The Mentors
Think of the students of PAYO as the face and body of the organization, like the stars of a movie. The mentors are young professionals that act like the film crew, working behind the scenes to make sure the actors, or students, can do their job and look great doing it. These young professionals are like the students' publicity manager, sending good opportunities in the community their way. In many cases, the mentors are PAYO alumnus but there are even some that joined this group of educators without having any previous PAYO experience at all. PAYO is always looking for eager young professionals to help guide the future of the organization.
Andrew Aguinaldo Edquid
Andrew became involved in PAYO through his older siblings who had been active general members for years and eventually became executive board members. However, it wasn't until the Summer of 2013 after graduating and watching his friends perform in that year's PCN, did he see the potential of the organization and fully dove in. That summer he joined the PAYO Dance Company, performing all over San Diego. Since then, Andrew worked as the Operations Coordinator for that year until the Summer of 2014 and is currently an active mentor, shaping and guiding the future of PAYO. Andrew is an alumnus of Eastlake High School (2013) and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science & Criminal Justice at the San Diego State University, aspiring for a career in law and/or policy making. He specializes in mentoring in management, logistics, and administration.
Florivel Graves
It was during her Freshman year (2009), when Florivel first joined PAYO through her friend Erin. Her junior year, she was appointed the Co-Funding Director for that year's PCN. She also played a key role during that first, pivotal, Payo Culture Night. The next year, 2012-2013 (her Senior year), she was appointed as the Executive Funding Director on the Student Board and played an even bigger role during that year's PCN as Paprika, making a performance that will forever go down in PAYO's history as the one to aspire to and the one beat. Her astounding acting skills, improvision, and comedic relief made that show one of the most memorable. Florivel is currently working as an Admin Assistant for a marketing director and is also attending Grossmont Community College, studying to make a career in the entertainment business. She is an active mentor that specializes in dance, finance, acting, and logistics.
Nico Delmundo
After just transferring into Eastlake High School from Japan, Nico became involved in PAYO in 2011 during his Sophomore year through his friends. Initially he was always an active member, creating the winning video for AB Samahan's Music Video Competition making PAYO a prominent competitor for future years. That same year he became a lead character in that year's Payo Culture Night and eventually became PAYO's student chairperson and PCN coordinator during his senior year (2012-2013). Currently he is attending Southwestern College, aspiring to transfer to the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Additionally, he is a prominent member of the Filipino dance group PASACAT and is also the Director of Cultural Affairs for Southwestern's Filipino group Pagkakaisa, making him one of PAYO's go-to mentors, especially when it comes to culture and dance.