My phone alarm sung its melody again. Time to get up! Time to start writing your Statement of Purpose to get to Canada! I heard its lyrics whistle a soft melody to my ears, or was it just on my mind? My mind made up these lyrics so I could continue getting up each day to polish the letter to the visa officer who will make its judgment whether to refuse my intent to study in Vancouver, or approve it. Three o’clock in the morning, same each day. My phone alarm would chime three times a week in a row for my writing spree until 7 o’clock in the morning when my family gets up from bed.

Living in Singapore back then was making us a little complacent to simply work there then retire back to the Philippines. Why not? Singapore is well-known for its “Smart Nation” infrastructure, efficient government and bureaucracy far from corruption, safe, and uber- clean city-state, and world’s most powerful passport! We had goal to work ang get our family there. Fate was kind to us; it gave us what we asked. However, frequent nudging of our friends from different connections prodded us to change our mind. “You’re still young. I got my kids immigrating to Australia. Try to migrate while you still can,” shared by our good-intentioned older friend who believed in immigration. Another woman in her late 40s, who recently moved to Vancouver told me, “Vancouver is such a beautiful place! Try to move to Canada. It’s up for you to decide which province you’d like to move into, but Canada is great.” Then, another older friend from another connection wrote me on Messenger, “My son is moving to Australia, but I like Canada better. It’s my dream country. Try to immigrate…” Those three people from different connections shared their messages at different occasions—during the same season. For some reason, our direction evolved from New Zealand, Australia, to Canada. Finally, I listened to these voices—voices from friends who loved us and cared especially about our kids’ future. Their message became
clearer as time went by. Initially, we were headed for Nova Scotia. We heard that their PR program was quick and easy. I inquired to their designated learning institutions (DLI) but my college transcript of records (TOR) was not yet ready. I was wait-listed. So, we thought, why not look for a DLI in BC instead while waiting for the release of my TOR? After comparing all schools and programs, one school won my heart. I submitted all necessary requirements, my finally released TOR, downpayment of school fees, and the list went on. Preparing these documents was only the first step. Next was writing my Statement of Purpose and gathering all the necessary documents for Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These included proof of home ties, financial statements, proof of income, and—most importantly—the defining essay that could win over the visa officer’s heart.

Three o’clock in the morning, my phone alarm went singing its tune. I cleaned myself—took a bath, brushed my teeth, wore my clothing for the day. Filled with excitement each day, I heartily prepared a full cup of Old Town White Coffee strongly caffeinated to keep me awake for the next sixteen hours. Carrying this cup, I sneaked into an empty bedroom while my family were in deep sleep in the Master’s bedroom. We occupied the entire two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat with one living room, one kitchen, and one laundry room. A spacious flat of approximately 975 sq. ft. suitable for a family of 4. I sat in front of my MacBook Pro, opened an inspiring Youtube video that prepared my soul
for transcendence. The voice of an old woman narrating the beauty of the wild only in Beautiful British Columbia, her voice was calling me, calling my family. I got up, looked through the window overlooking the city streets of Sengkang—lighted by streetlamps and a few cars flowing along them. The city was peaceful and quiet. I took a short video of it and uploaded it to my Story. Then I got back to my Mac and immersed myself in writing… Always inspired! Each day I did this three times a week for one month just to perfect the Statement of Purpose. All necessary sections that a visa oAicer would look for should be included and not missed.

I read it, edited it, read it, edited it. The editing part was most recommended to be done the following day for a fresher mind. When everything was ready and I had made up my mind, I gathered all the documents and compressed them into a single PDF. How many times did I have to compress them just to achieve the necessary file size acceptable to IRCC for uploading to their website? I couldn’t count the number of times I had to do it. I and my husband prayed before submitting it to their website.

Now, it’s wait time. I checked Telegram where most Filipinos help each other to give advice about the study pathway. Day 1, 2, 3… For others, it’s been over two months before I submitted mine. They were almost giving up. Day 25, 26, 27… Then on Day 28, I received an email from IRCC “Your application status has changes. Sign in to your account.” I checked my account and hoorah! In less than a month, I got my study permit approved! It was indeed record-breaking at that time. I shared the good news. Surprisingly, others haven’t received an update yet in their application who were much ahead of me during submission.

So, it was my husband and two kids’ turn to submit their application. I did the same thing. I and my husband wrote it. Polished his Letter of Intent. Asked my kids to write a letter to the Visa OAicer. Same cup of coAee with a diAerent flavor of Old Town White Coffee at three o’clock in the morning for myself while everyone’s asleep to polish my husband’s letter. As soon as it’s polished, we submitted their application and in only thirty days, we got the update! They got approved, too! So, we were flying to Canada in five months. Woohoo! Kids were dancing, my husband was almost in tears knowing that no one’s going to be left behind.

Then in Canada, when we landed, my husband got his Software Engineer role in two weeks from the day of landing. No connection. No referral. Only online application. Only God can do that! It was only God who made it possible for us. In his third month, we wasted no time. We immediately submitted his application for Tech PNP. We can’t act as if we’re permanent residents in a foreign land. We need to act now! Without agency, but with a do-it-yourself application, we submitted our PR application.

Then, only in two years from the day we landed in Canada, we got all our Permanent Resident (PR) Visa approved. If I were to narrate all the struggles, anxieties, and the nearly dying confidence we held during parts of this journey, this journal wouldn’t end in one sitting! I need more days to finish it properly and write it well. To write not in a hurry… There came a time when we even had to budget our meals carefully, as my husband had lost his job while we were waiting for our permanent residency. Despite those struggles, our family adjusted to the immediate struggle and need. Our kids still enjoyed the meal that was “resourcefully” and creatively prepared! It was still delicious!

To many of us who dream, we have goals. However, that goal will just remain a dream if we don’t act on it. Goal is just a dream without SMART execution. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Moreover, time does not wait for everyone. If you have time to do it, do it now. Do not delay!

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” And when my patience is tested, I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24) His promises has kept us all going.