“Ugat & Paglipad: Roots & Rising” Internship Capstone Presentation
Our interns: Leila Laserna, Jessica Reyes, Arie Enriquez, Kiana House, Ken Reyes, and Isabella Mercado
On Friday, August 1st, Kapwa Kultural Center hosted a private and heartfelt gathering to celebrate the 2025 YEEE! x KKC Summer Internship Cohort. Friends, family, and community members gathered to honor the journeys of six exceptional young adults as they shared the culmination of their summer experiences through powerful and creative capstone presentations.
This event marked the third year of our collaboration with Youth Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Employment of San Mateo (YEEE!).
Throughout the summer, our interns engaged in a blend of career development and wellness events, as well as hands-on work-based learning. Whether it was building resume and cover letter portfolios, attending financial and wellness workshops, or supporting daily operations at Kapwa Café and partner sites, each intern contributed deeply to our community while deepening their own understanding of identity and purpose.
Of our six extraordinary interns:
• Three interns supported our Kapwa Café operations.
• One intern focused on administration and vendor/event relations.
• One intern worked on-site at Bread Basket Bakery.
• One intern worked at Our Second Home Early Childhood Development Center.
Capstone Presentations
Interns were guided to reflect using our Seeding, Tending, Harvesting framework—exploring their learning in relation to self-awareness, wellness, cultural identity, and community impact. Each project addressed the following questions:
What seeds were planted during this internship?
What do I need to nurture continued growth?
What am I harvesting from this experience, and how will I share it?
Additionally, every project reflected KKC’s five pillars:
• Pamana (Generational Wealth): Career Path and purpose
• Ginhawa (Wellness): Wellness and decolonizing mental health
• Kaalaman (Knowledge): Rites of passage and ethnic studies
• Pamuno (Leadership): Leadership Development
• Yaman (Wealth): Financial literacy and wellness
Presentations took on a variety of powerful forms: a sculpture, poster, sewing projects, cookbook, and even a lighting installation—each rooted in personal transformation and cultural resonance.
Carrying the Work Forward
The ceremony was more than a presentation—it was a rite of passage. It was a powerful reminder that learning doesn’t end when the program does. Our interns walked away with practical skills, deeper cultural insight, and a stronger sense of self. Their reflections were honest, their projects personal, and their growth undeniable.
We are so proud of our 2025 Summer Internship cohort. We thank our interns for showing up with intention, for trusting the process, and for contributing meaningfully to Kapwa Kultural Center. Their stories, growth, and reflections embody the spirit of Kapwa: shared humanity, collective healing, and cultural pride. We’re excited to see where their journeys take them next, and we hope they continue to carry what they’ve seeded here, wherever they go.