In 1997, Joyce Alano Castillo and her husband Arnold were unloading boxes into their new home in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The radio was on. The world had just learned that Princess Diana had died in a tragic car accident.
As they listened, their two sons—one just entering high school, the other still in second grade—ran around the house. It was a bittersweet moment: the start of a new life in America, set against the backdrop of global mourning.
From Ilocos to New Jersey
Joyce’s journey began thousands of miles away in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, where she and Arnold had known each other since their school days. They married in 1983, but life quickly threw them a challenge.
Arnold, born in Hawaii to Ilocano parents, faced a choice when he turned 21: keep his U.S. citizenship or lose it. Just before his birthday, he returned to America, leaving behind his young bride.
Two years later, Joyce followed. Her first job was in Manhattan’s fashion district—an overwhelming environment for a small-town girl fresh from Ilocos.
“There’s too much cursing around me. I was not comfortable with it,” she admitted.
She lasted one month. But her next step changed everything.
A Career Built on Wall Street
Joyce found her stride at Merrill Lynch, starting as a bookkeeper for Mortgage Backed Securities. Over the years, she climbed her way up to become Compliance Officer, building a 25-year career in one of the toughest industries in the world.
She was there on 9/11, a day she describes as her “second life.” Later, she worked at Deutsche Bank as an Asset Manager, and eventually at MetLife Investments as Senior Compliance Officer.
Meanwhile, Arnold built a long career of his own—28 years at Coca-Cola, after earlier stints as an EMT and volunteer with Hoboken EMS.
Together, they raised two sons who have also carved out meaningful careers:
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Mark, the elder, is a financial analyst with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. He and his wife Robin are raising two children, Milo and Marina.
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Michael, a psychologist, works as a care manager for Families and Communities Together, Inc. He is married to Camille, a nurse at Montefiore.
At home, the family still speaks Ilocano—a way of keeping their roots alive even while thriving abroad.
Giving Back to the Community
Joyce’s success didn’t stop at Wall Street. She poured her energy into the Filipino-American community in New Jersey.
She started as a volunteer at the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc., eventually becoming secretary and board member. Later, she joined the GC Rivera Foundation, helping organize annual medical missions in the Philippines.
Now, she serves as President of the Philippine-American Friendship Community (PAFCOM), where she leads programs that range from holiday celebrations to wellness classes for seniors.
Before her term ends in 2025, Joyce dreams of leaving behind a lasting legacy:
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Educational workshops on financial wellness and retirement planning.
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A fundraising fashion show featuring Filipino designers.
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New decluttering services to help families preserve and digitize their memories.
“A lot of people don’t understand retirement, taxes, or how to prepare for the future. I want to educate them, not sell them insurance,” she said.
A Life of Reinvention
Joyce once dreamed of becoming a doctor. She even earned a Biology degree at Saint Louis University in Baguio. But her path shifted when she became a professor at Northwestern College’s College of Nursing—and later, when Wall Street opened its doors.
From Ilocos Norte to Wall Street, and now at the heart of New Jersey’s Filipino community, Joyce Castillo’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and unwavering dedication.
She is proof that no matter how far life takes you, your roots—and your purpose—will always guide you home.
