Oral History Project - Dr. Gel Cortez Interview

What is Oral History?

Oral History is how most to all Asian Americans throughout the years have been able to preserve their history is by dialogue.

Who is Dr. Gel Cortez?

Dr. Angelica “Gel” Cortez is the Founder & Executive Director (or what she likes to call it - Executive Vibe Director) of LEAD Filipino. She also works at Pacific Clinics. Dr. Gel Cortez is a strategist, civic innovator, and cultural worker voted as a Silicon Valley 40 under 40. Her mission to reinterpret civics, politics, and healthcare for the community. Since 2015, she has grown LEAD Filipino to serve thousands of local students and families, established regional and statewide coalitions, and developed major campaigns to advance FilAm concerns and representation.

Community

I asked Dr. Gel Cortez how did her community change from growing up in Pittsburg, CA to now living in Eastside San Jose. She describes how being Filipino, she grew up in a very Catholic household. Besides being very involved with the church she was also really involved with school sports as well as the yearbook program. Her identity was tied in with these communities at an early age however now looking into the communities she identities with now with years of self discovery especially with her time as an undergrad at San Jose State, she says that they are worlds apart. 

• “Through different people and influences, I came to identify with my cultural heritage and my sexuality…and having those two influences really shaped my young adulthood and now who I am today…My own practices of spirituality and reflection, meditation look real different than how I was raised. I don't play that many sports as well, so when I think about how I grew up versus the transformation of who I am now, they feel like they're worlds apart.”

There’s this saying that goes along the lines of  “We are essentially a mosaic of all our loved ones.” This stems from how our enviroments growing up and now have affected our identity. When talking about community and identity, I asked Dr. Gel Cortez if she resonated with that saying.

• “Yeah, I heavily agree that we are a product of our environment…at the same time, what I was raised with, I've had many other interjects or interventions that showed me sort of what it means to also prioritize my own happiness while still being respectful, I suppose, and honoring the voices and the people that raised me.”

Holistic Health

Moving on to how she views the work she does with her “heart work” it ties in with how holistic health plays a huge part in her abilities to serve the communities. 

• “I think my hard work is one that I would describe as being very concerned with the the heart of the community…I think I can be a vessel that community, if I'm actively taking care of myself... So when I talk about service, it is serving myself as well.”