Staff Spotlight: Ate Ria

In celebration of our 19th anniversary, we are highlighting our beloved staff, Ate Ria. Get to know Ate Ria’s love for Galing Bata since they were part of UC Berkeley’s PASS, and now, as our 3rd to 5th Grade Program Leader!

Ate Ria (siya/she/they)

3rd to 5th Grade Afterschool Program Leader

How long have you been part of FEC GB?

I've been a part of Galing Bata since my second year of college as a volunteer of UC Berkeley’s PASS (Pilipinx Academic Student Services). Then, I became a staff member during the summer before the third year of college. It's been about two years since I've known and been a part of FEC GB.

Paano kayo nagsimula sa FEC GB / how did you start?

Nagsimula ako sa FEC GB nung naging volunteer ako para sa isang ogranisasyon sa aking kolehiyo. I fell in love with FEC Galing Bata when I started to meet the kids and the community behind the work.

What is one memorable experience you have at FEC Galing Bata?

My fondest memory of FEC GB was the first time I read a Tagalog book in front of 1st and 2nd graders (who are actually now the 3rd-4th graders that are in my class). Ate Shari gave me the opportunity to read a book to them, and they were so entranced by the story. That moment made me realize that I wanted to be an educator, and wanted to work with my community.

How has being part of FEC GB touched your life? Who and why do you do this work for?

FEC Galing Bata has touched my heart in ways that I can hardly explain. They embraced me and my identity in a way that I've never embraced myself before and because FEC GB I grew to love myself so much more. Not only have they showed me how to love myself, but they continued to affirm me , my work, and my existence.

Even as I move on to new spaces, and new growth I know that they will always be supporting me and loving me. I do this work for my community, I do this work for my family, and FEC Galing Bata is my family.

What is one wish you have for FEC GB Program?

My one wish for FEC Galing Bata is for our community to continue to affirm us for the work that we do. FEC GB deserves the recognition of our staff's hard work and resiliency through its 19 years of existence.

FEC Galing Bata is such an amazing program because we're more than just a program, we're a family. A family that consists of so much love, so much understanding, and so much intention. FEC Galing Bata deserves to be heard, deserves to be seen, and deserves to be celebrated. I love FEC GB.