people with similar interests and forming lasting connections, and the social pillar creates opportunities for people to do that within Barkada. It represents the warmth and welcoming environment we have to offer. Because of the environment we have continued to foster, many people in this community, including myself, have been able to feel welcomed and find a place where they truly belong. Ultimately, the social pillar represents all of the connections people have made in Barkada, and this sense of community is what makes people want to come back.

What does "Social" mean to you?
To me, being social is more than the enjoyment of being around others. It is a value I hold close to my heart because I believe it represents the connections and friendships we build with others, whether that means strengthening them or creating new ones. I know the feeling of reaching out and meeting somebody new can be quite daunting, but I’d rather find out what comes out from it rather than pondering over what could’ve been.

What makes you most excited about your pillar?
I’m really looking forward to all of the events I get to hold during the year, whether they’re bigger ones like Friendship Games or smaller ones like socials. I’m also excited to come up with new events that can cater to people of all kinds. There have been a lot of amazing Social Chair events in the past, but there’s always space for us to bring something new to the table. Beyond the events themselves, I’m excited to be the person who creates new opportunities for people to make new connections. I can’t wait to see how just a single event or a conversation can make an impact on somebody, whether that means helping them feel more connected to Barkada or just giving them a memorable experience they can look back on. I’m so excited to continue building the warm environment others made for me in the past and hope that I create that experience for those that come after me.