As a child in Manila, Bettina Santos Yap dreamed of becoming a television news anchor. Why not? With her commanding presence, a voice that soothes and an eye for the tiniest detail, she was born for the job.
She pursued her ambition at the University of the Philippines, where she studied mass communications, explored advertising and experimented with theater.
Several decades after earning a degree at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Santos Yap is among Filipinas who have cracked the glass ceiling in the U.S. corporate world, as senior manager of a multinational software firm. But she is better known in the Filipino American community for other achievements.
“Little did I know I would become a domestic violence prevention educator,” Santos Yap said in between meetings at Genesys, her employer since 2008.
Santos Yap is one of 21 women and men dedicated to combating dating, domestic and family violence through education. Named ALLICE, Alliance for Community Empowerment, members call themselves Kumares and Kumpares. Santos Yap is its founding president.
This year the all-volunteer nonprofit is celebrating its tenth year of promoting healthy and safe relationships and environments. Twice a year it stages events, free and open to the public with the help of allies in small businesses, faith-based groups and the community in general. To date, it has mounted some 15 presentations featuring the testimony of a survivor of abuse. The Pledge to help End Domestic Violence that its members framed as foundation for the organization culminates each event. Over 1,000 people around the San Francisco Bay Area have attended ALLICE trainings.
”Nothing gives me more satisfaction than to hear someone say thanks for assuring her that there is help from many individuals and groups that care,” said Yap, who is a proud mother to a daughter in college and a son who is starting a career in her footsteps—in marketing. They, like their father Voltaire, a marketing director with Oracle, complete the family army of accidental advocates.