What would you sacrifice to chase a better future?
Meet Mariel Idos Bacudio – a registered nurse from Pangasinan, Philippines, now rebuilding her life as an international student in Canada. But her journey is far from typical.
She and her husband made the heartbreaking decision to leave their children behind in the Philippines to pursue new opportunities abroad. In this episode, we unpack the emotional weight of that choice – the doubts, the dreams, and the daily strength it takes to start over.
We talk about parenting from afar, rebuilding a career from square one, and the courage it takes to trust in the long-term vision.
And just when I thought I knew how this conversation would end – Mariel shares something that truly left me speechless.
This is one of the most moving stories I’ve ever recorded. Don’t miss it.
This is part two of a two-part episode with Kevin Vallejos. If you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, I recommend giving it a listen, but it's not necessary. Kevin is a graduate of St. Paul University in Surigao, Philippines with a degree in Accountancy. He was previously a financial advisor and is currently a freelance virtual accountant. He graduated from Seneca Polytechnic with a certificate in International Business Management and is pursuing financial planning as his second program.
In this episode, Kevin shares his pleasant experiences in Canada. He talks about how he found jobs both on and off campus, and describes the job market particularly in Toronto. He also shares the chunks of his monthly expenses, from biggest to smallest. Kevin also shares his tips on how to balance study and work, and talks about the careers he thinks will thrive in the future, after being on the hunt for jobs for almost a year. Finally, he gives some tips and tricks on not just surviving, but thriving, against the odds of being alone in Canada. Stay tuned!
Are you considering coming to Canada on a student visa but feel unsure or overwhelmed about the process? Are you curious about what life is like as an international student in Canada? If so, this episode is perfect for you!
This is part one of a two-part episode with Kevin Vallejos. Kevin is a graduate of St. Paul University in Surigao, with a degree in Accountancy. He was previously a financial advisor and is currently a freelance virtual accountant. He graduated from Seneca Polytechnic with a certificate in International Business Management and is pursuing financial planning as his second program. In this episode, we discuss his life before Canada and the reasons he decided to study here. We also cover how he processed his student visa by himself, his expectations of life in Canada, and the reality he faced when he arrived. Additionally, we discuss the preparations he made before coming to Canada and the struggles he has faced while living here. He bravely shared his experience with mental health problems, which is often a taboo subject in Filipino culture. Without further ado, please enjoy part one of our conversation with Kevin Vallejos.
This is Part 2 of our interview with Rhoda Damo. Rhoda is a Registered Nurse and a graduate of Mariano Marcos State University. She also pursued Juris Doctor at Manuel L. Quezon University and is now working as a legal analyst in the Philippines. Please note that this interview was conducted last year in 2021, but the insights Rhoda shared are still highly relevant today.During the interview, Rhoda expresses her views on surrogacy in the Philippines. We discuss the concept of estate tax and the role of insurance, as well as her thoughts on laws that need amending. In response to the pandemic, she launched a campaign to provide PPEs to front liners. In her free time, Rhoda enjoys watching musical shows such as "The Phantom of the Opera" and she explains her interest in this hobby. She also shares her knowledge of alternative career paths after passing the bar exam. Finally, Rhoda talks about how she finds fulfillment in life by giving back to her community.
"Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other individual, organization, or company. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as professional advice, and listeners should always seek the advice of qualified professionals for specific concerns. "
This is Part 1 of our interview with Rhoda Damo. Rhoda is a Registered Nurse and a graduate of Mariano Marcos State University. She also pursued Juris Doctor at Manuel L. Quezon University and is now working as a legal analyst in the Philippines. Please note that this interview was conducted last year in 2021, but the insights Rhoda shared are still highly relevant today.
In this episode, Rhoda openly talks about her experience dealing with anxiety, which was further exacerbated by being a working student and the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shared how guided meditation helped her overcome her condition. We also discuss the path to becoming a lawyer in the Philippines, including Rhoda's experience in taking the bar exam. As the bar exam is known to be one of the most difficult licensure exams, Rhoda provides valuable tips and insights on how to prepare, as well as common setbacks to avoid.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other individual, organization, or company. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as professional advice, and listeners should always seek the advice of qualified professionals for specific concerns.
Lee Grande is a full-time faculty at the Mariano Marcos state University since June 2008. Her field of specialization is Mathematics and Statistics. Her experience in teaching ranges from High school to Graduate School including the tertiary level. She is currently in-charge of the Reading Center at the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, MMSU. Her free time is mostly spent in her Master studies and enjoying the life of being a mother of two beautiful children.
"Compete with yourself. Your grades do not define who you are." - Lee Grande,
Lee Grande is a full-time faculty at the Mariano Marcos state University since June 2008. Her field of specialization is Mathematics and Statistics. Her experience in teaching ranges from High school to Graduate School including the tertiary level. She is currently in-charge of the Reading Center at the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, MMSU. Her free time is mostly spent in her Master studies and enjoying the life of being a mother of two beautiful children.
In this Part 1 of episode 4, We talked about having inferiority complex and teaching. We dive a little bit of statistics and online courses (coursera.org) in which she shared a little hack on peer reviews., How was she able to enter University of the Philippines? What was her strategy? And many more.
This is part 2 of episode 2 with Dr. Ina Irapta, an OB-Gynecologist. Medical Doctors like everyday people have vulnerabilities and struggles which she shared to us. In this conversation she talked about a very small habit that has a big impact in her quality of life and productivity. Very small that it only takes 5 minute a day - that's awesome. Pinag-usapan din namin kung bakit listening to podcast is very healthy specially these days of quarantine as she shared her top 3 podcast. We talked about surrogacy - is it possible that another woman will bear a couple's child? And later part she shares her advocacy on woman's health.
Dr. Ina Irapta is an Ob-Gynecologist currently working in a public hospital in La Union, Philippines. She shared to us her journey working as a nurse and becoming a medical doctor. We discussed the cause of cervical cancer and its prevention. If you are currently diagnosed with this illness, keep listening because with her vast experience, she will guide you what to do. To all ladies who want to maintain their reproductive health and stay out of this disease - you're in for a fun lecture. Please enjoy my conversation with Doc Ina.
Jucris is a Telecommunication Network Engineer in the Middle East, currently in Sharjah. He has a total of 9 years of solid field experience. We talked about the considerations in executing projects, how they adjusted to this pandemic, safety in working at heights and telecommunications tools. He is also a vlogger in youtube. You can find him at @PersevereBlog and @Persever Vlog at facebook. We talked about his EDC when deploying in the field. What should you consider when your offered a job in the middle east in the field of telecommunications. And many more. Please enjoy my conversation with Jucris Edulian.
A Telecom Engineer's Life in The Middle East
