at age 8 I became responsible to raise my 6 siblings. My mother had to work overseas to make ends meet and provide income for us. My mother and father married at a young age, which was typical in our culture. My childhood was different from the normal here, although I am sure some are similar. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I taught myself English by watching TV. I had to learn how to
cook from my grandparents for my siblings at this age, do laundry, prepare them for school, overall, 7 of us. We lived in Giporlos. My grandfather raised pigs in the mountains which enabled us to eat. I would wake up at 5am to help him butcher and take them to market. Everywhere in the Philippines you are close to the ocean. We would also go down and catch crab, fish, mussels. Hopefully we would get enough to eat and sell to the market. We would buy rice with the extra money. After finishing my college, thank you Tita Vicky, Mom and Inca! I could not have made it out without you all, I went to Manila to earn a living and help out on family finances. After a few years I was able to join my mom in Hong Kong, earning more, and experiencing some freedom. I was able to see some of the world! What an enlightening experience! I never thought in my life I would make it out, I never thought I would make it to America. I remember laying on the mountain top, looking up at the clear blue sky, watching airplanes go across the sky. I thought what a dream it would be to be part of that journey. I did not think it could happen, get out of this, get out of the abuse, get out of the responsibility an 8-year-old should not be responsible for. I was a kid, I was dreaming! In Hong Kong I met an expat from America who was running an office in China. We connected. I had my first birthday cake! Well, yes, we got married! Immigration took 13 months, so I went to culinary school while the process evolved. This sparked my dream, being independent, owning a business.
2013 I arrived. What a great country this is. I can drive, I can drive! I have learned that as a woman that when you leave this great country your rights and safety dimmish drastically. I am safe, I have opportunity, I have a voice, I am somebody. Another millions of success stories, the land of opportunity, cherish it, share it! Privileged, blessed and thankful. Please share in my success as I share my culinary experiences!
