Jesah Sumajit is a graphic designer in the Office of Advancement and is also a 2024 PBA graduate with a computer science degree. Learn more about her and her heritage below.
Where are you from?
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.
What is the significance of APAHM to you?
It’s significant for me because it’s an opportunity to celebrate people who look like me and have a similar cultural background.
How do you think your cultural background has influenced or shaped you?
My cultural background has influenced me to be resilient and creative. It also taught me to be respectful to others, especially my elders. For example, we have a special way to greet those who are older than us to show deference to them. I grew up understanding how important respect is and I try to live up to that every day.
Do you or your family have any cultural traditions that are meaningful to you?
My culture places a big emphasis on hospitality. Growing up, my dad always opened our home to others for meals. He really valued inviting others to join us around the table. His example has taught me to be intentional in building relationships with others even when it is difficult. He taught me to offer even a glass of water, if that is all you can do, to welcome people. My mom, on the other hand, taught me the intentionality and organization that make hospitality possible. She showed me the importance of preparing a space thoughtfully and creating an environment where people feel comfortable and cared for. From her, I learned that hospitality is not only about opening the door to others, but also about being mindful in how you make room for them.
Has your cultural background influenced your academic or career choices here at PBA? If so, how?
Yes and no. My culture is known to have many people in the medical field, but my family is a bit of an anomaly as many of us are in tech. But they have influenced me to be very academic and value the opportunity to study. Also, the resilience and confidence instilled in me by my culture enabled me to complete my studies in three and a half years, instead of four.
Is there someone from your cultural background who inspires you?
Yes, my entire family is truly my inspiration. My parents taught me the importance of having a life rooted in my relationship with Christ. They and the Filipino culture emphasized honoring Christ in all you do. As the youngest in the family, my older brother and sisters were also inspirations. I saw them go after their dreams and I knew if they did it, I could go after my dreams too. They also helped raise me. For example, they helped me get ready and took me to school. I know I would not be where I am without their example.
What’s something you wish people knew about your culture or country of origin?
I wish people knew how multifaceted and creative Filipinos are. I think sometimes people buy into a stereotype that we are just in the medical field. While there are many, there is also a strong creative side for many of us. I would hope for people to get to know us as individuals instead of seeing us as monolith.
Lastly, I just want to say how much I appreciate that PBA celebrates the diversity in our community and that we take time to celebrate different cultures. I have seen this grow over the years, and it is encouraging to see.
Learn more about PBA’s Alumni Association: https://www.pba.edu/alumni/.
