My sports journey didn’t begin until I was 12 years old. I was born to proud Philippine immigrants who took an oath to become citizens of the United States of America. My sisters and I were raised with a strong focus on education and musical instruments. No matter how many instruments I tried, I just didn’t enjoy playing music.

Then, at age 12, a friend asked me where I played soccer. My only experience was in PE class! He told me that kids play on teams outside of school and that he played for a club team. My friend's father was the coach of the upcoming AYSO All-Star Select Team. He took a chance on a kid who had never played an organized sport and chose me for the All-Star Team. That was the beginning, sports became my passion. Baseball, football, soccer, hockey, cross country, track and field, snowboarding, skiing, shooting, golf, I couldn’t get enough. Sports sparked my passion! Sometimes, when there is a spark, there is a bang. Then one day, BANG! The unimaginable happened.

At the age of 15, I came home to discover my father had taken his own life. Here I was, entering the toughest time in my life, without the person who was supposed to show me the way. Everything to come all the firsts that a teenager would encounter and without a father figure. I found myself in dark moments that were tough, but I continued to play sports. It remained my passion and the lessons my father had taught me, I would implement into every ounce of effort in whichever sport I was playing at the time. Each time I tried a new sport for an organized team, I would consistently receive Most Improved Player awards. Probably due to my strong work ethic and finally getting formal coaching, I would learn the sport within the season and become one of the top players on the team by the end of the season. Sports helped me out of a dark place and gave me a sense of community. The coaches who provided me direction and instruction unknowingly became father figures.

As I continued in sports, I received countless moments of guidance to fulfill my father’s shoes. My mother would teach me perseverance and a "never quit" mentality. Now, as a single mother raising three kids, she had to find ways to make ends meet. She pursued higher education to better provide for my sisters and me, granting us a memorable childhood.

When I entered college, roller hockey took over my life, leading to the greatest sports moments to come. I worked at roller hockey rinks as a young adult and quickly moved up to become the Assistant Manager or Hockey Director, overseeing the growth of roller hockey in Southern California. I soon had my first child and stepped away from hockey rink employment and pursued automotive sales to provide for my family. I would become the top salesman at Crown Toyota for multiple years, I invested in real estate, and I would welcome another child. Something was still missing in my work life and I made an effort to return to the job that gave me the most passion. I had decided to come back to the hockey rink world but not as an employee, as an Owner. I became the owner of the 949 Roller Hockey Center and continued paving the way for training the youth of Southern California to grow the sport of roller hockey. Many players who trained under my programs went on to become professional hockey players worldwide. Bonds with families that would last a lifetime were created.

Later, I sold my hockey rink to the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL, joining forces to build the sport of hockey in Southern California, and continued to work at the hockey rink for 6 more years. During my time in business and raising my children, I continued competing myself, representing Team USA Masters and Veterans in multiple World Championships in Europe, including the MIHWA World Championships.

I also shared my dedication to sports with my daughters. We raised them to love sports and succeed academically. Now, they’re either in college or have graduated. They competed in competitive cheerleading throughout their youth, reaching the highest levels and competing in the Worlds Championships at ESPN World of Sports in Florida for several years.  I am very proud of Caitlin and Colette for all of their accomplishments.

To honor my heritage, I acquired dual citizenship and tried out for the Philippine Men's National Ice Hockey Team. I made the team, but they required a 480-day residency, that I could not commit to. I met with the Philippine Olympic Committee and was selected to represent the Philippines in multiple winter sports, including cross country, biathlon, and summer roller skiing. This journey is about more than just competition, it’s about inspiring future generations the possibility of training and commitment to reach a goal. The support from Filipinos, Americans, fans, friends, and family will be crucial in helping me train, compete, and make this dream a reality and become the first Flilipino Cross Country Athlete in the Winter Olympics.

As an Olympic athlete, it would allow me to remain in my residence in Wrightwood, California, and train specifically for the disciplines of cross country and biathlon at high elevation to prepare for the altitude of Milan-Cortina. The road ahead will be full of training and dedication, but my goal is clear: the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, February 2026.

Thank you all for your support and positive vibes, this is only the beginning!