I’m a Jersey girl with Filipino roots. My love languages are food that evokes fond memories, dancing, and laughter that makes you cry. I have a background in public health (specifically reproductive and sexual health), am a licensed Zumba® instructor, and live in Jersey City, NJ with my partner, daughter, and senior rescue dog. I first became inspired by doula work after attending a Dancing for Birth instructor training. I learned all about physiological birth and its connection to movement, and as the only non-doula, felt a special energy and warmth from being surrounded by some of the most compassionate people I had ever met. One year later, I became pregnant and knew I wanted to have doula support when giving birth to my daughter - nicknamed “morningstar” in her newborn days. Though labor did not begin as I had imagined, my doula helped me come out the other side feeling positive and proud of my experience. My pregnancy and birth confirmed my wanting to serve and be with others along their childbearing experience, and my on-going journey in motherhood - and realizing just how much raising a child can teach us about ourselves - has helped inform how I show up and uphold others in their postpartum and parenting journey. As a non-judgmental companion, I offer education and emotional support to help expecting families fully understand their options and feel confident in making decisions that are best for them. I bring a calm and uplifting presence to the birth and postpartum period so that people feel safe, listened to, and able to trust in their body and intuition. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of the incredible "village" working to ensure that folks recognize their inherent power in creating new life, particularly for BBIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.