For as long as she could remember, Liza Manalo dreamed of becoming a teacher. Growing up in a small town in Batangas, she would line up her younger cousins and play “classroom” using chalk on the walls and worn-out notebooks as learning materials. That childhood dream eventually led her to earn a degree in education and dedicate nearly a decade to teaching in a public school in the Philippines. But even with her passion for teaching, life wasn’t easy. Her salary barely covered the family’s expenses, and she often found herself staying late, making visual aids by hand, while wondering how she could give her children a better future.
One night, while scrolling through social media, Liza came across a post: “Teachers Needed in Canada Apply Now.” Her heart skipped a beat. The offer included not only higher pay but also opportunities for career growth and permanent residency. Yet, the thought of leaving her husband and two children behind filled her with hesitation. After several nights of prayer and family discussion, her husband, Ramon, encouraged her. “You’ve always wanted to grow, Mahal,” he said. “Maybe this is your chance to build something better for all of us.”
With renewed determination, Liza began the long, challenging process of applying. She gathered her documents, took the required language proficiency exams, and completed training to meet Canadian standards. The process took nearly a year filled with uncertainty, expenses, and countless sleepless nights but finally, the message she had prayed for arrived in her inbox: “Congratulations! You’ve been selected for the position of Elementary School Teacher in Ontario, Canada.”
The day she left was bittersweet. At the airport, her children held her tightly. “Mama, don’t forget to call us every day,” her youngest pleaded. Liza smiled through tears. “Of course, anak. Mama’s just going to work hard for your dreams, okay?” As the plane took off, she whispered a silent prayer, trusting that her sacrifice would one day be worth it.
When she arrived in Canada, everything felt new the cold breeze, the unfamiliar faces, and the overwhelming silence of her small apartment. The first few weeks were hard. She missed her family dearly, and the cultural differences were challenging. Her students were polite but curious, often asking about the Philippines, its food, and its culture. Liza embraced these moments, turning them into small lessons about home.
Teaching in Canada was very different from what she was used to. There were advanced teaching tools, modern classrooms, and a focus on interactive learning. At first, she struggled to adjust, often staying late to prepare lessons that met the local curriculum. But as days turned into months, Liza’s passion shone through. Her students adored her, not just for her dedication but for her warmth and creativity.
One day, during a parent-teacher conference, a mother told her, “My daughter talks about you all the time, Ms. Manalo. She says you make learning fun and inspiring.” That compliment brought tears to Liza’s eyes. In that moment, she realized she wasn’t just surviving in a foreign country she was thriving.
Despite her professional success, being far from home never became easy. There were lonely nights when she would eat dinner alone, staring at family pictures on her phone. Video calls became her comfort her children proudly showing her their school grades, her husband updating her about the house renovations funded by her remittances. Each “We miss you, Mama” tugged at her heart, but she reminded herself of her purpose: to build a brighter future for her family.
After several years, Liza’s perseverance paid off. Her employer sponsored her permanent residency, allowing her to bring her family to Canada. The reunion at the airport was filled with tears and laughter. Her children, now teenagers, hugged her tightly as they looked around at their new home. “You did it, Mama,” her eldest said. “You made our dreams come true.”
As they settled into their new life, Liza continued teaching, now more inspired than ever. her story became known among the Filipino community proof that determination, hard work, and faith could turn dreams into reality. She even started volunteering to help newly arrived Filipino teachers adapt to the Canadian education system. “We rise by lifting others,” she would tell them with a smile.
Years later, as she stood in front of her classroom filled with bright young students, Liza reflected on how far she had come. From a small-town teacher struggling to make ends meet, she had become an international educator respected, fulfilled, and reunited with her family.
Her journey wasn’t just about teaching English or math; it was about teaching resilience, hope, and love the same lessons she had learned from her own sacrifices.
For Liza, being an OFW teacher in Canada was more than a career it was a calling. A mission to uplift not only her students but also her family and the Filipino spirit she carried in her heart.
