Advancement Ally - Christina Magalona
Proposal Writer and RFP Coordinator, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Office of Development
1. What is your full name and is there a meaning or story behind it?
“Tin” comes from the Jus”tin” in my dad’s name. “Marie” comes from the “Maria” of my mom’s name. “Chris” was a choice my parents made to reference their religious identity. Mashing it all together: Christina-Marie.
2. Pronouns:
She/her
3. How do you identify yourself or what is something you would like others to know about you?
I’m the first-born, daughter of Filipino immigrants. I’m cis-hetero, able-bodied, SoCal raised, pescatarian, writer, maker, climber, hobby-ist, and more.
4. What is your favorite comfort food?
While I’m not Vietnamese, banh mi sandwiches are my comfort food. Growing up so close to Little Saigon in Orange County, they were (& still are) quick, affordable, accessible, and the perfect mix of fresh, warm, crispy, and soft.
5. What are your favorite cultural or family traditions?
SoCal culture that has seeped into family traditions shows when my giant Filipino family gathers according to the Lakers game schedule. I admittedly know nothing about basketball, but my favorite part of the game-day parties were that we always had ube and mango ice cream (purple and gold).
6. What is something people wrongly assume about you? (biases, stereotypes, ethnic identity, etc.)
I don’t speak nor understand Tagalog, my family speaks another Filipino dialect (Visaya); and I’ve never had an interest in healthcare.
7. If you could change/create any policy (campus, state or national) what would it be and why?
Employer benefits can be given to a friend, sibling, or whomever is closest to you that doesn’t necessarily have to be a spouse.
8. If you could have any social justice superpower, what would it be?
To sneakily poke a hole in the pocket of billionaires.
9. What is something you enjoy doing for others?
I enjoy giving people words of encouragement, affirmation, or appreciation. Life is short and hard – sometimes people need those reminders.
10. What is something that makes you feel most alive?
Fresh air.
11. If two (or more) worlds (i.e. music, artists, clothing, movies, eras, genres) could collide/collaborate, what would you choose?
Orthopedic footwear and professional or fashionable attire. I dislike sacrificing freedom of comfortable movement for the sake of image.
12. What is something that should be free but is not?
Menstrual products in all school bathrooms.
13. Which affiliations/clubs/organizations/hobbies have you been involved in?
My work in DEIB extends into my hobby as a climber. For a while during graduate school, I worked as a route setter at my local climbing gym. I’m proud to say that unlike so many gyms around the nation, the gym I worked for was one of the few to be led by a non-binary and female-identifying co-head-setters. I also participate and volunteer in regional climbing gatherings focused on diversifying representation and creating access to the outdoors.
14. What makes you feel uncomfortable?
Being dressed incorrectly for the context or occasion. Arriving under-dressed to a restaurant, putting on long-sleeves before the day turns to 80 degrees, or wearing leather sandals outside when it’s raining is uncomfortable.
15. What is your favorite thing about working at UCR or your favorite UCR memory?
UCR has been the first place that a colleague or supervisor has greeted me in October recognizing Filipino American History Month, or in May for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Even the slightest mention is acknowledgement that goes beyond what I have experienced in the past.