The Arborg community bolstered its population this month with several new arrivals from the Philippines.
Deanna Fernando landed in Manitoba in early February as a participant in the Philippines recruitment initiative, along with her husband Renz and their 10-year-old son Darence.
“I have always wanted to work in Manitoba because of the lower cost of living, an amazing health-care system and varieties of industries providing numerous job opportunities that could really help me and my family for our daily living. In addition, I feel secure knowing that my son will be provided a high quality of education,” she said.
“I have always wanted to live in Manitoba, especially since my sister’s family is also here and we will all be together achieving our dreams as a family. Manitoba truly is where Canada’s heart beats.”
In the Philippines, Fernando worked in private health care. Now that she’s in Manitoba, she’s working as a health-care aide at Arborg Personal Care Home.
“What I find the most fulfilling and rewarding working in health care is that I get to make a difference in the world — seeing the positive impact on my patients’ lives and knowing that I am directly helping patients overcome their health challenges,” she said.
“A sense of purpose is what drives me to work every day. Too often, we forget all the other things that makes our job what it truly is: to be compassionate and having a desire to make a difference not just with other people but also within ourselves.”
She said life in Manitoba is amazing, yet she knows there’s no place like home.
“The strong sense of community and close-knit family ties in the Philippines can be greatly missed when living abroad. I miss the warmth and comfort of being in an environment I grew up in — familiar places and faces, familiar words spoken,” she said.
“Those are some of the things that I miss upon leaving my homeland — but looking toward to the future, I know the best is yet to come.”
She’s grateful to community members and coworkers who have helped her family get settled into their new Arborg home.
“Our new community is safe, welcoming and multicultural. They have welcomed us with open arms. We quickly feel at home. My co-workers and ‘kababayans’ (Filipino community) truly helped and guided us to settle in during our first week here in Arborg through their genuine kindness and generosity. I am grateful for all the support and warm welcome we received in our new community,” Fernando said.
“I genuinely want to take a moment and give a huge thanks to IERHA for giving me the chance to achieve my dreams together with my family. All the guidance and support that they have given me are overwhelming and everything is truly appreciated. Thank you for believing in me and giving this opportunity. I’m looking forward to making the most of it and have the best time of my life working with your team.”
Also in February, Lorie Ann Casaclang moved to Arborg from the Philippines as part of the health-care recruitment effort. She shared some of her thoughts on why she decided to move to Manitoba.
“It is a great opportunity for my career and a wonderful program as a health-care provider. I heard a lot of good things like friendly people and wonderful weather,” she said.
“I’ll probably miss my family a lot, but I’m doing this for them to give them a better life.”
In the Philippines, Casaclang worked as an occupational health nurse. Now that she’s in Manitoba, she’s working as a health-care aide at Arborg hospital.
“The community here is friendly and giving me some tips about settling here and some benefits I can get working here,” she said.
”Working in a health care is a big responsibility; however, it gives you a great feeling of fulfillment whenever the patients get well and appreciate whatever help you gave them.”
