What year did you move to Canada? & why did you move to Canada? How was your life like in your country of origin?
I came to Winnipeg in 2012 with my family: my husband and two children. My life was great in the Philippines. I had a stable and promising career in public relations and I was a young mom with a husband who worked abroad. I consider it the prime of my life, but I did not regret giving it all up to come to Canada for better opportunities and to have a better quality life. To me, coming to Canada and living and working here permanently is like fulfilling my destiny. My aunt, who came to Winnipeg in 1969 as a nurse, wanted to adopt me when I was seven years old but for some reason that did not materialize. She would send me the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program application package every year after I graduated from university but I got sidetracked by so many distractions. I feel like I was meant to come to Canada with my family.
What was your first impression when you arrived to Canada?
It was unconditional love. If I had to pick a theme song, it would be “I knew I loved you (before I met you)” by Savage Garden. Ever heard of it? ♫♪ I knew I loved you before I met you… I think I dreamed you into life… I knew I loved you before I met you… I have been waiting all my life… ♫♪ It’s sentimental but that’s exactly how I would describe it.
It was past midnight when our plane landed in Winnipeg. I excitedly woke the kids up when we touched down and told them to look out the window if they can spot snow. The moment we got off the plane unto the jet bridge, we immediately felt that Canadian cold or shall I say Winnipeg cold people are talking about online. We were grinning with joy and my husband and I kept saying “This is it!” I was mesmerized by the blue led lighting at the arrival area and was very happy to see my aunt’s family waiting with winter jackets ready for us. What better way to welcome newcomers!
What were some of the challenges you faced when you moved here?
It was a big adjustment for me to be finally living with my husband every single day of our Canadian life. Because he was working abroad and away for 10 months in a year, I was used to being independent and the boss of the house, making decisions for the family on my own and managing our finances by myself while he stayed on the sideline as support. So do things with him, sharing responsibilities and making decisions together was not easy for both of us. We clashed and we argued for a year or two, and even until now actually. However, we’ve learned to compromise and we now know better how to deal with each other.
Parenting was also a significant challenge – as parents we are glad to see that our kids have adjusted very well and naturally immersed in the Canadian society, but we want them to stay grounded in Filipino culture.
Was there any support from the community to help you integrate? If yes, what were they? If not, how did you survive?
Family support is our foundation. I am forever grateful to my aunts, uncle and cousins for the support and accommodation they extended to us and still continue to provide us until today. Our first month took off smoothly because they were there for us. We got rides to different agencies to get our SIN and Manitoba Health card and register for settlement programs. They accompanied us to the bank to open our bank account and my aunt stood as our guarantor for our car loan. They recommended the school where to enroll our kids, drove them to school in the morning and picked them up in the afternoon. My husband got a job a month later after we arrived through my aunt’s friend’s recommendation. Enumerating these things may sound so simple, but it can be difficult for a newcomer to go through this stage if you are on your own, not a family nor a friend to help you. You don’t want to start building your new life with frustration.
Their enthusiasm greatly helped us immerse in the Canadian society naturally. It was late winter when we came so on weekends they made sure were out at The Forks or Assiniboine Park doing outdoor activities such as tobogganing, skating or even just walking.
What do you miss most from your country of origin?
The beach and fresh seafood are what I miss most from my province. My hometown is where the mountains meet the sea. Our ancestral home sits a couple feet away from the hill and from there I can take about a kilometer walk to the beach. Manitoba has thousands of acres of beautiful lakes and rivers, but nothing compares to the beauty of the beach. I miss the serenity on an island where I can just bask in the sun and listen to the sound of ocean waves.
I grew up having fresh grilled fish and steamed shrimps and crabs for breakfast. Indeed, you never know what you have until you lose it. Seafood is expensive here in Winnipeg and, even if you feel like splurging to treat yourself occasionally, they never taste the same.
Since coming to Canada, have you visited your country of origin? What was your first impression on going back? How did it feel?
It was a special feeling to be back four years later. It still felt home to me. Although I saw many things changed – some were gone, some remained and some were new, I still felt so connected and at home with everyone and everything.
What was your occupation in your country of origin and what is your occupation here in Canada?
I was a Public Relations Officer at one of the biggest shopping mall operator companies in the Philippines. Part of my responsibilities then was to organize events and projects of the Foundation, which is somehow related to what I do now as a program assistant at a not-for-profit agency in Winnipeg that provides social and settlement services for older adults in Manitoba.
How has your life changed since moving here?
Canada has completely turned my life around. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to start all over again and build my Canadian life towards the direction that I want it to be. I maximized my multi-tasking abilities by taking two jobs, attending school, volunteering and doing activities with my family – I did that for three years and made it through. I’ve met people along the way who in their own little ways have motivated me to persevere to reach my goals.
I look at people differently and wonder what their story is about. I always tell my kids, as a reminder for myself as well, that we are blessed and fortunate to have had the choice to leave the Philippines and come to Canada. We had a good life then, but we wanted a better one. Others did not have that choice, they had to and they left other family members behind.
What advice would you give to newcomers in Canada?
Positive outlook and attitude in life coupled with hard work makes a lot of difference in adjusting and integrating in your new life in Canada. Go out and slowly get involved in the community. If you get a bad experience, do not stop right there. It is but normal, learn from it. Do not isolate yourself. Help and services are widely available and people are always willing to extend a hand if you ask.
What advice would you give to people back in your country?
Do not be afraid to leave your comfort zones. Go for your dreams!