Family
Lara Quigaman on starting over in Canada: 'It's really a calling'
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After years of living in the Philippines, beauty queen and actress Lara Quigaman made a bold and life-changing decision with her family: to move to British Columbia, Canada. But for Lara, the relocation wasn't just about moving to a new country--it was about creating a more nurturing environment to raise their children and pursue a long-held dream.
"Nung first time namin pumunta ni Marco, napag-usapan talaga namin na parang masarap mag-raise ng family dito."
The choice to move came with new opportunities and discoveries. Lara shared how her professional path took a new turn in Canada, where she decided to pursue a career in early childhood education--an old dream reignited by the growing demand for teachers.
"Hindi ko alam na in demand 'yung mga teachers. Nung nag-decide kami kung ano ang kukunin kong course sabi ko talaga gusto ko maging preschool teacher. Gusto ko mag-Early Childhood Education (ECE). So, parang tinuloy ko lang 'yung pangarap ko," she said.
Now living that dream, Lara has embraced her new role as an educator. She opened up about the more inclusive educational system in Canada, especially in early childhood settings, where diversity and integration are deeply valued.
"Dito sa Canada, everyone's included, gusto nila included talaga sila, very inclusive dito. Hindi talaga nila sini-separate 'yung mga bata. Kahit may special needs, children with autism, children with behavioural needs or challenges, lahat 'yan kasama halu-halo," the fromer actress explained.
As she reflected on their new life, Lara had heartfelt words for families thinking of following a similar path. Her advice: prepare your heart, mind, and spirit--because starting over in another country takes more than courage; it takes conviction.
"Sa lahat ng desisyon, kailangan talaga pinag-pi-pray. Kailangan ready ka, when we moved to Canada, talagang prinepare namin sarili namin, ang mga bata. Meron kaming mindset na kapag dating namin doon, tayo lang talaga. Hindi katulad ng nakasanayan natin sa Pilipinas, hindi magiging madali 'yung journey so kailangan ready."
And as for her chosen path, Lara said it best:
"Mukhang madali siya but it's not. Ang pagiging teacher, ang pagiging educator, it's really a calling. Kailangan talaga mahal mo 'yung ginagawa mo and you love working with children."
