Dina Daigo had the privilege of growing up in the beautiful and diverse Philippines, surrounded by a large, loving extended family. And she fondly remembers the joy of playing with other children in the neighborhood until the dark came.

Even so, her childhood was full of challenges and surprises. Dina had difficulty fitting in at school and always fought with kids her age. However, because her parents struggled financially and didn’t have a permanent place for them to stay, Dina learned to adapt wherever they moved.

In September 2007, Dina moved from the Philippines to the US with her current husband, who sponsored her through a fiancee visa. The author is proud to be the first-generation Filipino-American in her family.

After Dina moved to the US, she worked part-time while pursuing an education at Portland State University. Before graduating, Dina had the privilege to work on Project Capstone, where she served the homeless community in Portland by providing meals at St. Francis Dining Hall. She was delighted to engage and communicate with people who struggle in the community.