I was born in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on August 24, 1963. Both my parents, Simplicio Changho and Elvira Ching, are also from Sta. Cruz. My parents, brothers, sisters and I are all PGMHS alumni.

I graduated from PGMHS in 1980, and in 1984 earned a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from the University of the East. In 1985, I decided to continue my formal education in the United States and received a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst College, Kansas City, Missouri, in 1987. After graduating from Rockhurst College, I received an internship from Sprint, the third largest telecommunications company in the United States. I have been with Sprint ever since, holding various positions in Finance and Marketing. Currently, I am a Market Manager for Sprint’s Long Distance International Division – Business Market Management in Kansas City, Missouri.

In January 1995, I exchanged wedding vows with Ed Roxas, Jr. of Calauan, Laguna. We share a beautiful daughter, Michaela Elaine, who is now 20 months old. My whole family now resides in Leawood, Kansas.

I have many wonderful memories of my high school days at PGMHS, especially of my classmates. In fact, some of my most cherished memories are those from high school. I remember inviting students and friends to our home where my mom would prepare fresh Chinese lumpia, Mocha and Butter Chiffon cakes, and Pancit.

I also remember being an active Girl Scout in high school. During my sophomore year, our scout troop went on a two-day trip to the Island of Corregidor. My scout-mates Alma Beredo, Emmeline Britania, and Cynthia Palacol were so excited! Since Alma was from Lumban, Emmeline from Pagsawitan, and Cynthia from Pagsanjan, I invited them to spend the night at our home so we wouldn’t be late for our early dawn trip. Guess what happened? We overslept! By the time we arrived at the parking lot of our meeting place, all the other Girl Scouts had left. But there was no way we were going to miss our camping trip, so we flagged down a tricycle driver to take us to a bus station, and from there we took a bus to Manila. We already knew which dock to go to beforehand, so it didn’t take long for us to find our ship. The rest of the Girl Scouts were already there, surprised but happy to see us. Two days later, when we got back to Sta. Cruz, the four of us got scolded. The four of us should not have taken it upon ourselves to make the trip to Manila since we were young girls. However, we were also admired for our courage and for being brave.

Truthfully, I haven’t done a good job of keeping in touch with any of my high school friends. It really turned out to be a small world when my mom’s cousin in New Jersey bumped into Roehl Macalos, a classmate of mine from PGMHS. It was through him that I once again got in contact with some of my good friends from high school.

Everyone has his or her own struggles in life. For me, it is being a second-class citizen. Being Chinese, I was often discriminated against when growing up in the Philippines, and it’s the same story here in the United States. In spite of this, I always try to excel in whatever I do to the very best of my abilities. My mom’s words still bring tears to my eyes:

"Anak, magsikap kang makatapos ng iyong pag-aaral. Wala akong ibang kayamanan na maiibigay sa iyo kundi ang mapag-aral ka lamang. Ang edukasyon ang iyong puhunan at hindi ito mawawala kahit saan ka pumunta."

These words have inspired me to dig deep within myself, to try my best to achieve all the dreams and ambitions I had when I was a little girl. Being the oldest of six children, I have tried to be a role model to my siblings; as my mom has taught and shown me, I have tried to pass on to them what she has given me. I hope my mom’s words can touch young children and serve as inspiration for them, too.

Today I have newer, brighter dreams. One of my dreams is to establish a Changho Educational Foundation in honor of my mom and dad who have helped shape me into the person I am today, a foundation that can help the needy and promising children of Sta. Cruz.

Today I have newer, brighter dreams, and I know my mom’s words will help me achieve them, too.

Ellen

Elvira &
Simplicio

Sheelah

Corrina

Marco

Catherine

Franco