Board Member, European Network of Filipinos in Diaspora / Member, Landspítali University Hospital Foreign Nurses Integration Committee / Founder, Happy Pinoys /Peer Counselor, WOMEN Iceland

Areas of expertise: I work with helping other migrants feel and function better in their new home countries. The concept of multicultural mental health is in its infancy (maybe even embryonic stage) in Iceland. When we move away from our motherlands, we lose a sense of familiarity and shared cultural references. We have to learn how to make familiar the new things we encounter. If successfully done, this translates into feeling better, allowing for amazing contributions to the society we now live in. I also have a background in writing and publishing which has proved useful in my current life as a clinician and academic. It is not enough to know, we have to be able to communicate as well.

Passion in life: After 18 years in Iceland, I am still an Asian cliche. There are ten karaoke microphones in my home and together with friends, we cook and share food over a buffet of laughter.