Erika Alvino is a Filipino American who has been raised in California. She is currently pursuing an MBA with Finance and Accounting at San Francisco State University. She is a part of the Filipino American Network of individuals who have an expository background in all areas of accounting. Her professional experience as a certified public accountant and a CPA makes her qualified for the position as Nationality Chair, Erika’s Partner. As a partner in San Francisco, Erika has been instrumental in establishing the Network’s international growth strategy which serves the global community. Through the efforts of her network, Erika hopes to expand the reach of Filipino Americans into international decision-making capacity.
As a member of the Filipino American Network she is able to attend seminars abroad as an invited speaker and be exposed to international business, government, and academic circles. It is very interesting that her educational background has brought her to the San Francisco area specifically in San Mateo County as an Accountant. It is also intriguing that she has chosen to become a Filipino American considering the strong cultural and ethnic diversity within the Filipino American population in the US. It is interesting to know that there are a few diverse ethnic groups in the US who are also pursuing higher education, yet it seems there is a greater level of focus on ethnicity specifically in the US. In terms of her studies, she emphasizes that she has taken classes focusing on nationality, ethnicity, and national origins while studying accounting and public accounting in order to enhance her knowledge of Filipino Americans.
Her experience in the US as an Accountant has given her the insight she needed to write her book. Her book, AASE: An Accountant’s Personal Portrait, chronicles her path from childhood to adulthood and how the cultural transition impacted her personal life. What struck me most about this book is how it portrays a woman overcoming personal obstacles and coming out stronger than ever. It shows us that not all of us are created equally and how each one can overcome the hurdles we all face. In this sense, AASE: An Accountant’s Personal Portrait helps Filipino Americans understand themselves and their heritage.