(Adelaide) 

What made you decide to move and live abroad?

It was two months into lockdown (May 2020) when Justin broached the idea of leaving the Philippines and travelling to his hometown, Adelaide. Siena was two months old and Hunter was about to turn two years old. At that time, the number of cases in the Philippines was rising rapidly, while there were zero cases in South Australia. We noticed that the once jolly and outgoing toddler we had was becoming introverted and anxious after being stuck in a condominium for two months. We knew that the lack of nature play and socialisation would eventually change his personality and that’s why we made the move to Australia. What was a six-month plan has extended to a little over a year.

Justin had the foresight to understand that the pandemic would not be over in months so making the decision to leave early on was important. We believe that moving to Australia was the best decision for our children—to be able to freely go out of the house, explore nature and socialise with others their age. It has also been good for me and Justin and our mental wellbeing.

What are the lessons you learnt from this move?

One word comes to mind—to flow. With the pandemic in the background, rules are always changing. One big lesson was to be open to change and adapt quickly. I had to learn how to do all the household chores because getting full time help here is expensive. Thankfully, Justin loves to cook so I leave that to him. It’s good to know that we can be independent as a family unit. I was also able to immerse myself in Justin’s life and upbringing. I’m also happy that the kids are able to experience Australia since it is half of who they are.

What’s the most fulfilling part of this move?

I didn’t realise how much we took “freedom” for granted prior to this pandemic. The most fulfilling part is enjoying the freedom to be out, to socialise, to interact with nature, and to create experiences where the children can learn and grow. From cherry-picking to driving to the beach to playdates in different parks every week—these are memories that we will hold close. We are also able to create that bond with the children at a time of their lives where it matters most. We are able to give them love, guidance, and security, an important stepping stone to having the confidence they need to flourish.

(Paris) 

What made you decide to move live abroad? 

I moved to Paris after getting engaged to my long-distance boyfriend at that time, who is French.

What are the lessons you learnt from this move?

That there are decisions you make in life that may not be easy, but you know they must be made. I loved my life in Manila. I had my career, my friends. I would never imagine leaving but I knew if I wanted to end up with my husband, I had to move. I never thought it was possible to work long-distance but when there is a will there is a way. As for friends, I made new ones here and my old friends visit me often. It was not easy at the start but now I have built my life here. I have no regrets. It was the best decision I have made in my life.

What is the most fulfilling part of this move?

To know that I did it! I started a new life abroad at 39 and I have never been happier. I followed my heart and it led me to the right place. I miss Manila but Paris is my home now.

What would you like to tell other people who would like to live abroad for good? Any tips?

Keep an open mind and heart. Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone is what your life needs for it to grow.

What do you miss most about the Philippines?

I miss mostly the people. I miss my friends. I miss Pinoys. By living abroad and travelling, you really see how warm and happy Filipinos are.

(New York) 

What made you decide to move live abroad? 

I came to the US when I was 13. My mum brought us here. She wanted us to leave the Philippines, which was under the Marcos dictatorship, because she wanted a different future for her kids. We first moved to San Francisco. After the 1989 earthquake, my mum and my family moved to New York City.

What are the lessons you learnt from this move?

The move taught me that we humans are adaptable. But it is important not to lose sight of who we are and where we came from because our families and our make-up is what builds our indomitable spirits. I also learnt how amazingly astig (cool) and courageous my mum was to start from scratch and build a new life in a new place for her family. In her, I have a great role model.

What is the most fulfilling part of this move?

Meeting people who are different from me, learning from and growing with them. Finding a part of the world, New York City, whose energy I am drawn to and where I feel like I belong.

What would you like to tell other people who would like to live abroad for good? Any tips?

If you have a chance, read about it, visit the place first and get a feel for the people and the community. Because it does not matter how beautiful the place is or how exciting the opportunities are; if you don’t like the people or you cannot find or build a community, it will be hard to call it your home.

