By Louis Chan, AsAmNews National Correspondent
Professional dancer Cheryl Burke fondly recalls her annual childhood trips to the Philippines with her mother. She’s seen where her mother grew up, a place Cheryl describes as a “poor province in the Philippines” with “no toilets, no A/C, nothing.”
It’s a stark contrast to Burke’s life today as a two-time Dancing with the Stars champion, an author and an inductee into the Asian Hall of Fame. It’s an honor presented to her this past November which she proudly shares with her mother.
“My mother is such a role model to me. She has a rags to riches story. She has made a living and a great life here in the US. I wouldn’t be here without her sacrifices and success. The values she instilled in me made me appreciate what I had while always working hard.”