Rosas’ Journey
Jun 22, 2021 • 3 min Read
Rosas Gonzales’ journey as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and later on as an immigrant is a typical Pinoy story. She left the ‘lupang sinilangan’ for the simple aspiration of providing a better income for the family, that is if sacrifice and love for the family are simple. The journey makes it more special, full of learnings, and cherished memories.
She took the first step in the year 2004 when she traveled to Dubai as a tourist. At that time, it was relatively easy to get a visa because Dubai was open for tourists. Her goal then was to secure a job within 60 days. She found the Dubai job hunting different from the Pinoy way. The Pinoy type of referral – ‘referred ni ano, at referred ni ganito. . .’ does not work there.
Rosas met Pinoys in Dubai whom she described as supportive. She said that “may Tribu Mentality ang Pinoy na kapag Nakita nila ang kakilala nila, tutulungan ka talaga but there’s also something in Dubai that I’ve noticed and that is the flip side or kabaligtaran na kapag na-meet mo naman ang mga Pilipino na hindi ganuon ka-helpful na sila pa mismo ang magpu-put down sa iyo. So may dalawang klase talaga ng Pinoy. So mag-lean ka na lang doon sa mga towards positive people at lumayo ka na lang doon sa mga negative.”
She had a realization that – ‘pwede pala’ – when she landed a job in Dubai. Later on, she informed her two siblings about the opportunities that subsequently encouraged them to work in Dubai too. Rosas made this Dubai chance as a stepping stone in attaining her plan to move to Canada. She saves and learns.
Rosas applied for Canadian Permanent Residency in 2005 and had her visa in 2010. Her first job in Canada was as Office Assistant. However, given the available job opportunities there, she has decided to go back to school and study nursing. Her nursing education was supported by the government through a student loan, which was later on settled on a staggard basis. She finished her nursing education in 2015 and now practicing her profession in Ontario.
To people who want to apply in Canada, Rosas’ advice was, “hangga’t maaga ay gawin nyo na kasi nagbabago palagi ang rules, qualifications nila at mga requirements. Then something na I can say na hindi ako nagkamali ng desisyon na Canada ang pinili ko kasi napakaganda talaga ng Canada, hindi naman sa nagba-brag pero sa tingin ko tama iyong bansa na pinili ko.”
She invited her siblings to Canada but looks like they were more comfortable going back to the Philippines. In all her plans, she always thinks of her family.
Rosas description of Canada is “You belong here, I belong here. Canada is very peaceful at napaka-secure ng buhay sa Canada. Pag may challenges ka, laging may solusyon, may binibigay ang Gobyerno na tulong sa iyo. Nandyan ang government para tulungan ka, minsan sila pa ang lalapit sa iyo para tulungan ka.”
We asked her if she still intends to go home to the Philippines and her reply was “Dito na ako magse-settle pero ang pinakadream ko once na maayos ang buhay ko dito is really to give back, like iyong Charity Foundation, makatulong sa mga batang hindi makapag-aral. Eventually, I will have to connect to my alma matter noong high school ko or college ko bka puwede ako makapagbigay ng scholarship or money, pero ang plano ko is makatulong in terms of education. Anything na makakatulong for livelihood and education, baka iyon na lang ang contribution ko.”
Watch the full interview with Rosas at our YouTube channel – Ang Pinoy Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2MufZCjsTA. Please don’t forget to support us by liking and subscribing to our channel.
