Staff Spotlight: Ate Carla

In celebration of our 19th anniversary, we are highlighting our beloved staff, Ate Carla. Get to know Ate Carla’s purpose work and heart with Galing Bata as former UC Berkeley PASS mentor, and now, Program Leader.

Ate Carla (siya/she)

Program Leader

ate.carla@galingbata.org

How long have you been part of FEC GB?

I've been part of staff at FEC GB since Fall 2019. Before that, I was a volunteer/mentor from 2017 to 2019.

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

Nagsimula ako as a mentor/Ate through UC Berkeley PASS's (Pilipinx Academic Student Services) Youth Mentorship (YM) Program for the Fall 2017 semester because I felt a personal connection to the program as a Pinay immigrant myself.

Pero I actually started falling in love with SoMa Pilipinas as a whole first before I found my way back into Galing Bata. I joined the Mabuhay Health Center (MHC) in 2018 and saw how strong the community networks were in SoMa and how crucial that was to the wellbeing of the Lolo's and Lola's who came to our clinics. This prompted me to mentor again for Galing Bata through YM in the Spring of 2019. Tapos from there, patuloy-tuloy na yung paglaki ng pagmamahal ko para sa Galing Bata.

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

I have two: 1) Getting to meet and shadow some of the most amazing educators (Ate Lyanne & Ate Erina). I teach the way I do now--with a lot of heart and realness--because of them. 2) GB Summer 2020. Staff were so game and coordinated the most fun and funniest virtual fieldtrips all around the world, and the students just brought so much good energy and love.

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

FEC GB touched my life the moment I heard about it. When I learned a program like Galing Bata existed, my inner child who struggled navigating life in the U.S. as an Pinay immigrant was deeply moved.

Now I'm in this work, being able to be the Ate/mentor I wish I had growing up. But not only that: the biggest impact this program has had on me and my life are the Ates, Kuyas, Titas, youth and families who have embraced me as their own, and whom I now genuinely consider my family. I've never felt such a deep sense of belonging and community. Words can't express how healing that's been for me.

What is one wish you have for FEC GB Program?

I wish for FEC GB Program to just be able to breathe & exist in its full power. For Staff to be able to breathe and exist in their full power.