Caitlin is a second-generation Filipino American from Oʻahu, Hawaii, finishing up her last semester at Temple University with a degree in Public Health. Growing up surrounded by her culture, she noticed how little Filipino representation there was in high school curricula. That led her to become one of the five founding members of the Filipino Curriculum Project, sparking her passion for helping others connect with their cultural identity through education. 

Through her work in cultural education and community outreach, Caitlin has developed skills in curriculum development, program coordination, and research and analysis. She hopes to use her public health background to support health education initiatives that uplift communities and promote cultural identity. Moving forward, she’s excited to keep creating spaces where underrepresented communities feel seen, heard, and empowered.

She never expected to find a place like Bahay Kultura, but now she’s continuing her journey there, helping younger Filipino Americans learn about and take pride in their heritage.

Ryan is excited to be co-teaching Bahay Kultura’s early childhood education class this spring! Born and raised in western Maryland, his parents are originally from Mindanao but met in Baltimore. Music has been a passion of his since he was little, learning piano, drums, and guitar, and eventually performing hundreds of shows as a singer songwriter in Nashville and around the globe. His worldly adventures sparked his curiosities in language and culture, driving him to study linguistics and intercultural communication at the University of Pennsylvania where he also worked for several years supporting international students. Ryan currently facilitates trainings and initiatives for the School District of Philadelphia on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Millette Stambaugh is a proud 1.5 generation Filipina-American, born in Manila to Ilocano parents. She was raised bicontinentally, spending time between the Philippines and California until she was 11, when she moved Beverly, Massachusetts. Growing up in a predominantly white hometown taught Millette the importance of nurturing her Filipino identity and celebrating her heritage through cultural exchange.

An avid traveler, her love of the world led her to teach English in South Korea where she met her now-husband. They also lived in Vietnam and California before making their way to Philadelphia two years ago, setting up a home in Olde Kensington with their spirited three-year-old, Marcela. Millette hopes to instill a sense of pride and joy in being Filipino/a/x to the next generation of Philly youths!

Vicky Faye Aquino (she/her) is the Associate Director of the Pan-Asian American Community House at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a Lecturer at the Penn Language Center, focusing on Filipino language and culture. As part of building community, she aims to connect more students with various AAPI non-profit organizations and cultural groups in Philadelphia.

Vicky holds a double bachelor's degree in Psychology (B.A.) and Business Management (B.S.) from De La Salle University and a master's degree in Art and Design Education (M.A.) from The University of the Arts. She graduated with distinction and received an Elizabeth C. Roberts Prize for her master's thesis, “The Effects of Doodling on the Academic and Artistic Learning of K–12 Students," which was cited in scholarly publications. In addition, she had recently been admitted into the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Literacy Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ket Martin is a co-founder and the current chairperson of Anakbayan Philadelphia, the Philly chapter of an international youth and student organization aiming to advance national democracy in the Philippines. She is also one of the co-founders of the Concerned Pilipino Americans in Philadelphia, a local organization educating and raising the awareness of the conditions of the Philippines by connecting it to the issues of Philadelphia, and a member of the Filipino Youth Ministry at St Agatha-St James. She received her film degree from Temple University and is a multimedia artist that dives into the subjects of identity and culture.

Claudette Coverdale (she/her) is a 1.5 generation Filipina who immigrated from the Philippines to the United States at the age of five. She was raised in Queens, NY where she developed a deep appreciation for her Filipino roots and identity through her family and diverse community. Claudette grew up with a passion for dance which inspired her to pursue a career in dance and education. After college, Claudette moved to Philadelphia to become a teacher and was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders from 2011 to 2014. Today, Claudette continues her love of teaching, and is inspired to bring her racial and cultural identity to the classroom as she motivates her students to explore and celebrate all aspects of their own identity.

Melodee Arevalo Mendoza (she/her) grew up in the Philadelphia area and is passionate about sharing Filipino values with her two young sons Leo (7) and Teo (4). Melodee studied Psychology at NYU, where she met her husband, Kris while they were both members of the International Filipino Association (IFA). Melodee ultimately followed in the footsteps of several family members and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drexel University and then a Masters Degree in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University and The University of Pennsylvania. She currently works as a Nurse Practitioner at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Gidget Montelibano Murray (she/her) is a first generation Filipino-American who was born and raised in New Jersey. She currently serves as the Director of Wharton Doctoral Programs at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She studied Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and has a Masters of Education from Holy Family University. She lives in the Passyunk Square neighborhood with her husband and two children. Her passions are trying out lots of different hobbies, reading, playing music, and local community engagement.

Kris Mendoza (he/him) is the Executive Producer at Maestro, a Philly based production company he founded in 2005. Kris has garnered numerous accolades including (2) Mid-Atlantic Emmys, a 40-Under-40 award by the Philadelphia Business Journal, and a selection to the Forbes Next1000 list “celebrating bold and inspiring entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to run a business today”. With a film degree from NYU and an MBA from Wharton, Kris’ passion is balancing business with creativity and leads Maestro with an intentional focus on diversity, creating space for filmmakers from under-represented backgrounds.