Mylene Gana, a proud member of the UCSF Facilities team, has always held her Filipino heritage close, despite the miles and years that separate her from her homeland. Born and raised in Amadeo, Cavite, in the Philippines, Gana’s journey to the U.S. wasn’t easy. After spending seven years apart from her parents, who had moved to San Francisco to pave the way for a new life, she reunited with them at the age of 15. This transition was a significant culture shock, but despite the hardships, her family ties and Filipino pride remained strong. Through family traditions, gatherings, faith, and passing her values to the next generation, she has found powerful ways to stay connected to her roots. Curious about how she keeps the spirit of her homeland alive while thriving in a new world? Here’s her inspiring story.
Gana first began maintaining her connection to her roots by joining a Filipino club in high school. One of her fondest memories is participating in Filipino traditional dances and sharing Filipino cuisine with her non-Filipino friends.
"We Filipinos love to share our dishes with others. It’s a great way to introduce people to our culture and bring awareness to our heritage,” she shares.
She continues to hold these values even today, through attending family gatherings and sharing the traditions with family. Gana proudly upholds tradition by teaching the children in her family to respect their elders, as is customary in Filipino culture.
"When the younger ones see their grandparents, they offer the 'mano,' a blessing gesture where they place the elder’s hand on their forehead. We also make sure they know where they come from and understand the values that have been passed down through generations."
Luksong Baka or "Jump over the Cow" is a traditional Filipino game played by kids in Gana's family.
Even though her siblings are spread out across different cities, they make sure to see each other often. ”We gather for every special occasion, ensuring that the younger generations understand the importance of family time,” says Gana. She and her family reminisce about their time in the motherland. "We always share stories about our childhood in the Philippines during family get-togethers, and we maintain our religious practices. Our faith is a big part of who we are as Filipinos."
In the picture at the top of this story, we see Gana as a child in Philippines, dressed up for Santacruzan, a religious procession and beauty pageant that takes place in the Philippines.
When asked what part of her Filipino heritage she’s most proud of, she doesn’t hesitate: “Our strong family ties and work ethic. We value hard work, and that’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career at UCSF. Filipinos are known for being diligent, adaptable, and committed—and I see that in myself and my colleagues. It’s why many of us stay long in our positions.”
Gana began her career at UCSF in 2001, working in the School of Dentistry. Two years ago, she took a leap and applied for a role within Facilities Services, eager to learn something new and push herself outside of her comfort zone. Today, she supports project and construction managers, manages contracts, and coordinates tasks for ongoing projects—including tenant improvements and fire marshal programs.
No story about Filipino Heritage would be complete without mentioning the delicious food! Gana’s favorite Filipino dish is kare-kare, an oxtail stew with a rich peanut butter sauce, best enjoyed with a side of salty shrimp paste. “It’s a strange combination, but it works perfectly,” she laughs. “It’s a dish that always reminds me of home, and my sister makes it best.”
As we celebrate Filipino Heritage Month, we honor employees like Mylene Gana, whose dedication, cultural pride, and strong family values enrich our UCSF community every day.
