Since spring of 2023, Almay Velasco has been working as a tour guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Coming from Cebu in the Philippines, she shares her journey to where she is today as a lead tour guide and a student studying psychology at BYU-Hawaii. “I didn’t really get the craze at first,” Almay states about going to school from the Philippines to Hawaii. “But I just tried it. And I think it was God’s plan.” She was the first in her family to leave the Philippines for an education. She shares how unexpected it was for her to leave home, especially with such strong support from her family. Her mother encouraged her to go because of how good it was for her future. Almay was surprised at first about her mom’s support. She said, “If this girl who can’t even stand me going out to parties is allowing me to go to a different country, then this must be something she really wants.” Trusting the Lord and setting aside her original plans, Almay applied to come to school in Laie, Hawaii. When she arrived, she shared that she didn’t initially want to be a tour guide. 
“A lot of things that have been happening have been so unexpected,” she explained. But she once again acted in faith when she approached the tour guide booth at an orientation and ended up being accepted right then and there. Almay now admits, “The job is a lot more fun! I get to meet new people every day.” This wasn’t the first time something unexpected had occurred in Almay’s life. In her hometown of Cebu, Philippines, there are storms every year. But during Christmastime in 2021, there was a storm that no one was fully prepared for or warned about, and it destroyed everything. As a result, there was a flood and electricity was lost for about two or three months. The winds had caused trees to block the roads, and Almay and her family had to wait a week or two until the main roads had been cleared out to get water and food. “I think that experience taught me to always be prepared,” she states. “I guess that’s the theme of my life! You can never know what to expect. You just got to prepare for what is in front of you, and once you know that God has a plan for you, it’s easier to trust that this is all part of the plan.” Later, when she had already started school and worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Almay encountered another test of faith. Her father had a stroke while her parents had been a year into their service as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He had to have brain surgery, was in a coma and is now paralyzed, slowly recovering. Almay describes that it was a difficult time in her life. Since it was in the middle of a semester, she felt like she couldn’t do much but wanted to be home. She explains that she kept counting her tips from work and seeing if it was enough to fly home but ultimately had to leave matters in the Lord’s hands and timing. She notes how her prayers went from “If you’re really there, God, save my dad.” to “God, you gave me an amazing dad. He treated me well. He taught me so many things. If you take him, that’s alright.” It surprised her how much her prayer had changed and how much trust she had developed in the Lord, that she even questioned herself, “Whoa, where did that come from?” As she learned to trust God’s timing, Almay also learned the value of the attitude of gratitude amidst her hardships. She explains that it is easy to complain, cry, and turn inward. But Almay counters, “When I look at it, when I take a step back, I see that God is shaping me to be the best.” “And to be the best, I can’t have it easy.” She shows that it is better to take a step back, to feel gratitude instead of questioning, allowing her to see the bigger picture. An example of this attitude in her life is her mother. When Almay’s dad got sick, her mom was his primary caretaker and refused to hire someone else to help. She may have had her own doubts, but Almay learned from her the mindset of pushing through it. “When I call her, she’s even laughing more than I do sometimes,” Almay chuckled. “And I’m over here in Hawaii, she’s over there taking care of a patient, and she’s laughing more than I am?” “The only way that God can help you is when you allow yourself to be available,” Almay suggests. “So, serve others. Go out. Ask for help. Listen to general conference. Listen to church music. It’s easy to live in darkness, but God can’t help you if you’re not being open.” From these experiences, Almay learned to trust, remain patient, and stay grateful no matter what. More importantly, she learned to turn outward in service to others. These lessons didn’t remain in her personal life; they began to shape who she was and how she interacted with the world around her. They became the foundation for how she works each day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. As a tour guide, Almay explains that she must trust in being led by the Spirit. “These strangers living thousands of miles away depend on me to give them a good experience in the cultural center.” Whether she is organizing a schedule or guiding guests through the islands, she relies on the principles of service and charity to build meaningful connections. This mindset is reinforced by leaders like Director of Guest Services “Governor” Jimmy Mapu, who, as Almay explains, “He loves us and cares for us. Everyone can see it in the department.” Reflecting on his leadership, Almay adds, “It’s great having a boss that genuinely prioritizes your welfare above everything else.” 
As she goes about applying the principles of trust, service, and patience, Almay strives to give the guests on her tour an unforgettable experience. “They are all children of God who deserve nothing but the best,” Almay says. “And so that’s the mindset I try to carry with me during tours.” Through unexpected challenges in her life, Almay developed a deep trust in God’s plan and a commitment to gratitude, openness, and patience. What began as personal lessons gradually became guiding principles. These values now shape the way she treats others and approaches her responsibilities. At the Polynesian Cultural Center, Almay applies these beliefs daily, allowing her faith to influence the way she leads, serves, and connects with guests from around the world.
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