What do you miss most about the Philippines?

My extended family, and the warmth and can-do spirit of our people. Green mangoes and bagoong (shrimp paste).

See also: What Does it Truly Take to Build a Happy Family? Paolo Trillo and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo Share Their Secret

(New York) 

What made you decide to move and live abroad?

After graduating from college in 2009, much like most recent graduates, I was lost. I had no idea of what I wanted to do with my life other than the fact I wanted to live in New York. I had visited with my mum when I was 10 or 11 years old; we stayed at a hotel in Midtown. She took me to all the Broadway shows, tea at the Plaza, exhibits at the Met, and even a carriage ride in Central Park. That was when I fell in love with the city and dreamt of making a life here. By October of 2010, I had saved up enough money to sustain myself for six months in New York while I looked for a Job. I never thought I would end up here for this long, but it’s been 12 years and I’ve never looked back. New York is now my home.

What are the lessons you learnt from living in New York and starting your own company?

I moved here in my early twenties with this vision of a glamorous life. I wanted to be in fashion, but I had no connections and no previous experience... so I took the first job I could find. By my mid-twenties I realised I was so unhappy with my career because my passion was not in it. That was when I did the unthinkable: I quit my job to start my own fashion company. My friend Louisa Rechter and I had been dreaming and scheming for about a year before we gathered up the nerve to launch our very first collection. We called the line Mestiza New York, and the rest is history.

This alone is the greatest lesson I have ever learnt: to be passionate and take risks. The risk I took of moving to a scary city with no job, the risk I took in quitting my career to do something completely new, and the risk of putting time, energy and money into something that might not even work. All these things could have completely failed, but I knew that at the end of the day, not even trying would have been riskier.

What do you miss most about the Philippines?

I miss everything; my friends, the ones who all used to live here in NY but over the years moved back; my family, the warm weather, the food; the fact the most beautiful beaches in the world are just an hour’s flight away. Going home had always been such a central part of my routine. I never thought that more than a year would pass without visiting home. I cannot wait for the day they are all lifted for good, because I will be on the first flight home!

(New York and Austin) 

What made you decide to live abroad?

When I was young, my family would usually spend summers in Los Angeles. But the first time I visited New York, the energy of the city fuelled me like nothing else. I knew I had to live there one day. I was working at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manila at the time. I knew that working in New York would be good for my career. When it comes to hospitality, New York exposes you to the best of the best and the challenges that exceed even your own expectations. 

What are the lessons you learned from this move?

In Manila, we live a sheltered life. Everything is taken care of. Help is readily available. Living in New York made me grow up in a way. It was the first time I lived away from family, the first time I was truly on my own. It was my first time to cook, do the laundry, take the subway, find new friends and get the right job. It was a lot of firsts, but also a lot of learning and unforgettable experiences.

New York City is highly competitive and it’s true what they say: the city that never sleeps! It simply doesn’t stop. 24/7. I learnt early on that you must work hard and be fully dedicated to your craft and passion. The good news is, if you can do that, you can become successful and have opportunities come your way that would be impossible anywhere else in the world. New York City is the epitome of the American Dream in that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. No matter your background, class, or ethnicity.

This past year, we took a family adventure to Austin. I opened a new hotel, and we experienced a different side of America. Texas is so very large; the food is amazing and the people so friendly. Funny though, Austin feels like New York City 20 years ago with energy and opportunity bursting at the seams.

What’s the most fulfilling part from this move?

That’s a good question. I feel my move is proof that following your bliss works. I remember reading somewhere that all you must do in life is to follow your bliss. To do what truly makes you happy. New York did that for me the first time I visited—and then delivered fully on my dreams once I committed to the city.

Now, more than 20 years later, I look back and see how it all worked out. I have had many adventures and made fascinating and fulfilling friendships through the years. I have a great career in hospitality running luxury hotels and most importantly, this is where I fell in love, met my husband, and found my bliss.

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