Maria Prisanna Aguila was born in Manila, Philippines. A middle child of five children, she arrived in Portland, OR., July 19, 1968. Her father Adriano taught her how to play tennis at 8 years old. "I've love the game of tennis ever since" she says.She went to Prescott Elementary, Fremont Jr. High, and graduated from Parkrose High School. She graduated from Western Business College and participated in the Portland Teacher's Program at Portland Community College.
She was blessed with a beautiful and healthy daughter named Elizabeth "Liz" Aguila in 1993. Liz's a senior at Grant High School, a 4th year member of the Jefferson Dancers, a 7 year member of the Urban Arts Dance Company and is a dancer for Radio Disney AM 1640.
Coach Maria says "I've always wanted to work with children and when my daughter was at Parent Child Services I started as a parent volunteer then went to Center Training at Head Start. I enjoyed working at Providence Montessori School for 4 years as a Teacher's Assistant. Seven years with Portland Public Schools working with K-5, two years at John Ball Elementary School and five years with Portland's Starbase Program at the Portland National Air Base."
When her daughter was in 2nd grade at Faubion Elementary School she attended an after school program called Portland After School Tennis with a total of 52 kids and one coach, Coach Bob Boozer. That's when Coach Maria stepped in to volunteer to take half of his kids on two courts at the Concordia University tennis courts. This was before well before PAST&E moved into the St Johns Racquet Center. Coach Maria has been with PAST&E for ten years starting out as a volunteer then worked my way to being a Coach/Tutor staff. "I'm enjoying my experience with PAST&E everyday! I love to see the smiling children and coaches as we sing, dance, read, play, eat, do homework and especially when we play the game of tennis," she says!
Coach Maria also volunteers annually for: Susan G. Komen Portland's Race For The Cure, Portland's Singing Christmas Tree at the Keller Auditorium, The Jefferson Dancers Program, The Urban Arts Dance Company and of course PAST&E.