THE MAGANDA PROJECT

PROGRAMS

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And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

-1 Corinthians 13:13

THE MAGANDA

Project

1 CORINTHIANS 13:13

The "Maganda Project" began in 2010 and it's vision is to provide a free self-defense course rooted in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We believe every person can awaken their inner strength through spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional healing. The project was started to empower young girls and women to take ownership of their innate strength in any environment they find themselves in, which can include professional settings, schools, churches, and public places. Our goal is for every person to receive some form of healing and recognition of inner strength by participating in the self-defense courses.

The first facility we taught our courses was a rehabilitation facility in Orange County, California. It was a facility for young women who were recovering from substance dependency. The young women's mannerisms changed after their first class. They were laughing and smiling after each class in which they learned self-defense techniques that were easy to remember. We were astonished at the changes in their self-confidence when they learned more about accessing their inner strength. It was a moment that awakened our hearts to love and serve others using our passion for studying the Word of God and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US!

A Reflection

with me.

With love and sincerity, I reflect on how the Maganda Project began in 2010. At the time, it seemed like a coincidence, but as we know, there are no coincidences with God. That same year, I felt a deep tug in my heart, calling me back to a faith I had often tried to run from. When I accepted an unexpected request to teach self-defense at a rehabilitation facility, I had no idea it was part of His greater plan.

I vividly remember those young women, burdened by the weight of their struggles. Their eyes were heavy with pain and loneliness that pierced my heart, their movements unsteady, and their words often fragmented. But as we spent time together in each class, I began to witness a beautiful transformation. Little by little, their postures straightened, their faces softened, and laughter emerged, displacing the sorrow they once carried. It was as if they were reclaiming a piece of themselves—rediscovering the strength that had been buried beneath their hurt. That memory remains with me as a powerful testament to God's grace and His power to heal even the most wounded souls.

I was also one of those wounded souls. Though my struggles were not the same as theirs, God used that time to heal me in ways I hadn’t expected. While He created an opportunity for me to serve them, He also used them to heal my own wounds. The exchange of grace was mutual, and it taught me that God works in all of us, often in ways we do not see right away.

What began as a simple self-defense class has since grown into something so much more—offering not only physical training but feeding and serving wherever needed, providing groceries, transportation to and from church, and mentorship. Yet, at the heart of the Maganda Project, the true message we share is the gospel of Jesus Christ. My hope is to help women and girls embrace the strength God has placed within them—physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.

My vision is for the Maganda Project to spread across the United States and, God willing, to reach the world, bringing His love, healing, joy and hope to countless lives. In Jesus name, Amen.