After six years of living in Canada, this OFW was brave enough to return to the Philippines and start her own business.
Hazel Cambe, 37 years old, started her journey as an OFW with a Singaporean bank back in 2013. Two years later, she met her husband, Gerrald, who encouraged her to move to Canada and start a new life there.
“Husband ko ‘yong nagbigay sa akin ng idea going there. Kasi meron akong anak sa Pilipinas na naiwan and sa Canada pwede mo i-sponsor ‘yong family mo.’Yon ‘yong isang stepping stone namin na makapunta don kasi gusto ko makuha din ‘yong family ko, na hindi namin nagagawa sa Singapore,” Cambe told The Philippine STAR.
Cambe entered Canada as a foreign international student. A year later, Gerrald was able to join her as her dependent with an open work visa.
“One-month siyang walang work so naiisip ko, kung hindi siya makakahanap ng work kaagad, mauubusan kami ng funds. Mga first weeks, sobrang excited parang dream come true. Pero no’ng mga one month na, don ko na-realize na ang hirap pala nag-iisnow tapos papasok ka sa school. Naiisip ko, tama ba ‘yong desisyon ko at andito kami? Ang layo-layo na ng Canada sa Pilipinas ang hirap nang mag-backout,” she recalled.
Fortunately, Gerrald found a full-time job as an engineer. While studying for her post-graduate diploma, Cambe juggled school and part-time work as a food server at a grocery store and sold rice cakes or “kakanin.”
”Parang balik tayo sa umpisa. Kailangan mo magtiis sa umpisa kasi hindi naman nila mare-recognize ‘yong experience mo. Most of the time iniisip ko,”Bakit ko ba kasi ginawa pa ‘to?” Okay na nga ‘yong Singapore work ko tapos bumalik pa ako sa zero,” she shared.
Despite all the struggles, Cambe and Gerrald found the light at the end of the tunnel.
“After two years namin sa Canada, nakapag-apply kami ng permanent residence and then do’n ko na rin sinilang ‘yong daughter ko. ‘Yong husband ko naging mabait ‘yong employer niya sa kanya, sinuportahan siya kaagad for permanent residence application. No’ng mga second year ko na sa school, nagkaroon na ng transition from international student to work permit,” she shared.
Cambe and her family settled in their new home after securing permanent residency. However, the COVID-19 brought another challenge, prompting them to reassess their priorities.
“No’ng natapos na nga ‘yong pandemic, nagtaasan na ‘yong mga presyo, nag-double na talaga lahat. No’ng na-compare na namin, parang ang hirap pala na ito ‘yong sahod pa rin natin. Hindi naman nag-increase pero ‘yong mga expenses natin nag-increase. Sabi ko, baka [sign] na rin muna na alisan muna ‘yong Canada habang naghe-heal siya ulit,” she stressed.
That was when their family decided to leave Canada to start Cambe’s dream business in the Philippines. But before risking everything, Cambe enrolled to different lashes training both in Canada and Paris. She also launched her home-based studio in October 2021.
“Nagustuhan ko siya agad-agad pero hindi din ganon kadali kasi mahirap humanap ng clients, especially Filipino ako. Ang client ko is parang by appointment only kasi full-time mom din ako, may full-time job ako. Sabi ko, kung mag-eearn tayo ng ganyan sa business, bakit hindi na lang tayo sa Pinas mag-stay? Kasama pa natin ang family natin,” said Cambe.
In November 2023, Cambe and her family flew back to the Philippines. “Pagod na pagod na kami mag-OFW. Sabi ko, baka this is a sign na umuwi na tayo, no’ng naging citizens na kami, kasi pwede naman tayong bumalik in case na mag-fail ‘yong business.”
She opened Le’ Brows Premieré in Filinvest, Alabang, Muntinlupa last February 2024. They offer different self-care services such as lashes extensions, nails services and permanent brows.
According to her, their savings helped establish the P2.5 million business. Her journey underscores the importance of having a backup plan for OFWs. By pursuing entrepreneurship, Cambe secured financial stability and more time with her family.
”’Wag lang magmadali, kasi dumating din naman kami sa point na gusto na rin namin eh pero hindi kami nagmadali. ‘Yong time mo will come. Kung meron kang plans na mag-business, make sure na meron ka talagang concrete plan, may roadmap kang susundan,” she said.— Janelle Lorzano
