Red Cross Service Rooted in AAPI Pride

Earl Torres draws on his immigrant roots, cultural pride and deep sense of kapwa—to uplift Red Cross supported communities across Los Angeles. His story is one of many honored during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Photo by Mimi Teller/American Red Cross.

By David Tuckman/American Red Cross

Meet Earl Torres, a proud Filipino American and senior volunteer recruitment specialist for the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. His journey—from Hong Kong to Corona, California—reflects a lifelong commitment to compassion and community. Today, Earl brings that same dedication to the heart of service with the Red Cross. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, we recognize and honor his humanitarian spirit.

Born in New Jersey and raised in Hong Kong until he was 12, Earl brings a rich tapestry of cultural experiences to his work. Both of his parents hail from Leyte, Philippines and speak Waray Waray, a dialect distinct from Tagalog (the Philippine national language), which Earl is more familiar with. This duality in language and upbringing has shaped a deep appreciation for heritage, identity and cross-cultural understanding.

“My Filipino American identity means a lot to me,” Earl shared. “In college, I was deeply involved in Filipino student organizations and cultural events. More recently, I’ve explored other AAPI identities through dancing with my fellow Kane at a hula studio—‘Kane’ meaning ‘male’ in Hawaiian.”

His immigrant background has also instilled a strong work ethic and deep commitment to community. “I still view the U.S. as the land of opportunity, where hard work can take you far. Personally, my culture has taught me to put family first and leave a lasting impact on others. That’s why I’m so drawn to nonprofit work, especially with the Red Cross, where the mission is to serve and uplift communities.”

One core Filipino value that guides Earl’s daily life is kapwa, a word that captures a sense of shared identity and deep empathy. “It means ‘we’ instead of ‘me’—seeing yourself in others and acting with compassion. It’s a value that fosters teamwork and reminds me that it takes a village to create meaningful change.”

Earl's journey with the Red Cross is a natural extension of this ethos. Having volunteered throughout his life—in food banks, tutoring and previously working as a medical scribe in an emergency department—Earl was drawn to the Red Cross’s life-saving mission. “Working here allows me to continue the work of alleviating suffering in the face of emergencies and crisis.”

Pictured here at community partner PWC’s “Pie-a-Partner” fundraiser in support of local nonprofits, Earl represents the Red Cross Los Angeles Region at a variety of events throughout the county. Photo courtesy of Earl Torres.

Representation and inclusion remain top of mind, and Earl hopes more people recognize the diversity within the AAPI community, likening it to the neighborhoods of Los Angeles: “Someone from Long Beach or the Valley doesn’t have the same experience as someone from East L.A. There are so many unique subcultures within AAPI identities.”

To better engage AAPI communities, Earl emphasizes the importance of language representation and culturally aware outreach, especially in neighborhoods like Koreatown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and Historic Filipinotown. “Our Red Cross services—like free smoke alarm installations, CPR training and disaster preparedness—are most effective when they’re culturally accessible.”

A powerful moment of pride came when Earl saw the growth of culturally relevant Red Cross resources. “When I served as an AmeriCorps member back in 2017, those resources didn’t exist. Today, I see the organization evolving and committing to diversity, equity and inclusiveness in ways that make me proud to be part of this work.”

When asked about AAPI figures who inspire him, Earl points to Ninoy Aquino, the late Filipino senator. “He inspires me—and many Filipinos—to speak truth to power and always hold systems accountable.”

As for advice to future AAPI changemakers: “There is a community for you here. You belong. And even if you’re the only AAPI face on a Zoom call, know that your presence matters. We need your voice.”

His hope for the next generation? “That AAPI leaders remember that change starts from within. Embrace your identity, honor your roots and carry forward our heritage in everything you do.”

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

May 12, 2025