It’s ok. The name’s actually made up. So, however you want to say it, sure. Because, sometimes, immigrating to a new country means wanting to fit in. And unfortunately for Yaya and Papous, bless their hearts, they missed the mark at wanting to ‘sound more American’. It’s no John Smith. And having been left with it, for the past 23 years, it’s a bit funny that aside from no one agreeing with how to pronounce it, that no one has been like ‘oh yeah…he’s totally from here.” But I mean, who needs an icebreaker when you introduce yourself with a pretend word.
Tesis? Teh-Zis? TEA-sis?
So…what do you want to know?
Michael (Anglicized for my Papous)
Felix (In Memory of an Abuelo I never got the chance to meet)
Tesis (With the 1970s endorsement of INS)
In a world where superficiality, statistics, and numbers often overshadow our true selves, it's easy to lose sight of our authentic identities. But here's the beautiful truth: San Diego is more than just a place to me—it's my beloved home, where every experience has become an integral part of who I am.
Now, more than ever, San Diego needs representatives who embody authenticity and genuinely connect with their community. As a candidate, I am not here to present myself as a polished politician, but rather as a person—a neighbor, a friend—who understands the hopes, dreams, and challenges that we all face.
I'm not here to simply make promises; I'm here to listen, to learn, and to work hand in hand with you to create meaningful change. We are not defined by a single issue or confined within borders; we are a fluid and interconnected community, united by shared experiences and a collective journey. Our struggles, dreams, and triumphs shape the very fabric of our being.
I've lived in just about every neighborhood that makes up San Diego. Memories live at every corner and on each street and in my heart.
From North Park, the place that sparked young immigrants’ dreams, where they built a home in which I’d one day learn how to be a good and loving boy from a Yaya whose ailing memories would not be lost on a much younger me.
To the carefree weekends of my tween years, hanging out with my Tia in El Cajon, who was always down to catch a drive-in movie with more snacks than my parents would have ever liked me to eat, to the hidden gems like Linda Vista Street fairs, and Point Loma outlooks, and into the Tecolote Canyons and trails of Clairemont wandered by my friends after school. And through a whole lot of walking, finding just about every secret spot La Jolla has to offer while still making time to party it up from University Ave. down to Fifth. And with lots, and lots of driving, with no GPS, into new directions and unexplored places.
Whether it was couch-surfing, or establishing roots, everywhere has been my home. And at my core, I love a good story, so let’ be sure to the start the next part together. I’d be happy to share mine, if you promise to share yours.
“I’m tired of being looked at and feeling so unseen.”
Let’s March Forward, Together
Young people truly are the catalyst for progress, and I want to give a shoutout to all my friends and all the activists, all the students, and interns, and workers, and everyone who shows up, all of us who bring out the best in what our community can be.
While we are the driving force behind successful campaigns, putting in endless energy into phone banking, canvassing door-to-door, organizing events and setting them up, conducting GOTV drives, and just knowing how to use social media better, all our value often seems forgotten once the election cycle ends. It's almost as if we put someone in office, only to have them disappear until their intern pool dwindles or they need a fresh photo to tack onto their newsletters.
We have proven time and again that we can dedicate ourselves to their causes, often with minimal returns. So why should we give them another chance when we have the power and passion to create change on our own?
It's time for a revolution of empowerment, where we take charge of our own destiny and create a future that reflects our dreams and aspirations in a society we deserve.
Better Democracy
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Kinder Representation
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Real Change
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Better Democracy • Kinder Representation • Real Change •
California Senate District 39 (SD 39), encompassing a vibrant tapestry of neighborhoods including Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Tierrasanta, Linda Vista, Mission Valley, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, SDSU, North Park, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, Downtown, Old Town, Coronado, Point Loma, and Ocean Beach, is a thriving community on the cusp of change.
California Senate District 39
Our district is home to a diverse range of industries, such as commercial, business, and high-tech research sectors. We also share a prominent government center, major universities, and naval and military operations. Along with the district’s port and airport operations.
We embody the true spirit of our nation, celebrating the vibrant mix of cultures of a border city blending California’s Latino heritage, with a significant Asian American and Pacific Islander population, thriving LGBTQ+ community, that spans all socio-economic backgrounds.
And we will always be a community unconstrained by the lines on a map, or by geographical regions, or hate that tries to divide us.
