My Story

A message from Kevin Angelo, Founder

My name is Kevin Angelo Refuerzo Tenorio, and this is my story:

My parents, Angelito and Belinda, were born in the Philippines and migrated to the United States (US) in 1989. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up with two brothers and a sister, Angelito, Charles, and Anbel, respectively. My education is relatively vast. I attended elementary and grade school at Blessed Sacrament and St. Matthias Parochial School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, completed further study at Lipa Montessori School of Learning in Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines, and attended high school in Milwaukee at Marquette University High School. I completed my undergraduate career at Loyola University Maryland, and completed a Master of Public Health and Master of Public Administration at the University of Miami.

I was raised with strong Filipino roots, so much so that I can understand and speak the language! Coupled with my strong background and education, I was destined for the public sector and to serve at the population level.

The idea for the Tenorio Foundation first started when I visited the Philippines on two occasions in 2017; a month in the summer season and again during the holiday season. The touristy areas of the Philippines, their beautiful landscapes, hotels and resorts, as well as other tourist attractions, have made the Philippines a tropical hotspot. However, when living in the Philippines and being with family and friends, you truly see the hard reality.

After my return to the US at the beginning of 2018, I wanted to work two to three years in the US and return to create my own foundation and work with the Filipino people to improve their quality of life.

Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma. This initially hampered my plans, but after careful reflection, my thoughts have changed. Why not create the foundation now? Thus, this is how the foundation came to be.